Books

Follow cabin boy Bill on his journey to becoming a pirate as he and Blackbeard battle a terrifying sea monster. This adventure story is wonderfully written by Ciaran Murtagh and illustrated by Nathan Aardvark. Collins Big Cat Progress books are...

This fascinating information book, written in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum, explores how and why artists created images of the First World War. Covering everything from recruitment posters and camouflage art to poignant sketches by...

Written by award-winning author, poet and performer Benjamin Zephaniah, this modern story follows Jaden's first few weeks at his new secondary school. As two rival groups of boys both befriend Jaden, the pressure mounts - who will he choose and does he...

Find out how several amazing animals have adapted to life in the world's toughest and most hostile places. This fascinating information book by Charlotte Guillain shows the extreme features the animals have developed to survive, and is packed with...

This exciting retelling of a traditional story takes the reader on an adventure with Odysseus and his men to the island of the Cyclops. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading...

On a school trip to the Hall of the Bulls in France, Simon and Dan find themselves face to face with real cave men. This exciting prehistoric adventure story has been written by Tom Bradman. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for...

In this beautiful retelling of a folktale from Greenland, an unlikely friendship develops between a lonely old woman and a baby polar bear. With stunning artwork from Chris Corner, this book explores the moving relationship between human and animal as...

The Winter Olympics is an exciting competition that sees the world's top athletes try to win medals on snow and ice. Find out more about the Winter Olympic Games. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who...

When the wicked Snow Queen puts a spell on Kay, Gerda is worried she will lose him forever. Follow Gerda on her adventure to the Snow Queen's home and find out if she is able to save her friend in this retelling of the traditional tale, beautifully...

This engaging information book explores life in the British seas through the eyes of real-life diver and professional photographer Arthur Kingdon. Vibrant and colourful photographs show the varied nature of life under the sea, looking at big sharks,...

Join Sam as she goes to her first ever football game. This exciting narrative by Tom Palmer follows Sam's day from beginning to end, describing her journey to the stadium, the football songs she hears and the goals! Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books...

Find out all about two nocturnal animals - bats and rats. Learn fascinating facts about the similarities and differences of these two animals in this illustrated information book by Karen Romano Young. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are...

Children will learn how to make three different bookmarks in this instruction book by Elizabeth Galloway. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by colourful photographs to make the process easy to follow and fun. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress...

Looking for something fun to do one day, the Sun and the Wind begin a competition. Both try to get a man to take his coat off as he walks his dog. Find out who wins the contest in Pippa Goodhart's delightful retelling of this traditional story about...

Jack is trying to get his cat, Max, down from the top of a tree. But as a thunder storm hits, it is soon Jack who needs to be rescued. This dramatic narrative is written by award-winning author Adele Geras. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are...

Written by the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, this quirky poem will get children thinking about what it is they really want, from pop star friends and pet camels to homes in treetops or even teapots!. Beautifully written and extremely entertaining, the...

This photographic information book takes a look at the men's Heptathlon - a contest with seven different athletic events focused around running, jumping and throwing. Looking at technique, training, diet and rest, Mary Colson's book shows how athletes...

Trees are found all around the world, but how much do we really know about them? This photographic non-fiction book explains where trees can be found, how they grow and change, and how they are used by both animals and people. Collins Big Cat Phonics...

Find out what happens when Sinbad the sailor is left stranded on an island with a giant seagull. Will he find a way to get back to his ship? This entertaining narrative is written by award-winning authors Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham. Collins Big Cat...

With vibrant and lively photographs, this non-fiction book explores various movements in sport including spinning, skidding, dragging and stopping. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them...

Red Hen works hard to dig, plant, cut and mill the grain while the other animals refuse to help. Will they wish they hadn't been so lazy when Red Hen has finished making her big jam buns? This beautifully illustrated retelling of the traditional tale is...

As Dog and Rabbit work hard digging, Camel just sits nearby saying "Hump!". In this beautifully illustrated retelling of the traditional story, Camel soon realises he should be careful what he wishes for! Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are...

Sam the elephant and Tim the hippopotamus think that they are more powerful than Tim the tortoise. When Tim thinks of a clever plan involving a game of tug of war, will they both be proved wrong? This retelling of a fable is written and illustrated by...

Dog and Cat are both thirsty, but neither is able to reach the shallow water in the bowl. Find out what happens when Dog thinks of a clever plan. This funny retelling of the Aesop's fable The Crow and the Pitcher is written by June Crebbin. Collins Big...

Look at a variety of historical dressing-up outfits as two children pin, tuck, tap, tug and tip the clothes and hats. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can...

Looking at a range of different sports, from swimming and rugby to football and basketball, this photographic information book by Sasha Morton looks at how athletes get ready to kick, tuck, dip, tip and run! Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are...

This non-fiction book by Sue Graves looks at festivals around the world, from Jamaica and China to India and Thailand. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they...

Follow Dan as he uses his computer Map Pad to guide him on a treasure hunt. This funny story is written by well-known children's author and illustrator Shoo Rayner. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers,...

Using simple explanations and vibrant photographs, this engaging information book by Greg Cook looks at the process of making mats in India and goes on to show different mats from around the world. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically...

When Dan dips his net into a rock pool, he finds Nip. Will Dan successfully reunite Nip and Nip's dad? This beautifully illustrated story is written by Jane Clarke. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers,...

Who lives in the Arctic? This photographic information book by Sean Callery explores the Arctic and looks at how the animals and people that inhabit this frozen landscape survive there. Who lives in the Arctic? This photographic information book by Sean...

This photographic instruction book shows children how to keep worms as pets and take care of them correctly, including how to house them and what to feed them. This photographic instruction book shows children how to keep worms as pets and take care of...

Ebba the baby elephant doesn't like being the smallest elephant in her group. When she meets Tiny the mouse, though, Ebba realises that it's not how big you are on the outside that matters! A beautifully illustrated story by well-known children's book...

How do animals in the wild hide when they are hunting or being hunted? This photographic information book shows how animals camouflage themselves in their natural environment. How do animals in the wild hide when they are hunting or being hunted? This...

Mars is the closest planet to Earth, but how much do we know about it? Written by science author Steve Parker, this fact-packed book takes a look at the physical features of the planet and at the amazing exploration that has been done on Mars. Mars is...

Inspired by the tale of the Princess and the Pea, well-known children's author Vivian French tells the story of Princess Sue who seeks a prince using a royal parsnip test! Inspired by the tale of the Princess and the Pea, well-known children's author...

In this delightful retelling of Aesop's well-known fable, children's-book-award winner Melanie Williamson captures the story of the slow and steady tortoise and the overly-confident hare. In this delightful retelling of Aesop's well-known fable,...

Engaging and fun, this poem is about the school day and is written by award-winning contemporary poet Wendy Cope. Engaging and fun, this poem is about the school day and is written by award-winning contemporary poet Wendy Cope. Yellow/Band 3 books offer...

This non-fiction instruction book shows children how materials found in the wood, including pine cones, leaves and twigs, can be used to make their own miniature wood art project. This non-fiction instruction book shows children how materials found in...

Take a look at different climates and landscapes from around the globe. Explore climates that are wet, dry, hot and cold using simple explanations and vibrant pictures in this photographic non-fiction book by Monica Hughes. Take a look at different...

Meg and her mum go to the market with their donkey, but find that listening to everyone else's advice along the way doesn't always make for a smooth journey. This humorous fiction story is based on Aesop's fable The Farmer, His Son and the Donkey and is...

Jack's mum sends Jack to sell their cow so that they have food to eat. But instead of coming home with money, Jack comes home with magic beans that grown into a giant beanstalk. What does Jack find at the top? This retelling of the traditional tale is...

A colourful retelling of Rudyard Kipling's The Elephant's Child, this fable explains how the elephant got its long trunk. As the elephant journeys through the jungle it admires the features of the other animals, until he gets a bit too close to one of...

This photographic non-fiction book gives children simple instructions for how to build their own tent in the garden using a sheet, a rope and some rocks. This photographic non-fiction book gives children simple instructions for how to build their own...

The fox invites his friend the stork to dinner, but serves the stork his meal on a flat plate. Find out how the fox and the stork play tricks on one another at dinnertime. This retelling of a traditional tale is retold by award-winning author Simon...