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Find out moreRoss Collins studied illustration at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1994 and in the same year he won the Macmillan Children’s Book Prize for the The Sea Hole. Since then he has gone on to illustrate over 100 books and has written several too. His picture book The Elephantom was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal and was staged at London's National Theatre and in 2016 This Zoo is Not for You won the inaugural Amnesty CILIP Honour. When Ross is not creating children’s books he enjoys working on character development for animation studios such as Laika and Disney. He lives with his partner Jacqui, his young son, and his dog Hugo, in Scotland.
Hal’s cheesy nightmares have become impossible and he is determined to find out why. With his fat dog Rufus, Hal goes on the hunt to find out and finds himself having to deal with some very disagreeable cows indeed. Told by Ross Collins in words and pictures this is a hugely entertaining and original story. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+.
Who’s to blame when things go wrong? Dogs Norman and Ringo realise that they are the Blamehounds when they get told off for everything from farts to an unexpected splat of peach juice. But then they come up with a plan! Soon the Blamehounds along with other dogs are making a small fortune through a few backhanders just by taking the blame humans want to avoid. Ross Collins captures the joke perfectly in words and pictures. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
From the inventive author-illustrator of the award-winning There’s a Bear on My Chair comes this smart sequel, and boy has Ross Collins delivered again. It’s a rollicking, rhyming, visually-pleasing treat in which it turns out that Bear isn’t terribly keen on getting a taste of his own medicine (to begin with, at least). The cause of Bear’s irritation is the presence of Mouse in his house (yes, the very same Mouse on whose chair Bear presumptuously sat in the first book). In Bear’s outraged words, “That rodent can’t live here, oh no! I’ll tell him that he has to go.” Of course, Mouse refuses to leave and proceeds to cause chaos in Bear’s house, before a mob of partying mice turn up. But then - the twist! – when Bear realises “Hey! These mice are nice!” With wonderful interplay between text, illustration and design, this is excellent for reading aloud - the kind of book that will have toddlers urging for it to be read again, and again (and again) while completing the rhymes before adults have chance to read them.
From the inventive author-illustrator of the award-winning There’s a Bear on My Chair comes this smart sequel, and boy has Ross Collins delivered again. It’s a rollicking, rhyming, visually-pleasing treat in which it turns out that Bear isn’t terribly keen on getting a taste of his own medicine (to begin with, at least). The cause of Bear’s irritation is the presence of Mouse in his house (yes, the very same Mouse on whose chair Bear presumptuously sat in the first book). In Bear’s outraged words, “That rodent can’t live here, oh no! I’ll tell him that he has to go.” Of course, Mouse refuses to leave and proceeds to cause chaos in Bear’s house, before a mob of partying mice turn up. But then - the twist! – when Bear realises “Hey! These mice are nice!” With wonderful interplay between text, illustration and design, this is excellent for reading aloud - the kind of book that will have toddlers urging for it to be read again, and again (and again) while completing the rhymes before adults have chance to read them.
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2020 | Anteater wakes up with a problem: he can’t remember what he is supposed to eat. The other animals aren’t much help but, when he finds an anthill, Anteater suddenly remembers his favourite food. Children will love being ahead of the story until the big surprise. Pictures and text dovetail together to create a very enjoyable book.
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2020 | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month May 2019 | A deliciously playful fantasy tells how an audacious and ebullient mouse identifies himself as being something very much more than he is. Especially he dreams of being a tiger! But can he convince anyone else? Sadly for mouse, his lack of stripes, size and GRRR! make it pretty clear that he is certainly not a tiger. And, when a real tiger turns up, Mouse knows for sure that he won’t ever be a tiger. Can he be something else? Karl Newson and Ross Collins capture imaginative play perfectly.
Two children, Emmy and Jeff, escort readers into a world of colours in Ross Collins’ new picture book. Each spread is given over to one colour, from yellow, which brightens the day, through blue, which cools things down, to green which grows and grows, until they are all there and it’s just ‘Too much!’ say Jeff and Emmy. The text is admirably short but the pictures are full of life and action, thanks to the interaction between the children and the colours, which all have their own personality. Specially designed for readers – child or adult – with dyslexia, this is easy to read but bursting with ideas.~ Andrea Reece
In a nutshell: the fate of the ‘hooman’ race in the hands of incorrigible nose-picker and pirate Mabel Jones | For daring adventures, desperate deeds, and decidedly nasty ends, look no further than the unlikely adventures of Mabel Jones. Two books back this young ‘hooman’ was snatched into the future, a world ruled by talking animals and press-ganged into piracy; can she now find out what brought about the end of her race, and possibly avert it? One thing we know, Mabel Jones isn’t scared of anything! Will Mabbit’s stories are triumphs of invention and originality, featuring not just a parade of the most extraordinary characters you’re likely to meet in fiction, but a narrator who can be relied upon to dash hopes of happy outcomes, but not much else. An absolute treat to read aloud, these will bring a touch of surprising, nutty fun to bedtimes. There’s a touch of Mr Gum to the Mabel Jones adventures, while they’re also recommended for fans of Lemony Snicket. ~ Andrea Reece
Claire Barker’s Knitbone Pepper books are charming: gentle stories about a ghostly band of dearly departed pets living in a crumbling stately home, they are funny, lively and genuinely touching. There’s great excitement when a circus pitches its tents at Starcross Hall. Knitbone detects an odd scent in the big top, a mix of salt, mist and dandelion clocks, and he recognises the smell of a broken heart. Sure enough, the circus has a ghost tiger, desperate to communicate with his ‘Beloved’, former owner, the circus ringmaster. The Starcross animals come to his help, and foil a jewel thief in the process too. The setting, the motley crew of ghosts, Winnie’s eccentric parents and the perfect understanding of that special bond between pet and owner make this very special, heaven in a book for young animal fans. Further animal reading recommendations include Dick King-Smith and particularly Martin’s Mice and the Sophie stories; Chris Riddell’s Goth Girl series is set in a stately home, abounds with eccentric adults and features ghost animals; while Lucy M Boston’s classic The Children of Green Knowe is a more challenging read but rich and rewarding. ~ Andrea Reece
The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones was one of my favourite books of 2016, and it’s great to see Mabel back. She’s forced to leave the ‘hooman’ world and venture again into the Noo World, a place run by animals, variously disreputable or downright nefarious. Mabel’s baby sister has been abducted and before you can say Omynus Hussh (pirate slow loris and Mabel’s arch enemy) she’s on her trail aboard a steam boat, cutlass in hand ready for more narrow escapes from certain death. It’s wildly inventive, Mabbit delights as much in fantastical word-play as he does in the kind of gross humour kids love, and a rip-roaring adventure too. Ross Collins was born to illustrate this and his drawings are an integral part of the enjoyment. This matches Lemony Snicket for dark humour, while fans will also enjoy Dominic Barker’s equally clever and engaging Blart The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Save the World. ~ Andrea Reece
August 2015 Book of the Month Knitbone loves his owner Winnie Pepper more than all the bicycle wheels, Frisbees and cowpats in the world! So it’s maybe no surprise that when he dies his spirit stays with Winnie in Starcross Hall, her parents’ crumbling stately home. He’s not the only ghost animal, there’s a whole gang of them and when the Hall is threatened by bailiffs, the Spirits of Starcross and Winnie make a formidable team! With its sweet ghost animals and ginger-nut-fuelled adventure, this charming story ticks all the right boxes for young readers. Ross Collins’ illustrations are spookily fun but capture the affection between Knitbone and Winnie perfectly too. ~ Andrea Reece
Shortlisted for The Branford Boase Award 2016. One of our Books of the Year 2015 - June 2015 Debut of the Month Mabel Jones is sleeping soundly when a sudden noise wakes her up. It’s Omynus Hussh, silent loris and pirate, there to press gang her into service to the captain of the Feroshus Maggot, mad wolf (he really is a wolf) Idryss Ebenezer Split. Mabel will have lots of adventures before she can return to the ‘hooman’ world! Part Pirates of the Caribbean, and with a touch of Monty Python thrown in, this is a wildly inventive, hugely enjoyable adventure that must qualify as the year’s best book to read aloud. Piracy, says the narrator, ‘It’s not all golden doubloons and swinging from chandeliers. It’s not all drunken shanties and dancing on a dead man’s chest. Not by a long plank.’ Irresistible! ~ Andrea Reece
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2016. Text, illustration and design all combine to make this an outstanding picture book. Mouse is cross, there’s a bear – a polar bear – on his chair, he won’t move and ‘There isn’t any room to spare. We do not make a happy pair’. The bear is apparently oblivious to Mouse and his growing rage, though readers will notice him take an occasional sly peek at his companion, deftly illustrated in just one line of eyebrow. Collins’s illustrations also brilliantly capture Mouse’s changing moods, from anger through to resignation. The text is a joy to read, a series of funny statements constructed – Dr Seuss-like – around words that rhyme with chair. A sequel – There’s a Mouse in My House – must follow. This superb picture book is set to become a classic. ~ Andrea Reece Louise from Nosy Crow says: “This hilarious and highly original story featuring mouse and bear with just one chair is perfect for fans of Jon Klassen. Children will laugh out loud and parents will love the clever nature of the story.”
Winner of the Scottish Book Awards 2015, 3-7 age category A brilliant bedtime romp! When Mum and Dad hand over the babysitting to a bunch of robots they have no idea just how much chaos will follow. All starts well with Cook-Bot and Clean-Bot doing their jobs brilliantly but then everything begins to go very, very wrong! A glorious story and illustrations from this award winning duo.
Reading age 8+, interest age 9+. The bestselling creator of Mr Gum turns his hand to a wildly fanciful story about a boy with a very unusual power; he can turn himself into a fly. Matthew Buzzington’s adventures including getting locked into school and dealing with the big robber and the little robber. And dealing with becoming a fly. With a reading age of 8+ but an interest age of 9-12, this novel can be enjoyed by the struggling or reluctant reader just as much as by an avid 8 year old reader.To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Creator of the best-selling Mr Gum series, Andy Stanton delights again is this story of the importance of self-belief. 10 year old Matthew Buzzington badly needs some special powers when his family suddenly relocates to the Big City. Easily picked on by the biggest and meanest boy in his new school, Matthew needs to show how special he is. If only he could turn himself into a fly… When Matthew, his little sister and the big school bully are locked into school together Matthew finds that when everyone believes in him, he can do something rather special. And that is life changing… To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Creator of the best-selling Mr Gum series, Andy Stanton delights again is this story of the importance of self-belief. 10 year old Matthew Buzzington badly needs some special powers when his family suddenly relocates to the Big City. Easily picked on by the biggest and meanest boy in his new school, Matthew needs to show how special he is. If only he could turn himself into a fly… When Matthew, his little sister and the big school bully are locked into school together Matthew finds that when everyone believes in him, he can do something rather special. And that is life changing…
Follow Littlenose the caveboy, where things are never calm for long in this naughty caveboy's world. Littlenose is a charming character with an irrepressible sense of adventure and Two-Eyes, his pet mammoth (and partner in crime) in this collection comprising fifteen stories, perfectly pitched at children who just starting to read independently. Lots of prehistoric fun will ensure they're hooked!
Interest Age 5-8 Who’s to blame when things go wrong? Dogs Norman and Ringo realise that they are the Blamehounds when they get told off for everything from farts to an unexpected splat of peach juice. But then they come up with a plan! Soon the Blamehounds along with other dogs are making a small fortune through a few backhanders just by taking the blame humans want to avoid. Ross Collins captures the joke perfectly in words and pictures.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Prize-winning Andy Stanton injects his trademark humour into this hilarious story about a teenage love affair. From the first moment he sees new girl Lizzie Harris, Sterling Thaxton knows he must go out with her. All the other girls in the school are crazy about him but can Sterling win over Lizzie? Things don’t go according to plan in love, maths or friendship but, when Sterling finds a talking canary it looks like all his problems will be solved. A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2014 - Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Prize-winning Andy Stanton injects his trademark humour into this hilarious story about a teenage love affair. From the first moment he sees new girl Lizzie Harris, Sterling Thaxton knows he must go out with her. All the other girls in the school are crazy about him but can Sterling win over Lizzie? Things don’t go according to plan in love, maths or friendship but, when Sterling finds a talking canary it looks like all his problems will be solved. This book is also available to read via the Barrington Stoke 'Tints' App. Find out more here.
One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2014 - A Dyslexia Friendly Picture Book for Parent and Child The former Children’s Laureate simply tells a deliciously funny story about a boy who swaps his life with a pigeon with almost disastrous results! Looking up from the book he is reading the boy sees a pigeon on his windowsill. He’s always wanted to fly. Luckily, the pigeon has always wanted to read so soon the two swap places. Flying is fun but not everything else about being a bird is! But what will happen when the boy wants to swap back? Ross Collins brilliantly captures the humour of this easy to read story. ---------------------- Publisher Barrington Stoke was inspired to create the Picture Squirrel Books titles after meeting a man with dyslexia at a book event. “We were approached by a gentleman who told us that it broke his heart that he couldn’t read to his child because of his dyslexia,” M.D. Mairi Kidd told The Bookseller. “So we talked to Michael Morpurgo, who we were already working with on low text books [textbooks that use a limited number of words]." The layout of picture books can be difficult for adults with dyslexia as the language and typeface are often very varied, the text can be cut into small chunks or is sometimes spun around a picture, which can make a book tricky if you don’t have good reading skills. Barrington Stoke worked with the authors and illustrators to ensure that the books are suitable for dyslexic readers and thereby helping more families grow a love of reading. On the Picture Squirrels...Michael Morpurgo says: “I was immediately taken with the idea of the Picture Squirrel books, a picture book list that dyslexic parents and less confident readers can read with theirchildren too.” In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for All I Said Was... a small number of members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'Mummy liked that the letters in the books were well spaced and that the pages were a soft colour as this made the books easier for children with dyslexia to read.' Elliot Bateman. Scroll down to read more ...
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 A case of mistaken identity means everything changes in this sweet story from Tony Bradman, with gorgeous illustrations by award-winning Ross Collins.
Interest Age 5-8+ Hal’s cheesy nightmares have become impossible and he is determined to find out why. With his fat dog Rufus, Hal goes on the hunt to find out and finds himself having to deal with some very disagreeable cows indeed. Told by Ross Collins in words and pictures this is a hugely entertaining and original story. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 7+ Jack and his friends build the greatest, scariest snowman in the whole world - until it comes alive! An entertaining and clever story by an award- winning author and illustator, Ross Collins. Also suitable for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
A new thrilling adventure for a group of children who can magically switch into being another animal. And, most importantly, switch back! Now Josh and Danny are visiting the Zoo with their friend Petty Potts who is about to turn them each into an anaconda. It’s a very scary thought and they spend some time looking at the dangerous snakes to get used to it. At first all goes well but when Petty leaves the boys things look very dangerous indeed. Will they be trapped with the real anacondas? Great excitement lies at the heart of these pacy adventures. Click here for the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website with games, activities and competitions.
April 2012 Book of the Month. A great story with rhyming text and delightfully complementary bright and bold illustrations, it features a small boy with an incredibly over-active imagination - he has fantasies about being lots of different creatures, all of whom get him into all sorts of mischief!
Petty's been kidnapped! Josh and Danny have already broken into her secret lab looking for her, and now they're going to brave all her anti-intruder traps and break into her house. There's no sign of Petty, but there is a very interesting little box ...containing the best SWITCH spray ever. Unable to resist the temptation, the twins head to the park to try out alligator SWITCH spray. But before they make it to the river, they're roped into being in the audience of a touring chat show, with some VERY interesting guests ...
Sizzling adventures happen when twins Josh and Danny swap places with a host of fascinating animals. Armed with the secret spray given to them by Petty Potts, the brilliant and eccentric scientist, Josh and Danny can get out of all kinds of fixes by turning into something else. As lizards, chameleons, turtles, geckos and anacondas the boys discover first hand dangers and the excitement of living in someone else’s skin. Josh and Danny can't wait to try out Petty Potts's crazy new formula - a spray that will turn them into lizards! Soon, they're making the most of their amazing speed and agility by whizzing up a tree. But in no time they're in deep doo-doo. Surrounded by bird poo and in serious danger of being swallowed whole by two moody owls ... Author Ali Sparkes is the winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and illustrator Ross Collins is winner of the Royal Mail Book Award. Click here for the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website with games, activities and competitions.
Sizzling adventures happen when twins Josh and Danny swap places with a host of fascinating animals. Armed with the secret spray given to them by Petty Potts, the brilliant and eccentric scientist, Josh and Danny can get out of all kinds of fixes by turning into something else. As lizards, chameleons, turtles, geckos and anacondas the boys discover first hand dangers and the excitement of living in someone else’s skin. Petty Potts, scientist extraordinaire, is losing her touch. The spray that's supposed to SWITCH Josh and Danny into chameleons refuses to work. But the next day, at school, things get VERY weird. Looks like Petty's spray has worked after all. And it shows no sign of wearing off any time soon ... Author Ali Sparkes is the winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and illustrator Ross Collins is winner of the Royal Mail Book Award. Click here for the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website with games, activities and competitions.
Sizzling adventures happen when twins Josh and Danny swap places with a host of fascinating animals. Armed with the secret spray given to them by Petty Potts, the brilliant and eccentric scientist, Josh and Danny can get out of all kinds of fixes by turning into something else. As lizards, chameleons, turtles, geckos and anacondas the boys discover first hand dangers and the excitement of living in someone else’s skin. Josh and Danny can't believe their luck when crazy scientist Petty Potts turns up on the same beach as them. It's the perfect chance to 'borrow' her new spray that SWITCHes humans into turtles. Soon the boys are having a great time, diving through the waves and slurping on jelly fish ... Until they swim into serious danger. Author Ali Sparkes is the winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and illustrator Ross Collins is winner of the Royal Mail Book Award. Click here for the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website with games, activities and competitions.
Sizzling adventures happen when twins Josh and Danny swap places with a host of fascinating animals. Armed with the secret spray given to them by Petty Potts, the brilliant and eccentric scientist, Josh and Danny can get out of all kinds of fixes by turning into something else. As lizards, chameleons, turtles, geckos and anacondas the boys discover first hand dangers and the excitement of living in someone else’s skin. Josh and Danny are stuck in Princess Land-a toy shop full of pink stuff and worse, actual girls! Before too long, the twins find themselves with the head of a lizard and the body of a boy. Then to make things worse they are dragged into a dangerous game of combat, brother against brother ... Author Ali Sparkes is the winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and illustrator Ross Collins is winner of the Royal Mail Book Award. Click here for the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website with games, activities and competitions.
Reading age 8+, interest age 9+. The bestselling creator of Mr Gum turns his hand to a wildly fanciful story about a boy with a very unusual power; he can turn himself into a fly. Matthew Buzzington’s adventures including getting locked into school and dealing with the big robber and the little robber. And dealing with becoming a fly. With a reading age of 8+ but an interest age of 9-12, this novel can be enjoyed by the struggling or reluctant reader just as much as by an avid 8 year old reader.To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Creator of the best-selling Mr Gum series, Andy Stanton delights again is this story of the importance of self-belief. 10 year old Matthew Buzzington badly needs some special powers when his family suddenly relocates to the Big City. Easily picked on by the biggest and meanest boy in his new school, Matthew needs to show how special he is. If only he could turn himself into a fly… When Matthew, his little sister and the big school bully are locked into school together Matthew finds that when everyone believes in him, he can do something rather special. And that is life changing… To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Creator of the best-selling Mr Gum series, Andy Stanton delights again is this story of the importance of self-belief. 10 year old Matthew Buzzington badly needs some special powers when his family suddenly relocates to the Big City. Easily picked on by the biggest and meanest boy in his new school, Matthew needs to show how special he is. If only he could turn himself into a fly… When Matthew, his little sister and the big school bully are locked into school together Matthew finds that when everyone believes in him, he can do something rather special. And that is life changing…
A double helping of excitement in this bumper book of two stories in one volume. When Petty Potts, scientist with some mad and dangerous ideas, turns up at their summer camp, twins Josh and Danny are determined that they will not go anywhere near her deadly SWITCH formula which can change them into amphibians. But when their friend Pippa gets into difficulties, they know they must act fast! Loads of fun facts pepper the story and there is a useful information guide at the back.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Prize-winning Andy Stanton injects his trademark humour into this hilarious story about a teenage love affair. From the first moment he sees new girl Lizzie Harris, Sterling Thaxton knows he must go out with her. All the other girls in the school are crazy about him but can Sterling win over Lizzie? Things don’t go according to plan in love, maths or friendship but, when Sterling finds a talking canary it looks like all his problems will be solved. A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2014 - Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Prize-winning Andy Stanton injects his trademark humour into this hilarious story about a teenage love affair. From the first moment he sees new girl Lizzie Harris, Sterling Thaxton knows he must go out with her. All the other girls in the school are crazy about him but can Sterling win over Lizzie? Things don’t go according to plan in love, maths or friendship but, when Sterling finds a talking canary it looks like all his problems will be solved. This book is also available to read via the Barrington Stoke 'Tints' App. Find out more here.
How far would you go to save your annoying big bug sister? When Jenny accidentally uses Petty Potts's S.W.I.T.C.H spray on herself, Josh and Danny know that there is only one thing for it. They'll have to change themselves into crane flies to save their sister. However risky ... About the series: Boy or insect? Twins Josh and Danny survive a series of thrilling adventures after they have been transformed into bug life by the crazy scientist Petty Potts who injects them with a most unusual serum. How insect-loving Josh and insect-hating Danny survive the dangers of the bugs’ world in a series of adventures as spiders, grasshoppers, flies and ants makes thrilling reading as well as a great introduction into how insects may feel. To check out the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website, click here.
Twins Josh and Danny have been turned into diving beetles! Pond life is scary enough because of what’s in the pond but something much more scary – and dangerous – is outside! How the twins save themselves is a gripping read. Josh and Danny become involved in another of Petty Potts's mad schemes to try out her S.W.I.T.C.H formula. Soon the boys are beetling about in a pond, breathing underwater, and creating the most almighty stench to scare off predators. But pond life is the least of their problems. A mysterious stranger is hanging around and he's out to get them. About the series: Boy or insect? Twins Josh and Danny survive a series of thrilling adventures after they have been transformed into bug life by the crazy scientist Petty Potts who injects them with a most unusual serum. How insect-loving Josh and insect-hating Danny survive the dangers of the bugs’ world in a series of adventures as spiders, grasshoppers, flies and ants makes thrilling reading as well as a great introduction into how insects may feel. To check out the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website, click here.
Oh no! The famous Diamondo del Mondo has been stolen! There's something fishy going on. And no one knows fishy quite like . . . Inspector Penguin! Spot the clues throughout the book to help Inspector Penguin solve the mystery! Who could have broken into Baron von Buffetworth's super-secure top-secret safe? And where have they taken his precious diamond? There's only one detective who can solve this mystery: Inspector Penguin! That is, if he can keep his mind off tuna long enough to find some clues . . . An exciting, interactive detective story from the team behind Secret Agent Elephant.
Once upon a golden day, beside a silver brook Alice and her older sister sat and read a book... But when a talking rabbit runs past, Alice follows him down the rabbit hole to Wonderland, where she meet iconic characters of children's literature such as the grinning Cheshire Cat, the Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. From joining in with the Hatter's tea party to painting the white roses red, the familiar scenes from Lewis Carroll's beloved original story are reimagined in this charming introduction to Alice and her adventures in Wonderland suitable for younger readers. Jeanne Willis' re-telling of Carroll's beloved story in bouncy rhyming verse is a fresh venture into Wonderland, brought to life by Ross Collins' vibrant illustrations.
Oh no! The famous Diamondo del Mondo has been stolen! There's something fishy going on. And no one knows fishy quite like . . . Inspector Penguin! Spot the clues throughout the book to help Inspector Penguin solve the mystery! Who could have broken into Baron von Buffetworth's super-secure top-secret safe? And where have they taken his precious diamond? There's only one detective who can solve this mystery: Inspector Penguin! That is, if he can keep his mind off tuna long enough to find some clues . . . An exciting, interactive detective story from the team behind Secret Agent Elephant. Spot the clues throughout the book to help Inspector Penguin solve the mystery!
Sterling Thaxton is in love. In love with Lizzie Harris - the beautiful new girl. Her hair is the colour of magic. Her nose is as sweet as music. Her arms are as slender as rainbows. Problem is, she's not interested. Luckily a small yellow canary turns up with some excellent advice. A brand new edition of this laugh-out-loud story of young love from Mr Gum author and King of Funny Andy Stanton, now with a lowered reading age of 7.
Matthew Buzzington has a superpower - he can turn into a fly! It's just that it hasn't happened yet, which is pretty bad timing really because there are robbers and flying pineapples out to get him. Can he make his superpower work? A brand new edition of this ruckus, laugh-out-loud adventure from Mr Gum author and King of funny Andy Stanton, now in at a lowered reading age of 7.
A laugh-out-loud funny picture book, starring the small but mighty Mouse! Mouse might be teeny-tiny-titchy-witchy, but she's determined to show the other animals that anyone can roar like a dinosaur. With the help of her trusty How to Roar Like a Dinosaur book, Mouse gets to work getting her dino-roar back, much to the bemusement of the chattering meerkat, the grunting warthog and the ruk-ruking chameleon . . . But what's that coming up behind them, with a really loud ROAR?! The follow-up to the hilarious I am a Tiger and I am not an Elephant, written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Amnesty CILIP Award winning artist, Ross Collins.
A laugh-out-loud funny picture book, starring the small but mighty Mouse! Mouse might be teeny-tiny-titchy-witchy, but she's determined to show the other animals that anyone can roar like a dinosaur. With the help of her trusty How to Roar Like a Dinosaur book, Mouse gets to work getting her dino-roar back, much to the bemusement of the chattering meerkat, the grunting warthog and the ruk-ruking chameleon . . . But what's that coming up behind them, with a really loud ROAR?! The follow-up to the hilarious I am a Tiger and I am not an Elephant, written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Amnesty CILIP Award winning artist, Ross Collins.
Meet Knitbone Pepper, the lovable ghost dog haunting Starcross Hall and collect all his adventures! One starry night, Knitbone Pepper and his beloved owner, Winnie, find a ghost horse hiding in the garden. Her name is Moon, and she is searching for her long-lost owner. But Moon has a spooky secret, which is sure to spell TROUBLE. Packed with adventure, chuckles and woofs!
Watch out, supervillains. There's a new spy in town . . . Secret Agent 00 Elephant has struggled through his secret service tests and how he's ready to take on his first spy mission: to find feline supervillain Vincent le Morte and stop him from destroying the world. He just needs to stay away from those mini pizzas . . . Good luck, Agent Elephant. The world is counting on you. AND REMEMBER: DO NOT GET DISTRACTED BY THE MINI-PIZZAS!
Meet Knitbone Pepper, the lovable ghost dog haunting Starcross Hall and collect all his adventures! Roll up! Roll up! The circus is coming to Starcross Hall, and Winnie and her ghostly animal friends can't wait. The magicians, acrobats and clowns are such fun! But Knitbone Pepper sniffs something beastly in the big top... Packed with adventure, chuckles and woofs!
This laugh-out-loud story is about a bold and imaginative Mouse who is accused of being an elephant by a gecko. Despite having a pointy nose and flappy ears, Mouse is definitely not an elephant - but could Mouse be an owl, a sheep, a yak, or a cow? Mouse persuades the others that it's what is on the inside that counts - and maybe Mouse is actually a Moose? With vibrant and characterful illustrations this hilarious follow on to the acclaimed I AM A TIGER introduces a new range of animals for the feisty Mouse to bamboozle.
Meet Knitbone Pepper, the lovable ghost dog haunting Starcross Hall and collect all his adventures! Knitbone Pepper has made lots of new animal friends since becoming a ghost dog. But his beloved owner, Winnie, is missing him. Can the ghostly gang come up with a plan to help Winnie see Knitbone again? Packed with adventure, chuckles and woofs!
Meet Knitbone Pepper, the lovable ghost dog haunting Starcross Hall and collect all his adventures! Knitbone and his beloved owner Winnie are delighted to find Wish, the ghost rabbit, after Lord Pepper brings him home in a very special top hat. Wish is searching for his long-lost owner, a young magician called Ernest. Can the ghostly gang put on a tip-top talent show to entice Ernest to Starcross? Packed with adventures, chuckles and woofs!
On the hottest day of the year, Ana Sharma and her mum check in to the Hotel Splendid, a place where bells seem to ring all by themselves, jam pots and milk jugs appear on the breakfast table as if by magic, and things go bump in the night. The Hotel Splendid has a problem. When Ana and Sunny meet, they come up with a solution, but one problem leads to another. Meanwhile, the hotel is harbouring an unexpected guest ...
Watch out, supervillains. There's a new spy in town . . . Secret Agent Elephant isn't much good at hiding, or disguises, or driving fast cars - but he DOES look dangerously handsome in a tuxedo. Join the world's biggest, clumsiest super spy on his first mission: to find feline supervillain Vincent le Morte and stop him from destroying the world. Good luck, Agent Elephant. The world is counting on you. AND REMEMBER: DO NOT GET DISTRACTED BY THE MINI PIZZAS! The hilariously funny new book from rising-star Eoin McLaughlin and bestselling illustrator Ross Collins.
Winner of the Leicester Our Best Picture Book Award, and the West Sussex Picture Book Award. A hilarious and original story about a little mouse with big ideas! The bold little mouse declares I am a tiger. and manages to convince a raccoon, a fox, a snake and a bird not only that this is true, but that they are not what they think they are. When a real tiger turns up, can the persuasive and fearless little rodent manage to persuade the tiger that he is a mouse! With vibrant artwork by award-winning illustrator Ross Collins, and delightful characters created by rising star Karl Newson, I am a Tiger is a story that will amuse and entertain everyone, from the smallest mouse to the biggest tiger.
Meet Knitbone Pepper, the lovable ghost dog haunting Starcross Hall and collect all his adventures! Winnie and Knitbone Pepper are thrilled when a vintage plane lands at Starcross Hall, bringing with it Martin the hamster's beloved ghostly owner. But this visitor is a human ghost, and that means only one thing - mischief! Packed with adventure, chuckles and woofs!
Sometimes, when you open a door or lift a lid, you find exactly what you expected to find: coats in the coat cupboard, bread in the bread bin, toys in the toy box. And sometimes you don't. When Sunny's parents buy an antique shop, they get more than they bargained for: in some of the old furniture, Sunny finds ghosts. Each of the ghosts has an unfulfilled desire, something they never did in their lifetime: Walter wants to learn to read, Violet wants to write a novel, Mary and Elsie want to go to the seaside. While Sunny is trying to help them all, it seems someone else is out to cause trouble...
With a focus on building phonics skills, this collection includes seven fun stories with colourful illustrations. It is ideal for children who are developing early reading skills. Read about the Trunk and the Skunk, find out why Gran is so cross and discover how Ron Rabbit makes a rocket! Tips for reading together explain the letter patterns that each story focuses on and identify any words children may find tricky, helping you to get the most out of the collection. Former Children's Laureate and author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, has captivated children all over the world with her lively and engaging stories. Songbirds is a phonics programme carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and is used in schools to inspire a love of reading. There are eight Songbirds story collections for you to enjoy. Featuring much-loved characters, great authors, engaging storylines and fun activities, Read with Oxford offers an exciting range of carefully levelled reading books to build your child's reading confidence. Find practical advice, free eBooks and fun activities to help your child progress on oxfordowl.co.uk. Let's get them flying!
With a focus on building phonics skills, this collection includes six fun stories with colourful illustrations. It is ideal for children who are gaining more reading confidence. Find out what Clare does at the Fair, what happens at Tara's Party and how Jack meets the Giants! Tips for reading together explain the letter patterns that each story focuses on and identify any words children may find tricky, helping you to get the most out of the collection. Former Children's Laureate and author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, has captivated children all over the world with her lively and engaging stories. Songbirds is a phonics programme carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and is used in schools to inspire a love of reading. There are eight Songbirds story collections for you to enjoy. Featuring much-loved characters, great authors, engaging storylines and fun activities, Read with Oxford offers an exciting range of carefully levelled reading books to build your child's reading confidence. Find practical advice, free eBooks and fun activities to help your child progress on oxfordowl.co.uk. Let's get them flying!
With a focus on building phonics skills, this collection includes five fun stories with colourful illustrations. It is ideal for children who are growing in reading confidence. Discover why Usman loves reading, read about the Cinderella Play and find out why Mr and Mrs Brown are upside down! Tips for reading together explain the letter patterns that each story focuses on and identify any words children may find tricky, helping you to get the most out of the collection. Former Children's Laureate and author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, has captivated children all over the world with her lively and engaging stories. Songbirds is a phonics programme carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and is used in schools to inspire a love of reading. There are eight Songbirds story collections for you to enjoy. Featuring much-loved characters, great authors, engaging storylines and fun activities, Read with Oxford offers an exciting range of carefully levelled reading books to build your child's reading confidence. Find practical advice, free eBooks and fun activities to help your child progress on oxfordowl.co.uk. Let's get them flying!
With a focus on building phonics skills, this collection includes seven fun stories with colourful illustrations. It is ideal for children who are growing in reading confidence. Find out what Spike has to say, why Nasim is an unusual kind of knight and what happens to the snake and the drake. Tips for reading together explain the letter patterns that each story focuses on and identify any words children may find tricky, helping you to get the most out of the collection. Former Children's Laureate and author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, has captivated children all over the world with her lively and engaging stories. Songbirds is a phonics programme carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and is used in schools to inspire a love of reading. There are eight Songbirds story collections for you to enjoy. Featuring much-loved characters, great authors, engaging storylines and fun activities, Read with Oxford offers an exciting range of carefully levelled reading books to build your child's reading confidence. Find practical advice, free eBooks and fun activities to help your child progress on oxfordowl.co.uk. Let's get them flying!
The Sleepy Dinosaur is a fun story for young dinosaur fans who are beginning to read on their own. Perfect for children aged 4+ who are reading at book band pink 1B. This sleepy dinosaur just cannot find the perfect place to sleep - until he's snuggled up in bed! The Tiddlers series features fun stories with a word count of fewer than 50 words for children who are just starting to read. A word list at the beginning of the story allows for a quick check of the reader's ability to read and understand words before reading, and a spot the picture puzzle at the end of the story encourages rereading for pleasure. Compiled in consultation with Catherine Glavina, PGCE Primary and Early Years Course Leader, The Centre for Professional Education, University of Warwick.
Hugh's Blue Day is a delightful rhyming story that will appeal to any child who has had 'the blues'. Geared primarily to 2-5-year-olds, it features a grumpy little boy and his fun-loving mum. When Hugh refuses to play, mum tries to cheer him up by making the whole day 'blue'. At first Hugh is doubtful, but he soon takes up the challenge, trying to outwit mum as she strives to make everything blue: his clothes, his food, even his toothpaste. Hodgson's quirky rhymes and the infectious enthusiasm of Collins' colour illustrations make this a classic picture book. Collins is one of the most acclaimed children's book illustrators and authors working today. He has illustrated more than 70 books, including The Elephantom (shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal), The Sea Hole (winner of the MacMillan Children's Book Prize) and Billy Monster's Daymare (winner of the Royal Mail Book Award). He lives in Glasgow, Scotland. Hodgson, a former journalist, lives in south-east England. She is also author of The Robot Who Couldn't Cry and The Teeny-Weeny Walking Stick, both published by Hogs Back Books.
Do you scream over spiders or bolt from bats? In Scratch's Bad Reputations, Scratch the rat looks at animals that have a reputation for being scary but are they really bad, or just misunderstood? Oxford Reading Tree inFact is a non-fiction series that aims to engage children in reading for pleasure as powerfully as fiction does. The variety of topics means there are books to interest every child in this compelling series. The series is written by top children's authors and subject experts. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.
Winner of the Scottish Book Awards 2015, 3-7 age category A brilliant bedtime romp! When Mum and Dad hand over the babysitting to a bunch of robots they have no idea just how much chaos will follow. All starts well with Cook-Bot and Clean-Bot doing their jobs brilliantly but then everything begins to go very, very wrong! A glorious story and illustrations from this award winning duo.
Hilarious story with trademark Stanton-esque nonsense. Matthew Buzzington has a superpower - he can turn into a fly! It's just that it hasn't happened yet, which is pretty bad timing really because there are robbers and flying pineapples out to get him. Can he make his superpower work? A fun, chunky format including stickers. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Eric Bloodaxe is a fierce Viking. A shepherd boy must deliver a special helmet to Eric before he is crowned king. Can he find Eric in time? Hopscotch Histories are brand new stories in historical settings, told in under 400 words, perfect for children who are building up their reading confidence.
We introduced Littlenose to you last month and we hope you enjoyed his escapades. Here in Littlenose the Hunter he gets himself into all sorts of trouble with his friends and family and not least with Two-Eyes, his friendly mammoth. He loves adventure, playing tricks and, above all, going hunting. When will he learn!!! For boys and girls just starting out on reading and looking for plenty of adventure you can’t get much better than this.
Hilarious story with trademark Stanton-esque nonsense. Matthew Buzzington has a superpower - he can turn into a fly! It's just that it hasn't happened yet, which is pretty bad timing really because there are robbers and flying pineapples out to get him. Can he make his superpower work? A fun, chunky format including stickers. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Another enchanting tale starring everybody's favourite Neanderthal boy. Littlenose this time goes exploring through the ice age and comes into contact with dinosaurs, mammoths, Polar Bears and a whole host of other characters to keep littlenose in trouble and the reader entertained. Every bit as high-quality as Littlenose The Hero and Littlenose The Hunter.
Littlenose is a cave boy who, together with his pet mammoth Two-Eyes, is always up to some kind of mischief. This time they find all kinds of special tricks to liven up Crocus Day, a Neanderthal version of April Fool’s Day.
The good witches of Wadingburn are worried - there's a new witch in town with a bag of magic bones, and she's so evil she makes their toes ache... Another fun-filled fantasty in the Tales from the Five Kingdoms stories that started with The Robe of Skulls. Truda Hangnail is a very wicked witch, banned from the Five Kingdoms because of her use of deep magic. Then she comes up with a fiendish plan to restore evil to the Five Kingdoms, transforming the good witches of Waddingburn into shrivelled, wicked old witches who will help her take over King Frank's kingdom on his fiftieth birthday. Luckily, a sweet-natured half-human, half-elf named Loobly is witness to Truda's evil spell and sets off to fetch help. As the birthday party looms and Truda's evil gathers strength, Loobly enlists the help of Prince Marcus of Gorebreath and Gracie Gillypot, as well as old friends Gubble the troll and Marlon and Alf the bats, to stop Truda and send her packing to the house of the Ancient Crones to face her just deserts.
Five entertaining and easy to read adventure stories about a young hunter. Littlenose lives at the time of the woolly mammoths; he has to be brave to survive. But can he be brave enough to be a leader? Littlenose is naughty and full of mischief but he's loved by everyone. Fans of Horrid Henry will love the adventures of Littlenose. Why not take a peek at the other Littlenose adventures as well.
An exuberant, hilarious and wildly entertaining fairy tale with a cast of characters who are good, bad and very, very ugly. All is not well in the crumbling castle high above the mountain village of Fracture. The sorceress Lady Lamorna has her heart set on a new robe. A very expensive new robe. To get the cash she will stop at nothing, including kidnapping, blackmail and more than a little black magic. But she reckons without the heroic Gracie Gillypot, not to mention a gallant if rather scruffy prince, two chatty bats, the wickedest stepsister ever, a troll with a grudge - and some very Ancient crones.
popular stories in 1, this good value volume includes The Two Jacks by Tony Bradman and Screw Loose by Alison Prince. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexicBarrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
William Popidopolis is in a race against time in this comic adventure where mythology and reality collide! William travels to a Greek isle to meet his long-lost father. There he meets a talking swan, who is really Zeus, king of the gods - and he desperately needs William's help. The knot that ties the world together is slipping, and the planet is about to explode! Can they trick the Gorgons and retie the knot before it is too late?
Shortlisted for the Greenaway Award 2007. This is an absolutely delightful comic tale of a rather cheeky phantom elephant who is driving a little girl completely wild with his exploits. Full of hilarity, action and adventure until she discovers what he’s frightened of. Simply but brilliantly told coupled with some stunning illustrations. (0-5) Judges' comment:A very imaginative book of real charm and freshness, rampant with pearly elephants on parade, and beautifully drawn humans. It has a lovely 1980s disco feel, complete with a whiff of Art Nouveau. The illustrations convey a wonderful sense of movement, size and scale and there is so much detail here: every single inch of the page is covered. The inter-generational teamwork conveyed is great, and there are lots of in-jokes to enjoy.
Fairy Nuff has been rewarded with a knighthood for saving the kidnapped Queen. He has also become extremely rich through a wind fall inheritance - what is left for him to do now but celebrate his good fortune by hosting a massive party! So he invites the rich and famous, builds a theme park, gets the Chinese State Circus to make an appearance and prepares for the time of his life. But things do not turn out as Fairy Nuff had planned because he has two very uninvited guests with a very big grudge and a hoard of huge ants to contend with.
Jack Baker and Jack Barker couldn't be more different. Jack Baker is the perfect pupil - he always does his homework on time. Jack Barker is the bad boy who NEVER does anything right. But one day a new teacher mixes them up and things change forever in this charming story of mistaken identity. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+
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