Lighting the Literacy Fire is a creative manual for schools, teachers and parents who are interested in bringing literacy and language teaching to children in a joyful, meaningful and energetic way. It defines a path that is both more effective and more efficient than the largely fear-based methods currently in vogue, and more enjoyable too. The book provides not only materials, ideas and starting points for lessons, but also a comprehensive discussion of the precursor skills that underlie the learning of language, and also an examination of the organisational framework within which creative teaching can flourish.