Shortlisted for the Teach Primary Awards 2026!

A classroom-ready teaching resource for turning reluctant and resistant readers into recreational readers. With tips for reading aloud, a selection of engaging stories, and structured lesson plans, all research-backed and proven to inspire a love of literacy.

The second edition includes a new foreword by Prof Teresa Cremin, tried and successful tips for engaging parents, and advice for home educators/tutors adapting the lessons for individuals and small groups.

Written by Chip Colquhoun and Rebekah Owen,
with forewords from Prof Teresa Cremin 
and Ros Wilson

Illustrations by Korky Paul and Mario Coelho

What if the key to improving reading attainment isn’t more pressure, but more pleasure?

This unique handbook provides a practical, classroom-ready teaching resource to help your pupils develop a genuine love of reading. By combining a rich anthology of short stories with tips for reading aloud from an Oxford Owl storyteller, you’ll engage even the most reluctant readers – and keep them coming back for more.

This is not another comprehension scheme in disguise. Drawing on nearly two decades of professional storytelling practice and aligned with current research, the book offers practical, repeatable strategies proven to inspire reading for pleasure. Suitable for a wide range of abilities across the primary range, each story is paired with ready-to-use lessons designed to build engagement, deepen curiosity, and encourage independent reading habits.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, literacy lead, or home tutor, this book provides everything you need to turn reading into something your pupils will actively choose. The result is not only improved literacy outcomes, but a lasting shift in how your young people see reading.

See your pupils go from reluctant readers, to recreational readers!

This second edition includes a new foreword from Prof Teresa Cremin as well as additional tips for involving parents and adapting the lessons for one-to-one tuition.