Aesop's Fables - Aesop's fables illustrated and retold by art students at the University of Massachusetts. These fables are retold in both traditional and modern versions, some through short animations. Can be very slow to load in a classroom situation, however.
Aesop's Fables - Online Collection - Claims 656 plus fables and other traditional tales, many narrated, some with images as well.
J.M.Barrie Teacher Resource File Information and lessons plans about the author J.M. Barrie and Peter Pan.
Animal Ark The website of the Animal Ark book series. On this child-friendly site, as well as information about each book, there is also information about some of the animals featured such as cats, dogs and horses, facts about wild animals, quizzes and art-work. A well-designed site, it doesn't try to cram too much in making it easy to find you way around.
International Biggles Association Homepage Astoundingly - the official organization of people interested the works of Captain W.E. Johns.
Enid Blyton Although this website was currently undergoing major development when I reviewed it, this promises to be a great site devoted to the ever-popular author.
Harry Potter Home Page Warner Bros. official Harry Potter website. Very Flash, very slick, complete with stunning introduction, sound-effects and animations. The site is mainly related to the films, and offers games such as 'Quidditch Practice' and 'Escape from the Dursley's' as well as news and events related to the films, a shop to buy official merchandise and much more. Overall, very commercial, but a quality site none-the-less.
www.BetsyByars.com Betsy Byars has written over fifty books for young people since her first published book in 1962, winning several awards along the way. This is a website devoted to her and her books.
Harry Potter Books from Bloomsbury This site is more devoted to the books and suffers a good deal less from the hype of other sites! When I reviewed the site, the publishers of the Harry Potter books in the UK were offering the chance to pre-order the next book 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' before its release on 21st June 2003. Incidentally - this eagerly awaited book is reputed to be over one third LONGER than the previous book!! Also on this site are articles about the creation of the series, news, an opportunity to read about J.K. Rowling, and a community to join. Great website!
Judy Blume's Homebase The official website of the popular author, Judy Blume. Includes messages from the author, her tips on writing and photos.
The Official Mr Men Website Loads of information and activities related to these endearing characters. A brightly-coloured and friendly website.
Narnia A fantastic site about the well-loved series of books, soon to be turned into a film directed by Andrew Adamson (director of 'Shrek'). Read about the books or explore Narnia itself.
Peter Rabbit and Friends from Beatrix Potter Includes information about the famous rabbit, his friends and their creator.
Dick King Smith Some information about the famous animal-book author which keeps up-to-date with his latest books.
The Official Roald Dahl Website I love this website! It's fun, well designed in character and is packed with information. Find information about the man and his books, and make sure you check out the 'tips for teacher's' pages which include ten reasons why you should have Roald Dahl's books in the classroom, lesson ideas and classroom activities. Are you a Miss Honey or a Trunchbull??
The Nightmare Room Enter at your own risk! The website of the author of the Goosebumps books, R.L. Stein. Facts about the author and his books as well, offering you your own personal nightmare. Scary stuff!
Thomas and Friends Perhaps more suited to younger KS2 children, but a good site never-the-less. This site devoted to Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends gives users a chance to find out more about their favourite characters, play games and even contact Sir Topham Hat. The site is colourful, animated and good fun. Worth going just for the sound-effects, really!
Winnie the Pooh and Pals Seems as if this "bear of little brain" is more popular than ever now. On his website you can read about his creator A.A. Milne, find out about the real Christopher Robin, play games and puzzles and read some poems and stories.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre The website of the Globe Theatre, including information for visits. Not much about the theatre itself or even Shakespeare, however.
Literacylessons - This NGFL approved site contains free literacy lessons planned according to the National Literacy Strategy for fiction, non-fiction, poetry and playscripts for KS2. A little odd to navigate, but there are several good ideas here. The author has simply published their weekly plans as they have gone along, it would seem. A good idea, and one that could do with catching on!
Children's story books online - Exactly what you would expect from the title. This is a simple and straightforward site with online, illustrated stories (mainly by Carol Moore) categorised into stories for younger children, older children and young adult. The site claims over 2 million hits!
Word Play - Differentiated activities to help with aspects of grammar such as antonyms, tenses, rhymes, and changing words in sentences to see how it affects the meaning.
Poetryclass - This site is mainly intended to drum up business for INSET. However, there are some useful resources here, such as the especially interesting article by Sue Dymoke on assessing pupils poetry.
The Poetry Society - Containing a lot that could be of interest or useful to teachers.
Shakespeare's Globe Research Database - From the University of Reading comes this useful website about Shakespeare. In particular, the site relates information about Shakespearean performance in original conditions. Includes a guide to the original Globe Theatre.
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) - Dedicated to encouraging children to read. Pick up some tips about sharing books with children. Might be helpful to point parents towards this site.
StoryPlus - In French and English, this link takes you straight to the English pages. Although a publisher, the site offers a few free online stories.
The Newspaper Online - A free, online newspaper. Great if you are doing work about chronological reports, journalistic writing or similar.
Thesaurus.com - Online dictionary and thesaurus.
WordCentral.Com - Word games, puzzles and resources such as a dictionary. Also the opportunity to build your own dictionary. Beware, though: this is an American site!
Literacy Time - Aims to support the teacher to incorporate ICT in the development of children's literacy. Features articles about how to create a website, ideas for using a word processor and advice about how using ICT can help to prepare classroom resources.
Alphabet books - A collection of online books based on the alphabet. Mainly aimed at KS1, but not exclusively so.
CBBC Newsround - Do not under estimate this site! As well as providing a source of child-friendly news stories, this site features a teachers section, where recent news items are directly linked to the Literacy Framework along with ideas for using them.
Rhyme Zone - How good is this? Put in a word and it will find others that rhyme with it!
Ask Oxford - the Oxford Dictionaries site - Links to a variety of Literacy resources, along with word of the day, quote of the week and the chance to ask the resident experts English language questions. A bit slow.
BBC's Listen and Write - The website of the popular literacy schools TV programe.
BBC's Look and Read - Featuring the award-winning comic-strip adventure, Spywatch.
YouthBoox - This site describes its self as "The Reading Resource For Young People". Features reviews of new book titles, magazines and a separate section for those working with young readers.
The Online English Grammar - This site looks awful at first glance, but click on the "table of contents" link and you will see that this site of free grammar resources is top-notch! Aimed mainly at upper KS2.
Homework High - Channel 4's site for help with homework. Aimed more at children, who can find help in previously-asked questions, or ask an expert themselves.
Last Minute Lesson! - Lesson plans for literacy lessons can be downloaded here. You do have to register to get a password for these resources, so please let me know what you think of this site.
Spelling It Right - A useful site for children and adults which includes advices and free worksheets.
Newswise - NEWSWISE is an online educational resource based on topical news stories. It is designed to improve the literacy and thinking skills of children and young people aged between 8 and 18. It will also encourage thoughtful discussion and provide an online forum where children can to follow up ideas with help from experienced teachers.
National Centre for Language and Literacy - The National Centre for Language and Literacy supports teachers, parents and governors in a wide range of ways – with their unique collection of resources; their own publications; an extensive programme of courses and conferences as well as ongoing research.
English Resources: free teaching & revision resources - Mainly aimed at KS3 but useful for year 6 resources.
KidPub - An American site where children can publish their own writing. The largest collection of stories by children on the Internet (and maybe in the real world, too). They've been on the web since 1995, and their database holds just over 42,000 stories written by and for children.
The Phonics Room - Aimed at infant teachers, but is a website that teachers can use as a resource guide. There will be poems, songs, literature, and activities listed for every letter of the alphabet.
Achuka - Lots of up to date information about children's books - go and have a look at this UK site about children's books! (Can be a little slow)
Blunderbus Theatre Company - A professional children's theatre company, based in Kent. The company tour nationally to primary schools, art centres, libraries and small theatres, performing to around 90,000 children each year.
Booktrusted - Information about children's books - An independent educational charity working for - and with - all those concerned with children and what they read. Formerly the National Book League.
Literacy Matters - Written by literacy specialists for teachers and parents.
Reading and Language Information Centre - Searching for an author to come to school? Here is a good place to start. Hosted by the University of Reading, of course...
Creative Writing - read stories and poems and poems by children aged 7-11 from all over the world. Includes interactive story game called 'Monster Motel'.
Word Play - activities and exercises for learning tenses, rhymes and grammar
Word Games - hangman, word searches and crossword puzzles etc.
Grammar Gorillas - get the answers right and score bananas! Has a good teacher's section.
Stone Soup magazine - stories and poems by young people from all over the world, many with pictures. You can also post your own work to the site.