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Topic: British Values

British Values Booklist

Since November 2014, the DfE and Ofsted are asking schools to demonstrate that they are promoting British Values, specifically the values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We recommend some key books for your classrooms that help to promote these values.

Poetry

A new poetry collection from renowned performance poet Benjamin Zephaniah, celebrating the diversity of British society. A unique portrait of British children, Benjamin has written 12 poems, each one about a child in his or her home environment. The children are from a range of backgrounds and cultures and the book challenges traditional perceptions of the way children live. It shows that despite their differences, children have many similar preoccupations whatever their cultural background. We Are Britain springs from the rich interaction between many peoples which characterises modern Britain. Illustrated with Prodeepta Das’ vibrant photographs, this is a fascinating and fun collection which children will love.

Non-fiction

A perfect book for children and parents to read together, A Faith Like Mine uses revealing photography and detailed personal accounts to give unique insight into the diversity of religious faith as experienced through the lives of children across the world.

In the morning the people of the island found a man sitting on the shore, where fate and the ocean currents had set him and his frail raft in the night. When he saw them coming towards him, he rose to his feet.

He was not like them.

Picturebook

Two monsters live on either side of a mountain. Sometimes they talk through the hole in the mountain, but they never see each other. One evening, they get into a silly argument about whether day is departing or night is arriving, which escalates into a rock throwing fight, which eventually destroys the mountain, and enables the monsters to see each other’s point of view and live together as friends.

Chapter book

When Atticus receives a mysterious message asking him to a meeting in a sleepy coastal town, he packs his bags and sets off. The world’s greatest cat burglar likes a good mystery and this time curiosity has got the better of him. The writer of the message, it turns out, is none other than Jimmy the Magpie, gang leader. He wants Atticus to steal all the jewels in town and leave the humans baffled.

And what could be more straightforward?

But when Atticus moves in with Inspector Cheddar and his family, he starts to wonder if a life of crime is really for him . . .

Picturebook

We all want a good life, to have fun, to be safe, happy and fulfilled. For this to happen, we need to look after each other and stand up for the basic human rights that we often take for granted. This book features 16 different freedoms, each accompanied by beautiful illustrations. It shows why our human rights are so important – they help to keep us safe. Every day.

Featuring a stunning cover and full-colour artwork.

Picturebook

Meet Biff, an adorable little puppy who will stop at nothing to become a ballet dancer.

My dog is not like other dogs. He doesn’t do dog stuff like weeing on lampposts or scratching his fleas, or drinking out of the toilet. No, my dog likes moonlight and music and walking on his tiptoes. You see, my dog doesn’t think he’s a dog. My dog thinks he’s a ballerina!

A fabulous feel-good book about a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams.

Chapter book

The second original, touching, twisted, and most of all hilarious novel for children from David Walliams, number one bestseller and fastest growing children’s author in the country – beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake.

“Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well…”

It all starts when Chloe makes friends with Mr Stink, the local tramp. Yes, he smells a bit. But when it looks like he might be driven out of town, Chloe decides to hide him in the garden shed.

Now Chloe’s got to make sure no one finds out her secret. And speaking of secrets, there just might be more to Mr Stink than meets the eye… or the nose.

Chapter book

When Dinah is fostered by the Hunters she thinks her biggest problem will be fitting in with her foster-brothers, Lloyd and Harvey. However, once she starts at her new school it’s clear that there’s more to worry about. All the children, apart from a handful including Lloyd and Harvey, are too well-behaved – robotic almost – and oddly keen to please the creepy headmaster. The three children set out to discover the nature of his influence over everyone . . . but then Dinah finds herself saying and doing things she has no power over. Soon they uncover the headmaster’s wicked plan. Controlling the school is just a practice run. He has set his sights on dominating the entire nation! The children must foil him before he succeeds . . . but with Dinah under his spell they’ve got a challenge on their hands. Great fun and just a little bit frightening, Gillian Cross’s beloved classic still holds readers under its hypnotic spell, even after thirty years of being in print. An accessible page-turner, The Demon Headmaster is impossible to resist.

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