Books in the First Reading Level 4 series

Takes beginner readers on a trip back to medieval times to learn what it was like to be a knight and live in a castle, finding out how they fought and what they did for fun. This title includes short biographies of famous knights and descriptions of castles that can still be seen today.

It's a hard life being a slave in Ancient Rome. So Androcles escapes to the forest - and comes face to face with a lion. But could the mighty beast and the runaway slave help each other out? Simply written in lively, flowing text, Usborne First Reading books are designed to capture the imagination and build the confidence of beginner readers. This book includes audio and links to downloadable worksheets and teacher's notes. "e;Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme."e; - Julia Eccleshare

A humorous and lively African folktale, specially adapted for children just beginning to read. With colour illustrations on every page, this is another addition to Usborne's hugely popular First Reading series. Find out what happens when trickster Tortoise joins the birds at the Great Feast in the sky, and then gobbles ALL of the food. Perhaps it's time for Tortoise to be tricked too?

"Once up a time, there was a piece of wood..." So begins the famous tale by Carlo Collodi about Pinocchio, the carefree puppet, and his journey to become a real boy. This lively retelling has been written especially for children learning to read, with advice from an expert in teaching reading.

Fox loves playing tricks. But when he plays a trick on his friend Stork, she decides to teach him a lesson. Now Fox will find out how it feels to have a trick played on him! A humorous re-telling of the famous Aesop's fable,written especially for children learning to read, with expert reading advice and wonderful illustrations by John Joven.

Toby Town Mouse loves to live the high life, while his cousin Pipin prefers a quieter country life. When the two visit each other's homes, will they realise that sometimes differences aren't always a bad thing? The classic fable retold for children starting to read alone. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme, developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton. Includes audio. "e;Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme."e; - Julia Eccleshare

Part of the "First Reading" series, aimed at children who are beginning to read, this is a classic fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson retold, following the adventures of thumb-high Thumbelina.

Naughty Goldilocks sneaks into the bears' house and eats all their porridge, breaks their furniture and sleeps in their beds. She is in for a surprise when the bears return home... Simply written in lively, flowing text, Usborne First Reading books are designed to capture the imagination and build the confidence of beginner readers. This book includes audio and links to downloadable worksheets and teacher's notes. "e;Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme."e; - Julia Eccleshare

Can the runaway pancake escape being eaten by a whole family, a dog, a rabbit, a duck, a cat, a goat, a fox and a cunning old pig? Simply written in lively, flowing text Usborne First Reading books are designed to capture the imagination and build the confidence of beginner readers. This book includes audio and links to downloadable worksheets and teacher's notes. "e;Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme."e; - Julia Eccleshare

A lonely young prince wants to get married, but how can he find a real princess? This stunningly illustrated version of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale is specially written for children who are just beginning to read, and features simple text and beautiful illustrations by Lorena Alvarez on every page.

Oh Granny, what big ears you have! says Little Red Riding Hood. "All the better to hear you with." snaps back the wolf. Enjoy finding out how Little Red Riding Hood outwits the wolf, in this quirky retelling of the classic fairy tale.

When Ben is granted three wishes, he dreams of changing his life forever. But you must always be careful what you wish for! A fantastical tale of love, magic and a sausage, specially written for children who are just learning to read, and with stunning illustrations by Lorena Alvarez throughout.