{"id":1797,"date":"2021-02-18T11:29:31","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T11:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=1797"},"modified":"2026-04-08T13:31:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:31:40","slug":"reading-list-to-inspire-young-actors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/young-performers\/reading-list-to-inspire-young-actors\/","title":{"rendered":"A Reading List to Inspire Young Performers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Books young performers of all ages can read to inspire a love of drama, performing and the arts.<\/h3>\n<p>Actor, theatre-maker and facilitator,\u00a0Sam Hardie, performer and teacher\u00a0Mercy Ojelade&#8217;s and some of us Spotlighters put our heads together to come up with a book list for children who are interested in being performers.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s ideas for creative play, storytelling, rhyming, character voices or dealing with feelings, there&#8217;s something for everyone in our list of recommended reading.<\/p>\n<h4>For Under 5s<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Baby-Goes-Market-Atinuke\/dp\/140638528X\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Baby+Goes+to+Market&amp;qid=1613576481&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Baby Goes to Market\u00a0<\/em>by Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Because-Mo-Willems\/dp\/1368019013\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Because<\/em>\u00a0by Mo Willems and Amber Ren<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Corduroy-Takes-Bow-Viola-Davis\/dp\/0425291472\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Corduroy Takes A Bow<\/em>\u00a0by Viola Davis<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Giraffes-Cant-Dance-International-Bestseller\/dp\/1841215651\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Giraffes Can\u2019t Dance<\/em>\u00a0by Giles Andreae<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Audrey-Hepburn-Little-People-Dreams\/dp\/1786030527\/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Little+People%2C+Big+Dreams%3A+Audrey+Hepburn+by+Isabel+Sanchez+Vegara&amp;qid=1613575887&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Little People, Big Dreams: Audrey Hepburn<\/em>\u00a0by Isabel Sanchez Vegara<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Maisy-Goes-Show-Lucy-Cousins\/dp\/1406389307\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Maisy Goes to a Show<\/em>\u00a0by Lucy Cousins<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Gruffalo-Julia-Donaldson\/dp\/0803730470\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Gruffalo\u00a0<\/em>by Julia Donaldson<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Smeds-Smoos-PB-Julia-Donaldson\/dp\/B07Y1V7HQ5\/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Smeds and the Smoos<\/em>\u00a0by Julia Donaldson<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/When-Grow-Up-Tim-Minchin\/dp\/1407180428?pldnSite=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>When I Grow Up<\/em>\u00a0by Tim Minchin<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>For Ages 5 &#8211; 7<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/I-Have-Idea-Herve-Tullet\/dp\/1452178585\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>I Have An Idea<\/em>\u00a0by Herve Tullett<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/That-You-Eleanor-Sue\/dp\/1250143233\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Is That You, Eleanor Sue?<\/em>\u00a0By Tricia Tusa<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Gracie-LaRoo-Big-Screen\/dp\/1474744745\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Gracie LaRoo on the Big Screen<\/em>\u00a0by Marsha Qualey<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Jabari-Jumps-Gaia-Cornwall\/dp\/1406374296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Jabari Jumps\u00a0<\/em>by Gala Cornwall<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Fix-Friends-Show-Must-Go\/dp\/125008668X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Fix-it Friends: The Show must Go On<\/em>\u00a0by Nicole C. Kear<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Play-Time-Plays-all-ages\/dp\/1447231597\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Play Time<\/em>\u00a0by Julia Donaldson<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>For Ages 7 &#8211; 11<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Stage-Full-Shakespeare-Stories\/dp\/1786031140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>A Stage Full of Shakespeare Stories<\/em>\u00a0by Angela McAllister<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/First-Term-LEtoile-School-Stars\/dp\/1444008110\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>First Term at L\u2019Etoile<\/em>\u00a0by Kelly Willoughby and Holly Willoughby<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Lamarrs-Double-People-Shaped-World\/dp\/1454926910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Hedy Lamarr\u2019s Double Life<\/em>\u00a0by Laurie Wallmark<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/How-Kid-NHB-Modern-Plays\/dp\/1848427042\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>How To Be A Kid<\/em>\u00a0a play by Sarah McDonald Hughes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Secret-House-Theatre-Helen-Peters\/dp\/0857630652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Secret Hen House Theatre<\/em>\u00a0by Helen Peters<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>For Ages 11 &#8211; 14<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Better-Nate-Than-Ever-Federle\/dp\/1442446919\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Better Nate Than Ever<\/em>\u00a0by Tim Federle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Got-Superpowers-Birthday-Modern-Plays\/dp\/1350021636\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>I Got Superpowers for my Birthday<\/em>\u00a0 a play by Katie Douglas<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Tara-Takes-Stage-Yes-Maybe\/dp\/1501176099\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Tara Takes the Stage<\/em>\u00a0by Tamsin Lane<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Billies-Audition-World-Elite-Academy\/dp\/1405287179\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>World Elite Dance Academy: Billie\u2019s Big Audition<\/em>\u00a0by Kimberly Wyatt<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>For Ages 14 &#8211; 16<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Teenagers-Banana-Holloway-Pronoun-Modern\/dp\/1848425155\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Girls Like That and Other Plays for Teenagers<\/em>\u00a0by Evan Placey<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyt.org.uk\/monologues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Youth Theatre Monologue Collection<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltheatre.org.uk\/learning\/connections\/connections-plays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Theatre Connection Plays<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Noughts-Crosses-Malorie-Blackman\/dp\/0141378646\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Noughts &amp; Crosses<\/em>\u00a0by Malorie Blackman<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Swish-Curtain-Pamela-Brown\/dp\/0955242800\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Swish of the Curtain<\/em>\u00a0by Pamela Brown<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>For Ages 16+<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Brainstorm-Original-Playscript-Blueprint-Production-ebook\/dp\/B01N0QKHZ7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Brainstorm<\/em>\u00a0by Ned Glasier, Emily Lim and Company Three<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/BU21-NHB-Modern-Plays-Kuleshov\/dp\/184842650X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>BU21<\/em>\u00a0by Stuart Slade<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nickhernbooks.co.uk\/contemporary-monologues-for-teenagers-female\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Contemporary Monologues for Teenagers: Female<\/em>\u00a0by Trilby James<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nickhernbooks.co.uk\/contemporary-monologues-for-teenagers-male\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Contemporary Monologues for Teenagers: Male\u00a0<\/em>by Trilby James<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Emilia-Oberon-Modern-Morgan-Malcolm\/dp\/1786824817\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Emilia<\/em>\u00a0by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Dance-Nation-Oberon-Modern-Plays\/dp\/1786824833\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Engaging Plays:<\/em><em>\u00a0Dance Nation<\/em>\u00a0by Clare Barron<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nickhernbooks.co.uk\/misty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Misty<\/em>\u00a0by Arinze Kene<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Mogadishu-Nick-Books-Vivienne-Franzmann\/dp\/1848422547\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Mogadishu<\/em>\u00a0by Vivienne Franzmann<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Posh-Oberon-Modern-Plays-Laura\/dp\/1840029846\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Posh<\/em>\u00a0by Laura Wade<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nickhernbooks.co.uk\/shakespeare-monologues-for-young-men\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Shakespeare Monologues for Young Men<\/em>\u00a0by Luke Dixon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nickhernbooks.co.uk\/shakespeare-monologues-for-young-women\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Shakespeare Monologues for Young Women<\/em>\u00a0by Luke Dixon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Teenage-Dick-NHB-Modern-Plays\/dp\/1848428723\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Teenage Dick<\/em>\u00a0by Mike Lew<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Simeilia-Hodge-Dallaway-Oberon-Monologues-Actors\/dp\/B00NBN9C2K\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Oberon Book of Monologues for Black Actors<\/em>\u00a0by Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Wolves-Play-Off-Broadway-Sarah-Delappe\/dp\/1468315714\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Wolves<\/em>\u00a0by Sarah DeLappe\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Across the Ages<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/100-Acting-Exercises-Year-Olds\/dp\/1350049948\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>100 Acting Exercises for 8-18 Year Olds by Samantha Marsden<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Positive-Stories-Negative-Times-Remotely\/dp\/1350233366\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Positive Stories for Negative Times: Five Plays for Young People to Perform in Real Life or Remotely<\/em>\u00a0by various authors<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Happy reading!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Books young performers of all ages can read to inspire a love of drama, performing and the arts. Actor, theatre-maker and facilitator,\u00a0Sam Hardie, performer and teacher\u00a0Mercy Ojelade&#8217;s and some of us Spotlighters put our heads together to come up with a book list for children who are interested in being performers. Whether it&#8217;s ideas for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[83,44,70],"class_list":["post-1797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-young-performers","tag-acting","tag-starting-out","tag-young-performers"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Reading List to Inspire Young Performers | Spotlight<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover inspiring books for young actors of all ages, from picture books and plays to essential guides on craft and stage confidence.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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