An Overview of the Reading Diet at Hillcrest

The carefully curated selection of texts at Hillcrest provides pupils with a rich and varied reading experience from Reception through to Year 6. This structured reading journey exposes students to a broad range of genres, themes, cultures, historical periods, and literary styles, ensuring that they develop not only strong literacy skills but also a deep appreciation for storytelling, critical thinking, and diverse perspectives.

Range of Genres

Throughout their time at Hillcrest, students are immersed in a diverse range of literary genres, including:

• Traditional Tales & Folklore: Jack and the Beanstalk, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Cinderella, Little Red Hen, Theseus and the Minotaur provide exposure to well-known narratives that build cultural literacy.
• Fantasy & Adventure: How to Train Your Dragon, Mortal Engines, The Many Worlds of Albie Bright, and The Explorer immerse children in magical realms and daring quests.
• Historical Fiction: Black Powder (set in the Gunpowder Plot era), Secrets of a Sun King (ancient Egypt), and Children of the Benin Kingdom introduce pupils to rich historical narratives.
• Science Fiction & Dystopia: Books like Aquila, Runaway Robot, and Clockwork offer thought-provoking explorations of futuristic and mechanical worlds.
• Environmental & Social Awareness: Dear Earth, Michael Recycle, and Bug Hotel encourage pupils to think critically about sustainability and their role in the world.
• Mystery & Crime: Twitch and Cat Burglar introduce detective-style storytelling, building inference and analytical skills.
• Poetry & Rhyming Stories: Commotion in the Ocean, Jumpus Bumpus Dinosaurumpus, and Dinosaurs Love Underpants provide engaging, rhythm-based texts for early readers.
• Graphic & Illustrated Novels: Hugo Cabret and The Iron Man combine visual storytelling with literary depth, developing multimodal reading skills.

Settings Around the World

This reading journey takes pupils across a variety of global landscapes and historical settings, enhancing their understanding of different cultures and experiences:

• Europe & the UK: Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Great Fire of London, Kensuke’s Kingdom, and Black Powder ground pupils in familiar historical and geographical contexts.
• Ancient & Mythological Worlds: Wolf Brother (prehistoric times), Ancient Greek Myths, and Secrets of a Sun King (ancient Egypt) transport students to different eras.
• Africa & the Caribbean: Children of the Benin Kingdom sheds light on African history, ensuring a more inclusive curriculum.
• The Americas & the Arctic: Lost and Found (set in the Antarctic) and The Explorer (Amazon rainforest) expose students to diverse environments.
• Outer Space & Futuristic Worlds: Look Up! and The Many Worlds of Albie Bright encourage curiosity about space, science, and the unknown.

This global and historical variety ensures that pupils gain both a sense of adventure and an appreciation of different cultures, places, and ways of life.

Publication Dates & Classic vs. Contemporary Literature

The selection balances classic literature with contemporary works, ensuring that students are exposed to enduring literary themes as well as modern storytelling styles.

• Classic & Timeless Stories: Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970), The Iron Man (1968), and Skellig (1998) provide exposure to influential literature.
• Modern & Contemporary Texts: The Explorer (2017), Runaway Robot (2019), and Twitch (2021) reflect current themes, ensuring relevance and engagement.
• Retellings & Adaptations: Books such as Diary of a Big Bad Wolf (2024) and Little Red put fresh spins on traditional tales, encouraging critical thinking about storytelling.

By including both older and newer works, pupils develop an appreciation for literary heritage while engaging with texts that reflect today’s world.

Authors & Representation

A diverse selection of authors ensures a range of voices, experiences, and perspectives:

• British Literary Icons: Roald Dahl (Fantastic Mr. Fox), Ted Hughes (The Iron Man), and David Almond (Skellig) provide exposure to celebrated UK authors.
• Diverse & Underrepresented Voices: Dinah Orji (Children of the Benin Kingdom) and Sita Brahmachari bring fresh perspectives from a range of backgrounds.
• Female & Male Authors: The reading list features a balance of both, ensuring that students experience a range of storytelling styles.
• Illustrators & Graphic Storytelling: Works like Hugo Cabret and Flashlight emphasize the power of visual storytelling alongside traditional prose.

This variety supports representation, inclusivity, and broadens pupils’ understanding of the world and different lived experiences.

The reading diet at Hillcrest is carefully designed to foster a love of literature, develop comprehension skills, and expose students to a wide range of genres, cultures, and themes. Pupils journey through traditional stories, thrilling adventures, historical events, and futuristic worlds, ensuring they leave school with a well-rounded literary experience. With a strong balance between classic and contemporary texts, familiar settings and global perspectives, and diverse authorship, Hillcrest provides an enriching and inspiring reading curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, curiosity, and passion for reading that will last a lifetime.