Use these resources this Christmas time based on Chapter 19 of Arctic Star.
Find out how the young Royal Navy sailors celebrate Christmas Day 1943 aboard HMS Belfast in the Arctic Circle with dinner, carols and listening to the King’s Speech.
Christmas Resources:
Read chapter 19, Christmas Day on the Arctic Ocean, 1943 as a pdf here to share with the young people you work with or use the flip book below :
(You might also like to read my free chapter from Football’s Greatest Moments on Boxing Day 1920 here)
Our replies are never automated so you will get a personal reply. Please be patient with us!
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
For over ten years I have asked teachers, TAs and librarians if they would be kind enough to nominate a child they think would benefit from the gift of a book for Christmas.
My family and I would like to do the same for Christmas 2023.
The Christmas Books
Each book will be personally dedicated, signed, gift-wrapped and will come with a Christmas card from me. The Christmas card will have this year’s exclusive illustration taking inspiration from one of my books by the wonderful Yorkshire artist James Innerdale.
I will send a personal Christmas card to each nominee and a poster pack for each school regardless of whether or not their application is sucessful.
The Children
Our idea is to work with schools and libraries to help us gift books to fifty children. Short applications are invited from teachers, TAs and librarians, nominating children as follows:
who have had a difficult year at school or home in the hope that a book would be a boost for them
who do not have any books at home
who one special book might help engage them with a lifetime of reading for pleasure.
Applying teachers, TAs and librarians are also asked to select which of my books for children they feel is most appropriate.
Their Privacy
All nominations will be kept in confidence and it is up to you exactly how privately you wish to give the books over.
You will be under no obligation to disclose to the child why they are receiving the book or to present it to them publicly.
The nomination process for applying adults
If you’d like to nominate a child, please email the following information as follows to admin@tompalmer.co.uk by Sunday 26th November2023:
the child’s name (this will not be published and will be kept in full confidence)
a short paragraph explaining why you are nominating that child (this will not be published and will be kept in full confidence)
your name and school address (where I will send the book)
We will respond ASAP to all applications as soon as we can on receipt. My family and I will choose the recipients and notify all applying teachers, TAs and librarians of the outcome by the end of November and we aim to have the books dispatched to schools in the first week of December 2023.
I am sorry, we cannot promise to send a book to every child nominated. We have set an upper limit of 50. But I will send a personal Christmas card to each nominee and a poster pack for each school regardless of whether or not their application is successful.
(For more information about special offer schools book packs, FREE signed bookplates and signed books to purchase as gifts see here. )
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
This year’s Remembrance Sunday will be marked on 12th November, with Armistice Day on Saturday 11th November 2023.
To help schools mark the occasion and link it to developing literacy in the classroom, I will be offering FREE resources for schools to use based around my books …
an assembly message for KS2 and KS3. I will talk about the real First and Second World War soldiers, airmen and women and sailors that have inspired the characters in my books. It is for use in the hall or for schools to stream throughout classrooms.
a signed certificate to present to pupils for any work relating to Remembrance Day Download here
“The Barnbow Lasses” – a FREE 3 part readaloud story with resources. Download here.
Since 2019 the red poppy has paid tribute to civilian victims of war and “acts of terrorism”, alongside the armed forces.
Resist is my latest historical story for children about the impact of being occupied on a homefront civilian occupation in WW2, based on the real Dutch Resistance experiences of Audrey Hepburn.
My books about both World Wars and children of today’s serving members of the Armed Forces :
First chapters of all my historical fiction books.
Videos about the settings of my books, filmed at the Somme and on the D-Day beaches.
My 2022 Remembrance message about the First and Second World War soldiers, airmen and women and sailors – from across the Commonwealth – that have inspired the characters in my books, particularly from India and Canada can be found here.
My 2021 Remembrance message filmed from the Arctic Convoy War Memorial at Liverpool Parish Church can be found here.
My 2020 Remembrance message filmed from my local war memorial about the real soldiers, sailors and airman who inspired my books can be found here.
If you would like a reminder of when future Remembrance resources will be available please use the contact form below. Please be patient. Our replies are not automated so you will get a personal reply. See T&Cs.
Thank you
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With the men’s Rugby Union World Cup being hosted by France in September and October, look out for my rugby-related competitions and resources linking rugby and reading.
Or please email me back for more information subject “Remembrance”
Starting 30 Oct 2023 Christmas Book Gifting
For the past ten years I have asked teachers, TAs and librarians if they would be kind enough to nominate a child they think would benefit from the gift of a book for Christmas.
My family and I would like to do the same for Christmas 2023.
Free Holocaust Memorial Day resources suitable for every school to use in the run up to Holocaust Memorial Day produced with the National Literacy Trust.
We will be offering a range of free resources for Key Stage 2 & 3 to mark Holocaust Memorial Day including a virtual assembly with a Holocaust Survivor.
USE this form to receive availability and publication reminders
Our replies are never automated so you will get a personal reply. Please be patient with us!
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
WIN THREE BOOKS FEATURING SPORTING GIRLS AS THE MAIN CHARACTER FOR YOUR SCHOOL
After the buzz created by the Lionesses in this summer’s World Cup finals, I expect school libraries will be looking to restock with even more books about girls playing sport.
I’m offering schools the chance to win one of six sets of threeof my books and a pack of 10 sample chapters of my forthcoming book about a British girl who goes to play football in California.
TO ENTER :
Please either RETWEET on Twitter and/or SHARE on Facebook and then enter your details below.
Three sets – for you to give to a school of your choice – will be up for grabs on each platform. Deadline is midnight on Sunday 20th August 2023. Winners will be drawn at random.
Thank you!
Our replies are never automated. You will get a personal reply so please be patient with us!
Data protection notice – we respect your privacy and we will not share your details with anyone else. You may unsubscribe at any time by emailing admin (at) tompalmer (dot) co (dot) uk or use my simple unsubscribe pagehere. If you are under 16, please always make sure to ask a parent for their permission before you give your details to this or any other website. Please refer to my Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions for further information.
I have written many sports stories featuring girls as the main character:
Secret FC (2010), 6+ Typhoon (2016), 7+ My First Football Game (2013), 4+ Armistice Runner(2018), 9+ Rocky(2020), 9+ Gus the Fantastic Football Cat (2018), 5+ Game Changer (2022), 10+ Soccer Diaries I(2023), 10+
“Rocky is a brilliant role model for girls and boys alike, showing that there is always a way through life’s challenges if you keep going and never give up.” Kate Heap
2023 World Cup Activities
Rocky Doodle Doo Colour in and add your own football linked doodles to download and print off here
Play Rocky’s 2023 World Cup Reading Game in the classroom or library and discover lots of way to enjoy football and enjoy readinghere.
More about my books featuring girls playing football:
4 + First Football Game
Join Sam as she goes to her first ever football game. This exciting narrative follows Sam’s day from beginning to end, describing her journey to the stadium, the football songs she hears and the goals!
Published by Collins Educational. More about First Football Game here
5 + GUS THE FAMOUS FOOTBALL CAT
A funny and heartwarming story about a girl and her pet cat, who becomes a World Cup celebrity!
There’s a football challenge at Yusra’s school and everyone wants to win. Which class can find the best way to predict England’s World Cup results? Yusra has an idea – her pet cat Gus could help! As Gus keeps guessing the scores right, the word spreads and soon everyone wants a piece of the famous football cat. But is the life of a celebrity as purrfect as it seems?
Lily, Maddie and Zach can’t believe it when the new headmaster bans football in the playground. Living in the inner-city, there is nowhere else to play. Then Zack has a brilliant plan and soon a very special secret football club is formed . . .
Rocky is the sixth and historic book in the brand new series of illustrated middle grade fiction titles starring Roy of the Rovers, the classic British children’s football hero rebooted for the 21st century. This time, it’s all about Rocky, Roy’s football-mad younger sister!
A struggling student and brilliant footballer, Rocky Race is many things, but to most people she’s just Roy Race’s little sister. It’s not much fun – especially as Melchester Rovers head to the League Cup Final.
Rocky’s sick of everyone knowing her through Roy, she’s had enough of school, and she’s even started having panic attacks.
Now it’s up to Rocky to find her own way – as a person and a player – and she’s going to need all her grit and determination to do it…
The newly formed Melchester Women’s team are going from strength to strength in their first full season of professional football, lead by the tenacious Rocky Race. Can she maintain her match-winning performances? And just where does her footballing future lie?
‘I LOVED this book! I love how the story turns from one stage to another. I would definitely recommend it to any girl who enjoys football! I love that Rocky has real determination and passion for the game.’ Jess, Year 5.
Rocky of the Rovers book – Game Changer – was selected for the 2023 Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Game Changer is the latest story about Rocky Race, sister of Roy of the Rovers, and has already been featured on the front page of the Times newspaper.
The Soccer Diaries is a brand new series starring Rocky Race, a British footballer looking to make it big in a US soccer school.
Rocky Race is not your average fourteen year old. She’s determined, ambitious and the best football player you’ve ever seen. So, when she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a prestigious soccer camp in California, USA, she takes it. But far from home, Rocky suddenly finds herself out of her comfort zone. Fake friends, her own anxieties and a brand new world with strange rules all threaten to derail her new life before it’s even started – does Rocky have what it takes to succeed?
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
Refugee Week 19-25 June 2023
Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Refugee Week Free Resources
In June 2023, I am offering these FREE resources for Refugee Week, with links to PHSE / Literacy / History, available now from here.
“Boat People” with the National Literacy Trust includes :
5 very short stories about people who have had to escape danger by boat, set in the years 1914, 1943, 1975, 2010 and today
5 writing exercises delivered by video, relating to the stories and the theme of refugees, with worksheets for the children
a teachers’ guide
a live virtual Q&A event for the classroom, the chance to chat to me about my stories and how I write, 22 June at 2 p.m.
Combined powerpoint very kindly shared by Penketh High of all the writing exercises for lesson time here.
Certificate for your school or classroom or for individual work
Download here
“Boat Peop
Refugee Week Virtual Events
21 June at 4.30 p.m – “Empowerment through compassion” – A virtual CPD event for teachers with Tom and Helen McCord from UCL for schools More information and book now here
This live CPD event for teachers and others on 21st June at 4 p.m. from Windermere will be hosted by UCL Holocaust Education and the Lake District Holocaust Project and will explore the story of 300 children, Holocaust survivors who came to live in Cumbria in 1945, direct from the concentration camps of Europe. More information and book now here https://holocausteducation.org.uk/courses/2023/06/empowerment-through-compassion/
22 June at 2 pm – a live virtual Q&A event for the classroom, the chance to chat to me about my stories and how I write alongside authors Ada Jusic and Nadine Kaadan on 22 June at 2 p.m. Book now here https://literacytrust.org.uk/events/refugee-week-2023/
If you would like a reminder of when these resources will be available please use the contact form below. Please be patient. Our replies are not automated so you will get a personal reply. See T&Cs.
“Several of my latest published books have featured child refugees who have made it to the UK to be taken in by families and communities.
I did this because I have visited many schools and communities that have children who are refugees from Syria (and other troubled places in the world) and met them and heard their stories.
That – and reading books and articles about the war – motivated me to develop Yusra, Galip and Aylan as characters in my children’s books.
I did it, also, because I want children who are in all schools to be able to read about how we – in our relatively safe and stable country – can help people whose lives have been smashed to pieces and how we need to remember this country has a history of taking in and accepting refugees.
Here are a selection of my relevant books …
After the War (Barrington Stoke) is the story of 300 children, Holocaust survivors who came to live in Cumbria in 1945, direct from the concentration camps of Europe. It is based on survivor testimonies.
D-Day Dog (Barrington Stoke) I wanted to think about how today’s refugees are part of our history, part of our future and that is why it is so good to welcome them to the UK.
Gus the Fantastic Football Cat(Egmont, KS1) is about a Syrian girl and her dad who look after a rescue cat when they arrive in the UK from Syria. The parallel of the girl taken in by a UK community and her, in turn, taking a rescue cat in is the only thing about the story that relates to her background. The rest of the story is hopefully a lot lighter, as the cat reveals it can predict World Cup football results.
Pitch Invasion (Barrington Stoke) is a bit more direct. The story is about a haunted hillfort in Cornwall and a ghostbusting duo – Seth and Nadiya – who realise there is a parallel between the ghost of Iron Age refugees escaping the brutal Romans by heading west and two Syrian boys – Galip and Aylan – who have recently been taken in by a Cornish family, after tragedy in Syria. The refugees I describe could well have been some of your Iron Age ancestors, people who might have been part of Boudica’s Iceni tribe after she was killed fighting them. I wanted to think about how there are refugees now just as there always have been. People have always had to flee. Then and now.”
More resources :
Watch Now “NLT Refugee Week virtual event: In Conversation with Tom Palmer” recorded from 20 June 2022 here
“The Girl in the Lewandowski Top” – is a FREE 5 part story about a Ukrainian Refugee in 2022 with teacher guide and worksheets. This was written for Refugee Week 2022 for the National Literacy Trust but can be used all year round.
“Them” – is a FREE 5 part read aloud story set in 1945, from the point of view of the children in the Lake District community who received 300 child refugees from the Nazi concentration camps after the end of the Second World War. This was written for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 for the National Literacy Trust but can be used all year round.
5 short films and worksheets to support “Them” story and inspire pupils to write their own responses here
A teacher guide with ideas and sources to support your delivery of “Them” and children’s writing here
5 short films of Tom reading out loud “Them” available from here
“The Question” is a FREE 5 part read aloud story set today, from the point of view of pupils meeting a Holocaust survivor at their school and asking them about their refugee experience. This was written for Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 for the National Literacy Trust but can be used all year round.
Read “The Question” here for you to read aloud / stream / share or as a series of 5 films of Tom reading the story for you to use however suits your school here ).
You can also find out more about the Windermere children’s story in my children’s book “After the War from Auschwitz to Ambleside” here.
More resources from Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 here.
More resources from Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 here.
Thank you
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
Tarn grapples with the loss of her brother at Dunkirk as she faces the threat of Nazi invasion in the Cumbrian countryside in this gripping wartime tale.
Signed copies make an extra special gift. I can sign and personalise books - including a special birthday card - through my local independent children's bookshop.
My newsletter is emailed 3 times a year. Choose from Termly resources news for Teachers and Librarians or Holiday reading news for Young Readers and their families.
Please enjoy my books for free at school & public libraries, buy them from your local independent bookshop and high street shops like Waterstone's and WHSmith or visit my Amazon bookshop. Thank you.
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