Our Books and Literacy: A Reflection Guide
Creating a reading culture throughout the environment
Books shouldn’t live in just one corner.
A welcoming book corner matters, but a rich reading culture goes much further. Books can inspire children’s play, deepen their investigations, introduce new ideas and help them make sense of the world around them.
Our Books and Literacy: A Reflection Guide is a practical, thoughtfully designed resource to help early years practitioners reflect on how books, reading and literacy are experienced throughout their setting.
Drawing on my experience of early years practice, this guide encourages you to look beyond the book corner and consider how meaningful literacy opportunities can be woven into everyday experiences — from construction and role play to outdoor learning, creative exploration and everyday routines.
What’s included?
Understand: Explore why books and literacy matter, including how stories can support children’s language, imagination, identity and understanding of the world.
Audit: Reflect on your current provision, including your dedicated reading space, the books you offer, representation, accessibility and opportunities for literacy throughout the environment.
Reflect: Use individual reflection questions and team discussion prompts to consider what is working well and where there may be opportunities to develop practice.
Improve: Identify two achievable targets to help you make meaningful changes without feeling you need to overhaul your entire environment.
Extra inspiration: Discover practical ideas for connecting books and literacy with children’s interests, play and everyday discoveries.
Who is it for?
This guide is suitable for nurseries, preschools, childminders and other early years practitioners who want to reflect on their reading culture and develop meaningful literacy experiences for children.
Whether you are reviewing an established book corner, refreshing your provision or looking for simple ways to connect books with children's play, this resource provides a starting point for professional reflection and practical improvement.
You do not need a complete redesign or an expensive collection of new resources. Sometimes, one carefully chosen book in the right place can spark a conversation, inspire a new direction in play or help a child discover something they want to know more about.
A small change can make a big difference.
Price: £1
A practical, affordable resource to help you reflect on your provision, celebrate what is already working well and discover new possibilities for books and literacy throughout your environment.
Better support. Better practice. Better outcomes.
