Devising an early reader isn’t an easy process, which is why publishing houses often work with best-selling children’s authors. ‘The younger your audience, the harder it is to write in a really good quality literary style,’ explains Prue. ‘An author can spend hours and hours on a sentence of just 10 words.’ This classic madcap tale was the first ever early reader, published in 1957, and is a must-read for every primary-school child. Early readers also help to boost confidence. ‘Learning to read is a bit like learning to ride a bike,’ Prue explains. ‘At this stage, children are wobbling along. They want to do it, but they’re very vulnerable, and the worst thing you can do is keep giving them increasingly difficult books that challenge them too much. Children need quality writing in an accessible style where they can read most of the words with ease.’ Does your heart sink when you open your child’s school bag and pull out yet another Biff, Chip and Kipper book?

Horrid Henry Early Readers By Francesca Simon — Books2Door Horrid Henry Early Readers By Francesca Simon — Books2Door

In each interactive tutorial, our digital teacher explains the method, shows you examples and then gives you a chance to practise what you've learned. Find out more. A comical tale of Timothy, who sets out to disprove his sisters’ theory that all boys are rubbish at cooking, with lovely traditional illustrations – perfect for reading together. Part of a multi-level reading programme, these sci-fi early readers from Dorling Kindersley are available for beginner, early, developing and fluent readers. All aspects of the films are covered, with fantastic facts to pore over as well as stories to get lost in. Early readers – also referred to as first readers – are stepping stones from picture books and reading scheme books to longer chapter books. They’re carefully developed to tell a great story, but in a format that children are able to read and enjoy by themselves, using familiar vocabulary and appealing illustrations.Pete is desperate for a pet mouse, but his parents keep saying no. Will they notice if he secretly keeps one in his tree house? A heart-warming story from the king of animal authors.

Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon : Francesca Simon : Free Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon : Francesca Simon : Free

Frosty Freeze, the best ice cream makers ever, are having a Best Snowman Competition – and the prize is a year’s supply of free ice cream. Ladybird's Read it Yourself series is a levelled reading book series (70 books, 4 levels). As well as classic fairy tales and adapsted Beatrix potter stories you can choose from modern stories and favourite characters (Charlie and Lola, Moshi Monsters) for your child. An app and eBook versions are also available.All illustrations are taken from books written by Francesca Simon, and published by Orion Children’s Books or Profile Books. I’m not on social media but just wanted to reach out and say I have been recommending you to everyone I know, with kids of course!