Important update from TheSchoolRun
For the past 13 years, TheSchoolRun has been run by a small team of mums working from home, dedicated to providing quality educational resources to primary school parents. Unfortunately, rising supplier costs and falling revenue have made it impossible for us to continue operating, and we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close. The good news: We’ve arranged for another educational provider to take over many of our resources. These will be hosted on a new portal, where the content will be updated and expanded to support your child’s learning.
What this means for subscribers:
- Your subscription is still active, and for now, you can keep using the website as normal — just log in with your usual details to access all our articles and resources*.
- In a few months, all resources will move to the new portal. You’ll continue to have access there until your subscription ends. We’ll send you full details nearer the time.
- As a thank you for your support, we’ll also be sending you 16 primary school eBooks (worth £108.84) to download and keep.
A few changes to be aware of:
- The Learning Journey weekly email has ended, but your child’s plan will still be updated on your dashboard each Monday. Just log in to see the recommended worksheets.
- The 11+ weekly emails have now ended. We sent you all the remaining emails in the series at the end of March — please check your inbox (and spam folder) if you haven’t seen them. You can also follow the full programme here: 11+ Learning Journey.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for being part of our journey it’s been a privilege to support your family’s learning.
*If you need to reset your password, it will still work as usual. Please check your spam folder if the reset email doesn’t appear in your inbox.
Best books for kids who love superheroes
My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons
(£6.99, Nosy Crow)
The laugh-out-loud story of a boy whose brother, Zack, was given superhero powers when he decided to go for a wee made this book a very deserving winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2016. Full of comic book references, super villains and super-sibling rivalry, this is a stand-out series that children will find engaging, entertaining and exciting. It's no surprise that these books are so popular!
SuperDad's Day Off by Phil Earle
(£6.99, Barrington Stoke)
Stanley's dad is a superhero, but on a Friday it's his day off. So what happens when, one Friday, life gets in the way of Stan and Dad's quality time and calls for some superhero saving? Can Stan be the true superhero of the day? Part of the 'Little Gems' early readers series, this is a unputdownable short story that will suit younger readers as well as older ones and will be finished in one sitting.
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Electrigirl by Jo Cotterill & Cathy Brett
(£6.99, Oxford University Press Children's)
Part comic-strip, part novel, this is the first book in a brilliant series that will soon become a favourite. As Holly Sparkes is struck by lightning and begins to develop powers that are sometimes out of her control, can she learn to use her new skills for the good of society? An electrifying read that's supercharged with action and adventure. Very much recommended.
Supertato by Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet
(£6.99, Simon & Schuster)
Supertato has become an instant household name in homes up and down the country! A picture book that's bags of fun to read, this is sure to go down a storm with young hero-lovers. If you enjoy Supertato, there's a whole series chronicling his super-spud adventures: guaranteed smiles at every reading! Perfect stories for bedtime.
Juniper Jupiter by Lizzy Stewart
(£6.99, Lincoln)
Seeking a sidekick, Juniper auditions a whole cast of characters to find a fellow superhero, but no-one quite matches up to her expectations. Will she find her perfect match? And was her companion under her nose all along? A charming, colourful story about finding friendship and valuing what you already have.
Superbat by Matt Carr
(£6.99, Scholastic)
When Pat the Bat pulls on a cape and declares himself a hero, others are left puzzled and wondering what exactly makes him one. As he realises he shares all the same attributes as his bat friends, Pat starts to wonder whether he's going to be able to stand out from the bat crowd... With its themes of self-confidence and believing in your own abilities, this is a story that'll warm your heart.
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
(£6.99, Walker)
Princess Magnolia is a princess with a big difference... Sweeping away the behind-the-times stereotypes of princesses as prim, proper and sometimes locked up in a tower, this story is perfect for readers who are developing their confidence with its short chapters. A story series every girl and every boy will be empowered by and want to read again and again.
Wonder by R J Palacio
(£6.99, Penguin Random House)
Wondering why this book features in a selection of books for kids who love superheroes? Easy to explain: it illustrates in the best possible way that real superheroes do not need to wear capes! Auggie is an ordinary ten-year-old, although he doesn't feel that ordinary. Used to being home-schooled, he's sent to a proper school for the first time – but will his new school mates reject him because of his facial abnormality? Deeply moving and emotionally charged, Wonder is about everyday heroism and the ordinary people who show themselves to be extraordinary.
Superworm by Julia Donaldson
(£6.99, Scholastic)
The perfect partnership of Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler link up again in this pleasure of a read. With its instantly identifiable rhyme and rhythm, it's a sure-fire winner for reading aloud (encourage the kids to join in, too!). Superworm is everybody's superhero, but can he be his own when he needs to or will he need the help of his friends? Great fun for adults as well as children.
Cartoon Kid by Jeremy Strong
(£6.99, Puffin)
This is a school like you've never seen before, as Casper (or to give him his full superhero name, Casper the Cartoon Kid) finds out on the first day of term. Packed with comics-style illustrations, this superhero story will appeal to children everywhere. You can always be sure of laughing your socks off with Jeremy Strong's books and this is no different (be warned, you might find yourself shouting WHAM-BAM-JELLY-AND-JAM too!).
Traction Man is Here by Mini Grey
(£6.99, Red Fox)
Traction Man is – and I'm sure will continue to be – a hit with all children I've shared it with. A rollicking riot of a read, with a homemade hero with a witty, slightly tongue-in-cheek perspective, it's a delight for parents and children to read together and will inspire you to read many more of Mini Grey's wonderful books, if you haven't already.
Super Snail by Elys Dolan
(£12.99, Hodder Children's Books)
Meet Kevin: ordinary slug by day, fearless, shell-wearing Super Snail by night. He has all the superhero essentials (underground hideout, butler, snailmobile), but will he be accepted into the League of Heroes? Time to find a way to wear his pants over his clothes (hard when you don't have a bottom!) and find his own, slimy superpower!
