Series:

Usborne First Reading

1 primary work • 10 total works

Book 2

Cover of Stone Soup

Stone Soup

by Lesley Sims

Published 1 July 2005
A traditional folktale retold for beginner readers. When a traveller comes to town he claims to be able to make a wonderful soup from only water and a stone. He only needs a few more ingredients...Will the townspeople realise that they're being tricked? This picture book edition of a classic fable is illustrated by Georgien Overwater.

Level 2

Cover of The Dragon and the Phoenix

The Dragon and the Phoenix

by Lesley Sims

Published 28 September 2007
Also available as ebook with narration in British English (only on tablets that support audio). A retelling of a Chinese folktale about a dragon, a phoenix, the Queen of Heaven and a very special pebble… First Reading Level 2 are real books for beginner readers ready to tackle more complicated storylines and sentence structures. Featuring the colourful illustrations of Graham Philpot. Includes several pages of reading-related puzzles. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

Level 2

Cover of The Little Giraffe

The Little Giraffe

by Lesley Sims

Published 28 September 2007
Also available as ebook with narration in British English (only on tablets that support audio). A retelling of an African folktale about how the first, littlest giraffe became tall after a chance meeting with a wise old man. First Reading Level 2 are real books for beginner readers ready to tackle more complicated storylines and sentence structures. Featuring the colourful illustrations of Laure Fournier. Includes several pages of reading-related puzzles. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

Cover of The Three Wishes

The Three Wishes

by Lesley Sims

Published 27 March 2009
The traditional European folktale retold for beginner readers to tackle with very light support. 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. Includes several pages of reading-related puzzles.

Cover of King Donkey Ears

King Donkey Ears

by Lesley Sims

Published 31 July 2009
The traditional tale retold for beginner readers ready to tackle slightly more complicated storylines and sentence structures. The King has a secret. He has donkey’s ears! But when he tells the barber his secret, it surely can’t be a secret for long... Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton. Includes several pages of reading-related puzzles. Also available as ebook with narration in British English (only on tablets that support audio).

Level 2

Cover of The Wish Fish

The Wish Fish

by Lesley Sims

Published 27 July 2007
Bob and Bet catch a magical fish who grants wishes - an amusing story based on a folktale. First Reading Level 1 are real books for beginner readers to tackle with very light support. Featuring the hilarious illustrations of Mike Gordon. Includes several pages of reading-related puzzles. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

Cover of The Christmas Cobwebs

The Christmas Cobwebs

by Lesley Sims

Published 1 October 2012

It’s Christmas Eve and all is ready for Christmas – until seven spiders cover the tree in cobwebs. Will Christmas Day be ruined – or can Father Christmas save the Day? 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

Cover of How Elephant's lost their Wings

Believe it or not, elephants used to be able to fly. But flying elephants were big trouble... 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)

Level 2

Cover of How the Elephant Lost His Wings
This is a new edition of this popular title in the fantastic "First Reading" series, accompanied by an interactive CD. This is a retelling of an Indian folktale about a time when elephants could fly...but flying elephants can mean big trouble! It is developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, who is Principal Lecturer in Education from Roehampton University and an early reading specialist. It includes an interactive CD-ROM with animated screen visuals and characterful narration, music and sound effects. Every title in this series has clear and compelling text that allows children to build their burgeoning reading skills and is accompanied by charming and highly appealing illustrations.

Cover of Anansi and the Bag of Wisdom

Anansi and the Bag of Wisdom

by Lesley Sims

Published 29 January 2011
Anansi, King of the Spiders, receives a gift from the Gods - a bag of wisdom. Will Anansi share it, or will he keep it for himself? A beautifully illustrated retelling of a traditional African folktale. Includes fun puzzles after the story.