21 books for captivating assembly audiences

Hats off to any author who, when read aloud by a teacher OR Headteacher in assembly manages to captivate a wide ranging audience from Rec to year 6. As we know children can be harsh critics. In assembly this wouldn't be through a caustic review but rather by wiggling, fidgeting and requiring lots of prompts. However, pick the right book and that audience will be entranced and you'll enjoy it too.

Picture books come into their own FOR ANY AGE-those Year 6s whether they appear to have a bad dose of Year 6 itus can often be won round by something with a sense of humour-Michael Rosen's poetry collection or Allan Ahlberg's 'Heard it in the playground' and 'Please Mrs. Butler'.
Environmental issues are covered through wonderful story telling and beautiful pictures in 'One World', 'Dear. Greenpeace' and 'Dinosaurs and all that rubbish' and 'One day I met a whale' -amongst many....

'I am too absolutely small for school' is a great reminder for everyone even if it's not actually your first day in school. Children always animal antics and a chicken who has her first week at cow school is wonderful on so many levels, particularly with regard to fitting in. 'Worried Arthur' is a penguin having adventures....perfect combination!

For perhaps more of a KS2 assembly something from 'The Mozart question'. Leading into Remembrance Sunday and also Christmas  are a number of books about the WW1 football match including 'War Game'.

'Room on the broom' is great for team work as is the lesser known, quirky 'The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone'....I've had some pretty tough year 6s, apparently non plussed at the back who've cracked a smile at both of these! 
Above all the fun and 'togetherness' stories bring: from the haunting 'The Whales' Song to the funny 'Baby Brains' series, the touching 'Voices in the Park' to 'The Incredible book eating boy'.  Make sure you read 'The Last Happy ending' too...children's illustrators are  truly amazing artists.....

And finally number 21. A book although very obviously American that makes you think, could be easily adapted to any country or setting but has an underlying message of love and inspiration for all our children. Most of all it reminds us how special they are:
'Have I told you that they are all a part of you? Have I told you that you are one of them, and that you are the

                 future? And have I told you that I love you?

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