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David Appleyard

David Appleyard

David has over a decade of experience in early years and reading as a school governor and EYFS lead. He's spent 20+ years working in online education for Envato and Design Shack, teaching creative and technical skills to millions (and managing a team of educators).

He's also taught two boys to read from scratch — and remembers exactly how bewildering the early stages can feel. He knows this journey from both sides of the fence.

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World Book Day: last minute (onesie) costumes & ideas

World Book Day: last minute (onesie) costumes & ideas

March 2, 2026 • 1 min read

World Book Day: last minute (onesie) costumes & ideas

Last minute World Book Day panic? Turn cosy onesies into easy book character costumes and save your energy for sharing stories together.

Back into books: gentle ways to restart reading in January

January 6, 2026 • 7 min read

Back into books: gentle ways to restart reading in January

Christmas and advent reading traditions to make the season magical

November 29, 2025 • 5 min read

Christmas and advent reading traditions to make the season magical

Bright ideas for Bonfire Night: spark imagination through reading

November 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Bright ideas for Bonfire Night: spark imagination through reading

Spooky stories and reading fun this Halloween

October 24, 2025 • 6 min read

Spooky stories and reading fun this Halloween

World Teachers’ Day: celebrating the teachers who spark a love of reading

World Teachers’ Day: celebrating the teachers who spark a love of reading

October 3, 2025 • 8 min read

World Teachers’ Day: celebrating the teachers who spark a love of reading

Celebrate World Teachers' Day by thanking teachers for inspiring reading love. Plus ideas for home-school reading partnerships.

Celebrate Black History Month: explore stories of courage and culture

October 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Celebrate Black History Month: explore stories of courage and culture

Cosy up with Reading Chest this autumn

September 18, 2025 • 2 min read

Cosy up with Reading Chest this autumn

Ahoy matey! Bringing Talk Like a Pirate Day to life with reading activities

September 11, 2025 • 6 min read

Ahoy matey! Bringing Talk Like a Pirate Day to life with reading activities

Whizzpopping ways to celebrate Roald Dahl Day

September 10, 2025 • 8 min read

Whizzpopping ways to celebrate Roald Dahl Day

Stories that spark creativity: fun ways to mix reading and art for Children’s Art Week

Stories that spark creativity: fun ways to mix reading and art for Children’s Art Week

June 29, 2025 • 5 min read

Stories that spark creativity: fun ways to mix reading and art for Children’s Art Week

Spark your child's creativity this Children's Art Week by mixing reading with art. Picture books, drawing activities and story-inspired crafts.