The Representative Reading Spine
In this article we introduce our Representative Reading Spine, a spine of books designed to support inclusion, diversity and reading for pleasure in Primary Schools. Devised and created by experts from Coventry Schools Library Service and Primary English, it’s a reading spine that inspires, connects and engages children through high quality texts from contemporary authors and illustrators.
What is a Reading Spine?
A reading spine (or book spine or literacy spine as they are sometime referred to) is a collection of books that you want all children in your school to experience and enjoy. Whether a reading spine of books is created to immerse children in classic texts, archaic language or stories with different narrative structures, one thing is clear about literacy spines: they are constructed to ensure that children hear the best stories read aloud to them by their teachers for pleasure.
How is our Reading Spine different to other reading spines?
Our Reading Spine is a collection of contemporary children’s books selected for the quality of their writing, illustration and ability to represent the lives and experiences of all children regardless of their gender, ethnicity or social class.
The books in our reading spine offer children (and teachers) the opportunity to read, share and talk about books which support a holistic approach to reading. They help children understand the world around them, to process emotions and experiences, and most importantly to provide them with “mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors” (Rudine Sims Bishop) through using up-to-date modern texts from a diverse range of authors and illustrators.
Is the Representative Reading Spine progressive?
Yes, the Representative Reading Spine includes books for children in Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2. The books increase in complexity of language, structure and concepts as children progress through the school meaning that teachers can feel assured that they are reading books suitable to the needs of their age-group.
The Representative Reading Spine currently features books for Key Stage 1. Books for Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2 are coming soon.
How should I use the Representative Reading Spine books?
The spine is offered for reading aloud for pleasure. The idea is that the books are read and reread to ensure children deepen their knowledge of the books and increase their understanding of how each book links to their understanding of the world, their own experiences and to other books they have read. Of course, there is nothing stopping teachers from using the reading spine for reading lessons and the many activity ideas that accompany each book could be used in group or whole class reading lessons.
What is included in the Representative Reading Spine packs?
Each book is accompanied by a range of reading activities. These focus on making links between the book and the children’s existing knowledge; identifying themes; exploring emotional literacy and expressing opinions about what is read.
Extensive prompts are provided to support discussion about the books, there are visual literacy cues to help children dig deeper into their understanding of the text and questions to help teachers explore the books. There are also expertly curated lists of additional texts , which include book band and Lexile levels. These are organised by theme, topic, author and illustrator to help teachers extend and expand upon the reading spine itself.
Where can I get the Representative Reading Spine?
There are two main ways to access the Representative Reading Spine. The first is by following this link to our colleagues at Coventry Schools Library Service where you can buy discounted copies of the books complete with all the planning and support materials. They have a range of options to meet the budgets and requirements of all schools.
The other way is to download the planning and support materials alone from the resources area here on the Primary English website. Just click below.
With the books being chosen to reflect the realities of contemporary childhoods, we feel confident in saying that our literacy spine will help you build a community of readers who are passionate about books and reading.
Which books are on the Representative Reading Spine?
The KS1 books are as follows.
Catch That Chicken! By Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank
Good Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen
Grumpy Frog by Ed Vere
Julian Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love
Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T Smith
Lubna And Pebble by Wendy Medour and Daniel Egnéus
Number 7 Evergreen Street by Julia Patton
Ori’s Stars by Kristyna Litten
The Diddle That Dummed by Kes Grey and Fred Blunt
The King Who Banned The Dark by Emily Hawort-Booth
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S K Ali and Hatem Aly
What Happened To You? By James Catchpole and Karen George
Remember. Each book can be purchased from Coventry SLS, and here on the Primary English Website, you can download planning and resources to support your use of each book in the classroom.