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Popular picks for Primary school

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Popular picks for Primary school students

The most-purchased books for primary school students by educators in 2021.

Additional resources

Video
Born to Run by Cathy Freeman and Charmaine Ledden-Lewis | Read aloud by the illustrator, Charmaine

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/born-to-run-picture-book-edition-9781761043802 As a little girl, Cathy Freeman had only had one dream – to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

Video
Bear and Rat by Christopher Cheng and Stephen Michael King | Meet the Creators

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/bear-and-rat-9781760896287 A powerful and uplifting story about loving friendship, even through the hardest of times.

Video
Bear and Rat by Christopher Cheng and Stephen Michael King | Read aloud by Christopher Cheng

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/bear-and-rat-9781760896287 Bear and Rat are the best of friends who do everything together, but Rat wonders if Bear will always be there to hold her hand, no matter what happens.

Activity
Blue Flower colouring page

Maybe being different isn't so bad after all.

Video
Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett and Gabriel Evans | Meet the Creators

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/blue-flower-9781760894450 BLUE FLOWER is a gentle exploration of a child’s realisation that it is her individual differences and creativity that make her special, with stunning illustrations by the talented Gabriel Evans that delicately and sensitively convey the child’s emotional journey.

Extract
Pony

A country boy of ten living near Boneville was, recently, walking to his house in the vicinity of a large oak tree, when a violent storm arose.

Video
Pony by R J Palacio

The highly anticipated, unforgettable new story from the internationally bestselling, multi-award-winning author of WONDER.

Extract
Two Wolves

‘You keep runnin’, you’ll only go to jail tired,’ Ben Silver muttered.

Video
Two Wolves | Q&A with author Tristan Bancks

One afternoon, police officers show up at Ben Silver’s front door.

Activity
At home lesson: story structure with Two Wolves

What is it that makes a book gripping? We investigate story structure with Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks.

Activity
Hello and Welcome activity pack

Yarma gurra dahn gooramay!

Video
Hello and Welcome by Gregg Dreise | Read aloud by author-illustrator Gregg Dreise

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/hello-and-welcome-9781760898328 Feel the welcome as we celebrate Indigenous culture, Elders and future generations.

Video
Don't Forget by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker | Meet the Creators

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/dont-forget-9781761040955 A celebration of Jane Godwin and Anna Walker’s new picture book, Don't Forget.

Video
Don't Forget by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker | Read aloud by Jane Godwin

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/dont-forget-9781761040955 Sometimes, we need to remember all the things we can do to be part of the world.

Activity
Worlds of Wonder colouring sheet

Get ready to discover a whole new world of colours.

Activity
Frankie and the Fossil Activity Pack

A sweet and funny picture book for anyone who loves dinosaur fossils, friends and cheese sandwiches.

Video
Frankie and the Fossil by Jess McGeachin

A sweet and funny picture book for anyone who loves dinosaur fossils, friends and cheese sandwiches, by the acclaimed creator of Fly and The Lost Library.