New Releases by Franklin Watts

DISCOVER the facts and DO the activities in this fun science series Discover and Do: Science is the perfect introduction to science for readers aged 7 and up who enjoy getting creative! Each book looks at core science topics and brings them to life through a lively combination of experiments, craft activities and quizzes. Discover & Do: Light takes an up-close look at light, exploring essential scientific topics such as refraction, rays and the spectrum, as well as explaining how our eyes see light and what types of light surround us. Along the way, readers will discover how to make a microscope, build a sundial and do a magic disappearing act with refraction. Titles in the series: Forces Electricity Human Body Light Materials Plants Sound

A kind king in a far off land has been hiding his ears from everyone in his kingdom - even his wife, the queen! He has horse''s ears on his head and he is afraid everyone will laugh if they find out... Until a magical violin changes everything! For Independent Reading at White Band 10, readers aged 5-7 years. This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE). Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

A young activist''s guide filled with real ways to make a difference Get motivated to stand against poverty and hunger in your community and the world with this introduction to non-violent activism. Young activists: follow the practical and effective methods in this book, and help mobilise others to take care of the poorest and most marginalised people now! This highly topical series informs and educates young people on key social issues in the world today. Vibrant and clearly designed content will inspire the next generation to take peaceful action now. With knowledge and passion in their corner, young people can change the world!

Ella is nervous about her first school trip - to a museum. Where will she sit? Where will she have lunch? There are so many things she feels worried about ... but maybe with the help of her friend, Josh, she will enjoy the trip after all. Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

Black history matters, today and always. An important and hard-hitting account of the history of black people, looking at African kingdoms, slavery, apartheid, the battle for civil rights and much more. Important and inspiring black personalities, from Olaudah Equiano to Oprah Winfrey, are highlighted throughout, while achievements and progress are balanced alongside a look at the issues that continue to plague black communities. #Blacklivesmatter is a powerful international movement, designed to raise awareness of and end ongoing injustice towards black people. This book is designed to connect with that movement and offer an important resource for all young readers during Black History Month and beyond.

Fran loves football and has great goal-scoring ability, but how can she get noticed by the school football coach and convince the boys to accept her on the team? This first colour chapter book is a perfectly levelled, accessible text for Key stage 2 readers aged 10-11.Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and activities to provoke deeper response and encourage writing. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

When there''s trouble deep at sea and a sea monster is terrorising the oceans, only one team can save the day - the Parrots of the Caribbean! This first colour chapter book is a perfectly levelled, accessible text for Key stage 2 readers aged 7-8. Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure. The Key Stage 2 Reading Champion Books are suggested for use as follows: Independent Reading 11: start of Year 3 or age 7+ Independent Reading 12: end of Year 3 or age 7+ Independent Reading 13: start of Year 4 or age 8+ Independent Reading 14: end of Year 4 or age 8+ Independent Reading 15: start of Year 5 or age 9+ Independent Reading 16: end of Year 5 or age 9+ Independent Reading 17: start of Year 6 or age 10+ Independent Reading 18: end of Year 6 or age 10+

When the Pied Piper returns to Hamlelin, the children are delighted. Their parents have gone safety-mad and banned all sweets, cakes and ice cream too! When the Piper offers to help for some of the sweets, Ash, Freddie and Mala agree. But once the parents disappear the children refuse to pay the Piper, and the children soon find life without parents is not so easy... Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

One dry, hot night in 1666, Mary was on her way home from the bakery where she worked in Pudding Lane, London. Later that night, a terrible fire broke out in that same bakery... one that would change London forever! Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE) Jake''s great granny is quite a person. She has many stories of her exploits during the second World War and is going to give a talk at Jake''s school. Can she convince Jake''s friend Ryan, that nothing about her or her stories will be boring? Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

A fearsome, fire-breathing, knight-eating dragon, a princess and a town in danger ... sound familiar? But this princess is not a weak, idle maiden, she is very sassy and is determined to save her town and change the dragon''s diet too! Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure. The Key Stage 2 Reading Champion Books are suggested for use as follows: Independent Reading 11: start of Year 3 or age 7+ Independent Reading 12: end of Year 3 or age 7+ Independent Reading 13: start of Year 4 or age 8+ Independent Reading 14: end of Year 4 or age 8+ Independent Reading 15: start of Year 5 or age 9+ Independent Reading 16: end of Year 5 or age 9+ Independent Reading 17: start of Year 6 or age 10+ Independent Reading 18: end of Year 6 or age 10+

Wilf is not like other wolves. He doesn''t want to scare people, he''d rather make friends with them! But the harder he tries to be nice, the more the others fear him, so he decides to dress up as a sheep!

A beautifully illustrated retelling of this favourite African tale. Anansi the spider is a trickster and he will stop at nothing to get Nyame''s story box, proving that even the littlest among us can achieve the greatest things. Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

A fun retelling of this Native American legend. Bear is tricked by Otter into fishing with his beautiful, long tail - and it ends up getting frozen and snapping off! Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

Lexi and her dad are on a boat trip to spot dolphins. And when Lexi makes a wish to ride a dolphin, she is taken on a magical dream ride. Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

Tyrone is having to move schools because his dad has a new job. He is sad and scared about his first day there. Will he make new friends? Will he find his way around? Will he like the teachers? This story shows what happens on a first day at school and shows ways that children can help themselves to ease the transition. This first experiences series uncovers the worries and fears associated with big life changes that young children might experience and provides reassurance by explaining how they might feel and shows ways that children can learn to cope with these feelings. The sensitively written story provides guidance not only for children, but also for adults who want to help their child through these unsettling times in their lives.

Rabia is sad and scared about moving house. She''s worried about what it will be like and how she will cope. But her mum helps her by arranging a visit there before they move and by packing a bag of special things that she can keep with her rather than pack into boxes. The story shows what happens during a move, about the first night there and the excitement that comes when exploring a new home. This first experiences series uncovers the worries and fears associated with big life changes that young children might experience and provides reassurance by explaining how they might feel and shows ways that children can learn to cope with these feelings. The sensitively written story provides guidance not only for children, but also for adults who want to help their child through these unsettling times in their lives. Children can read the books on their own or can discuss the books with an adult. Notes for teachers and parents at the back of the books provide related advice and information to help them guide and support children.

Fourteen-year-old Lisa Jura was a musical prodigy who hoped to become a concert pianist. But when Hitler''s armies advanced on pre-war Vienna, Lisa''s parents were forced to make a difficult decision. Able to secure passage for only one of their three daughters through the Kindertransport, they chose to send gifted Lisa to London for safety. As she yearned to be reunited with her family while she lived in a home for refugee children on Willesden Lane, Lisa''s music became a beacon of hope. A memoir of courage, survival, and the power of music to uplift the human spirit, this compelling tribute to one special young woman and the lives she touched will both educate and inspire young readers.

When friends Lenny and Ted take their bikes off to the woods on a cold, snowy day, Mum warns them to keep away from the icy pond. The trouble is, Lenny just can''t resist it and ends up nearly paying a very high price... Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

Raj wants a new pet to play with. Which one will he choose?

Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure. Independent Reading Red 2 stories are perfect for children aged 4-5 who are reading at book band 2 (Red) in classroom reading lessons. In this story, Bob stops to pick up lots of passengers and their animals...but his cab gets very full!

Jack and his mother are poor. Jack''s mother works hard all day, but Jack is lazy. It''s time for Jack to go out and find a job!

Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child''s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure. Independent Reading Pink 1A stories are perfect for children aged 4+ who are reading at book band 1A (Pink) in classroom reading lessons. In this story, Bella gets dressed up to look just like her mum.