Author | Lightnews

Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · 10d

#IrishBookWeek is a fab excuse to shine the light on one of our Irish illustrators - Andy Hamilton.

We (and teachers/children) love his illustrations because they’re so full of attitude i.e. perfect for our fully decodable Reading Stars Phonics books (also full of attitude!).

Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · 14d

Happy #IrishBookWeek - an important event to celebrate Irish authors, illustrators, publishers and Irish interest books.

Ooo and the brilliant Irish bookshops that sell them!

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · 24d

A reluctant reader in the middle of his birthday BBQ… reading the book he just got!

That’s the power of our books. Specially written/designed so kids can’t help but pick them up - and then can't put them down.

We’re cheering this young man on - and wishing him a happy bday!

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · 27d

"I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book. Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting & wonderful; & learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage" Roald Dahl

One that'll speak to all literacy professionals💙

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Oct 2

A fantastic poem for #NationalPoetryDay - especially when the theme is ‘play’.

It comes from ‘Football Crazy: Poems, Raps and Beats’ - a short anthology of highly decodable poems for struggling/reluctant readers.

⚽️🤝🎤

www.ransom.co.uk/football-cra...

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Oct 2

A quick reminder on #NationalPoetryDay that poetry is SO useful. It boosts:
- phonemic awareness
- fluency
- vocabulary
- creativity and imagination
- and, if done correctly, engagement! Short poems on the right topics (e.g. football) can be a fab way to reach reluctant readers!

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 30

Every state primary school in England will now have a library by 2029! Fantastic news!🌟

theguardian.com/politics/202...

#LibrariesforPrimaries

Rachel Reeves pledges a library in every primary school in England

Exclusive: Chancellor also set to unveil plans to get young people back into work in party conference speech

theguardian.com

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 26

Guess what… We’re a 2025 #GESSAwards finalist!

Ransom Publishing (with our brand-new Reading Stars Achieve Phonics series in tow) has been shortlisted for SEN and Inclusive Resource/Equipment Supplier of the Year.

Huge thanks to GESS Educations and the judges. What an honour!

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 23

... Followed by a fiction section.

(Remember, wordless books are also great for allowing struggling readers with the greatest difficulties to engage with narratives/build their vocabulary.)

Happy #RecycleWeek one and all!

5/5

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 23

Next, if you have a really reluctant reader who's quickly switched off by seeing words on the page, 'A Load of Rubbish' is a wordless book.

All about the rubbish we create and what we do with it, there's a fact section...

4/5👇

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 23

And for older learners who're still working at phonics level, try 'The Long, Dark Trek' - a silly retelling of Hansel & Gretel with a litter picking twist.

Part of Reading Stars Achieve Phonics, this book is still 100% fully decodable, but now designed for 7-14 year-olds.

3/5👇

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 23

You could turn your junk into treasure, like Frank in 'The Clink Clank Clunk'.

This is a fully decodable book (part of our Reading Stars Phonics range for KS1) - so could be read independently by budding inventors who're working at Letters and Sounds Phase 5.

2/5 👇

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 23

Did you know it's #RecycleWeek - Recycle Now's annual campaign to urge you to rescue items from the bin and #recycle them instead.

Here's a sneak peek inside some Ransom titles that are sure to inspire you...

1/5👇

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 17

Same goes for our Reading Stars ACHIEVE Phonics Sample Packs!

These help KS2/3 departments explore this separate collection of fully decodable books for older learners. Again, to claim yours (one per UK school, entirely free/yours to keep), email [email protected]📚

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 15

Excited to announce we'll be exhibiting at #TheEdPeopleShow
🥳

Swing by our stand (G37) for:
📚 Free bookmarks and posters
📚 Special discount codes for your school
📚 Expert advice on all things ‘literacy’

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 12

NEW TITLE ALERT!

Rodri has officially joined our squad of dyslexia-friendly fictionalised biographies #talesfromthepitch

Available to order now on our website👇

www.ransom.co.uk/rodri-paperb...

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Sep 1

FYI - we've just re-stocked the shelves with our Reading Stars Phonics Sample Packs!

They're an ever-popular way for UK schools to explore these fully decodable books for KS1.

To claim yours (one per school, completely free/yours to keep), email [email protected] 📚

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Aug 19

"The sessions offered rich insights into high-impact phonics strategies aimed at enhancing literacy instruction in the early years. It was a day of professional enrichment, collaborative learning, and renewed commitment to academic excellence."

What a success. Well done Steve!🥳

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Aug 19

"A great reminder that when professional development is engaging and rooted in experience, it leaves a lasting impact."

(The sessions gave lots of practical tips and tricks - including an effective breakout session!)

3/4

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Aug 19

"What stood out was how the trainer blended deep knowledge with real classroom anecdotes, humour, and clarity. It wasn’t just theory, it was meaningful, grounded, and immediately applicable..."

2/4

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Aug 19

Thrilled to have received some glowing feedback from the teachers who attended our literacy training in Pakistan last month. Creative Director Steve @stephenrickard.bsky.social was 'on tour', visiting Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi...

1/4 👇

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Aug 14

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss

We couldn't agree more!

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Aug 7

"Government commits to ensuring all primary schools have libraries by 2029” @thebookseller.com

There’s a resounding ‘whoop whoop!’ from the Ransom office.

The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · Jul 21

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to ensure all primary schools have libraries by the end of this parliament 👇

Government commits to ensuring all primary schools have libraries by 2029

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to ensure all primary schools have libraries by the end of this parliament.

ebx.sh

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Aug 5

Did you know you've got until August 10th to take part in the #BigButterflyCount?

We've spotted a few in 'Flutter by, Butterfly'. (It's a fully decodable Phase 5 phonics book, so could be read independently by butterfly hunters who're near the end of their phonics journey!)

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Ransom Publishing @ransombooks.bsky.social · Jul 31

#InternationalFriendshipDay yesterday seems the perfect excuse for us to talk about our fav BFFs: Siti's Sisters.

Ideal for reluctant/struggling girl readers, the 24 quick, perfectly-pitched stories follow Siti and her mates as they support each other through dramas big and small 💖

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