Artist Jon Stuart shows how he produces computer-generated images. The process starts with a simple block of cubes, which are added to, given texture, before being bent, stretched, twisted into the correct shape and size. He then adds background, lighting and colour to bring the whole scene to life. This is a Band 06/Orange book in the Collins Big Cat reading programme which offers varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. This is an information book with a flow chart on pages 22 and 23 that summarises the process of producing CGI. Contents are listed on page 1 while a glossary and index are detailed on pages 20 and 21. This book supports learning around art and design, and investigates different kinds of art, design and craft. It also supports ICT education, and is an introduction to modelling and creating pictures. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. For more guided reading books in this Collins Big Cat band, try Pompeii (9780007461875) written by Fiona Macdonald with imagery by Giorgio Bacchin

Kind Emma lives all alone in her little cottage by the wood, with no one to talk to. But one snowy night Emma hears a knock at her door, and a tiny voice asking for help. When she takes pity on the little thing at the door and gives it shelter and food, she finds that her whole life is changed – and she at last has a friend to talk to. Orange/ Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. Text type – A traditional story. A pictorial diary on pages 22 and 23 retells the story from Kind Emma’s viewpoint and provides lots of opportunities for speaking and listening activities. Curriculum links – Citizenship: Taking part. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

‘I want a pet! I want a pet! I hope I like the pet I get!’ When a boy goes to the Strange Pet Shop to find a pet, there’s no knowing what he’ll find there. He is very particular, and nothing at the Strange Pet Shop suits him until, at last the perfect pet comes bounding through the door! Green/ Band 5 books offer early readers patterned language and varied characters. Text type - A poem with predictable structure and patterned language. At the end of the story is a poster advertising the Strange Pet Shop, which is ideal for further discussion and supporting further work outside the reading session. Curriculum links - Citizenship: Animals and us. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

'It was bedtime and Arthur was still awake. "I don't want to go to sleep," he said. Where could he go to find a place where NO ONE went to sleep?' Arthur returns in another stunning title, written and illustrated by Joseph Theobald. o Orange/ Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. o Text type - A humorous story. o Ideas for Guided Reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities. o This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. o This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Morris wants to eat his kitty biscuits, but his mother sends him off to play hide and seek instead. When it's Morris's turn to hide, he finds the perfect place: the food cupboard, where the kitty biscuits are kept! Orange/ Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. Text type - A story with a familiar setting. A storyboard on pages 22 and 23 offers and opportunity for children to retell the story in their own words. Curriculum links - Citizenship: Taking part. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

This colourful and informative book is presented as a 'scrapbook' of mementoes from Amy's visit to the Pacific island of Vanuatu. Packed with photos, it gives information on how the islands of the Pacific wre formed, how villagers live, and about the kinds of animals and plants that grow there. This colourful and informative book is presented as a 'scrapbook' of mementoes from Amy's visit to the Pacific island of Vanuatu. Packed with photos, it gives information on how the islands of the Pacific wre formed, how villagers live, and about the kinds of animals and plants that grow there. With its account of towns, villages, food and activities, this book will inform and fascinate developing readers. A final double page spread provides a glossary of unusual terms and a map to show where Vanuatu is located. Purple level (Band 8) books offer developing readers structured language with some challenging vocabulary. Ideas for Guided Reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Hector the Hippo wants to play the cello more than anything else in the world. But who in the jungle will teach him? Most of the other animals laugh at the idea. Finally Hector meets a musician who can help him, a lyrebird. He practices everyday until he has a chance to play at a grand concert in front of all the other animals. Purple/ Band 8 books offer developing readers literary language, with some challenging vocabulary. Text type - A story by a significant author. A storyboard on pages 22 and 23 summarises the story in eight illustrations providing an opportunity to recap the key events. Curriculum links - Music: Exploring sounds, Classroom instruments, Combining sounds to make music; Science: Animals; ICT: Using text and tables to develop ideas. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

What makes a ball bounce? How is a football made? Children will find the answers to these, and more, questions about different types of balls in this fun instruction book. With a colourful combination of photos and artwork, it gives information on all kinds of balls and activities, such as how to juggle. Orange/ Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. Text type - An instruction text. The book includes a quiz on pages 22 and 23 to recap what children have learned. Curriculum links - PE: Games and activities; Science: Forces and movement. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

Open the door and see who is there: a cat in a hat, a fox in socks, a dog and a frog; and they all want to play! But the final visitor is not so welcome - a dinosaur - ROAR! Yellow/Band 3 books offer varied sentence structure and natural language. Text type - A rhyming story with a predictable and repetitive pattern. A storyboard on pages 14 and 15 gives children the opportunity to recap and discuss the story. Curriculum links - Music: exploring sounds, including chants. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level School Book Character day is coming up and Tig is worried as his Mum has found him a frilly Little Boy Blue outfit. Can he get away with turning up as yet another footballer? A strange turn of events leads to a most unexpected outcome. Lime/Band 11 books have longer sentence structures and a greater use of literary language. Text type - A story with a familiar setting. Labelled pictures of Tig's different costumes on pages 30 and 31 provide lots of opportunities for speaking and listening. Curriculum links - Citizenship: Choices, Taking part. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

This simple non-fiction text recounts a girl's journey by bicycle using symbols, maps and directions depicted by an engaging illustration-photo montage effect. Red A/Band 2A books offer predictable text with familiar objects and actions, combined with simple story development. Text type - A simple non-fiction recount. The map on pp14-15 is a useful summary of the journey, consolidating understanding, and providing a wealth of speaking and listening opportunities. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

A simple text where a visit to an art show causes a girl to imagine what the world would be like if it was wholly yellow, red or blue. Realising that the world actually consists of all the colours of the rainbow, she paints lots of multicoloured pieces of art herself. Blue/Band 4 books offer longer, repeated patterns with sequential events and integrated literary and natural language. Text type - A simple non-fiction text. A gallery story map on pages 14 and 15 pictures the different stages of the girl's thought-processes for children to discuss. Curriculum links - Art and Design: Self-portrait.Science: How we see things. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Nick Butterworth's well known and much loved character Percy the Park Keeper stars in this beautifully told story for early readers. When Percy's cap, scarf and gloves go missing, they end up being used by some mischevious mice to decorate a snowman! Yellow/ Band 3 books offer varied sentence structure and natural language. Text type - A story with a familiar setting. A storyboard on pages 14 and 15 provide children with an opportunity to retell the story in their own words. Curriculum links - Geography: our local area; citizenship: animals and us. This story is one of three books by Nick Butterworth in the Collins Big Cat reading programme. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Bert's Band like to play as they march down the street. When they win the cup, they arrive back at their home town at midnight, and very carefully remove their shoes and socks so as not to disturb the townsfolk as they march down the street - playing at full belt! This lively text is ideal to read aloud, with lots of opportunities to join in. Blue/Band 4 books offer longer, repeated patterns with sequential events and integrated literary and natural language. Text type - A humorous story. At the end of the story is a poster by the bandstand in the park, advertising Bert's band, which is an ideal cue for further discussion and supports writing activities outside the reading session. Curriculum links - Science: sounds and hearing; Citizenship: taking part. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Red and yellow make orange, blue and yellow make green, but what do three polar bears, lots of fun, and three pots of paint make? A mess! This is a delightful book on colour, illustrated by Smarties Book Award winner Liz Pichon. Pink B/ Band 1B books offer emergent readers simple, predictable text with familiar objects and actions. Text type - A story with predictable structure and patterned language. Pages 14-15 provide a summary of the different colour mixes, to consolidate understanding of the book. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

A boy makes a paper plane and accidentally throws it over the wall. Little does he know that another boy called Joe lives on the other side of that wall and wants to play, too. This beautiful narrative non-fiction book about friendship is written and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Russell Ayto. A boy makes a paper plane and accidentally throws it over the wall. Little does he know that another boy called Joe lives on the other side of that wall and wants to play, too. This beautiful narrative non-fiction book about friendship is written and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Russell Ayto. Lilac/Band 0 books are wordless books that tell a story through pictures and are designed to develop understanding about how stories work. Children can follow and recap the story sequence about how the boys became friends using the story map on pages 14-15. Text type: A wordless story Curriculum links: Personal, social and emotional development

Filled with photos showing different methods of firefighting, this instruction book tells children how firefighting started and how it continues today. Stunning action photos show fires being tackled on land, at sea and from the air using a variety of equipment. There’s even a glimpse of what firefighting might be like in the future. This is a Band 06/Orange book in the Collins Big Cat reading programme which offers varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. This is an information book with a glossary and index included on pages 22 and 23 to aid comprehension. This book supports learning related to geography and citizenship, and will help children identify people who help the community. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. For another story in this Collins Big Cat book band for guided reading, try Pompeii (9780007461875) written by Fiona Macdonald and illustrated by Giorgio Bacchin.

This non-fiction counting book shows photographs of the following animals: one crocodile, two elephants, three lions, four birds, five frogs and six rabbits. Pictures of equal numbers of children add an element of fun to the book as they pretend to be the animals. Pink A/Band 1A books offer emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations. Text type - A simple information book. The photographs of the animals and children are repeated in numerical order on pages 14 and 15 to encourage the children to count the animals again. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

This comical story is a patterned, counting text about a band of pirates searching for treasure. One-by-one, they get into trouble and make a hasty retreat back to the pirate ship. Helpful vignettes of the pirates at the top of each page help children count how many pirates are left. Red B/ Band 2B books offer simple but varied text with familiar objects and actions, combined with simple story development and a satisfying conclusion. Text type – A story with predictable structure and patterned language The map on pages 14 and 15 shows the trail the pirates take from their ship to the treasure cave and back again, and can be used to help recap and retell the story. Paul Shipton is also the author of Collins Big Cat titles See-saw, Get the Fruit! and The Robot. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

This book helps children identify different types of car by colour using simple, repetitive text which reinforces common colour words. Cars are shown both in close-up and in action in its surroundings, driving in the city, off the road or tearing around a Grand Prix circuit. Pink A/Band 1A books offer emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations. Text type - A non-fiction report Pages 14 and 15 give children the opportunting to recap the information and discuss the text. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

There was once a woman who baked the best cakes in the whole world. The fairies loved her cakes. But they didn't want to buy them and the woman was far too clever to let anyone steal them. So the fairies decide to steal the cake-maker instead! What follows is a hilarious account of how the woman manages to escape the greedy fairies' clutches. This is a Band 09/Gold fiction book which offers developing readers literary language and stories with distinctive characters. This is a traditional story with a story map on pages 22 and 23 that tracks the comings and goings of the unfortunate fairies to help children retell the story in their own words. This book supports learning around personal and social development and will encourage children to recognise what they like and dislike, what is fair or unfair and what is right or wrong. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery and quizzed for Accelerated Reader. For another story in this Collins Big Cat book band for guided reading, try Animal Ancestors (9780007187010) by John Hughes.

This book recounts the experiences of two children as they take a look inside the giant Biomes and discover the exciting plants and exotic foods that grow in difficult environments. Green/ Band 5 books offer early readers patterned language and varied characters. Text type - A non-fiction recount of a visit. A map of the Eden project can be found on pages 22 and 23 to encourage children to discuss the information. Curriculum links - Geography: Passport to the world; Science: Growing plants and animals in the local environment. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level A wonderful retelling of this favourite fairy tale, in verse by CLPE-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. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Follow the butterfly on its journey from flower to flower through brightly coloured photographs. But look out! Butterfly almost lands on a yellow flower where a camouflaged crab spider waits to pounce! Lilac/Band 0 - wordless book that gives information through pictures and is designed to develop understanding about how information books work. Text type - Non-Fiction. A story map on pages 14 and 15 retells the story through repeated photograph to encourage speaking and listening. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level An exhilarating ride with one of New Zealand's foremost adventure photographers, Andy Belcher as he takes on the New Zealand Targa Rally against a variety of cars - from 1960s Austin Healeys and Ford Cortinas to the latest Ferraris. Wonderful photography supports Andy's recount of the trials and tribulations of this exciting event. White/Band 10 books have more complex sentences and figurative language. Text type - A non-fiction recount of an event. A photography rally map on pages 30 and 31 encourages discussion and provides lots of opportunities for further activities. Curriculum links - DT: Vehicles; Geography: Where in the world is Barnaby Bear? This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.