The 'Cracking' books by David Horner

Creative, curriculum-linked resources that make writing and grammar stick.

Ready-to-use KS1 and KS2 English resources with 275+ curriculum-linked activities that make creative writing and grammar engaging, effective and enjoyable.

Give your Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils the confidence, skills and enthusiasm to become successful writers with these books. Packed with practical, classroom-tested activities, these books help teachers deliver engaging English lessons that inspire creativity while meeting National Curriculum objectives.

To find out more information about a book, click on the book cover.

To look at sample pages from each book, click on the blue text and the sample pages will open in a new window.

Read this ‘Once Upon a Time’ poem, created by children completing the activity.

Now try the ‘Once Upon a Time’ activity with your class.

Body Language – children will write a single sentence containing (possibly) the longest noun phrase ever

Creative Ways with Grammar – What would YOU call a group of pirates?

Fantastical Non-fiction – What is it like to be a football stadium?

Shapes and Patterns – rewriting a nursery rhyme for grown-ups.

Why not create a paperback book with your children? Read this article to see how David Horner, the author, did this with one school he visited.

Try this activity to explore creating kennings.

How important are vowels? Try this activity to find out.

What is a hexastich? Try this activity to find out.