Collins Big Cat Bookshelf by range

Description

Collins Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 4-11 edited by Cliff Moon. Top children's authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that your children will love to read, banded to help you choose the right book for every child. Practical ideas for guided reading are included at the back of each book.

About this resource

Red B/Band 2B books offer simple but varied text with familiar objects and actions, combined with simple story development and a satisfying conclusion.

Description

Collins Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 4-11 edited by Cliff Moon. Top children's authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that your children will love to read, banded to help you choose the right book for every child. Practical ideas for guided reading are included at the back of each book.

About this resource

Pink B/Band 1B books offer simple, predictable text with familiar objects and actions.

Description

Collins Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 4-11 edited by Cliff Moon. Top children's authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that your children will love to read, banded to help you choose the right book for every child. Practical ideas for guided reading are included at the back of each book.

About this resource

Pink A/Band 1A books offer emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations.

Description

Some odd things are happening to Mike. First a meteorite hits his backpack, then his garden starts sinking and he begins to have bizarre dreams. When Mike hears about a kidnapping that seems identical to his night-visions, he and his best friend Scott decide to solve the mystery in this humorous adventure story by award-winning author Judy Allen.

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: A mystery story.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Taking part.

Description

There’s something mysterious about the big, old house across the river. So when Archie and his two friends are offered a job tidying the attic, they jump at the chance. But sifting through the mess, they stumble upon something priceless, leaving them with a difficult decision. This exciting story by Chris Powling is illustrated by Martin Ursell.

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: An adventure story.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Choices.

Description

Two touching, ghostly tales by Harriet Goodwin and Leon Rosselson. In the first, Joe, struggling to come to terms with his mother’s death, finds himself drawn into a spooky legend that lies deep beneath the water. In the second, Billy’s encounter with a strange girl in a beautiful garden helps to reveal a long forgotten secret.

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: A mystery story.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Moving on.

Description

Jack and Sam think their school trip to the Ancient Greece Museum is boring, until they see a glowing statue … Finding themselves whisked away to fight a deadly monster, suddenly Ancient Greece doesn’t seem so dull after all. This exciting graphic novel by Linda Chapman is brought to life with illustrations from Dylan Coburn.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A graphic novel
• Curriculum links: History: Who were the Ancient Greeks?

Description

Discover the incredible true story of Sergeant Norman Jackson, who had survived 30 missions when his plane was hit over enemy territory in 1945. Under fire and travelling at 200mph he climbed onto the wing, attempting to put out the blaze. This exciting graphic novel is by award-winning author and illustrator team Mick Manning and Brita Granström.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A graphic novel
• Children can recap the main events of the story on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: History: What are we remembering on Remembrance Day?

Description

From pigeons and elephants to parachuting dogs – millions of animals helped in both world wars. This non-fiction book, with fascinating photographs from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, focuses on the animals that were involved and their bravery in the face of battle.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A non-fiction report.
• Children can recap which animals were involved in the war effort on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Animals and us.

Description

Ross has been saving for a football top of his favourite team for ages, but doesn’t think he’ll ever afford it. When he sees one pinned to a tree, commemorating the death of a young boy, he can’t resist taking it – but Ross gets more than he bargains for, and finds having the shirt comes at a dreadful price …

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: A mystery story.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Choices.

Description

At the 2012 Olympics, the modern pentathlon will be 100 years old. This photographic non-fiction report shows the events that are included in the pentathlon and the extraordinary skills needed to compete in this challenging event.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A non-fiction recount.
• Curriculum links: P.E.: Outdoor and adventurous activities.

Description

What are the most dangerous animals in the world? Take a closer look at some very poisonous, venomous and deadly animals in this stunning photographic non-fiction report by award-winning author Anna Claybourne.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: An information book.
• Children can re-cap where the world’s most dangerous animals live on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Animals and us.

Description

Tomorrow is Linnie’s birthday, and all she wants is to see the bore: a tidal wave about to crash down the estuary. But there’s a problem on the farm and (to her sister’s delight) mum says she can’t go. Desperate to see it, Linnie makes a big mistake, but finds help from an unlikely source in this gripping story by award-winning author Ally Kennan.

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: An adventure story.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Choices.

Description

When Pedro the fisherman catches a big swordfish, he decides to share his meal with a man in the local prison – a captured pirate. But when Pedro himself is later captured by a pirate gang, he finds his generosity hasn’t been forgotten. This traditional tale is written by Saviour Pirotta and wonderfully illustrated by Shahab Shamshirsaz.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A story from another culture.
• Children can compare the differences between the two meals eaten by Pedro and the pirate on pages 14–15.
• Citizenship links: Citizenship: Choices.

Description

Once, there were 100,000 tigers in the world, but now these beautiful creatures are under threat of extinction. Find out the reasons for the decrease in tiger numbers, and what we can do to change it, in this photographic information book by Louise Spilsbury.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A non-fiction book.
• Children can re-cap the reasons why tigers are in danger on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Animals and us.

Description

Jean and his friends are fishermen. Jean throws a spear at a passing dolphin to show his strength and suddenly the crew are swept into a terrible storm. Jean soon realises that he has injured the Dolphin King and put the lives of his friends in peril. Will Jean be able to make up for his mistakes?

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A story from another culture.
• Curriculum links: Knowledge and Understanding of the world.

Description

In some parts of America in the 1950s, white people and black people were treated very differently. Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King publicly fought against this – but in very different ways. This is the powerful and inspiring story of how they stood up for racial equality.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A non-fiction recount.
• Curriculum links: Citizenship: Living in a Diverse World.

Description

What is a muscle? How do they work? Why are they so important? Find out the answers to all of these questions in this information book, filled with detailed illustrations and photographs.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: An information book.
• Curriculum links: Science: Ourselves.

Description

During World War II, many spies were dropped from Britain into France to help fight the Nazis. One of them was a woman called Christine Granville, who risked her life to save her comrades. Follow her incredible true story is this beautifully illustrated graphic novel by award-winning authors Mick Manning and Brita Granström.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A graphic novel.
• Children can re-cap Christine Granville’s life as a spy on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: History: What can we learn about recent history from studying the life of a famous person?

Description

Riding a BMX, or Bicycle Motocross, is very different to riding an ordinary road bike. Find out all the differences, the tricks, techniques and amazing skills that go into making a great Olympic BMX competitor, in this photographic non-fiction book.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A non-fiction report.
• Children can re-cap the different features of BMX racing on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: P.E: Outdoor and adventurous activities.

Description

Follow the true story of Winkie, a carrier pigeon in WWII whose crew crash landed in the sea. All hopes rested with Winkie as she battled to reach help – but would she be able to lead them back to her crew? The story is told in the style of a graphic novel and illustrated by award-winning author-illustrator team Mick Manning and Brita Granström.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A graphic novel.
• Children can recap the events of the book on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: History: What are we remembering for Remembrance Day?; Citizenship: Animals and us.

Description

Find out what life was like for the children growing up during World War II. With photographs straight from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, Jillian Powell looks at rationing, schooling and evacuation and how the daily lives of children were affected by the war.

About this resource

• Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.
• Text type: A non-fiction report.
• Children can compare the different aspects of life in wartime with their own daily experiences on pages 14–15.
• Curriculum links: History: What was it like for children in the Second World War?

Description

The Tour de France is the most famous cycling race in the world. Find out how it began, what stages are involved and what prizes can be won in this informative book by Sean Callery, filled with fascinating stories and including personal input from Tour de France cyclist Geraint Thomas MBE.

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: An information book.
• Curriculum links: P.E: Outdoor and adventurous activities.

Description

Still only a teenager, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds has already swum in the World Championships, beaten a world record holder and received an MBE. Find out Ellie’s story of developing her passion for swimming, living with Achondroplasia Dwarfism and her future ambitions in her autobiography, full of personal photos from her career so far.

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: An autobiography.
• Curriculum links: P.E: Outdoor and adventurous activities.

Description

What’s it like to be one of Britain’s greatest gymnasts? In this fascinating autobiography, Beth Tweddle takes us through the biggest moments of her life, from winning gold at the World Championships, to being honoured with an MBE at just 25 years old. Follow her story as she prepares for her most important task yet – the Olympics!

About this resource

• Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books.
• Text type: An autobiography.
• Curriculum links: P.E: Outdoor and adventurous activities.