I’m Rachel, the founder of Reading and Beyond. I am a mummy of two wild boys and totally passionate about getting kids not just reading - but loving reading.

 

After 14 years as a teacher, in 2018 I made the big decision to leave teaching to be at home more with my boys. This gave me the opportunity to really get stuck into starting my own business.

 

Reading & Beyond began on Instagram when I started sharing books we love, tips, advice and tweaks to get children loving books and reading through different play and activities all linked to the stories. Inspiration came from spending 24/7 with my two little ones and being blown away by the amazing role stories/ books played and continue to play in our life.

 

Books have had a massive impact on their development. I already knew this was the case, but until seeing it day in day out first-hand I don't think I truly appreciated it. This, coupled with spending many parents evening talking to parents who struggle to get their children to read at home, gave me the drive to share ideas and tips to help hook children into books early, while also supporting parents.

 

I started using the hashtag #hooksintobooks - sharing little ideas, tweaks and activities to get little ones engaging with books which don’t cost the earth or take forever to set up.

 

This then developed into Reading and Beyond which keeps me busy running my Little Book Swappers Clubs - story inspired workshops, creating Book Swap Boxes and creating Hooks into Books products all in the mission to get kids hooked on books.

 

Books are such amazing little worlds for children to explore and as a teacher and a mummy, I feel so passionately that we must keep the magic, adventure and wonder of stories and books alive for our little and big ones.

 

I love to hear from parents and carers as they explore new worlds with their children, so please tell me what you’re all reading using the #hooksintobooks hashtag on Instagram.

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