Meet the Parrot Street Advisory Board

Last weekend we met with our fantastic advisory board for the second time. They are a group of four individuals (three teachers and a psychologist) with experience and expertise in working with children and young people. Just like us, they are passionate about encouraging a lifelong love of reading in children.

It’s extremely important to us that the books and activity packs our subscribers receive each month are varied, stimulating and age-appropriate. We work hard to ensure that our book subscriptions feature books that you may not otherwise have discovered for yourselves, that are perfect for both boys and girls, and that have enough narrative breadth and depth to inspire thoughtful discussion and wider learning. No one knows better than teachers and other professionals working with children and young people what they are interested in reading and what inspires them.

Our advisory board provides feedback on our book selections and activity packs, discusses topics, themes and techniques appropriate for our age groups, and suggests age-appropriate activities for our packs. As educators working directly with children and families, they provide a great insight for us into kids’ interests and reading habits, as well as parents’ attitudes and concerns. We are very lucky to have them!

Sarah Atkinson

Sarah has been teaching English for more than a decade, working in schools in London, Madrid and Sussex. Personally, reading has been a life-long passion that she, and husband John, are now enjoying sharing with their one-year-old son, George. Professionally, she sees children benefit educationally and socially from the unparalleled advantages brought by a confidence and pleasure in reading.

Catherine Moon

Catherine went to the University of Kent where she studied English Language and Linguistics. After graduating from university, she travelled for a year and then went on to study a PGCE specialising in Early Years at Kingston University. Since then, Catherine has been passionate about sharing her experiences from around the world and knowledge of books with the children that she teaches.

Abraham Patterson

Abraham is a qualified Integratively trained and registered Adolescents Therapeutic Counsellor, MBACP. He currently works in primary and secondary schools and provides counselling to children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18.

Emma Torres

Emma studied English Literature at University before becoming a primary school teacher. She is passionate about inspiring young readers in her role as phonics and reading leader at her school.