David's most recent picture book The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster was chosen as one of the children's books of the year 2008 by Nicolette Jones of The Sunday Times and has been shortlisted for the 2009 Sheffield Children's Book Award. Shine Moon Shine was chosen as one of the top ten picture books of 2008 by The Bookbag. The resource and vocabulary are quite challenging so the working with some of Year 1 children in a focus group is recommended. That way you can discuss as you complete this activity linked to vocabulary. Lila and the Secret of Rain is a tale about a Kenyan village that is experiencing a dry spell and the little girl who makes it rain by whispering to the sky. I loved this story because it highlighted a young person who does something difficult and brave for others, rather than just thinking of herself. Lila and the Secret of Rain: the perfect book to teach about different cultures and contrasting localities in KS1 with related worksheets, activities and display materials. Persuading mean convincing. We want something to think the way we do, believe what we believe or change someone’s mind. You are sharing your OPINION.

In this activity, we look at how Lila tries (and succeeds) at persuading the sky to stop the sun from shining and start the rain. We have differentiated this resource to cater for Y1 and Year 2 classes. Your class will underline the letters that should be capital letters and add in the full stops to punctuate the sentences.I think this book is very appealing to kids. I talks about the courage of one girl and how she saves her village. It talks about different cultures and climates. There are so many ways to use this book and I feel it is something that kids could really relate too. Education Shed Ltd, Severn House, Severn Bridge, Riverside North, Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK, DY12 1AB I really liked the story because it had lots of detail. I really like story because it was set in a good place. This is a challenging Y2 activity that focuses on homophones and near homophones. Your class will read through the sentences and highlight words that are homophones or they can choose the homophone that completes the sentences.

We have taken some of the lovely vocabulary used in The Secret of Rain and created three resources to help your Year 1 | Year 2 class understand the words used in context of the story as well as looking at a few definitions. Your class must include capital letters for: the beginning of sentences, opening speech and proper nouns. We had added in simple and complex sentences to add in full stops.

Her mum and her brother had to stay indoors. Lila had to climb the tallest mountain to save the day. Lila’s village in Kenya hasn’t seen rain for many weeks. They are afraid that the well will dry up. “Without water there can be no life.” Lila’s grandfather tells her a story a man who told him the secret of rain. “You must climb the highest mountain ... and tell the sky the saddest thing you know.” The Story is about a girl named Lila . She had to stay in her hut because it was like a burning sun. David Conway is a children's picture book author who has written for Hodder, Random House, Frances Lincoln and Gullane Children's Books. He has been awarded The Peter Pan Silver Star by the Swedish wing of the IBBY and the Parents' Choice Gold Award in the US for Lila and the Secret of Rain. His first picture book The Most Important Gift of All illustrated by Karin Littlewood, was nominated for The Kate Greenaway Medal in 2006.