The Book Next Door Information

The Book Next Door publishes Australian-based photocopiable resources that can be used by teachers and volunteers as ‘extra’ support for English language learners, as well as easy-read e-books. After writing language learning resources for over 20 years, mostly (though not exclusively) for NCELTR at Macquarie University, I became despondent when they stopped publishing those ‘niche’ materials that I look for as a teacher (Australian setting, aimed at migrant/humanitarian learners, low levels, audio support, etc). It took me a few years, but I finally launched my micro-publishing venture, The Book Next Door, with the encouragement of a number of language bookshop owners, other writers and small publishers who were extremely generous with their suggestions and advice. The name reflects the small and ‘local’ scale of what I do. I hope it also gives a friendly feel, as the books are designed to be fun! So far there are two series: ESL Extras are Australian photocopiable resources, about family life, while ESL Easy Reads are more ‘international’ e-book fiction and non-fiction that can be read on a phone or tablet. There are now eight ESL Extras titles (six reading books and two puzzle books), as well as one free-to-download reading book. Recently I've also started creating dementia-friendly puzzle and reading books, with the help of a wonderful Dementia Activities Co-ordinator. To find out more about my background as a writer and teacher (and long, long ago as a volunteer tutor), visit my personal site, www.clareharris.com. To download SpellingWorks (which I co-wrote with Maureen Hague for Heinemann), go to spellingworks.com. I also blog (rather more frequently than on this site) at my clareharris.com site, as ‘Englishy things‘. You can find me on Facebook at ‘The Book Next Door’, at ‘ESL writer Clare Harris’, and now at 'Unforgettable Notes'. I should also add a big thanks to Martin Cumming for the logo.