Fun with books

There are so many ways we can enjoy and have fun with books! By sharing books together in exciting and varied ways, we can really help motivate children to choose to read for themselves and encourage them to become lifelong readers.

Have fun with this 'guess the book title' quiz. Read more

Fun activities to complete with a book once you've finished reading it! Read more

Coram Beanstalk's Resource Developer Gill suggests five games you could play with any child and any book! Read more

A reading helper's response to 'Why a joke book is more than just a stocking filler"

Reading helper Michael Dillon talks about his experience of using joke books, in response to Gill Worrall's blog "Why a joke book is more than just a stocking filler."
Being more open-minded about science fiction

Science fiction - do you love it or hate it? And if you're not a fan, does that mean you're less likely to share a science fiction book with your child? Gill Worrall our resources developer explores how exploring all sorts of genres with children is important - regardless of our own preferences.
Why we need to be more open-minded about science fiction

With Science Fiction Day on January 2nd, our Book of the Month and theme for January just had to be science fiction books! Love them or hate them, its important to offer children as many different reading materials as possible to help them find their own favourite genre!
January 2022

Our #BeanstalkBrilliant Book of the month for January is 'The Jamie Drake Equation' written by Christopher Edge and fits perfectly with our theme of science fiction books. Find out more about the book and how being opened-minded about the books we offer children, regardless of our own preferences, is important!

Become a volunteer reading helper

Fill in our simple application form here.
What we need from you

Find out more about what's involved in being a Coram Beanstalk volunteer.
Frequently asked questions

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions by potential volunteers.
What you get from volunteering

Find out more about the benefits of becoming a Coram Beanstalk volunteer.
Our approach

Find out more about how we work and our approach to reading support.
Thank you for applying to be a Beanstalk reading helper
Literacy charities join forces

On 1st November 2017 Reading Matters merged with the national children’s literacy charity Beanstalk.
Our Senior Leadership Team

Our Senior Leadership Team is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the charity.
Story Starters training

Our early years programme offers a unique approach to equipping adults in your setting to help children develop all six crucial pre-reading skills plus the communication, concentration and confidence they need to ‘catch the reading bug’. Read more about how our unique programme Story Starters can help you ensure that children start their primary education ready to be taught to read.
Our Trustees

Our Board of Trustees hold decades worth of high-level experience which they use to govern Coram Beanstalk and direct our strategy.