Literacy

It is crucial for children to develop a life long love of reading. Reading consists of two dimensions: language comprehension and word reading. Language comprehension (necessary for both reading and writing) starts from birth. It only develops when adults talk with children about the world around them and the books (stories and non-fiction) they read with them, and enjoy rhymes, poems and songs together. Skilled word reading, taught later, involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation  of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. writing involves transcription (spelling and handwriting) and composition (articulating ideas and structuring them in speech before writing). (Development Matters-July 2021)

At St. Julie’s Catholic Primary School, we want it to be a place where children are read to, enjoy listening to high-quality books and share their enjoyment of stories through discussion.

Our 'Reading Spine' is one element of the approach we take to foster a love for reading in our children. The spine is a core of books that create a living library inside our children's minds.  It is a store of classics and essential reads that help our children engage at a deeper level and enter the world of the story.  We have produced our very own 'Reading Spine' for every year group; giving children access to these high-quality texts.  

Ultimately, while our children are continuing to enjoy a range of books throughout their school journey, they are also learning to become meta-cognitive readers.

We use the reading spine books in every year group over the school year.  From your child starting in Reception at St. Julie’s Catholic Primary School, to leaving in Year 6, they will have been immersed in some of the most fantastic books available to children!

EYFS - Reading Spine

  • Owl Babies – Martin Waddell
  • We are Together – Britta Teckentrup
  • Happy in our Skin – Fran Manushkin
  • The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson
  • Mr Gumpy’s Outing – John Burningham
  • Rosie’s Walk – Pat Hutchins
  • Six Dinner Sid – Inga Moore
  • Mrs Armitage – Quentin Blake
  • Farmer Duck – Martin Waddell
  • Peace at Last – Jill Murphy
  • Lost and Found – Oliver Jeffers
  • The Bog Baby – Jeanne Willis
  • Shhh! – Sally Grindley
  • Sharing a Shell – Julia Donaldson
  • Beautiful Ooops- Barney Saltzberg
  • You Choose – Pippa Goodhart
  • Where’s the Starfish? – Barroux
  • The Lion who Wanted to Love – Giles Andreae
  • Kitchen Disco – Clare Foges
  • Only One You – Linda Kranz
  • Oliver’s Vegetables – Vivian French
  • The Bad – Tempered Ladybird – Eric Carle
  • We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
  • Each Peach Pear Plum – Janet and Alan Ahlberg
  • Green Eggs and Ham – Dr Seuss
  • Kipper's Toybox - Mick Inkpen
  • All Aboard the Shapes Train - Illustrated by Sean Sims
  • All Aboard the Numbers Train - Illustrated by Sean Sims

The books from the ‘Reading Spine’ will be shared with the children during the year

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