Patron of Reading

Working with UK schools to develop long term relationships with authors, poets, illustrators and storytellers.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

A few months ago, @MarieZarro97723 and I came up with the idea of creating pupil-judged awards for verse novels written for children. Thanks to the incredible generosity of @theliteracytree and @BadgerLearning Learning, we've been able to make it a reality.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

With EmpathyLab's Empathy Day Festival only a couple of weeks away, do make sure you sign your school up for these fantastic free author events.

https://t.co/tDVE3xeEFS

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

I watched a fantastic adaptation of Crossing the Line by @tiafisher_ last night, a book which tackles the growing County Lines crisis.

In the Q&A session afterwards, I was delighted to learn that the team are now planning to take it into secondary schools across the country.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Delighted to be one of the judges for the 2026 Lollies. I've loved reading all the longlisted titles over the past few weeks, and am looking forward to the shortlisting meeting in London on Friday. @MichaelRosenYes @AlexFKoya #KatieAbey @scholasticuk

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

'Let's comic-ise the classroom' (@MarieZarro97723)

On Thursday 21st May (3:45pm-5:00pm), the brilliant @RuddickRichard and I will be delivering a session about how graphic novels and comics can become an integral part of the primary classroom.

https://t.co/LGaMcNhKJb

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds is a wonderful collection of loosely linked short stories, and one I dip into regularly with pupils. I really enjoyed creating a set of free teaching resources based around the book for @TeachPrimary magazine.

https://t.co/v7k7OEOVgm

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

My latest article for Educate magazine explores the importance of getting the transition in reading from KS2 to KS3 right, and how children's reading identities evolve as they move through education. A huge thank you to Amy Brookes for sharing her insights as a school librarian.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

I was extremely fortunate to attend the Young Poet Laureate poetry masterclass at Faber and Faber with one of my Year 5 pupils yesterday. The programme, organised by the @NatPoetryCentre and the @Literacy_Trust, is outstanding.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

The @OpenUni_RfP website is packed with examples of practice from teachers, librarians and students, so do take a look. I've recently had a piece published exploring the importance of pupil choice in reading.
https://t.co/mro1tbe3Ry

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Leave the Trees, Please by Benjamin Zephaniah and Melissa Castrillón is a deserving winner of the 2026 Margaret Mallett Award for Children's Non-Fiction. It is a lyrical plea to protect nature and the environment, accompanied by vibrant illustrations in a red and green palette.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Over the past few weeks, I've been talking with @MarieZarro97723 about setting up a pupil-judged award for verse novels written for children (two categories, primary and secondary). They're clearly a growth area in children's books right now and are getting lots of attention.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

On Thursday 21st May, the fantastic @RuddickRichard and I will be delivering an after-school online session on using graphic novels in the primary classroom. There will be lots of practical ideas and book recommendations, as well as time for questions.

https://t.co/cXz8E6jWAc

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Do get along to this if you can. @MarieZarro97723 is a hugely experienced teacher and will be contributing to a session full of wisdom, authenticity, and practical, sutainable strategies for building a school reading culture. @MichaelRosenYes
https://t.co/KfXnxFi2Xe

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

It's incredibly exciting to launch our first school poetry award celebrating published children's poetry next week.

What I'm most pleased about is that it's entirely child-led, from start to finish.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

As it's the start of a new school term, it feels like a good time to reshare my picturebook assembly overview, which has a focus on empathy and inclusion. All the selections are books I've used and loved as a teacher. Feel free to download, use and adapt.

https://t.co/JBuWKFD2sh

[Marie Jean @MarieZarro97723]

I love the Rights of the Reader by Daniel Pennac and re-reading his book has been simply glorious. Insightful, funny, challenging and still so very relevant ❣️📚
If you can get hold of a copy, I highly recommend you do!

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Today's Read to the Beat! recommendations are The Adventures of Rap Kid and The Adventures of Rap Kid: The GOAT by @MrMCGrammar.

Funny, thought-provoking, and fantastic for reading aloud to a class, these books are absolutely full of energy. Perfect for upper KS2.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

My latest Read to the Beat! recommendation is Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion, by Shannon Stocker and Devon Holzwarth. It's a story of challenge, perseverance, and the importance of pursuing your dreams, whatever they may be. An inspirational book.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Today's Read to the Beat! recommendation is a book that never fails to move a class.

Birdsong, written by Katya Balen and illustrated by Richard Johnson, is really special. Not a single word is wasted. It's lyrical, empathetic and heartbreaking.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Today's Read to the Beat! recommendations are a trio of graphic novels, all suitable for the upper end of KS2.

Speak Up!, by Rebecca Burgess, is about 12-year-old Mia, who likes to express her feelings by singing and songwriting, and goes viral online as the performer Elle-Q.