Books in the Collins Big Cat Progress series

During World War II, many spies were dropped from Britain into France to help fight the Nazis. One of them was a woman called Christine Granville, who risked her life to save her comrades. Follow her incredible true story is this beautifully illustrated graphic novel by award-winning authors Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem.

In Victorian times, many children had to work to earn money for their family. One factory employed young girls to make matches, but the chemical they used made them very ill and many died. One woman decided to stand up for these girls, and her protest took her all the way to the Houses of Parliament in London.

This captivating information book explores the life of one of nature's most elusive animals. From where they live and how they hunt to how we can protect them in the future, Jen Green's clear writing style tells readers all they need to know about snow leopards.

If it wasn't for Tom, one young boy would be much happier at school - he would be able to play football without being taunted from the sidelines. But is Tom as strong-willed when he is forced to play football as well? This thought-provoking story was written by award-winning author Catherine MacPhail.

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.

Dan and Sara are bored. There's nothing to do in their town, so they're sitting in the park and playing a computer game - but little do they know what adventures are happening right behind them ... This Manga graphic novel is written and energetically illustrated by author Katy Coope.

Where does the food in your lunch-box come from? How far has it travelled? Find out where bananas are grown, where tuna is found and how chocolate is made in this highly photographic information book.

Captain Scott travelled to the Antarctic in 1901 - the first man in the world ever to go there. Join one man as he follows in Scott's footsteps and understands why the Antarctic is so important to us in this evocative book by Anne Curtis.

Search and rescue dogs play a crucial part in helping people in danger. Find out how they are trained and what they can do to help the humans who are risking their lives to save others in this book by Chris Oxlade.

When Pedro the fisherman catches a big swordfish, he decides to share his meal with a man in the local prison - a captured pirate. But when Pedro himself is later captured by a pirate gang, he finds his generosity hasn't been forgotten. This traditional tale is written by Saviour Pirotta and wonderfully illustrated by Shahab Shamshirsaz.

Lucas is the best in his football team at taking penalties. He never misses - ever. But one day that all changes and Lucas has to learn to deal with his mistake, finding a way of building up his confidence once again ... This thought-provoking story was written by Tom Palmer.

How were skateboards invented? What tricks do skateboarders do and what competitions can they enter? Find out all about this sport, packed with exciting photos and written by Andrew Peters.

Jack and Sam think their school trip to the Ancient Greece Museum is boring, until they see a glowing statue ... Finding themselves whisked away to fight a deadly monster, suddenly Ancient Greece doesn't seem so dull after all. This exciting graphic novel by Linda Chapman is brought to life with illustrations from Dylan Coburn.

Discover the incredible true story of Sergeant Norman Jackson, who had survived 30 missions when his plane was hit over enemy territory in 1945. Under fire and travelling at 200mph he climbed onto the wing, attempting to put out the blaze. This exciting graphic novel is by award-winning author and illustrator team Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem.

What are the most dangerous animals in the world? Take a closer look at some very poisonous, venomous and deadly animals in this stunning photographic non-fiction report by award-winning author Anna Claybourne.

Douglas Bader was the most famous RAF pilot of the Second World War. Find out about the fateful crash that resulted in the loss of both his legs, and how he fought back to return to the cockpit of his plane in this graphic novel by award-winning author/illustrator team Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem.

Horses were important in World War 1 for many reasons. Find out what they did and how they helped in a war that cost the lives of so many humans and animals alike in this non-fiction book by Charlotte Guillain.

As he spends his days playing makeshift cricket, Adnan dreams of playing the game professionally for a team. When one of Adnan's games ends with a damaged car, he fears his chances of practising will be over - his future all depends on what the owner of the car says to his parents ... This lovely story was written by Tom Palmer.

Follow the true story of Winkie, a carrier pigeon in WWII whose crew crash landed in the sea. All hopes rested with Winkie as she battled to reach help - but would she be able to lead them back to her crew? The story is told in the style of a graphic novel and illustrated by award-winning author-illustrator team Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem.

Find out what life was like for the children growing up during World War II. With photographs straight from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, Jillian Powell looks at rationing, schooling and evacuation and how the daily lives of children were affected by the war.

Jean and his friends are fishermen. Jean throws a spear at a passing dolphin to show his strength and suddenly the crew are swept into a terrible storm. Jean soon realises that he has injured the Dolphin King and put the lives of his friends in peril. Will Jean be able to make up for his mistakes?

Long ago, the king of Denmark built a huge hall for feasts, and he called it Heorot. But the noise from the hall woke a sleeping monster in the nearby swamp - Grendel. Could the brave warrior Beowulf save Denmark's people and fight the monster? This retelling of the Old English tale was written by award-winning author Anita Ganeri.

A boy takes home a seal skull that he finds at the beach. It has dark, empty eyes that stare back at him. Now a storm is brewing and his room is filled with shadows - will he be able to calm the storm? This mysterious story by Anne Curtis is evocatively illustrated by Chris Corner.

Once, there were 100,000 tigers in the world, but now these beautiful creatures are under threat of extinction. Find out the reasons for the decrease in tiger numbers, and what we can do to change it, in this photographic information book by Louise Spilsbury.

Joe has birthday money to spend, and decides a cute dog he's seen in a pet shop window is the perfect purchase. For some reason, though, the pet shop owner is determined not to sell that particular dog ... This wonderful story was written by Carnegie award-winning author David Almond, and brought to life with the illustrations of Ayesha Lopez.

Follow the amazing true story of Mary Anning, a child from a poor family who sold seashells for a living and stumbled across a world of dinosaurs and fame. This fascinating story was written by Lou Kuenzler and illustrated in a graphic novel style.

From pigeons and elephants to parachuting dogs - millions of animals helped in both world wars. This non-fiction book, with fascinating photographs from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, focuses on the animals that were involved and their bravery in the face of battle.