Stars of Africa is a reading series developed for Grade R to 7. It brings together the best authors and illustrators form South Africa and from across the African continent. The titles are especially suitable for learners whose home language not necessarily English. The wide range of readers at the Grade 7 level, together with the Stars of Africa Grade 7 teacher's guide, covers all requirements for teaching and learning English first additional language within the revised national curriculum statement. Stars of Africa Grade 7 reading series offers these exceptional features: language on the level of the learner; graded to allow for steady progression as learners become more confident; introduction of concepts and knowledge from all learning areas that explore a vast spectrum of relevant themes; vibrant illustrations in different styles, techniques and colours capture children's interest and help develop their love of reading; extensive range of visual literacy elements such as maps and photographs that further encourages reading skills; 24 stories and information books that reflect the aspirations, social and personal issues of the Grade 7 learner; glossaries to assist learners with further language acquisition skills; encourages comprehensive language skills and reading skills. The teacher's guide offers: assessment and teaching support; guidelines on extension and enrichment work; photocopiable learner worksheets, book report worksheets, learner assessment worksheets and sample assessment grids, enabling learners and teacher to get the most benefit from each reader; skills-building activities that cover the six learning outcomes for English First Additional Language; the Stars of Africa Grade 7 readers provide learners with a magnificent range of stories that will build confidence, widen knowledge and increase reading pleasure! The reading series includes an additional resource, reading in the primary school - Grade R to Grade 7 teacher's guide, to further assist the teacher with reading strategies.

In My America, Lee Bennett Hopkins weaves together fifty poems -- grouped by geographic region -- to create a remarkable portrait of the United States. Here is America in all its stunning variety, from the dramatic seacoast of the Northeast and the rippling cornfields of the Plains States to the shimmering deserts of the Southwest and the majestic redwood forests of the Pacific Coast. But here, too, are the ties that bind this nation together -- the hopes and dreams of those who live in our cities and towns and on farms.

The voices of beloved poets like Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Nikki Giovanni, and Lilian Moore blend with new voices to sing not just of landmarks like the Mississippi River, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades, but of daily life across the land. Complementing these personal, moving visions of America are maps of the regions and fascinating facts for each state.

Stephen Alcorn's brilliant, textured artwork makes this book a feast for the eyes as well as for the imagination. Impressive for its breadth, depth, and beauty, My America is a volume readers will savor as they read it time and time again. It is fitting homage to our wideranging, ever-changing land.

From the author of international bestseller, Giraffes Can't Dance, comes this feel-good rhyming story about a brave little lion who dares to be different ... Leo isn't like other lion cubs. Instead of chasing zebras and antelopes, he wants to make friends with them. But can a lion who's so different ever fit in with the rest of his pride? Learn how Leo's kindness brings happiness to the jungle in this colourful picture book story. Winner of the Red House Children's Book Award.

A beautiful paperback edition of Charles Causley's Collected Poems for Children with a foreword by Roger McGough and illustrated with line art by John Lawrence. This Macmillan Classics edition is truly a special gift to treasure.

The poems in this collection were chosen and arranged by the author. They feature as great a variety of subject and tone and place as any reader could wish for. To illustrate this book, John travelled to Cornwall to meet Charles Causley. If you look carefully you will find many references to Cornwall and its history and traditions throughout the book.

'Church bells ought to greet the arrival of Causley's Collected Poems for Children . . . it is so plum-pudding-rich in delight' – Children's Books History Society

Packed full of silly, funny, or downright hilarious poems (with some serious ones mixed in), this new collection is perfect for fans of Michael Rosen.

'Joshua Seigal is definitely my new favourite poet.' (Books for Keeps)

'Joshua Seigal is a rising star in the children's poetry world...' (lovereading4kids)

With poems on every topic from demon cats to why you should NEVER forget your trousers, this is a must-have new collection from Joshua Seigal, whose previous book for this age group, I Don't Like Poetry, was shortlisted for 2017 Laugh Out Loud Awards.

This collection is a wonderful mix for Joshua Seigal's subversive humour and brilliant insight into children's perspectives on the world. Get ready for the craziness to begin!

SHORTLISTED for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, WINNER of the UKLA 'A masterpiece from beginning to end.' Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give AND THEN THERE WERE SHOTS Everybody ran, ducked, hid, tucked themselves tight. Pressed our lips to the pavement and prayed the boom, followed by the buzz of a bullet, didn't meet us. After Will's brother is shot in a gang crime, he knows the next steps. Don't cry. Don't snitch. Get revenge. So he gets in the lift with Shawn's gun, determined to follow The Rules. Only when the lift door opens, Buck walks in, Will's friend who died years ago. And Dani, who was shot years before that. As more people from his past arrive, Will has to ask himself if he really knows what he's doing. This haunting, lyrical, powerful verse novel will blow you away. 'A heartrending and convincing blank verse narrative.' Sunday Times, BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'Astonishing.' Kirkus Reviews 'A tour de force.' Publishers Weekly 'Will attract teenagers who don't consider themselves 'readers'.' The Inis Reading Guide

In this collection of poems, noted children's poet Jane Yolen takes readers on an expedition underground, exploring everything from animal burrows and human creations, like subways, near the surface, to ancient cities and fossils, lower down, to caves, magma, and Earth's tectonic plates, deeper still below our feet. At the same time, in Jose Masse's rich art, a girl and boy, accompanied by several animals, go on a fantastic underground journey. This book contains science, poetry, and an adventure story all rolled into one. But it's also more than that: In these poems we see that beneath us are the past, present, future, history, truth, and story. This thought-provoking collection will evoke a sense of wonder and awe in readers, as they discover the mysterious world underneath us.

“In the beginning, when all things began, these were the sounds which were music to man. ‘Cicadas, crickets, beetles and frogs Seedpods, cocoons, hollowed out logs Crackling fires, the patter of rain Thundering hooves on the African plain Birds in the air, in the trees – on the land Wind in the grass through the leaves – over sand.” With magical illustrations from Joan Rankin, and poetry from masterful story teller, Wendy Hartmann, the rhyme lyrically captures the magic of the African sounds of nature. From the clicking of crickets to the crackle of the fire, follow the journey that celebrates these sounds, in the rhythm and music of Africa.

Celebrated poet and anthologist Paul B. Janeczko pairs with Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet for a collection of short poems to sample and savor.

It only takes a few words, if they’re the right words, to create a strong image. Whether listened to in the comfort of a cozy lap or read independently, the thirty-six very short poems in this collection remind readers young and old that a few perfect words and pictures can make the world glow. Selected by acclaimed poet Paul B. Janeczko and gorgeously illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems invites children to sample poems throughout the four seasons.

From National Poetry Day Ambassadors Liz Brownlee, Matt Goodfellow and Roger Stevens comes an incredible anthology of poetry identifying ways we can Be the Change.

These positive and upbeat poems will explore sustainability and the positive efforts being made to protect the planet and are perfect for starting conversations about looking after each other an our environment.

Will make you grin, grimace and gain gruesome lessons about the perils of modern life Aunt Grizelda (Grizelda Schwarz, born October 31st, 1832, in Transylvania) graduated with a degree in Lycanthropy from Kreep University, worked as a journalist for The Zombie Times and then the women's magazine Haunted Homes, and now freelances from a Yorkshire Moors belfry, where she lives with her pet wolfhounds Fang and Baskerville, her bat Squeaky, and her serpents Bella and Donna. Here she shares, in verse form, helpful tales of children who've made such dreadful mistakes as playing with lighters, looking at their smart phones instead of at traffic, playing too many computer games, and eating bugs.

Jam-packed with colorful photos of adorable kittens and sweet babies, this rhyming board book celebrates all of the ways kids and cats are alike. A companion to The Babies and Doggies Book. When you stop and think about it, babies and kitties do many of the same things: They nap, climb, and hide. They play and cuddle. Lots of things babies do kitties do too! With its brief rhyming text and full-color photographs, The Babies and Kitties Book is engaging for infants, a fun read-aloud for parents, and a treat for baby- and kitty-lovers alike. A companion to The Babies and Doggies Book.

A new gift edition of James K Baxter's classic poems for children, illustrated by Kieran Rynhart. The poems in The Tree House are light and easy read-alouds for classrooms or with toddlers-on-the-couch. James K Baxter wrote these poems when he was teaching in Lower Hutt in the 1950s. Successful in the classroom, they have been regularly reprinted in anthologies and collections and remain popular for their accessible rhythms, humour, and quintessentially New Zealand settings. This new gift edition of Baxter's poems is illustrated by Kieran Rynhart in dramatic spreads and beautifully drawn details.

A girl travels the path to her future in this powerful coming-of-age collection. Exploring relationships, deep feelings and the comfort of words, we follow her as she grows up - determined to find the freedom to be herself. This is an outstanding young teen collection by a poet at the height of her powers, with striking graphic illustrations by Milo Hartnoll.

Another collection of quirky, thought-provoking and highly entertaining poems from a performance poet with an increasing fan base. In this collection Stewart Henderson takes a sideways look at creation - from the depths of the sea, to the breadth of the earth, and the realms of space and sky - and featuring many aspects of the animal world. The poems are often shown from the perspective of a child (answering curious questions, or helping children to understand more about their place in the universe). Poems include short humorous verses, longer narrative poems and the poet's inimitable 'wry thoughts'.