An Introduction to Love My Books

Have you heard about the brilliant online resource for inspiring children to enjoy and cherish books? 

Love My Books is a website formed and run by Sue Ellis, Sue McGonigle and Olivia O'Sullivan, combining their ​many years’ experience both nationally and internationally, ​in developing a love of books and reading with children, parents, teachers and student teachers.

Their shared experience spans many areas of the book industry, from working with publishers, authors and illustrators, TV, and​ agencies such as the British Council and Department for Education. They are authors of books published about children's reading and literacy, and have overseen highly successful national reading projects.

They previously worked together as the Senior Education Team at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and currently teach at university level and work as independent consultants, as well as being Mums themselves.

The Children's Bookshow is familiar with Sue Ellis, having worked with her on a workshop for teachers at CLPE on how to teach children's literature in translation. Also, one of our board members, Myra Barrs, has collaborated with her. They have worked together for many years and created lots of books together, including a Parents' Handbook called 'Reading Together', with Walker Books. Sue is working for the Institution of Education currently. The Children's Bookshow grew out of a project which Myra Barrs directed, which was the production of a book entitled Simply the Best Books for Children.  The Children's Bookshow organised a tour to publicise the book to teachers and parents which included performers Quentin Blake, Michael Rosen, Posy Simmonds, James Berry, Susan Price, Malachy Doyle, John Agard, Roger McGough, Ian McMillan, Jamila Gavin, Adrian Mitchell, Julie Rainsbury, Grace Nichols, Catherine Fisher, Kit Wright and Andrew Fusek Peters all reading their work in venues ranging from the Purcell Room at the Royal Festival Hall to the Cheltenham Literature Festival, ten venues in all, and in which the Bookshow worked with eight literature festivals around the country.

The first patrons of Love My Books were the prestigious and talented Michael Rosen and SF Said, now joined by David ALmond and Mini Grey. You can read more about them on the patrons page of the Love My Books website. 

Love My Books is also active on facebook and twitter so you can see what they're up to regularly. If you are a parent or teacher, or work with books or children in any way, we highly recommend that you spend some time familiarising yourself with the Love My Books webiste. Book recommendations are organised by ages, book types, and well-thought out categories so that you should be able to find the right book for any child and any situation. You can also find good advice to your questions about reading with your young child. It's a wonderful resource and one that is always growing and evolving. You can keep up to date with their latest highlighted books by signing up to their newsletter.