Sean Taylor

Combines offbeat humor by the author of The World Champion of Staying Awake with bold, striking illustrations in the story of an owlish master of disguise who dons creative costumes during nightly hunts for a tasty supper.

Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise

Alex Morss

Cinyee Chiu

In this cozy bedtime story, follow a child and his grandma through a winter landscape to explore how the Earth goes to sleep for winter. Spot the sleeping animals as the tale unfolds, then learn about their hibernation habits from the information pages at the end. Co-authors Sean Taylor (picture book author) and Alex Morss (ecologist, journalist, and educator) offer a gentle introduction to the concept of hibernation. In the frosty, quiet forest, the snow blankets the ground and the trees have shed their leaves. Where have all the animals gone? Are they asleep too? In each cutaway scene, see what the child cannot—that underground below his feet are dens with sleeping creatures, and within the hollow trunks of trees, animals are nesting. After the story, annotated illustrations explain the hibernation facts for each animal and what they will do when they wake up for spring. Cozy up as you expand you and your child's knowledge of the natural world.

A Hibernation Story

Winter Sleep

What is the bravest thing in the world? A brave bear, of course! And who is the best at helping a little bear feel brave? His dad. It is a hot, hot day. Dad Bear says, "I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world." So Little Bear suggests they go to the river to cool down. It's a long way. Little Bear tries to impress his Dad by doing a big jump from one rock to another, but he falls over. When he picks himself up and keeps going, his dad says, "I think a brave bear is probably the bravest thing in the world." For very young children just beginning to dare to do new things and their supportive and loving parents, this gentle read-aloud just might be the best thing in the world.

A Brave Bear

Snow comes in the night, and Iggy and Martina make a snowbear. But then a sledge ridge takes them deep into the woods. How will they get back home again?

The Snowbear

James Palmer

Bobby Nash

Van Allen Plexico

Mark Bousquet

Joe Crowe

I. A. Watson

Betrayed and left for dead on the battlefield, US Army General John Blackthorn awakens many thousands of years later to find himself trapped amidst the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Mars, his only companions a savage Mock-Man and a mysterious sorceress. Their war to free this strange new world from oppression won't be easy: Arrayed against them are the four tyrannical First Men--masters of magic and technology alike--the dreaded Sorcerers of Mars! BLACKTHORN: THUNDER ON MARS is a post-apocalyptic adventure saga in the spirit of "Thundarr the Barbarian" and "John Carter of Mars," featuring original stories by New Pulp luminaries Mark Bousquet, Joe Crowe, Bobby Nash, James Palmer, Van Allen Plexico, Sean Taylor, and I. A. Watson, and illustrated by Chris Kohler. "Original, entertaining, action-packed!" --Wayne Reinagel, author of the Pulp Heroes and Modern Marvels novels.

Thunder on Mars

Blackthorn

Monster wants to be in a scary story, so the narrator provides a story with scary forests, spooky houses, ghosts, and witches.

I Want to Be in a Scary Story

After a long sleepy winter, the trees, flowers, and animals are getting ready for a busy spring. Discover all the different ways nature wakes up when spring arrives in this fresh and fun story of a family exploring their garden. With further non-fiction information about animals and plants at the back, this picture book is the perfect introduction to the science behind spring.

Nature Wakes Up

Busy Spring

Cat has found a pair of sunglasses. She thinks they are going to make her look COOL. "I'm not just any old cat at the playground," she says. "I'm a real cool cat, gliding backwards down the slide, looking cooler than cool. WITH EXTRA COOL ON TOP!" She pops on the glasses confidently struts forwards and Meooaaaooow! falls down the slide. Oh, how UNCOOL. Can Pig or Cockatoo do any better?

How to Be Cooler Than Cool

The Grizzly Bear with the Frizzly Hair could frighten the feathers off a peacock... "Yipes!" blinked the itzy-bitzy rabbit. "What are you going to do?" "Have my lunch," growled the bear. "And my lunch is ... YOU!" So begins a cat-and-mouse story in which rabbit attempts to talk his way out of a tight spot. As the bear dangles him further and further into his mouth, tension mounts - surely he won't escape. But then rabbit points out a much bigger lunch for the bear - the bear's own reflection in the river. The bear is soon enraged by his reflection's belligerence, and the rabbit makes the most of the opportunity. A traditional story that is known in Ireland, South Africa, Iran, China and the USA and is delightfully told in a highly rhythmic and rhyming text that is a joy to read aloud. Children will love the drama and tension of the rabbit's dilemma, making it a great book for early years reading and language development.

The Grizzly Bear with the Frizzly Hair

Geraldine McCaughrean

Martin Waddell

Kes Gray

Pippa Goodhart

Pat Thomson

Oxford Reading Tree All Stars are first class fiction at an appropriate interest level for Reception-Year 2/P1-P3. Their content is entirely suitable for able infant readers. The Teaching Notes included in the pack of six offer maximum support for every title and includes suggestions for guided reading, support for comprehension, support for writing and independent work and a photocopiable parent's page for suggestions for reading at home. This mixed pack consists of six different books. A class pack of 36 books is also available.

Oxford Reading Tree: All Stars: Pack 3a: Pack (6 books, 1 of each title)

A compendium of all the most unusual and unexpected features in the animal kingdom, from puzzling toes to weird ears, and all the other body parts in between! Carries the underlying message that everybody and everything is strange and wonderful in its own way.

And Other Incredible Creature Features

Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks

In this uplifting picture book about spring, follow two children and their father through their backyard as they discover all the different ways nature wakes up from its long winter sleep. Spot the busy creatures and plants as the tale unfolds, then learn about how each responds to the increasing daylight and warmth that usher in the season. Co-authors Sean Taylor (picture book author) and Alex Morss (ecologist, journalist, and educator) offer an inviting introduction to the science behind spring. The yard is bright, birds are singing, the bees are buzzing, and there are tadpoles in the pond! What is all the commotion about? In each colorful scene, the family discovers a different sign of spring—a bird collecting twigs for its nest, a fox snuggling her cubs, a caterpillar feasting on leaves… After the story, annotated illustrations explain the spring behaviors of various plants and animals. Inspire an appreciation for the natural world in this joyous exploration of spring.

When Mum and Dad go out for the evening they think they've left their daughter in safe hands with robots designed to get her to bed! There's Cook-bot to make great spaghetti for dinner, Clean-bot to do the washing-up, Wash-bot for bath time and even Book-bot for a bedtime story. What could possibly go wrong? "There isn't an illustrator in Britain who uses a more intelligent visual storytelling language." (TES).

Robot Rumpus!

Small Bad Wolf wants to grow up to be the BADDEST wolf around! He enjoys nothing more than chasing things and pouncing. When his dad says ‘Let’s hunt for dinner!’, Small Bad Wolf can’t contain his excitement. They go after the coochie-woochie chickens, the juicy little piggies and itty-bitty kidiwinks. But some things in a wolf’s life don’t turn out as planned, and in the end Small Bad Wolf finds himself chasing and pouncing on something very unexpected indeed... a football! The I AM READING series provides just the right balance of challenge and support for newly independent readers. Large, easy-to-read type, satisfying stories by top writers and cheerful full-colour pictures help children make the transition from picture books to chapter books. Each book includes a bookmark flap, tips for beginner readers and either short, numbered chapters or two short stories.

Small Bad Wolf

I Am Reading

Jean Jullien (illustratore.)

Attenti al gufo! Il maestro del divertimento

Partisan Hardcover

Dan Widdowson

In this rhyming romp, a naughty bird flies around the world, splatting on other animals, until he goes a step too far ... 'The bear didn't like it, you see. And the problem is, that I forgot ... A bear can climb a tree.' This is a hilarious, irreverent rhyming story written by storyteller and well-known picture book author Sean Taylor.

What a Naughty Bird

Monster wants to be in a scary story - but is he brave enough? Scary stories have creepy witches and creaky stairs and dark hallways and spooky shadows. Oh my goodness me! That is very scary. Maybe, a funny story would be better after all?

A funny, heartwarming picture book about the love between a mother and a child.

My Mum Always Looks After Me So Much

Monster is HUNGRY. He wants PIZZA. And he's got a PHONE! But uh oh . . . who is he going to call? Hold the line - Monster is in for a wild ride! WARNING: This book may make you laugh your socks off! A hilarious picture book that's perfect for anyone who's ever REALLY wanted PIZZA. With bold, bright illustrations by the talented Fred Benaglia, it's an unmissable treat, and perfect for fans of Oi Frog!

Sean Taylor

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