Chi is a panda who loves to listen.

Being silent brings sounds to her ears: the swish of bamboo, the chitter of birds, and then one day, a new sound, gentle and sweet. The sound leads Chi to a boy, who blows breath through a piece of bamboo. Chi is enchanted and longs to make friends, but she is shy and hides instead.

As the boy searches for Chi and mist gathers in the forest, she must find the courage to help him-even if it means being seen…

A lyrical story from award-winning author Corrinne Averiss with beautiful illustrations from Fiona Woodcock, whose evocative and ethereal illustrations perfectly beautifully capture the remote landscape of the panda’s misty forest world. An ideal gift for young children to learn about the joy of making friends, the beauty of nature and the transformative power of music.

The post A Song in the Mist appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

The Fourth book in the The Legend of Kevin series from creative powerhouse Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre.

Max and his best friend Kevin, the only roly-poly flying pony in Bumbleford, decide to enter the Magical Pony Club Steeplechase. Kevin is not particularly keen, as the other participants are all unicorns, and everybody knows that unicorns are quite snobby. But biscuits are promised, and Kevin wants to make Max proud.

As the competition heats up, our inseparable duo uncovers a conspiracy to steal the precious Periwinkle Cup. Max and Kevin will have to intervene to stop the thieves and retrieve the stolen trophy.

The post Kevin vs the Unicorns appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

Ali and Tulip know all about being medics. They know something about being detectives too, which is a good job because there’s a new case that needs their skills.

A fun fresh take on the detective genre, full of excitement, humour, and medical know-how!

The post A Double Detectives Medical Mystery: Diagnosis Danger appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

Welcome to another brilliantly quirky adventure story from creative powerhouse Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre.

Bumbleford has been hit by a series of biscuit thefts. All the clues lead straight to the only roly-poly flying pony in town, and Max’s best friend, KEVIN! Max and Kevin are forced to go on the run. Will they find the °ù±ð²¹±ôÌýculprit before Kevin ends up in pony prison?

Book talk

Share your first responses to this book, before talking about key feelings and questions.

Open questions to get you started:

• What did you like best in this book?
• What do you remember most?
• What didn’t you like?

Then talk about the story in more detail:

• Was this book what you expected?
• Did you read it straight through, or did it take a while?
• What age person do you think would like this book best? Why?
• What did you think of the characters? – the people and the robots! Who is your favourite? Why?
• Astra’s request for ‘the Ultimate Cake’ has scary results! What lesson do we learn from this?!
• What did you think of the way everything turned out? Had you worked out what might happen? How?

More from Oxford Owl

• Reading and comprehension for age 7–8
• Reading for pleasure

The post Kevin and the Biscuit Bandit: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

Maidservants, Mystery, and Murder!

Everyone’s favourite housemaid-detective is back! Now Nancy has a new job working at Oxcoombe Grange. It’s great except for one thing – Nancy is convinced the house is haunted!

Ella Otter, now a reluctant pupil at nearby Seabourne Grammar School for Girls, demands a scientific investigation. Together, Nancy and Ella set out to do some spooky snooping, and to uncover the mysteries of the Grange’s cellars. But in doing so they make a few enemies, discover a few surprising secrets, and put themselves into a little more danger than they were bargaining for . . .

A funny and energetic middle-grade mystery, narrated part in the third person and part through Nancy’s illustrated journal. Perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow.

The post Nancy Parker’s Spooky Speculations appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

A heart-warming story about the enduring power of friendship.

Lenny the rabbit is resting beside a pond when he spots a little fish all by herself. They play together, but will they be able to stay friends when rabbits live on land, and fish live in water? With fun to read aloud rhyming text and lovely illustrations from Paula Metcalf, this is a celebration of the enduring power of special friendships.

Talking about the book

Sharing this book is a great opportunity to talk about friendship. Here are some questions you could ask:

• What does it mean to be a good friend?
• Why do you think friends are important?
• Has a friend ever upset you? Why did they upset you?
• Would you rather have 100 okay friends or 5 really good friends?
• Why is it important to be friends with people who live in different places or look different to us?

More from Oxford Owl

• Early reading skills
• More picture books

The post Lenny Makes a Wish appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

A fox and a hen. One is a dark horse!

A greedy fox who lives up on a hill gazes down at a plump hen. He watches her eat and eat and each day she becomes plumper still. So the fox decides to wait for her to fatten up before he sneaks down to farm in search of his meal. In doing so, he gets thinner and thinner.

When the hen is so big that only her enormous head can be seen squeezing out of her coop, the skinny, desperate fox runs down the hill to gobble her up. But this is a story with a very unexpected ending . . .

A thrilling cautionary tale with a terrific twist that encourages repeated readings and audience participation!

The post Hungry Hen appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

Empowering words that help children to express their emotions.

This little book on Doing Your Best is part of an exciting series exploring big topics with young children in a way that feels good.

Using carefully chosen words and phrases, such as ‘aim high’ and ‘teamwork’, it creates a special moment for grown-ups and young children to focus on what it means to be a do your best and be proud of yourself.

Children can discover and understand new words to help them to talk about the ups and downs of first experiences and new emotions with confidence.

The engaging art style, fun characters and hardback picture book feel make this series accessible and perfect to share.

Each book includes reassuring tips on how to enjoy these books, encourage conversation and build language confidence. This series is special not only because it focuses on feelings in a child-friendly way, but also because it’s from Oxford, it’s packed with educational goodness that helps children develop and grow.

Build language confidence
Engaging picture books with handpicked words to help young children talk about the ups and downs of first experiences and new emotions with confidence.

Packed with educational goodness
Using 51ºÚÁÏÍø’s language expertise, these deliver big and small words to help children develop and grow.

Perfect for sharing and reading together
Picture book rhythm with fun illustrations and engaging narrative flow, helping grown-ups and young children talk together in a gently supportive way.

Get more from the books
Includes ideas at the back of the book to help grown-ups talk about feelings with children and an age-appropriate glossary to help children understand more challenging words.

‘I love these books (and so do my sons!). Not only are they beautifully illustrated but the content is pitched just right for having rich conversations with young children about values like kindness and bravery. These books will be a great resource for teachers and parents alike, helping them equip their children with the vocabulary they’ll need to understand and express their emotions better.’ – Adrian Bethune, Teachappy

More from Oxford Owl

• Vocabulary: tips for building vocabulary at home
• Series page: Big Words for Little People

The post Big Words for Little People Doing Your Best appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

Empowering words that help children to express their emotions.

This little book on Happiness is part of an exciting new series exploring big topics with young children in a way that feels good.

Using carefully chosen words and phrases, such as ‘laugh’ and ‘good mood’, it creates a special moment for grown-ups and young children to focus on what it means to be happy and to experience both happy and sad feelings.

Children can discover and understand new words to help them to talk about the ups and downs of first experiences and new emotions with confidence.

The engaging art style, fun characters and hardback picture book feel make this series accessible and perfect to share.

Each book includes reassuring tips on how to enjoy these books, encourage conversation and build language confidence. This series is special not only because it focuses on feelings in a child-friendly way, but also because it’s from Oxford, it’s packed with educational goodness that helps children develop and grow.

Build language confidence
Engaging picture books with handpicked words to help young children talk about the ups and downs of first experiences and new emotions with confidence.

Packed with educational goodness
Using 51ºÚÁÏÍø’s language expertise, these deliver big and small words to help children develop and grow.

Perfect for sharing and reading together
Picture book rhythm with fun illustrations and engaging narrative flow, helping grown-ups and young children talk together in a gently supportive way.

Get more from the books
Includes ideas at the back of the book to help grown-ups talk about feelings with children and an age-appropriate glossary to help children understand more challenging words.

‘I love these books (and so do my sons!). Not only are they beautifully illustrated but the content is pitched just right for having rich conversations with young children about values like kindness and bravery. These books will be a great resource for teachers and parents alike, helping them equip their children with the vocabulary they’ll need to understand and express their emotions better.’ – Adrian Bethune, Teachappy

More from Oxford Owl

• Vocabulary: tips for building vocabulary at home
• Series page: Big Words for Little People

The post Big Words for Little People Happiness appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

One girl, four bunnies, and a wonderful dancing adventure!

Millie’s class have gone to the theatre to watch real ballerinas dance! But where can the Ballet Bunnies be? Will Millie be able to find them before the curtain rises? With a Ballet Bunny on your side, fun and laughter are never far away. Beautifully-illustrated stories with heart; perfect for newly emerging readers who love ballet and bunnies!

‘A must for small ballet fans.’ – The Guardian

More from Oxford Owl

The post Ballet Bunnies: The Lost Slipper appeared first on Oxford Owl for 51ºÚÁÏÍø.