Search results for ""Author Alan Durant""

“A gem.” – Telegraph“Filled with warmth and humour, this short novel would suit children aged nine and over.” – Guardian“Sweet, funny and heartwarming ... absolutely worth a read.” – Glasgow HeraldClownfish is a moving and stunningly original story of friendship and life after loss, from the award-winning author Alan Durant. Dak's dad has been dead for seven days when suddenly he reappears. He's the same in almost every way, with one startling exception: Dad has turned into a clownfish, and now lives in a tank at their local aquarium. Dak is delighted by the news – he has Dad back, even if he isn't quite as he was before. Deciding to keep Dad's transformation a secret, Dak visits him at the aquarium as often as he can, and ends up spending so much time there that they offer him a job. This is how he comes to meet Violet, the owner's prickly but kindhearted niece; when the aquarium is threatened with closure, the pair must work together to save it. For Dak, the stakes couldn't be higher … after all, if the aquarium shuts down, what will happen to the fish? In parts wry, moving and undoubtedly strange, this beautifully crafted story will stay with you long after the final page.As featured in the Reading Well Books on Prescription programme, supported by professional health bodies including NHS England and the Royal College of GPs.

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Quill Soup is a prestigious White Ravon 2020. Shortlisted for The English Association Picture Book Awards 2020!Noko the porcupine is very hungry. On arriving at a village, he asks the other animals for some food and shelter. But, despite their full bellies, all the animals say they have nothing to spare. Never mind: he’ll just have to make do and cook a pot of soup from the quills off his back – a soup so tasty even the king likes it. Once the villagers hear of his plan they offer just enough ingredients to make a soup worthy of them all... This African version of Stone Soup celebrates generosity and kindness - and the message that we can all benefit if we share our resources.

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Ages 8 to 10 yearsA brilliant collection of poems and very short stories to engage and delight children. Alan loves to entertain and these offerings do not disappoint!

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Interest ages: 5-7  Level: KS1   Subject: reading In this non-decodable Reading Corner poetry book, poems explore the different shapes you can see in the cities, countryside and towns where people live. Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools  A Bug Club Reading Corner book designed for reading for pleasure Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence  Suitable for children aged 5-7 This title is part of Pearson's Bug Club, a reading programme used in over 3500 schools. Reading Corner books are designed to help children to develop a love of reading through reading for pleasure.  For more Bug Club books and learn at home resources, search for Bug Club. 

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The poems in this book explore the different shapes you can see in the cities, countryside and towns where people live. Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence Suitable for children age 5-6 (Year 1) Book band: Green all levels Phonics phase: 5

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Benny liked burgers. Benny LOVED burgers. Burgers were the only food that Benny would eat. "You'll turn into a burger one day," his mum warned. And one day, Benny did. And that is just the start of a madcap chase in which the hapless Benny is pursued across the countryside by a mob of hungry dogs, boys and angry cows. An hilarious cautionary tale with a twist from a winning author and artist team.

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Celebrate Christmas with this delightful book full of lift-the-flap letters from Father Christmas and a special surprise gift.When Holly sees a man who looks like Father Christmas, she decides to write him a letter: “Dear Father Christmas – is it snowing in Lapland? Please answer. Love Holly.” And so begins the start of a touching penpal friendship with Father Christmas himself in which Holly learns about the magic of elves, reindeer and life in Lapland, as well as getting some very special Christmas surprises. This gift book comes with letters to read and and a special silver ticket from Father Christmas!

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Hugely popular gaming adventure repackaged and refreshed. JP can't wait to play his new computer game. But the adventure on this game is for real! It'll take all his gaming skills to get to the end of the level – Fun adventure.

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The queen has given birth to her baby and all animals are going to visit them with their gift. But the kind rabbit can't find a gift that suits the queen's baby. It's getting late for the party, so rabbit lights up a lamp and goes to the party without a gift. She's not aware that she's taking the perfect gift for the queen and the baby.

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Tom is in trouble. He is hanging precariously from a ledge on the edge of a cliff and his friend Alex is desperately trying to get help for him. But will he be able to find the strength in himself to hold on until help arrives? This thought-provoking story was written by Alan Durant. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. Text type: An adventure story Curriculum links: Citizenship This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Junior and his elephant family are excited to visit Human Town, where they can observe humans in their own town! The novelty soon wears thin, as they notice major issues humans have caused, which are causing them to become extinct. Junior hopes that this will never happen to the elephants.

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When Fox dies the rest of his family are absolutely distraught. How will Mole, Otter and Hare go on without their beloved friend? But, months later, Squirrel reminds them all of how funny Fox used to be, and they realise that Fox is still there in their hearts and memories.

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Walking through the forest one moonlit night, Buzz and his dog Bingo find a sign pointing to a Monster Party. It sounds like fun – but first they have to find their way through the Monster Maze, meeting Count Dracula, a werewolf, a troll and a mummy along the way. Purple/ Band 8 books offer developing readers literary language, with some challenging vocabulary. Text type – A humorous story. The maze on pages 22 and 23 reminds readers of the mosters Buzz and Bingo have met on their way to the party. Curriculum links – Citizenship: Choices. Buzz and Bingo in the Monster Maze is one of two stories by Alan Durant about Buzz and Bingo in the Collins Big Cat reading programme. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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A steam train is slowly making its way through a terrible thunderstorm towards its destination. Suddenly, out of the darkness comes a lonely figure with a haunting message for the passengers … This spooky tale, written by Alan Durant, has been beautifully illustrated by Dave Hill. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. Text type: A mystery story Curriculum links: History; Citizenship This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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When Buzz and Bingo went down to the woods one day, they got a big surprise! They met a charming prince, a big bad wolf, seven little men and an old woman. But where was the beautiful girl that every one was looking for? Children will enjoy spotting the familiar characters and plot changes as the traditional stories are skillfully woven together. Gold/Band 9 fiction books offer developing readers literary language and stories with distinctive characters. Text type – A humorous story. A map on pages 22 and 23 tracks the trail that Buzz and Bingo follow through the forest so children can retell the story in their own words. Curriculum links – Citizenship: People who help us. This is the second title in the Buzz and Bingo series This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right level Spider McDrew gets the chance to play for the Parkfield school football team, in the end-of-season cup draw. As usual though, things are not plain sailing for Spider who lets his side down by giving away a crucial penalty kick. Poor Spider is a pitiful sight as he stands on the touchline all alone. Then, he is asked to take one last corner kick. Topaz/Band 13 books offer longer and more demanding reads for children to investigate and evaluate. Text type – A humorous story with a familiar setting. A reader response page provides lots of opportunities for speaking and listening and scaffolding writing. Curriculum links – ICT: Combining text and graphics; PSHE: Developing good relationships. This is the second SpiderMcDrew tale by Alan Durant and Philip Hopman. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right level Everyone at Parkfield School thinks that Spider McDrew is a hopeless case. He is always muddling things up and saying or doing the wrong thing. In this story, his class visit the local museum to learn about life in Roman times. As usual, Spider's mind wanders and he finds himself in the wrong part of the museum looking at other things instead! Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina. Text type – A humorous story. Pages 30 and 31 show the artefacts that caught Spider’s eye, providing an opportunity to recap the story. Curriculum links – History: Romans, Ancient Egypt; Art and Design: Investigating patterns. Another great story about the lovable Spider McDrew. by Alan Durant. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right level In this comical adventure, Buzz and Bingo find themselves in Outer Space trying to help a lost alien, XY5, find his parents. Along the way they meet a number of glittering constellations in the starry sky and a whole family of aliens. But after assisting XY5 they find themselves with the problem of trying to get back to earth. White/Band 10 books have more complex sentences and figurative language. Text type – A humorous fantasy story. Pages 30 and 31 show an illustration of the night sky and the star formations observed by Buzz and Bingo in space, providing lots of opportunities for speaking and listening. Curriculum links – Citizenship: Living in a diverse world, Taking part. This is the return of Buzz and Bingo for the third in their mini-series. This book is paired with an informatio book on the same theme: Is There Anyone Out There? This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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This exciting mystery story will keep readers gripped, as brothers Joe and Carl quickly realise it’s not always best to keep what you find. Written by Alan Durant. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. Text type: A mystery story Curriculum links: P.E.

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