Books by Lesley Sims

Book SynopsisGopher drives the Queen from one crazy escapade to another on an unexpected road trip. This laugh-out-loud rhyming story, starring quirky characters and stunning illustrations, will encourage a love of language and a joy of stories. With lots of details to spot in each scene and the added bonus of online audio.

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Book SynopsisChang is the best painter in all of China, so it's Chang the Emperor sends for when his new temple needs painting. But why is Chang painting dragons without any eyes? Is it true, as he claims, that if you add eyes, painted dragons come to life? This delightful retelling has sweet, simple text and gorgeous illustrations, with plenty for children to spot as Chang paints his surprising dragons.

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Book SynopsisThe funny antics of twelve lovable animal characters are brought together in this marvellous collection - a brilliant way to introduce phonics to young readers. Why won't Fat Cat move from his mat? Who can stop the goose on the loose? And is there really a SHARK in the park?Accompanied by a listen-along CD, the collection contains the following titles: Fat Cat on a mat, Ted in a red bed, Big Pig on a dig, Hen's pens, Fox on a box, Frog on a log, Ted's shed, Sam Sheep can't sleep, Shark in the park, Toad makes a road, Goose on the loose and Mouse moves house.

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Book SynopsisAll is not well at Bumble's Big Circus. The stars of the show, three fabulous fleas on their flying trapeze, have let fame go to their heads and now they never say please. It's up to the earwig clowns to remind them that EVERYTHING'S better with 'Please'! Lively rhyming text and humorous illustrations, set in the wonderful world of bugs, make this an excellent addition to the ever popular First Reading Level 3 titles.

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Book SynopsisHow does a tiny little acorn become a magnificent, mighty oak tree that is home to over 2000 species? This inventive information book, specially written for little children and with intriguing holes to look through on every page, is perfect for a first introduction to the incredible world around us.

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Book SynopsisLesley Sims (Author) Lesley dreamed of being a writer, but studied law as her mother insisted she had something to fall back on. Since joining Usborne Publishing, she has written and edited hundreds of books, from funny rhyming stories to an award-winning history book. Nowadays, she is often found recording books, too, in Usborne's very own recording studio.

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Book SynopsisThe story of a crafty fox, a foolish crow and a mouth-watering chunk of cheese. This lively retelling of a classic fable by Aesop has been specially written for little children and comes with online audio to listen to the story.

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Book SynopsisTom Town Mouse is off to visit his cousin, Cora, in the country. It will be great! says his friend, but Tom is not so sure. A charming retelling of the classic Aesop's Fable, with endearing illustrations by John Joven. With free online audio to listen to the story.

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Book SynopsisPangolin loves playing her mandolin. There's just one problem... She's nocturnal so she's twanging her strings in the middle of the night. The other animals in the rainforest aren't happy to be kept awake. Will they reach a compromise? Starring quirky characters and stunning illustrations, this story has been specially written to develop phonemic awareness. With free online audio.

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Book SynopsisChang's paintings are so good, his birds and animals seem alive. So when the Emperor's new temple needs painting, he sends for Chang. But why is Chang painting dragons without any eyes? Is it true, as he claims, that if he adds eyes the painted dragons will actually come to life? With free online audio.

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Book SynopsisThe Little Red Hen has found some grains of wheat! Who will help her grow and harvest them? A faithful retelling of the popular European tale, showing the stages from wheat to flour to freshly-baked bread. With free online audio.

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Book SynopsisScrooge is the meanest man alive, but three night-time visitors are trying to change his ways. This classic Christmas story has been specially retold for little children to enjoy. The delightful illustrations by Jesús López are full of extra details to spot. With online audio.

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Book SynopsisSleeping Beauty's parents accidentally upset a wicked fairy - and on her 16th birthday, the entire kingdom is doomed to sleep for 100 years. This enchanting retelling, all in rhyme, is a sweet introduction to the classic tale. A button on each page allows readers to hear the story as they read.

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Book SynopsisA wonderful collection of six classic Greek myths and legends, specially retold for younger readers. Includes the stories of 'The Wooden Horse', 'The Minotaur' and 'The Odyssey', as well as a guide to the Greek Gods. Beautifully bound in padded hardback, and packed with information, color and culture, this makes a thrilling read for any child. With a pronunciation guide to Greek names on the Usborne Quicklinks website.

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Book SynopsisTiger and her dive team are off in search of a sea dragon in this vividly illustrated tale for beginner readers. The rhyming text and humorous illustrations make learning phonics fun.

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Book SynopsisOne little raindrop falls from the sky... Follow its incredible journey until it finally reaches the sea, where it evaporates to become part of a cloud and begin the cycle all over again. Cleverly designed holes on every page encourage interaction as readers guess what is waiting overleaf. Specially written for little children, this is a perfect introduction to the wonder of the water cycle.

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Book SynopsisThis book is filled with five fun rhyming stories that make reading a pleasure. There's an owl who dreams of being a superhero, a window-cleaning adder who's scared of heights and an axolotl who meets a genie. Add a flamingo who loves bingo plus a musical pangolin and you have a collection that's sure to appeal to any young reader.

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Book SynopsisFive funny stories that make reading a joy. In this collection you'll visit the unicorn hotel, go to the water park with a gang of skunks and take to the air in Spider's glider. Then head to the beach to watch Lizard hard at work on his inventions, before diving under the sea to hear Whale's tall tale. A delightful set of hilarious rhyming stories sure to excite the imaginations of beginner readers.

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Book SynopsisFive hilarious stories from the charming mini-world of bugs. Discover the fly who told a lie and the bug who wanted a hug. Then meet the fleas who wouldn't say please and watch Steve the weevil as he tries, and fails, to be really evil. A locust who just can't focus on everyday tasks completes this endearing collection.

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Book SynopsisSix of the best-loved tales from the Phonics Readers series are brought together in this wonderful collection. David Semple's colourful characters and the hilarious rhyming stories make learning phonics fun. A puzzle section and a QR code link to audio recordings of all six tales bring added value.

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Book SynopsisA short-sighted dinosaur, crashing around the forest... What could possibly go wrong? This laugh-out-loud rhyming story, starring quirky characters and stunning illustrations, will encourage a love of language and a joy of stories. With lots of details to spot in each scene and the added bonus of online audio.

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Book SynopsisEven little fleas have to mind their Ps and Qs as some endearing but rather rude fleas find to their cost, in this lively, cautionary tale about the importance of manners. With free online audio.

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Book SynopsisLola the Locust is looking for a job, but everything she tries ends in chaos. Poor Lola cannot focus on the task at hand. Join her as she tracks down her perfect role in this charming tale set in the mini world of bugs. Lively rhyming text and humorous illustrations make this an excellent addition to the ever popular Usborne Bug Tales series.

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Book SynopsisThis delightful book follows the journey of a seed dropped from a bird, as it takes root, sprouts and starts to grow. Watch it stretch up... and up to the sky, becoming a brilliant yellow sunflower. Cleverly designed holes on every page encourage interaction as readers guess what is waiting overleaf. Specially written for little children, this is a perfect introduction to the wonders of nature - and may even encourage budding gardeners.

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Book SynopsisThe Little Red Hen has found some grains of wheat, but who will help her plant them? The cat, the rat and the duck are all sitting in the farmyard, enjoying the sun. Surely one of them will join the Little Red Hen as she grows the wheat and mills it. And what happens when she bakes a crusty golden loaf with the flour she has made? A charming retelling of this much-loved tale, incidentally showing the stages from wheat to freshly-baked bread, with delightful illustrations throughout by Raffaella Ligi.

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Book SynopsisFive laugh-out-loud rhyming stories that are sure to keep children entertained, time after time. Along with a short-sighted T. Rex, there's a giraffe whose bath time takes an unexpected turn, twin weasels with measles, a seal in a speedboat and a raccoon who visits the moon. A QR code link to retellings of all the stories completes this colourful collection.

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Book SynopsisLola is a lovely locust. The trouble is, she cannot focus. Lola refuses to give up but everything she tries ends in disaster - until Fran, a spider, has a fantastic idea. With a free online audio reading of the whole story.

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