Free resources

Take something useful with you.

Everything here is free to download and keep. No sign-up, no hidden costs, no time limits. Just practical resources built for real family reading life — designed to be used, not filed away.

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The Reading Habit Starter Kit

The most common question parents ask is some version of: how do I actually make this happen? This guide answers it. It covers building a consistent reading routine from scratch, what to do when children resist, how to match the right book to the right moment, and a practical week-by-week plan from day one to day thirty. Whether your child is two or twelve, reads eagerly or reluctantly, this is the place to start.

  • Why consistency matters more than duration — and what that means in practice
  • A week-by-week thirty-day reading routine builder
  • Age-by-age guidance on timing, length, and what to read together
  • What to do when it stops working — and how to start again
Download freePDF — 12 pages · Printable

No sign-up required.

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Reading Tracker

A clean, printable weekly tracker for reading sessions. Works for one child or four — with space for book title, pages read, and a short notes column for anything worth remembering from the session. Designed for the fridge, not the filing cabinet.

  • Weekly reading log with space for up to four children
  • Notes column for conversation highlights and new words
  • Monthly overview for a longer view of progress
  • A simpler version for children to fill in themselves
PDF — 2 pages · Printable · A4Download freeNo sign-up required.

Conversation Starter Cards

Twenty-five questions designed to open up real conversations about what children are reading — without the interrogation. Suitable for any book, any age, any evening. Cut them out, keep them in a jar, pull one at bedtime.

  • 25 open-ended questions that work across any story or book
  • Questions organised by type: what happened, how it felt, what it means
  • A handful of questions designed specifically for younger children
  • Tips for parents on how to listen rather than lead
PDF — 2 pages · Printable · Cut-out cardsDownload freeNo sign-up required.

Reading Milestones by Age: A Parent's Guide

A clear, printable breakdown of what to expect at each stage of reading development — from the first picture books at age two to independent reading at twelve. Written for parents, not educators.

  • Stage-by-stage milestones from ages 2–12
  • What's typical, what's variable, and what's worth paying attention to
  • A simple checklist format for easy reference
  • Signposting for parents who want to explore further
PDF — 4 pages · Printable · A4Download freeNo sign-up required.

The Bedtime Reading Routine Card

A simple prompt card for families who want to make evening reading a consistent habit. One side for younger children, one side for older readers. Includes a weekly reading tracker and age-appropriate conversation prompts.

  • A two-sided prompt card — one for ages 2–7, one for ages 8–12
  • Weekly reading tracker with space for five sessions
  • Three conversation starters for each age group
  • A short note on restarting after a break
PDF — 1 page · Printable · A5 · Designed for the fridgeDownload freeNo sign-up required.
More on the way

We add new resources every month.

The Raising Readers resource library is growing alongside the rest of the site. Coming next: a reading log designed for children to fill in themselves, a guide to choosing books at the right level, and a family reading challenge card for school holidays.

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