Fire! Fire!

by Maureen Haselhurst

Published 5 January 2005

Filled with photos showing different methods of firefighting, this instruction book tells children how firefighting started and how it continues today. Stunning action photos show fires being tackled on land, at sea and from the air using a variety of equipment. There's even a glimpse of what firefighting might be like in the future.

This is a Band 06/Orange book in the Collins Big Cat reading programme which offers varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. This is an information book with a glossary and index included on pages 22 and 23 to aid comprehension. This book supports learning related to geography and citizenship, and will help children identify people who help the community. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. For another story in this Collins Big Cat book band for guided reading, try Pompeii (9780007461875) written by Fiona Macdonald and illustrated by Giorgio Bacchin.


The Big Splash

by Maureen Haselhurst

Published 5 January 2005

A young monster is getting everything she needs to take a dip: a boat, a toy shark, armbands, goggles, flippers. Once everything is to hand she is ready… to take a bath! The vividly drawn artwork shows each step of the monster’s careful preparations, offering lots of discussion points: is she going for a swim in a pool? In the sea?

  • Pink B level (Band 1B) books offer simple, predictable text with familiar objects and actions.
  • Text type – A story with predictable structure and patterned language.
  • An illustration on pages 14 and 14 shows the monster splashing happily in the bath, with all her toys labelled, to help children recap and discuss.
  • This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.