Overview

A tale of friendship and exploration, perfect for children learning to read. By Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo.

When Apollo the swallow flies to Africa, Chack the blackbird wants to send him a message. But Africa is far away. Can a jumpy dolphin, a grumpy camel, a greedy crocodile and a playful monkey help to deliver the message?

The Reading Ladder series helps children to enjoy learning to read. It features well-loved authors, classic characters and favourite topics, so that children will find something to excite and engage them in every title they pick up. It’s the first step towards a lasting love of reading.

Level 2 Reading Ladder titles are perfect for readers who are growing in confidence and are beginning to enjoy longer stories.

• Clear type
• Up to 8 lines per page
• Bright, appealing pictures for added interest
• A variety of sentence structures
• A wider range of vocabulary
• Strong themes and characters to discuss

All Reading Ladder titles are developed with a leading literacy consultant, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents keen to support their children’s reading.

Book band: Orange

Paperback: 48 pages

ISBN: 9781405282000

Dimensions: 14 x 0.5 x 21.6 cm

Written by: Julia Donaldson

Illustrated by: Martin Ursell

About the Author:

Julia Donaldson is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of some of the world’s best-loved picture books including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide and have been translated into seventy-five languages. Her other books include Room on the Broom, Stick Man and the What the Ladybird Heard series. Julia also writes fiction as well as poems, plays and songs and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was the 2011-2013 UK Children’s Laureate and has been honoured with an MBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.