Time to Read

Award-winning Time to Read is a volunteering initiative, developed by Business in the Community and supported by the Department of Education. It aims to improve literacy, foster a love of reading and build confidence and social skills of children at Key Stage 2 in local primary schools.

In the 19-20 academic year Time to Read operated in over 130 schools across Northern Ireland. Why not join this army of over 500 volunteers and make a difference?

More than 60 of Northern Ireland’s leading companies have supported their staff to volunteer an hour per week during term time through Time to Read.

100% of participating schools say they would recommend Time to Read to another school.

Learn more about Business in the Community’s Time to Read programme at www.bitcni.org.uk/timetoread

As schools closed, and children started home-schooling, we were unable to run our Time to Read sessions as we normally would in the school setting. Thankfully some of our lovely volunteers and friends of BITCNI recorded their favourite books for us to keep the love of stories alive until we can read together again.


Amy Archer – Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (playlist of 16 videos)

Danny thought the world of his father. He looked after Danny ever since his mother had died when he was a baby. Danny loved his father, and his father loved him, and that’s why Danny was surprised to discover that his father had a secret that was to lead them both into a wild and difficult scheme.

 

Amy Archer – Clarice Bean by Lauren Child (playlist of 32 videos)

It’s the worry you hadn’t even thought to worry about that should worry you the most. At least that’s how it looks to Clarice Bean, who has been writing her worries in a notebook – things like Worry no. 1: infinity, or Worry no. 3: change. And now that her worst never-imagined worry has happened – her utterly best friend is moving away forever – Clarice doesn’t even care about her tickets to the Ruby Redfort, girl detective, film premiere. That is, unless something happens to change things again . . .

 

Patrick McFarlane – James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (playlist of 24 videos)

James Henry Trotter lives with two ghastly hags. Aunt Sponge is enormously fat with a face that looks boiled and Aunt Spiker is bony and screeching. He’s very lonely until one day something peculiar happens….  At the end of the garden a peach starts to grow and grow and grow. Inside that peach are seven very unusual insects – all waiting to take James on a magical adventure. But where will they go in their giant peach, and what will happen to the horrible aunts if they stand in their way? There’s only one way to find out….

 

Tim McGarry – Shifty McGifty & Slippery Sam by Tracey Corderoy

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are two hapless robber dogs who can never seem to fill their swag bags. They’ve tried the bank, the bookshop, the bike shop . . . and even a plot to rob their neighbours is foiled! But when they decide on a career change and open up a café they realize that, although crime doesn’t pay, cupcakes certainly do! Join the fun in this hilarious rhyming picture book adventure.

 

Daisy-Jo Gilliland – No Probllama by Rosie Greening

Llama thinks he can do anything, but when Lemur puts him to the test, it isn t long until he regrets his actions! A hilarious book all about the dangers of showing off. Hilarious illustrations keep parents and children entertained throughout. Perfect for lovers of llamas!

 

Angeline Murphy – The Worlds Worst Parents by David Walliams

Are you ready to meet the worst parents ever?  Sure, some parents are embarrassing – but they’re nothing on this lot. These 10 tales of the world’s most spectacularly silly mums and deliriously daft dads will leave you rocking with laughter. Pinch your nose for Peter Pong, the man with the stinkiest feet in the world…jump out of the way of Harriet Hurry, the fastest mum on two wheels…watch out for Monty Monopolize, the dad who takes all his kids’ toys…and oh no, it’s Supermum! Brandishing a toilet brush, a mop and a very bad homemade outfit….

 

Jude Collins – Claude All At Sea by Alex T Smith

Are you ready for a rollicking seafaring adventure? In true Claude style, the fearless canine swooshes out of the house via the bathtub. Out at sea and joined by trusted companion, Sir Bobblysock, Claude meets mermaids, dolphins, Captain Poopdeck, and an enormous, ferocious sea monster called Nigel! Can Claude save them all from the monster?

 

Mickey Harte – Soccer Roy First Touch by Gary and Erin Curneen

Please let me introduce you, To a joyful baby boy, With big blue eyes and a welcoming smile, He goes by the name of Roy. Roy had tried many toys, Ever since he learned to crawl, But his playtime changed forever, When he saw a soccer ball.

 

Samantha Porciello – Dream a Little Dream by Samantha Porciello

This beautiful children’s relaxation book for ages 5-10, follows the journey of Luna, a little girl who is stuck in her bad dream and has to find something beautiful to wake up. With a grownups support, children can safely make sense of their own worries by helping Luna overcome her own. Together parent/carer and child help Luna navigate her bad dream through a series of relaxation activities. The activities used in this book are used and approved by play therapists and can promote self-regulation, connection, self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.

 

Debby Pumfrett – The Elephant’s Child by Rudyard Kipling

The tale of how the elephant got its trunk is one of the most beloved of the Just So Stories Rudyard Kipling wrote for children. The insatiably curious elephant’s child peppers every animal he meets with questions about the mysterious crocodile who lives on the banks of the Lompopo River. When he finally meets the crocodile, he nearly becomes dinner.

 

Claire Gordon – The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood. A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good. Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake… and a hungry Gruffalo!