Books

Search and rescue dogs play a crucial part in helping people in danger. Find out how they are trained and what they can do to help the humans who are risking their lives to save others in this book by Chris Oxlade. Collins Big Cat Progress books are...

A steam train is slowly making its way through a terrible thunderstorm towards its destination. Suddenly, out of the darkness comes a lonely figure with a haunting message for the passengers ... This spooky tale, written by Alan Durant, has been...

How were skateboards invented? What tricks do skateboarders do and what competitions can they enter? Find out all about this sport, packed with exciting photos and written by Andrew Peters. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for...

Follow the amazing true story of Mary Anning, a child from a poor family who sold seashells for a living and stumbled across a world of dinosaurs and fame. This fascinating story was written by Lou Kuenzler and illustrated in a graphic novel style...

Baby Dragon is excited about the Animal Olympics, but while his friends already have parts to play in the event, he has nothing to do. Will he find an event that suits him? This lovely story was written by Wimbledon Bookfest Writing Competition winner...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Sharks, whales, huge waves, and months and months at sea - these are just a few of the things that James Adair and his friend Ben had to battle against when they decided to row...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level More interested in computer games than he is in school, Raheem is tired of being told off by his mum for fooling around in class. He just can't understand what the big deal is...

When Sam and his family took a trip to the beach, they weren't expecting him to make a snappy new friend... This sweet story of friendship was written by nine-year-old Collins Big Cat Writing Competition winner Kipp Whysall and beautifully illustrated by...

Joe is waiting for his friend Harry, but each time there is a knock at the door he finds an unexpected visitor waiting for him - each with an unusual problem for him to solve. This humorous story was written by nine-year-old Collins Big Cat Writing...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level So you want to be a Victorian? From dirty streets and factories, to watching Punch and Judy shows and riding the stagecoach - find out the real facts of Victorian living in this...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Briony had always suspected there was something wrong with her teacher. But after doing some further investigation with her friend Sergio, she uncovers a secret conspiracy so...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Antislavery campaigner, author, diplomat and political statesmen, Frederick Douglass was one of the greatest men of his age. Having been enslaved himself, Frederick fought...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level A Paralympic medal winner, commentator and a successful TV presenter, Ade Adepitan has led a remarkable life. Find out Ade's story, from growing up in Nigeria with a disability,...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Robbie and Jenna have a problem - Tiddles, the class hamster, has eaten their teacher! As the two friends stumble upon more overgrown and threatening school animals, they start...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Annie, George and Jed are on a school camping trip, and their team hasn't been doing very well in the activities they've been set. There is one final task - an orienteering...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level In 1922, Howard Carter and his team discovered an Ancient Egyptian tomb that was to become world famous - with the mummified body of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun inside. Find out what...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Your brain controls everything you do - from your movement to your senses and even your thoughts and decisions. Complete with detailed diagrams, discover how this important part...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Flash Harriet has a problem. The ostrich eggs at a nearby farm are being stolen. Without them her father can't do his famous musical performance, and the farm will have to be...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Follow the life of Pip, a poor lonely orphan in Victorian England. Everything changes when he becomes friends with the wealthy Estella. But can Pip leave his past behind? Written...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level If we go into hospital today, we know anaesthetics, antibiotics and antiseptics will be used to make the visit as pain-free and safe as possible. But how were they discovered,...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level What is a black hole? Where do they come from? What do they do? Find out the answers to all of these questions and what other things scientists have discovered about space...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Imaginative, clever and often humorous, this beautifully illustrated poetry collection by Valerie Bloom is inspired by the strange and wonderful creatures of the natural world...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level This beautifully illustrated poetry collection by Pauline Stewart focuses on treasures - from jewels and things that sparkle, to deeper treasures that lie closer to the heart...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Every human has to breathe, but how do we do it - and why? This detailed non-fiction book clearly explains the breathing process, how your lungs are connected to the rest of your...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in 19th Century America, but managed to escape and gain her freedom. Follow this amazing biography of a woman who was prepared to risk her...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Locked away inside a cold, stone tower for many years, the beautiful Rapunzel is desperate to escape. But is there any way out? Created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Every year, air-sea rescue teams rescue hundreds of people who have been in danger at sea - from capsized boats and illness to oil-rig explosions. Discover the equipment and...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Chocolate comes in many forms - from chocolate bars to hot chocolate - but how was it first discovered, and how is it made? Trace the journey chocolate makes, from the cocoa bean...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Inspired by three traditional African tales, follow the crafty spider Anansi, and find out how his greed and cunning don't always get him what he wants. Topaz/Band 13 books offer...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level This beautifully illustrated poetry book by Celia Warren focuses on the delights of the natural world - from jellyfish to budgies and stars in the sky. Copper/Band 12 books...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Hansel and Gretel are poor, so they have to travel through the forest to find work for their father. On the way, they meet a kind old lady asking for help. But does she have...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level In 1665, London was a dangerous place in which to live. A plague had swept across London, and a quarter of the city's population died. A year later, tragedy struck London again...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Charles Dickens was a famous writer who lived in the 19th century. Discover what life was like for Charles, from spending his childhood working in a factory to finding a job as a...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Follow the life of a little boy called Oliver as he goes from being a workhouse orphan to a life with a group of young pickpockets. Will he ever manage to escape his life of...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level When the Three Bears leave their house for a walk, a young girl named Goldilocks appears and is drawn in to the house by the smell of hot porridge. But what happens when the...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Inspiration for poetry can come from anywhere - a memory, an insight and even broccoli! Former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen explains the inspiration behind a selection of...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Each day we use all of our five senses. We see people, hear sounds, touch objects, smell odours and taste food. Filled with diagrams and photos, this information book by...

When the First Emperor of China died 2,000 years ago, he was buried in a giant tomb. In 1974, this tomb was discovered along with an army of over 6,000 terracotta warriors. Discover the army for yourself and the reason they were buried with the Emperor...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Scrooge was not a kind man. One Christmas Eve he was visited by three ghosts, who took him on a journey from the past, through the present and in to the future. Was it too late...

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Why can't humans fly? Why are ants so strong? Why can't elephants jump? Our shape and size controls what we can and can't do. Find out how humans and animals are perfectly...

Bridges come in all different shapes and sizes. How were bridges made in the past? How do they work? Filled with clear diagrams and stunning photos from around the world, this book explores the variety of uses and designs of these important structures...

In the middle of a game, Carrie said to Harry "Don't step on the lines or the Bogeyman will get you". Find out who the Bogeyman is and if Harry can face his fears by standing up to him. Turquoise/Band 7 books offer literary language and extended...

A collection of weird and wonderful poems. Follow one boy through his day as he plays with his friends and creates havoc along the way. Written by Kenn Nesbitt, this collection is accompanied by the quirky illustrations of Sophie Burrows. Gold/Band 9...

One hundred years ago, Captain Scott, naval officer and explorer wanted to be the first person to reach the South Pole. Was he the first to reach it? Discover what happened to him and his men when they went to the coldest place on Earth. Purple/Band 8...

We know we all need to eat, but why do we need to and where does it go? Filled with photos and clear diagrams, follow the food you eat on its journey through your body and find out what happens to it along the way. Purple/Band 8 books offer developing...

Follow the life cycle of the seahorse - from its birth and eating in its habitat, all the way through to finding a mate and breeding. Green/Band 5 books offer early readers patterned language and varied characters. Text Type: An information book. Pages...

Wally the penguin works in a welly shop. He makes all sorts of wellies - red ones, yellow ones, fish ones and star ones. Can he help Bertie the Polar Bear to design a pair of wellies that will win the fashion show? Green/Band 5 books offer early readers...

Every winner of an Olympic event has had to work hard to get to the top, but some have to work even harder to succeed. Find out which athletes have overcome racial inequality, illness and disabilities to earn their medals. Green/Band 5 books offer early...