Skulduggery Pleasant KS1 and KS2 teaching resources

91�ȱ� Teach > Primary Resources > English KS1 / English KS2 > Bringing Books to Life 1

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Video summary

YouTuber AmazingPhil explains what he loves about his favourite children’s book, Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (illustrated by Tom Percival).

He gives an overview of the story, in which twelve-year-old Stephanie inherits her uncle’s estate and discovers the horror books he wrote were partially true.

With her uncle’s friend Skulduggery Pleasant, the wise-cracking skeleton of a dead magician who can throw fireballs from his hands, she sets out on an adventure.

Phil reads one of his favourite extracts, and animation brings the character of Skulduggery spookily to life.

Phil explains that he loves the characters of both Stephanie and Skullduggery, and all the unusual people they meet throughout the story.

He shares his love of horror stories, which make him feel excitement and danger from the safety of his home.

This clip is from the series Bringing Books to Life 1.

Skulduggery Pleasant Teacher Notes

KS1 and KS2 English Discussion Questions

Before watching the video:

Have you ever read a scary or spooky story? What did you like or dislike about it?
What makes a book a horror story? Can you think of any ways that writers create suspense in these books?
If you could create your own scary story, what would it be about?

While watching the video:

Pause at 01:27 - How does Phil describe his excitement for the book? Can you relate to this feeling when reading?
Pause at 01:40 - What does Phil's favourite character, Ghastly Bespoke, do for a job?
Pause at 05:22 - Why does Phil like horror stories? How do they make him feel?

After watching the video:

Has Phil's excitement for this book made you want to read horror books?
Can you share a place or world you've been transported to in your imagination through reading a book?
Do you think books can change the way you think, as Phil says in the video?

KS1 and KS2 English Activity Suggestions

Scary Settings: Ask children to pick a spooky setting found in horror stories (such as an abandoned mansion or a fog-covered graveyard) and write a detailed description that sets an eerie atmosphere.
Create a Spooky Soundtrack: Have the children use common classroom instruments or even just their voices to create spooky sound effects or a soundtrack that would match a scary scene from this book or another horror story.
Monster Mash-Ups: Provide children with a variety of monster and creature pictures to cut out from magazines or online sources. They can then combine these cutouts to create their own unique and scary monsters.

Take a look at our 500 Words resources for further inspiration around story writing.

These videos contribute to the current national curriculum requirements in:

England - KS1/KS2 English: Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read.
Northern, Ireland - KS1/KS2 Language and Literacy: Extend the range of their reading and develop their own preferences.
Scotland - 1st and 2nd Level Literacy and English: Reading - Enjoyment and choice.
Wales - Progression Step 2/3 Languages, Literacy and Communication: Literature fires imagination and inspires creativity.

These discussion questions and activity suggestions provide opportunities to develop english, music and art and design knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts across all UK curricula, as well as critical thinking and imagination.