The Stubborn Prince

by Ciaran Murtagh

Published 3 January 2017

A hilarious traditional Norwegian tale, which will have the whole class in stiches. Find out how Prince Magnus gets on when he leaves home thinking he knows best, only to end up living with a ferocious giant determined for him to fail, which he surely would if it wasn't for a little helper Magnus finds. Perhaps he doesn't know best after all?

Emerald/Band 15 books provide a widening range of genres including science fiction and biography, prompting more ways to respond to texts.

Text type: A traditional tale from another culture

Curriculum links: English: fairy stories, myths and legends; books from other cultures and traditions

This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.


The Making of Mozart

by Ciaran Murtagh

Published 22 May 2017
Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right level

Get ready to meet a small boy with a big talent! Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was composing music and travelling the world to perform for kings and emperors when he was only eight years old. This is his story.

  • Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina.
  • Text type – An information book.
  • The book is organised into short chapters to help children practise the skills of locating and identifying important information.
  • The glossary and index on pages 28 and 29 can be used to develop children's information retrieval skills further.
  • Curriculum links – Music

The Dungeon of Despair

by Ciaran Murtagh

Published 1 September 2020

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.

When Simon Lancaster hears that his family are going to the local castle for the day, he’s not very impressed. When he hears there’s a dungeon, things start to look up. Little does he know, his trip to the castle is going to end with him never wanting to set foot in a dungeon again, when he wanders off and gets trapped in a hidden cell! How will he make it out? And how is he going to explain this one to his parents …? This thrilling story was written by Ciaran Murtagh.

Lime Plus/Band 11+ books provide challenging plots and vocabulary as well as opportunities to practise inference, prediction and reading stamina.

Pages 46 and 47 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall.

Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.


Puzzle of the Pyramid

by Ciaran Murtagh

Published 1 September 2020

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.

Lola's auntie Flo has always been an adventurous sort, which is why it was no surprise when she took up the challenge of a trip to Egypt to investigate a newly found pyramid. It was all in a good cause - raising money for a local charity. Then things got strange when Flo disappeared without a trace. The last Lola heard was when a postcard arrived which didn't sound like her auntie at all - that's when Lola knew Flo was in trouble. Join Lola and her mum as they pack their rucksacks and set off on a thrilling trip to Egypt on the trail of auntie Flo. Will they be able to piece together the evidence to find her? This humorous mystery story was written by Ciaran Murtagh.

Lime Plus/Band 11+ books provide challenging plots and vocabulary as well as opportunities to practise inference, prediction and reading stamina.

Pages 46 and 47 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall.

Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.


Moon Base Beta

by Ciaran Murtagh

Published 10 January 2022

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available.

Brian Claxon is blasting off to Moon Base Beta. Armed only with an intergalactic space mop, it's his job to keep the space station tidy while the real astronauts do the important work. However, when there's an emergency with the oxygen supply and all the astronauts are left unconscious, it's time for Brian to prove his worth.

Ruby/Band 14 books give increasing opportunities for children to develop their skills of inference and deduction.

A reader response page provides lots of opportunities for speaking and listening and scaffolding writing.

Text type: A science fiction story

Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities


Roman Life in Britain

by Ciaran Murtagh

Published 2 May 2016
Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right level

When the Roman Emperor Claudius invaded in 43 AD, life for people in Britain changed – a lot! This book will show you how people in Roman Britain lived, travelled, ate, dressed and even washed themselves. You’ll also find out why the Romans came to Britain in the first place – and why they had to leave in the end.

  • Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina.
  • Text type – An information book.
  • The book is organised into short chapters to help children practise the skills of locating and identifying important information.
  • The glossary and index on pages 30 and 31 can be used to develop children's information retrieval skills further.
  • Curriculum links – History

The Great Piñata Mystery

by Ciaran Murtagh

Published 11 January 2021

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.

It’s Lucas’s birthday party and the whole family are looking forward to the lunchtime piñata. But when the piñata is opened, it’s found to be empty! Who had the opportunity to steal the sweets and who has an alibi? There are plenty of clues and some red herrings too. Follow Lucas as he embarks on an investigation into who stole the sweets and why. Can he get to the bottom of the mystery or will his birthday be ruined? This exciting and humorous mystery story is written by Ciaran Murtagh.

Lime Plus/Band 11+ books provide challenging plots and vocabulary as well as opportunities to practise inference, prediction and reading stamina.

Pages 46 and 47 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall.

Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.