The Snow Queen

by Lesley Sims

Published 27 August 2004
A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale about the wicked Snow Queen’s attempt to kidnap a boy in the frozen north. Beautifully and atmospherically illustrated by Alan Marks, winner of the Carnegie Medal. Part of Young Reading Series 2 for readers growing in confidence. Also available with an audio CD with a dramatic listen-along recording with music and sound effects, followed by a read-along version with prompts for page turns.

The Story of Castles

by Lesley Sims

Published 1 April 2004
The fascinating history of castles told for children just beginning to read growing in reading confidence and ability. Explains in a lively way why castles were first built, what it was like to live in one, and the cunning tricks used to defend them. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton. Also available with an audio CD with a dramatic listen-along recording with music and sound effects, followed by a read-along version with prompts for page turns.


Christmas Around the World

by Lesley Sims

Published 1 September 2006
Christmas customs, festive food, present-giving, songs and traditional stories from around the world with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading alone. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

Intended for beginner readers, these stories about dragons are written in simple text for readers who have, or are gaining confidence in reading alone.

Stories of Castles

by Lesley Sims

Published 28 April 2006
These two titles from the hugely successful "Usborne Young Reading" series are each accompanied by a captivating CD or cassette, bringing the books to life with lively music, song, dramatic sound effects and highly entertaining readings. Each title is vividly illustrated, and is clearly laid out with speech bubbles to aid the narrative flow. The audio CDs and cassettes allow children to follow the text, while constantly improving their reading skills. The "Usborne Young Reading" series was developed in conjunction with educational experts at the University of Surrey.