Usborne Reading Collection

The Usborne Reading Collection – The new collection has 40 paperback readers and is the next step after completing My First Reading Library (Green box) and My Reading Library (Red box). The Usborne Reading Collection includes 40 books to help your child grow as a reader. The first 25 books are taken from Usborne Young Reading Series 1. Each of these books contains several lively short stories, or one longer in easy-to-read chapters. The next 15 books are taken from Usborne Young Reading Series 2. These books contain one longer story in chapters and include many retellings of world classics.

Featuring a broad range of story styles with easy-to-read text and eye-catching illustrations, the Usborne Reading Collection is great for little bookworms who are confident readers.

The Usborne Reading Collection (40 titles):

Young Reading Series 1

1. The Minotaur

The classic Greek myth retold with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading alone.

Brave Theseus takes on the challenge of defeating the fearsome Minotaur deep in a maze of tunnels below Crete. But will he return from the Labyrinth alive?

2. Pirate Adventures

Three original stories for children who have just started reading on their own.

Young children can find out who will be Pirate of the Year, the cabin boy’s secret and how Captain Spike escapes from the dungeons of Rotter’s Isle.

Vividly illustrated by Christyan Fox.

3.The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

A classic story re-told for children just beginning to read.

When Max the lazy sorcerer’s apprentice dabbles in magic beyond his abilities, he finds himself in a world of trouble. Can he fix everything before the old sorcerer returns, or will he find himself suddenly out of a job?!

Featuring lively illustrations by Poly Benatene.

4. The Story of Chocolate

The fascinating history of chocolate told for children just beginning to read.

Follows the story of the world’s most popular treat from its origins in the rainforests of Central America to shops and factories everywhere.

Featuring the humorous illustrations of Adam Larkum.

5. The Billy Goats Gruff

Delightful retelling of a much-loved classic tale with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading on their own.

The three Billy Goats Gruff were leaving their farm to look for food. As they crossed a river, they came face to fang with the Terrible Troll…

6. The Emperor’s New Clothes

This classic retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s comical fairytale about a fashion-crazy emperor is amusing illustrated throughout by award-winning cartoonist, Mike Gordon.

Young readers will treasure this gift edition, which is published in hardback with a ribbon marker.

Part of Young Reading Series 1 for children just starting to read alone.

7. Magical Animals

Four original stories of magical creatures from faraway lands told for children just beginning to read.

Featuring unicorns, flying horses and a creature that?s half-lion, half-eagle, these stories are guaranteed to enthral children.

8. Stories of Dragons

Three hilarious, original tales of some not-so-scary mythical fire-breathing beasts.

Each title is vividly illustrated, and is clearly laid out with speech bubbles to aid the narrative flow.

Developed in conjunction with reading experts at the University of Surrey.

9. Stories of Ghosts

Three not-so-scary stories with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading on their own.

Includes stories about a ghostly hotel, a school for spirits and a haunted TV set.

10. The Twelve Dancing Princesses

The classic fairytale about the princesses who like to have fun. When their father finds out they’ve been sneaking out to go dancing, he’s furious. “Dancing is banned!” he declares. But will that stop them?

Based on the story by the Grimm Brothers.

11. Stories of Monsters

Three original stories with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading on their own.

Includes stories about scary monsters living under the bed, close encounters with rampaging ice beasts and escaping slimy swamp creatures.

12. Stories of Pirates

Three original high-seas stories for children just beginning to read.

Find out if Charlie can get rid of his pesky parrot and Molly can escape the clutches of the sneaky Captain Spike in these swashbuckling stories.

13. Stories of Princes and Princesses

Four original stories about princes and princesses for children just beginning to learn how to read.

Meet clumsy princes, stubborn princesses and a rather pongy prince named Percy in these highly amusing stories.

14. Stories of Robots

Machines cause mayhem in these hi-tech tales with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading on their own.

Robot racers fight to reach the finish line, the Tidybot goes out of control and a sneaky thief plans a robot robbery.

15. Stories of Witches

Four original stories about witches for children just beginning to read.

Featuring wicked, wily witches, these stories are guaranteed to delight children while developing their reading ability.

16. The Burglar’s Breakfast

An amusing and original story with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading on their own.

After a hard night’s thieving, Alfie the burglar likes to go home to a tasty meal. But one day he returns to find his cupboards bare. Someone has burgled his breakfast!

17. Animal Legends

Three light-hearted animal legends for children who have just started to read alone.

Find out why cats and rats were once best friends, why monkeys now live in trees and how rabbits made sure that crocodiles stay in the river.

Vibrantly illustrated by Nick Price.

18. Stories of Mermaids

Three original mermaid tales for children who are just beginning to learn how to read.

Meet a scheming mermaid lurking to sabotage the Great Seahorse Race, a mermaid on a journey to the spooky Pirates’ Graveyard and a mermaid who just loves to dance!

Delicately illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini.

19. The Story of Toilets, Telephones and other useful inventions

An amusing and informative history of the toilet, from cavemen’s holes in the ground to Thomas Crapper’s flushing toilet.

Equally interesting tales of telephones, frozen food, soccer nets, safety razors and space inventions follow.

20. The Magic Gifts

The classic folktale from Korea retold with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading alone.

Cheated out of a fortune, Chin’s luck changes when he meets a mysterious monk. For the old man’s gifts of a mat, a spoon and a pair of chopsticks are not as ordinary as they seem.

21. Wizards

Three original stories about wizards for children just beginning to read.

Find out how magic helps Marvin the Miser become more generous, helps Egbert lose the lump on his nose and cheat a band of thieves out of their ill-gotten gains!

Charmingly illustrated by Stephen Cartwright.

22. The Monster Gang

An original story for children who have just started reading on their own.

One rainy Saturday, Ellie and her friends set up the Monster Gang. But one of the gang is hiding a big secret. Will he be found out?

Humorously illustrated by Teri Gower.

23. The Dinosaur Next Door

An amusing, original story with easy reading text, speech bubbles and delightful illustrations on every page.

The eccentric Mr. Puff lives next door to Sam in a house full of interesting things – including a basket of dinosaur eggs! When the dinosaurs begin to grow, something needs to be done – fast!

24. Stories of Haunted Houses

Three original stories for children who have just started reading on their own.

Includes stories about the dangerous dungeons of Chillmore Castle, the “spook-spotters” of Grimly Grange and the missing treasure of Highwayman’s Halt.

Humorously illustrated by Mike Phillips.

25. Stories of Dinosaurs

Three original stories for children who have just started reading on their own.

Stories feature wrestling raptors, a hilarious tale of vegetarian dinosaurs and a prehistoric egg hatching in a modern museum.

Includes a pronunciation guide to help young readers say the dinosaur names.

Humorously illustrated by Cynthia Decker.

Young Reading Series 2

1. Around the World in 80 Days

The classic tale of Phileas Fogg and his quest to travel around the world in just eighty days.

Full colour illustrations throughout.

Written with the help of a reading consultant.

2. The Secret Garden

The enchanting classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability.

Mary Lennox feels forlorn and lonely in her uncle’s gloomy house on the moors. But behind an old ivy-covered wall is a garden, waiting to be discovered.

Beautifully illustrated by Alan Marks, winner of the Carnegie Medal.

3. The Wizard of Oz

The classic story by L. Frank Baum, retold for children growing in their reading confidence and ability, sumptuously illustrated by Mauro Evangelista.

When Dorothy is whizzed to Oz in a tornado, she lands in a place where nothing is quite as it seems. Can she find the Wizard, defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, and be granted her wish to return to Kansas?

4. Beauty and the Beast

A timeless love story retold for children growing in their reading confidence and ability.

The Beast lives alone in his castle, enchanted by a wicked fairy and waiting for true love to break the spell. Could Beauty be the one to see through his ugly exterior?

5. Pinocchio

Beautifully illustrated retelling of this delightful children’s classic told for children growing in reading confidence and ability.

Only good puppets become real boys but, try as he might, Pinocchio just can’t stay out of trouble. Is Pinocchio doomed to be wooden forever?

6. Wind in the Willows

The classic story retold for children growing in reading confidence.

Mole, Ratty, Badger and the infamous Mr Toad love nothing more than messing around on the river. But when Mr Toad develops an obsession with motor vehicles, will his friends be able to help before he loses everything?

Featuring the charming illustrations of Mauro Evangelista

7. Alice in Wonderland

Attractive retelling of Lewis Carroll’s story with evocative illustrations.

Clear, engaging text to encourage independent reading with direct speech and speech bubbles.

8. Black Beauty

A captivating retelling of Anna Sewell’s classic novel beautifully illustrated by Alan Marks.

Perfect for encouraging independent reading.

9. The Clumsy Crocodile

Cassy the clumsy crocodile leaves a trail of destruction at the Everglades Department Store. But her clumsiness saves the store from a pair of greedy robbers. A comical story for children growing in reading confidence.

Selected for the Booked Up scheme “Accessible Book Option” 2009. For more information, click on “Links & Fun” below.

10. The Railway Children

A re-telling of the classic E.Nesbit story for children growing in reading confidence.

When their father is accused of spying, Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis’ life is changed overnight by their move from London to the countryside. But will their father ever come back?

11. The Snow Queen

A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale about the wicked Snow Queen’s attempt to kidnap a boy in the frozen north.

Beautifully and atmospherically illustrated by Alan Marks, winner of the Carnegie Medal.

12. The Story of Heidi

Johanna Spyri’s Heidi is beautifully retold, following the exploits of the orphaned girl sent to live in the Alps with her grumpy grandfather.

Part of Young Reading Series 2 for readers growing in confidence, with clear, engaging text and stunning original illustrations.

13. Hamlet

Shakespeare’s classic story retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability.

When a ghostly figure appears to Prince Hamlet, he discovers the dreadful truth about his father’s death. His quest for revenge leads him into a world of mayhem, madness and murder.

14. Romeo and Juliet

Attractively presented retelling of the story with fabulous illustrations.

Clear, engaging text to encourage independent reading with direct speech and speech bubbles.

With Internet links via the Usborne Quicklinks Website where readers can find out more about Shakespeare and listen to famous passages from the play.

15. Macbeth

One of Shakespeare’s greatest plays retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability.

Macbeth is the bravest general in Scotland, and a loyal servant to King Duncan. But then he hears that one day, he could be king himself. Mad with ambition, Macbeth sets out on a bloody path to power.

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