Books in Collins Big Cat Phonics series

A poor stone cutter who wished he was a rich man has his wish granted. He then keeps changing his wish, and each wish is granted. Finally he wishes himself back as he was at the start of the story.• Turquoise/ Band 7 books offer literay language and extended descriptions, with longer sentences and a wide range of unfamiliar terms.• Text type - A story from another culture (Japan).• The flowcharts on pages 22 and 23 illustrate the story in sequence, providing opportunities for speaking and listening, and scaffolding writing.• Curriculum links - Citizenship: Choices; Music: Exploring sounds.• This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

Follow the exciting adventure of D’Artagnan as he desperately tries to fight for a place as one of the King’s Musketeers, in this gripping retelling of Alexandre Dumas’ classic story. Will D’Artagnan have the courage, bravery, and skill to join the finest swordsmen in all of France? Diamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view.

Worm is fed up with earth for lunch and wants something more exciting. He tries eating grass, bark and even a leaf on the advice of various animal friends – and almost becomes lunch himself when a hungry bird appears!• Green/ Band 5 books offer early readers patterned language and varied characters.• Text type - Playscript.• Instructions for putting on the play are on pages 22 and 23 to encourage children to discuss the script.•Curriculum links - Science: Plants and animals in the local environment.• This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

How many dinosaurs are there in the dinosaur band? Count the dinosaurs as each music section gets up on stage to play their fabulous instruments, from guitars to flutes to piano! The dinosaurs build up slowly into a huge band and begin to rock!• Pink A/Band 1A books offer emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations.• Text type - A story with predictable structure and patterned language• A final story map spread shows all the dinosaur rockers, encouraging children to recap the story.

She starts by swallowing a mere fly, but ends up eating a much bigger animal! Find out what fate awaits the old lady in this playscript by Michael Rosen and Mark Carthew, based on the traditional poem.• Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer scenes that develop reading stamina.• Text type - A play based on a traditional poem.• Curriculum links - Music: The class orchestra - Exploring arrangements.

A wonderful retelling of this favorite fairy tale, in verse by CLEP-award winner, Rachel Rooney.• Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina.• Text type: a retelling of a traditional tale• Curriculum links: English: fairy stories, myths, and legends• Ideas for reading at the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

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.• Orange/ Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages.• Text type - An information text.• A wordless flow-chart on pages 22 and 23 summarises the process and helps children remember the sequence of events.• Curriculum links - Design and Technology: Investigating and using materials, different joining techniques; Science: Structures; RE: Celebrations.• This book is paired with a story on a similar theme: Arthur’s Fantastic Party by Joseph Theobald.