What possible value can be gained from a picture book about a bunny for an upper Key Stage 2 class? Here we look at using picture books with older children.

By the time children reach upper KS2 they're a sophisticated lot. If they’re avid readers, they’ll be tackling chapter books. If not, you’ll be concentrating on getting them to read without realising in the hope that they get the reading bug eventually. One thing you might not be doing is giving them picture books deemed for younger children; but don't dismiss A Thumping Great Rabbit as too young – give our little drumming rabbit a chance! The majority if not all of the children in your class will be very familiar with children’s TV, but have they ever thought about just what goes into making a children’s television programme? There's so much more than ‘Lights, camera, action’ and showing children that there are as many stars behind the camera as there are in front will get them to think more critically about the programmes they consume. This activity requires coordination with KS1 staff but shouldn't be too disruptive.