Teaching Notes

The Pond

By Nicola Davies (Author) and Cathy Fisher (Illustrator)

Notes By Eva John

Category Picture Books - Fiction

About the Resources

A 6-page illustrated set of Teachers’ Notes.

There are wonderful opportunities to develop empathy and understanding and to explore uncomfortable issues in this book.

Discussion in pairs, small groups and the whole class are an important element of developing these qualities and it is important to gently encourage the children to go beyond superficial answers and really explore the human responses, motivation and capacity to adapt and change.

Downloads

About the Book

The Pond is a touching picture book about a young boy, and his family, overcoming the loss of his father. This colourful, emotional book is filled with natural imagery, and will teach children not only about death and loss, but the importance of the natural world.

Perfect

By Nicola Davies (Author) and Cathy Fisher (Illustrator)

Notes By Eva John

Category Picture Books - Fiction

About the Resources

A 7-page illustrated set of Teachers’ Notes.

There are wonderful opportunities to develop empathy and understanding and to explore difficult issues in this book.
Discussion in pairs, small groups and in the whole class are an important element of developing these qualities and it is important to gently encourage the children to go beyond superficial answers and really explore human responses, motivation and capacity to adapt and change.

Downloads

About the Book

Perfect is a story of anticipation, disappointment, acceptance and, ultimately, love. Written by award-winning children’s author Nicola Davies, it tells the story of a young boy learning to accept his baby sister as being perfect in every way in spite of her disability. Suffused with natural imagery, Perfect is an ideal way to open up the subject of disability with children, as well as being a great story in its own right. Beautifully illustrated by Cathy Fisher, Perfect is a truly remarkable book guaranteed to bring a lump to the throat.

“Graffeg have had the pleasure of working with Eva on a number of projects over the past few years, furnishing us with an added educational resource for many of our books. Work of the highest standard is always completed on time and I would happily recommend Eva to anyone looking for top quality teachers' notes to accompany their texts.”

Matthew Howard | Publishing Director, Graffeg

Comprehensive teachers’ notes designed to develop critical thinking skills and a more sophisticated, considered response to texts and illustrations.

Scroll to list of available notes

The notes provide:

  • open-ended discussion points and activities to encourage the development of pupil independence, collaborative working and problem-solving
  • use of talking and writing partners to build pupil confidence
  • reading comprehension skills – literal, deductive, inferential, analytical, evaluative
  • vocabulary enrichment
  • drama activities
  • evaluation of, and innovation on, author techniques
  • research opportunities
  • stimulating writing and creative activities in response to text and illustrations
  • pupil engagement and creativity at the heart of activities
  • awareness of purpose and audience and selection of appropriate form, style, register and medium of communication.