This classroom activity looks at war memorials and considers who they are for, what they are made from and what images are used. Children then use this to design a memorial of their own. Through this activity the children think about why we have memorials and the wide range of people and animals who are being remembered. For further information about the Vlad flea books visit the Reading Riddle website.

This lesson helps children consider the London refugees after the Great Fire of London. It considers what happened to them and what they took when they fled. They are then encouraged to make links with modern refugees and discuss the differences between now and 350 years ago. it gives the opportunity to reveal and challenge misconceptions about life in seventeenth century. It also raises awareness that people have often had to flee danger at different times and in different parts of the world. It includes a lesson plan, powerpoint (with a copy of Charles II proclamation on the London refugees and how to help them) and differentiated work sheets showing similarities and differences between now and then. The images are taken from my book Vlad and the Great Fire of London. I hope it is useful. If you like this and are interested in me coming in to do storytelling you can further information on the Reading Riddle website.

This resource accompanies Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure picture book. This guide has been written by the author of the Vlad picture book. It shares the research behind the book and gives a detailed summary of the history before, during and after her time in Scutari Hospital. In addition it contains page by page guidance to the images in the original book and useful questions. If you are teaching a topic about Florence Nightingale this will give you the key information on the history, context and curriculum learning. There are Big Questions that test both deeper factual knowledge and critical thinking, and ideas about where to look for visits and other activities. It contains all the information you need to teach the topic to a greater depth, whether it is the first time or if you want to refresh your knowledge and find out some fun facts to keep the subject lively. Contents: • Why is Florence Nightingale’s work important? • Timeline of events • Florence Nightingale’s early life • Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure explained • After Scutari Hospital • Places to visit in person and online • Big Questions • Other Vlad resources

Florence Nightingale demonstrates how to wash hands effectively and uses a song to remember the different stages to ensure your hands are clean. 2020 is the UN Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Handwashing is essential practice to health professionals but should also be important to all of us if we want to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs and diseases. These two films show how to clean hands well using the NHS guidelines on the different steps and a song written by Kate Cunningham to remember them. Film 1 shows why a quick rinse under the tap is not enough, followed by the song. Film 2 is the short version with just the song. Kate is the author of Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure picture book and more information about the books, visits and events can be found on the Reading Riddle website