Darkus's dad has disappeared - but his new friend, a giant beetle called Baxter, is some consolation. Together, boy and beetle set out to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. But Lucretia Cutter - a fashion designer with a penchant for beetle jewellery - is dead set against their success ...

Open this story and begin to see the world through the eyes of a bug. Not just any bug but Billy the Roly-Poly Rain beetle. This fable-like tale is about the adventures of a captured beetle who saves the backyard from greedy grasshopper vandals using nothing but gentle persuasion. Billy the Roly- Poly Bug is part diplomat, part adventurer, who uses his clever speech to convince the grasshopper bullies to leave the underground for the joys of jumping and fl ying in the sky of the over-world where he has lived. Come see how the Beetle and a fast footed Podiferous the Centipede save the day! Recommended for ages 3 and up.

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Billy has lost his little beetle and enlists a whole motley crew of people and animals to help him find it. The fun is made even greater by pull out pages and children will enjoy spotting the wayward beetle on every page.

This book contains clear chapter objectives, suggestions for further reading on each topic and a glossary explaining key terms that the new or trainee teacher will need to understand. The authors have all taught English in the primary setting, are experienced teacher trainers and respected practitioners in their own specialist fields.

The primary purpose of this book is to provide a resource of over 800 predictable trade books, along with suggestions for their use. In Part I you'll find some definitions of terms associated with predictable literature. You'll also find some specific reasons and suggestions for using and innovating on predictable books as well as ideas for ways to use this book.

Based on a episode of the "Kipper" television show, Kipper and Tiger launch a remote control rocket--with Sock Thing as the astronaut! Full-color illustrations.

Praise for 3rd edition: 'Experienced practitioners and students will find a host of new ideas to help them create interesting environments and starting points to promote young children's learning.' - Early Years Update, April 2009 'Planning for Children's Play and Learning includes practical guidance and ideas on creating stimulating learning environments indoors and outdoors, planning exciting learning experiences.' - Early Years Update, September 2009 This new edition of Planning for Children’s Play and Learning has been fully updated to reflect the revised Early Years Foundation Stage and in line with current policy and practice. It recognises the importance of play as a context for teaching, learning and assessment and links theory with practical examples to show practitioners how they can best support the children in their care. With new material on learning stories, language development, ICT and the home learning environment, the book includes practical guidance and ideas on: • creating stimulating learning environments indoors and out • planning exciting focus activities and experiences • responding to children’s individual interests and supporting personalised learning • sound observational practice and how to assess children’s learning and development within the EYFS framework • developing genuine partnerships with parents and learning links with home. Incorporating ‘Key Points for Good Practice’ within each chapter, and direct links to the EYFS, this is a key text for all practitioners working with children in the later stages of the EYFS. It is also ideal for students pursuing Qualified Teacher Status in the Early Years and EYT Status, and for those enrolled in courses in Early Childhood Studies and Foundation Degrees in Early Years.

This practical book is packed with tried-and-tested activities which draw on popular stories and rhymes, and use everyday materials and objects to help young children develop their understanding and enjoyment of mathematical concepts. By relating ideas of number, shape, size and pattern to everyday contexts, stories and experiences, Exploring Maths through Stories and Rhymes improves confidence, increases understanding and develops children’s desire to engage with maths. Offering a range of creative and exciting activities to encourage hands-on learning and discussion, chapters: include a range of step-by-step activities which are easily adapted to varying needs, ages and abilities use popular stories and nursery rhymes as a way of engaging children with mathematical thinking show how inexpensive, everyday materials can be used to encourage learning include full colour photographs, photocopiable materials, vocabulary lists and key questions to help the reader get the most out of the ideas described This practical text will be a go-to resource for early years practitioners and students looking to adopt a creative approach to early years mathematics.