Children's Laureate launches new website for teachers

Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson has today launched a brand new interactive website for teachers, picturebookplays.co.uk

This new website is packed full of ideas for performing picture books with children in the classroom, including suggestions for preparation, props, costumes, sound effects and characters – as well as some films of children acting out stories.

Julia, who is currently on the road visiting libraries as part of her Children's Laureate Library Tour, says:

'I’ve been acting out stories with children in schools and libraries ever since my first book was published twenty years ago, and now that I’m the Children’s Laureate I’m really keen to encourage this kind of drama. As well as being fun it increases children’s confidence and stimulates their imaginations, and for many it can be a route into books and reading.'

As part of the new site, teachers are also being encouraged to send in their own ideas and experiences of picture-book drama, including videos of their performances which will be posted on the site to inspire other classroom practitioners.

Julia comments: 'I’m hoping that children will enjoy seeing themselves and children from other parts of the UK – and maybe all over the world – acting out their favourite stories.'

The website will be one of Julia's key projects during her time as Children's Laureate, and has been supported by Macmillan Children's Books.

In developing the site she follows in the footsteps of former Laureate Michael Rosen, who developed the Poetry Friendly Classroom resources during his time in the role to help teachers to make classrooms more 'poetry friendly', as well as 2009-2011 Laureate Anthony Browne, whose Shape Game project included a range of resources for teachers to help develop children's creativity and imagination.

Find out more about PictureBookPlays and Julia Donaldson's Laureate projects.