New Releases by Lesley Sims

This is a hilarious new addition to the ''Phonic Readers'' series. With simple rhyming text and phonic repetition specially designed to develop essential language and early reading skills. Guidance notes for parents are included at the back of the book.

A lively story with humorous illustrations, ideal for children who are beginning to read for themselves, or for reading aloud together. With simple rhyming text and phonic repetition specially designed to develop essential language and early reading skills. Guidance notes for parents are included at the back of the book.

This guide includes vital information for tourists visiting Rome - famous attractions, where to shop and places to eat are combined with background facts about politics, history and the art and architecture of each period.

Nat and Ned are poor and often hungry, until Ned rescues a wish-granting fairy. But are all their troubles over for good? Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton, specially written for children just starting to read alone. This ebook includes audio and reading-related puzzles. "Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme." - Julia Eccleshare

Bob and Bet catch a magical fish who grants wishes in this amusing story based on a folktale. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton, specially written for children just starting to read alone. This ebook includes audio and reading-related puzzles. "Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme." - Julia Eccleshare

''Twas the Night Before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...'' The traditional and much-loved Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore, beautifully illustrated and published as a charming picture book for children to enjoy year after year. A magical rhyming story to share together on Christmas Eve, or for older children to read on their own as they wait for Father Christmas

The story of the beautiful princess Snow White, her wicked stepmother and her seven rescuers, delightfully retold for children just starting to read alone. "Irresistible for children learning to read." - Child Education Plus

A beautiful gift book containing some of Aesop''s most famous fables, including ''The Fox and The Crow'', ''The Greedy Dog'', ''The Sun and The Wind'' and ''The Hare and Tortoise''. Perfect for reading aloud at bedtime.

The greedy dragon wants the gold hidden in the castle that Jack built. Soon a witch, troll, frog and prince join the story too! Based on the classic nursery rhyme, this beautifully illustrated retelling is accompanied by audio narration. "Irresistible for children learning to read. " - Child Education Plus

A lively story with humorous illustrations, ideal for children who are beginning to read for themselves, or for reading aloud together. A lively, rhyming story with irresistibly funny illustrations and phonic repetition specially designed to help children learn to read. "Goat rows his boat around the moat. He sits and gazes at his float. It sinks. He blinks. "A fish!" he thinks." Simple rhyming text helps children develop essential language and early reading skills, and there are guidance notes for parents at the back of the book.

Shakespeare''s enchanting comedy of magic and mix-ups, fairies and fools, chaos and confusion beautifully retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability. Easy reading text and delightful illustrations bring the characters and story vividly to life. Includes a guide to the characters and links to recommended websites for children to find out more about Shakespeare and the play. "Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme." - Julia Eccleshare

Written as a guide for a novice Roman soldier, this handbook gives an insiders''s guide of what it was like to fight in the Roman army. The text depicts in grim and grimy detail the harsh truths of life as a Roman soldier and includes a beginner''s guide to how to hold a sword and shield and clean armour.

Down by the riverbank, Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad are about to begin their adventures. Join in the fun with this beautifully illustrated retelling of Kenneth Grahame''s classic tale. This is a highly illustrated ebook that can only be read on the Kindle Fire or other tablet.

The Little Giraffe and his best friend Rhino are very, very hungry. What happens next changes their lives forever. 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, simple comprehension puzzles and downloadable worksheets and teacher''s notes. "For every parent, child and teacher weary of the monotony of the average reading scheme, Usborne''s First Reading series will offer rays of sunlight. The books are carefully levelled and offer a huge variety of accessible and fun, fiction and non-fiction." - Tamara Linke (Proprietor, Tales on Moon Lane Bookshop)

Once upon a time, there was a dragon, a phoenix and a very, very special pebble... 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, simple comprehension puzzles and downloadable worksheets and teacher''s notes. "For every parent, child and teacher weary of the monotony of the average reading scheme, Usborne''s First Reading series will offer rays of sunlight. The books are carefully levelled and offer a huge variety of accessible and fun, fiction and non-fiction." - Tamara Linke (Proprietor, Tales on Moon Lane Bookshop)

"I can make soup from a stone!" declared the old man. The old woman didn''t believe him. Do you? 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, simple comprehension puzzles and downloadable worksheets and teacher''s notes. "For every parent, child and teacher weary of the monotony of the average reading scheme, Usborne''s First Reading series will offer rays of sunlight. The books are carefully levelled and offer a huge variety of accessible and fun, fiction and non-fiction." - Tamara Linke (Proprietor, Tales on Moon Lane Bookshop)

Shhh! The king has a secret. I''ll whisper it to you. "He has donkey''s ears." 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, simple comprehension puzzles and downloadable worksheets and teacher''s notes. "For every parent, child and teacher weary of the monotony of the average reading scheme, Usborne''s First Reading series will offer rays of sunlight. The books are carefully levelled and offer a huge variety of accessible and fun, fiction and non-fiction." - Tamara Linke (Proprietor, Tales on Moon Lane Bookshop)

This is a gift edition of the traditional and much-loved Christmas poem ''Twas the night before Christmas''. It is illustrated by John Joven, with original music and sounds that bring the magic of Christmas Eve to life.

With simple rhyming text and phonic repetition, this book is specially designed to develop essential language and early reading skills.

Gerda and Kay are best friends, until Kay suddenly changes. Then he is kidnapped by the wicked Snow Queen and everyone thinks he is lost forever. But Gerda is determined to rescue him. Follow her, in this retelling of the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, as she sets out on her lonely and dangerous quest to the frozen north.

Anansi, King of the Spiders, is given a bag of wisdom to share but selfishly decides to keep it to himself. But can he carry it up to his secret hiding place without dropping it?

Here are five traditional, magical tales from north, south, east and west, all wonderfully illustrated and delightfully retold for younger children.

Alice follows the White Rabbit down a hole and finds herself in Wonderland. Faced with a magic cake, a grinning cat and a noisy Queen, Alice doesn''t know what will happen next.

This is a wonderful collection of folk tales specially chosen from all over the globe. There are ten stories full of amazing characters, from a greedy witch and a talking tree to a very bad-tempered genie.

This story is based on an old folktalke from Namibia in Africa. The story explains how the very first Zebra got it''s stripes.

This is a new title in the ''Usborne Reading Programme'', which is aimed at children whose reading ability and confidence allows them to tackle longer and more complex stories. After returning from Wonderland, Alice''s adventures continue when she steps through a looking glass and into the topsy-turvy world beyond. This title is developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, who is a senior lecturer in education and an early reading specialist from Roehampton University.

Looks at various aspects of everyday life in Ancient Greece.

Gerald, Cathy and Jimmy are out exploring when they discover an enchanted castle. Even better, they meet a princess who says she has a ring of invisibility. But how much is she making up - and how much is pure magic?

Contains four stories about dragons.