Kirjahaku

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available. Billie Nicks loves gymnastics. Her brilliant memory lends itself perfectly to remembering routines, and best of all, she gets to compete alongside her best friends. But Billie has found it difficult to get through a whole competition due to her anxiety and sensory sensitivities. Today, it’s her third attempt, and this time she’s determined to succeed! Diamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view. Pages 54 and 55 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

Big Cat for Little Wandle Fluency has been developed in collaboration with Wandle Learning Trust and Little Sutton Primary School. It consists of a range of chapter books with increasing word counts. Each book builds reading confidence, stamina and speed and nurtures a love for reading.

At home, Alex's best friend is Kevin the cockapoo, although what he wants most of all is a friend at school. But that is harder than he ever expected. A touching story about learning that friendship isn't one size fits all and is often found where you least expect it. Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex and, as an autistic person, change can be terrifying. With the first day of high school only a couple of months away, Alex is sure that having a friend by his side will help. So, he's devised a plan - impress the kids at school by winning a trophy at the PAWS Dog Show with his trusty sidekick, Kevin. This should be a walk in the park . . . right?

'Kate Foster can pluck a dark story from the depths of history and bring it to vivid life before your eyes . . . A strong contender for my book of the year' – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The AppealInspired by an infamous real-life case, The Mourning Necklace is the unforgettable feminist historical novel from the Women's Prize-longlisted author of The Maiden, Kate Foster.They said I would swing for the crime, and I did . . .1724. In a tavern just outside Edinburgh, Maggie Dickson’s family drown their sorrows, mourning her death yet relieved she is gone. Shame haunts them. Hanged for the murder of her newborn child, passers-by avert their eyes from her cheap coffin on its rickety cart.But as her family pray her soul rests in peace, a figure appears at the door.It is Maggie. She is alive.Bruised and dazed, Maggie has little time for her family’s questions. All that matters to her is answering this one: will they hang her twice?* * *What readers are saying about The Mourning Necklace:'Absolutely superb . . . Kate foster cannot put a foot wrong in this genre''I was so moved''Kate foster is fast becoming one of my favourite authors'

Sentenced to hang for a terrible crime, Maggie Dickson somehow survives her own execution. Now she must race to prove her innocence before the hangman catches up with her . . .

‘Moving and masterful . . . transports you to 18th-century Scotland and says as much about modern life as it does about those harrowing times’ – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal Inspired by an infamous real-life case, The Mourning Necklace is the unforgettable new feminist historical novel from the Women’s Prize-longlisted author of The Maiden, Kate Foster. They said I would swing for the crime and I did . . . I wear the rope-mark like a mourning necklace. 1724. In a tavern just outside Edinburgh, the family of Maggie Dickson – hanged for the murder of her newborn child – drown their sorrows, mourning her death yet relieved she is gone. Shame haunts them; passers-by avert their eyes from her cheap coffin on its rickety cart. But as her family pray her soul rests in peace, a figure appears at the door. It is Maggie. She is alive. Bruised and dazed, Maggie has little time for her family’s questions. All that matters to her is answering one: will they hang her twice? Praise for Kate Foster: 'Riveting . . . The tension persists until the last page' - The Times 'Tense, thrilling . . . with a decidedly feminist slant' - Daily Mail ‘Kate excels at bringing the forgotten women of history back to life and giving them the attention they deserve’ – Claire Evans, author of The Fourteenth Letter ‘Captivating . . . Scratch beneath the surface of a Kate Foster novel and all of life is there in the most elegant prose’ – Marion Todd, author of the bestselling DI Clare Mackay series ‘Brilliant . . . the new Hilary Mantel’ – Tina Baker, author of What We Did In The Storm

Eliza and Florrie are sent to Iceland to atone for their sins by Florrie's husband. Will they be able to survive in this harsh landscape? Inspired by real history, this is the fourth novel from Women's Prize-longlisted author Kate Foster.

The Times bestseller and winner of the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect Award and the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year.'A masterpiece' – Janice Hallett, author of The AppealInspired by a real-life case, Kate Foster's The Maiden is a remarkable story with a feminist revisionist twist, giving a voice to women otherwise silenced by history.In the end, it did not matter what I said at my trial. No one believed me.Edinburgh, October 1679. Lady Christian is arrested and charged with the murder of her lover, James Forrester. News of her imprisonment and subsequent trial is splashed across the broadsides, with headlines that leave little room for doubt: Adulteress. Whore. Murderess. Only a year before, Lady Christian was newly married, leading a life of privilege and respectability. So, what led her to risk everything for an affair? And does that make her guilty of murder? She wasn't the only woman in Forrester's life, and certainly not the only one who might have had cause to wish him dead . . .'Exceptional – a tense, thrilling investigation, with a decidedly feminist slant' – Daily Mail'Riveting . . . the tension persists until the last page’ — The Times'Threat hangs over every page like the awaiting guillotine, but the women in this book gleam sharper' — Cari Thomas, bestselling author of Threadneedle

Based on the real life trial and execution of Lady Nimmo in seventeenth century Edinburgh, this gripping, feminist debut historical novel is perfect for fans of Stacey Halls and Sara Collins.

'Exceptional — a tense, thrilling investigation, with a decidedly feminist slant' — Daily MailLonglisted for the Women's Prize for FictionWinner of the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year Shortlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger Inspired by a real-life murder trial, The Maiden is a remarkable feminist revisionist novel that places the forgotten women of history firmly centre stage.In the end, it did not matter what I said at my trial. No one believed me.Edinburgh, 1679. Lady Christian is arrested and charged with the murder of her lover, James Forrester. News of her imprisonment and subsequent trial is splashed across the broadsides, with headlines that leave little room for doubt: Adulteress. Whore. Murderess. Only a year before, Lady Christian was newly married, leading a life of privilege and respectability. So, what led her to risk everything for an affair? And does that make her guilty of murder? She wasn't the only woman in Forrester's life, and certainly not the only one who might have had cause to wish him dead . . .'A masterpiece' — Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal'Riveting . . . the tension persists until the last page’ — The Times*The Maiden was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction on 05/03/2024

'A masterpiece of historical fiction – I literally didn't look up from the first page to the last' – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The AppealThe King’s Witches by Kate Foster is a compelling and beautiful historical novel that gives voices to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials in sixteenth-century Scotland. Edinburgh, 1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is to wed King James VI of Scotland. First, she must pass the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy. Under the watchful eye of her loyal lady-in-waiting, Kirsten, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .Meanwhile, young housemaid Jura has recently fled to the capital, seeking protection and anonymity. But her newfound safety is soon threatened when she is caught up in the witchcraft mania that has gripped the country – and the new queen.'Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale' – D. V. Bishop, prize-winning author of A Divine Fury'A beautifully written tale of love and duty, fear and courage' – Jenny Ashcroft, bestselling author of The Echoes of Love*The Maiden was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction on 05/03/2024

'Masterful . . . I literally didn't look up from the first page to the last' – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The AppealDiscover this fiercely propulsive historical novel that gives voices to the women at the heart of Scotland’s sixteenth-century witch trials, from the Women’s Prize-longlisted author of The Maiden. Edinburgh, 1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is to wed King James VI of Scotland. First, she must pass the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy. Under the watchful eye of her loyal lady-in-waiting, Kirsten, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .Meanwhile, young housemaid Jura has recently fled to the capital, seeking protection and anonymity. But her newfound safety is soon threatened when she is caught up in the witchcraft mania that has gripped the country - and its new queen.'A beautifully written tale of love and duty, fear and courage' – Jenny Ashcroft, bestselling author of The Echoes of Love'A gripping, poignant novel that gives voices to those so often unheard in historical accounts' – Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women*The Maiden was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction on 05/03/2024

A rescue story of love and trust between a boy and a dog from the talented author of Paws.Matt is a football superstar. He can handle anything. Except lately his chest feels empty and his head is screaming. He can’t concentrate in school or enjoy football any more, and he is so, so tired. When Matt stumbles across an abandoned dog, there’s no doubt in his mind that he has to save him.But maybe the dog isn’t the only one who needs help.

The world's happiest and most dog-friendly superhero is here! A brand new, charming adventure for young readers.Meet Harriet Hound. She's eight years old and loves dogs!But Harriet has something else that makes her super ... the power to summon the dogs from her family's rescue shelter every time there’s trouble afoot.Whether it's a carnival catastrophe, a sudden storm, or vanishing vegetables, Harriet and her best dog friends use their super special talents and problem-solving skills to save the day!

In an endearing story about an autistic boy and his steadfast furry pal, Alex is convinced that winning a trophy at the dog show will help him make a real friend at last. Eleven-year-old Alex knows that starting middle school will be a big change, and for an autistic person, change can be terrifying. He is sure that having a friend by his side will help. But how can he make one? Alex devises a plan to impress the kids at school by winning a trophy at the PAWS Dog Show with his trusty sidekick, Kevin the cockapoo. This should be a walk in the park, right? If only. It turns out that finding a friend is harder than Alex thought--unless, maybe, friendship is about something more than popularity. This charming story, told through Alex's clear and honest voice, navigates relationships of all stripes between classmates, new neighbors, family, and, of course, a kid and his dog. After all, friendship isn't one-size-fits-all--maybe it's found in the small things where you least expect it.

Harriet has an amazing superpower--when there's trouble, she can magically summon the dogs from her family's rescue shelter to save the day. Meet Harriet Hound. She's eight years old, lives in a town called Labrador, Australia, is autistic, and LOVES dogs But Harriet has something else that makes her super: the power to summon the dogs from her family's rescue shelter every time there's trouble afoot. Whether it's a carnival catastrophe, a sudden storm, or vanishing vegetables, Harriet and her best dog friends use their talents and problem-solving skills to help out. Just like Harriet herself, every dog has its own special strengths--like Greta the German shepherd, who is an excellent watchdog, and Hans and Helm the huskies, who are great at pulling carts. Even Bob the bulldog gets called to action when Harriet's classmates need a dog who is slow and calm to help them walk carefully through the mud and not be afraid of a rainstorm. Harriet's infectious enthusiasm, along with plenty of lists, dog facts, dynamic text design, and even a guide to rescuing a dog, make this a superpowered read.

Five dog-loving autistic kids have a mission to accomplish--and a mystery to solve--in a delightful ode to idiosyncrasies from the author of All the Small Wonderful Things. Eleven-year-old Oli is spending his spring break at Heroes Club, where autistic kids like him can build friendships and learn about their emotions. Sounds fun, right? No. Nothing like a week of forced socialization and emotional learning to ruin summer break. Oli just wants to be home, where it's familiar, not so boring, and he can play games on his phone. But when Oli and the other kids at the club see a stray dog who keeps disappearing into a soon-to-be-demolished building across the street, they hatch a daring rescue plan to save the dog before it's too late. It's going to take bravery, some seriously smart teamwork, and a few broken rules to make a difference. For Oli and his new friends in the Heroes Club, making use of their unique talents and perspectives--together--will be a challenge. But doing the right thing is entirely worth it. The Unlikely Heroes Club is a celebration of friendship and community that is sure to make your heart sing.

"This book will appeal to readers who love dogs and want a story about how friendship often arrives unexpectedly--and a true friend will like you for you." --Booklist Eleven-year-old Alex knows that starting middle school will be a big change, and for an autistic person, change can be terrifying. He is sure that having a friend by his side will help. But how can he make one? Alex devises a plan to impress the kids at school by winning a trophy at the PAWS Dog Show with his trusty sidekick, Kevin the cockapoo. This should be a walk in the park, right? If only. It turns out that finding a friend is harder than Alex thought--unless, maybe, friendship is about something more than popularity. This charming story, told through Alex's clear and honest voice, navigates relationships of all stripes between classmates, new neighbors, family, and, of course, a kid and his dog. After all, friendship isn't one-size-fits-all--maybe it's found in the small things where you least expect it.