Karim's new kumma

by Imad Nasr and Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 13 December 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 9 books are similar in complexity to level 8, with strong patterns and similar events and episodes. Non-fiction titles use non-fiction tools - including signs, labels, captions and diagrams - where necessary. Single-word spacing is used from level 9 upwards. In addition, very high-frequency words appear consistently without vowel markings. These features will help the students get used to the traditional norms of printed Arabic.

Kareem and his family have gone on a road trip in Oman, from Sohar to Sur. They wanted to watch the baby green turtles, but got more than they expected!


Off to school

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 4 books are for children who are ready to start to read stories with simple single words or non-verbal sentences with 2 or 3 short words, and with total support through illustrations and extensive use of repetition. Double spacing is used between words to ensure children see where each new word in a sentence begins and ends, with the focus on reading core words.
Early in the morning, Ahmad and Fatima are getting ready to start their day. Follow them as they wash, get dressed, and eat their healthy breakfast. School bags ready, they are all set to go off to school with dad as the sun rises.
This book introduces children to a range of words to do with appearance, including clothes and items for the school bag.


Dinner!

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 3 books introduce the concept of the 'story', and include simple phonic sounds and very high-frequency words with simple spellings.
What do you like to eat? What is your favourite food? Look at all the ingredients that go into preparing our colourful dinner. Join us! We hope you will enjoy the food!
This book introduces words for a range of foods that are popular in the Middle East.


My book is my friend

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 3 books introduce the concept of the 'story', and include simple phonic sounds and very high-frequency words with simple spellings.
This little girl loves her book! Follow her as she learns to read the words for: letter, word, page, picture and all the wonderful things that make her favourite book.


Mecca and Medina

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 10 books include characters that express emotions and stories with more events. Non-fiction titles introduce terms that might be new to many children. Level 10 books continue to use single spacing and more high-frequency words appear without vowel markings to help the students get used to the traditional norms of printed Arabic.
In this fact book children will learn about the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, with points of special interest highlighted.


Hisham's room

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 8 books are becoming more complex, although still strongly patterned but to a lesser extent than level 7. Although the focus remains on vowelling to aid the flow of reading with verbal sentences of up to 8-10 words, level 8 books have more events and episodes, fewer repeated patterns, and more complex vocabulary. Non-fiction titles use non-fiction tools - including signs, labels, captions and diagrams - where necessary. Double spacing is used between words to ensure children see where each new word in a sentence begins and ends.

Hisham's room needs serious tidying! His mother has had enough as she describes the mayhem. Mother lays down new rules and they start right now.
Through this story children meet lots of prepositions


I have a garden

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 5 books are for children who are ready to read stories with more challenging word patterns or non-verbal sentences with 2 or 3 words, and with total support through illustrations and extensive use of repetition. Double spacing is used between words to ensure children see where each new word in a sentence begins and ends to ensure the focus remains on reading core words.
A little girl is in her garden. Children who are her neighbours and friends are outside her gate, and they want to know if she has toys they can play with. She has everything they want in her garden, and soon she opens the gates for her friends to join her for a fun morning.


I love water

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 4 books are for children who are ready to start to read stories with simple single words or non-verbal sentences with 2 or 3 short words, and with total support through illustrations and extensive use of repetition. Double spacing is used between words to ensure children see where each new word in a sentence begins and ends, with the focus on reading core words.
Water is precious and we must all cherish it. In this book we see water being used and cherished by children, grown-ups, animals and plants in a wide range of settings including a house, a mosque and a garden


The Arabian Horse

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 5 books are for children who are ready to read stories with more challenging word patterns or non-verbal sentences with 2 or 3 words, and with total support through illustrations and extensive use of repetition. Double spacing is used between words to ensure children see where each new word in a sentence begins and ends to ensure the focus remains on reading core words.
Meet the beautiful Arabian horse! Noble, graceful, proud and fast. This stunning photographic book introduces young readers to the world of this wonderful horse.


Juice for all

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 7 books include story lines with more episodes in time sequence, and may include imaginary happenings in the context of familiar experiences. There is still repetition but more variation in pattern and more new words are introduced than in lower levels. Non-fiction titles bring in simple non-fiction tools, such as diagrams, labels and captions. Additional vowel marks that encourage the flow of pronunciation are introduced at this level. Verbal sentences of up to 8-10 words with repeating and accessible actions appear at this level. Double spacing is used between words to ensure children see where each new word in a sentence begins and ends.

Mum has made fresh juice! First she washed the fruit, then she peeled it, then she chopped and blended it, all with sound effects! Now we can drink it! Yum!

In this book children will encounter past verbs in the feminine singular, the names for different fruits, plus the sounds associated with preparing the fruit.


My Father's Job

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 3 books introduce the concept of the 'story', and include simple phonic sounds and very high-frequency words with simple spellings.
Dads do all kinds of jobs and need to use all kinds of tools to do them. Learn about some different jobs in this simple reader.


Where am I?

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 15 November 2018

Collins Big Cat Arabic Reading Programme is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 3 books introduce the concept of the 'story', and include simple phonic sounds and very high-frequency words with simple spellings.
A little Arab boy looks towards the sky and can see lots of interesting things - a plane, a hawk, a crescent moon - but where exactly is he? Can you guess where he is from the pictures?


My Sporty Family

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 2 January 2020

Special Sounds

by Mahmoud Gaafar and Jane Wightwick

Published 1 August 2016

Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 1 books introduce children to the letters of the alphabet and their sounds, using bright and engaging illustrations.

Two letters on each page, with a familiar item illustrating each letter.

This book introduces children to the Arabic letters and combinations that are formed and pronounced in special way, including taa' marbuta, hamza and alif maqsura.

Special characters are shown in their joined and separate forms, and are highlighted on each example word.


My Friend the Fisherman

by Mahmoud Gaafar

Published 1 August 2016

Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 10 books include characters that express emotions and stories with more events. Non-fiction titles introduce terms that might be new to many children. Level 10 books continue to use single spacing and more high-frequency words appear without vowel markings to help the students get used to the traditional norms of printed Arabic.

Salih helps keep his uncle's fishing nets clean. One day he gets help from a rather surprising friend! In return for help cleaning the nets Salih shows his new friend around Dubai.


Long Sounds

by Mahmoud Gaafar and Jane Wightwick

Published 1 August 2016

Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 1 books introduce children to the letters of the alphabet and their sounds, using bright and engaging illustrations.

Two letters on each page, with a familiar item illustrating each letter.

The words in this book introduce children to the long vowel sounds.

In this book, letters of the alphabet are shown in combination with one of the three long vowels (alif, waw and yaa'). The sound is highlighted on each example word.


Sound and Picture

by Mahmoud Gaafar and Jane Wightwick

Published 3 September 2015

Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 2 books introduce simple words for children to read based on key syllables with long vowels.
Word pairs featuring the same syllable and long vowel are shown on each spread, to help children learn to recognise and read key syllables.
Word pairs are shown in very short combinations with a fun illustration or cartoon.
Lively and engaging illustrations to keep children interested.


My Letters

by Mahmoud Gaafar and Jane Wightwick

Published 3 September 2015

Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 1 books introduce children to the letters of the Arabic alphabet using bright and engaging illustrations.
Two letters on each page, with a familiar item illustrating each letter.
Each letter shown in its isolated form and initial form, with the initial form highlighted on the example word.
The last page shows includes all of the letters together in order to help children recap.


Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 12 books feature greater use of literary language and more unusual and challenging vocabulary. Play scripts also feature from Level 12. Non-fiction titles contain longer, more formal sentences and a wide range of unfamiliar terms. Sentences become longer with greater use of conjunctions and relative clauses. Grammatical vowel endings are more evident to encourage fluent reading and to provide familiarity with some higher-level features of written Arabic.

Mohamed's father has a new job in Abu Dhabi and the family have to leave their home in Morocco for a new life. Read about the things Mohamed is sad to leave behind, the exciting new things he sees and the new friends that he makes as he learns all about living in Abu Dhabi.


Ball and Book

by Mahmoud Gaafar and Jane Wightwick

Published 18 February 2016

Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 2 books introduce simple one- and two-syllable words for children to read based on key syllables and phonic patterns.

Ball and book features alliterating word pairs on each spread to help children learn to recognise and read initial letters.

Word pairs are shown in very short combinations with a fun illustration or cartoon.

Lively and engaging illustrations to keep children interested.