BOOKWAGON BLOG
Series Favourites With Bookwagon
Series Favourites With Bookwagon Toward the end of 2022, we were fortunate to work with M.G. Leonard. During her talk to an audience of teachers, she spoke about the value of series reading. She considered the resistance there can be toward children reading graphic...
All Aboard with Bookwagon!
All Aboard With Bookwagon It's three years or thereabouts since we parked up, forced to revise Bookwagon. Our sparkly little mobile bookstore had been derailed, alongside many other enterprises in Britain and beyond. Of course, it rattled us, personally, and then in...
Sylvia Bishop guest blog: character games and ‘44’
Welcome Sylvia Bishop- a guest post Today is publication day for 44 Tiny Acrobats, the second book in the 44 Tiny… series, written by Sylvia Bishop and illustrated byAshley King. This time, Betsy and her 44 pigmy mice are off to the circus, to meet marvellous...
P is for picture book
P is for Picture book Something to mull over P is for picture book- for everyone! Picture books are not just for young children. Nor are picture books appreciated only by children on the cusp of school, or a bridge to reading ‘real books’. They are real books. ...
The Power in Poetry
Poetry Power During lockdown I was invited to be a judge on the Word of Wandsworth (WoW) poetry competition panel. This initiative champions the power in poetry. There were four settings, including KS1, KS2, Haiflu and Adult. Happiness was the theme. Usually this...
Inclusivity
Let's look to a world of inclusivity The world has changed dramatically in the past three months. Are we more aware of the precipice upon which we stand? There are so many matters requiring our attention that it can feel overwhelming. Where do we begin? What do we...
Spring books and spring bundles
While Bookwagon is hunkered down, we have been catching up with reading. We have also been adding spring books to the website long overdue that appreciation. Additionally, we've been working to fulfil orders placed by customers keen to take advantage of our special...
A time to read
A time to read Bookwagon was formed to celebrate, share and sell children's books we've read and love. We aim to support a wide range of writers and illustrators. Increasingly, we do this at popup events at schools and special events. In fact, we were in the fortunate...
Welcome to a reading school
This is a reading school 'This is a reading school' are words that cheer our hearts. While we realise such a declaration is mandatory, it suggests determination. Yet what is a reading school? I am reluctant to comment or advise about the reading schemes and methods...
Time to Read
My blog posts are erratic despite best intentions to write fortnightly. Like many, I am time, sleep and leisure poor. It seems life is about working through the rush. It could be television binge watching, a seven-minute workout, or 30-minute no fuss dinners....
The value of being small
Bookwagon hopes you have made a happy return to the new academic year. This annual marker affects everyone in the community, from hairdresser to long-distance lorry driver. However, the biggest, most lasting effect of the start of a school year is upon the school...
Reading is not a competition
The summer holidays stretch ahead like an ocean with a feeling of emptiness and wonder. Lauren Child, current children's laureate, would offer it's an ideal time for children to 'daydream and stare out the window.' What a great time to read! What to read? How to read?...
We read every book we sell
Do you know we read every book we sell? Every word written about every book we sell is from our own reading experience? This means that families and schools seeking recommendations can depend on Bookwagon. We are able to offer a selection of books confidently because...
The Tools for Building Readers for Life
In the beginning My teaching career began in a seaside, rural school miles from my home. Children between 5 and 13 years of age attended; it was a local, community school. I drove a speedy Honda Civic to and from home morning and night, along gravel, winding roads,...
What lies beneath the covers
Our resolution Bookwagon is determined to find the right books for our readers. It is why we read so much, make our own descriptions rather than purchasing publishing words annually. (Compare other booksellers' descriptions and you'll understand what I mean.) Whether...
All aboard for a child’s reading journey
A child's reading journey A 'Masterchef' applicant or work placement trainee might be inclined to compare their experience to a journey. New entrants to education have their progress monitored through a 'learning journey' either digitally or through scrapbook. My...
The comfort offered in reading
'Piglet wasn't afraid if he had Christopher Robin with him, so off they went…' Characters, like creatures, offer us comfort. Social media was alight with fond reminisces of Winnie-the-Pooh on January 18th. Winnie-the-Pooh day commemorates the birth of his creator,...
New shoots, new leaves, new children’s books
It's an Avocado Baby…. It's a new year rich with potential. More popup school book fairs, writers and picture book makers await. Gift book subscriptions increase. Bookwagon is excited by new children's books just waiting to be discovered. Whadayamean... During the...
Jolabokaflod- A Winter Reading Experience
Jolabokaflod Bookwagon has been building up to Jolabokaflod. As I write, I'm aware of the TBR pile to my left hand side. The pile of books upon the wagon (actual wagon) is balanced precariously. However, a busy run of book orders via online ordering and personal...
The Live Experience
The 2018 round up As we draw to the end of 2018, 'best of' lists are hitting the press and internet. I enjoy browsing these. Yet, I cannot create a Bookwagon Best Of Books 2018. Bookwagon sells books that have been read, loved and recommended by us, only. The...
The Gift of A Story
The Gift of a Story Mr Bookwagon and I were walking across a nighttime bridge in Stratford-upon-Avon, when he recalled an evening from his adolescence. During a sixth form geography field trip in Devon he'd felt the call of nature late one night. He stumbled outside...
A Bookwagon Experience
A Bookwagon Experience It has been a busy few weeks for Bookwagon. We exhibited with Reading Rocks South, thanks to the support of our 'third wheel'. Our calendar is filling up with book fairs. Schools have booked more writers and illustrators for visits, supported by...
The pictures tell the story
Bookwagon holds fast to a mantra to recommend and sell books we have read and loved only. We describe each title on our site. Customers need to know they can trust our knowledge and experience of children's books I have worked my way through a host of outstanding...
Picture book clues
Welcome back! The new academic year has begun. Our days are shorter with a distinct chill in the early morning air. Bookwagon has been busy taking bookings for school events and popup sales. We are working to include a wonderful new selection of books aboard the...
Children’s reading choices
What does gender distinction have to do with children's reading choices? Pink and Blue It wasn't until the 1980's that gender specific clothing became common, i.e., pink for girls, blue for boys. The distinction coincided with prenatal testing determining the sex of...