I Spy, Pancakes and Pies; Bad Boys and Naughty Girls; Silly Sons and Dozy Daughters; Ugly Dogs and Slimy Frogs; Greedy Guts and Belly Busters; If Wishes Were Fishes

This series consists of a selection of European folktales retold very competently, in a form easily accessible to newly-independent readers. Repetitive refrains, accumulative stories, and well-patterned language, plus clear print and many illustrations, make these an excellent choice both for reading aloud and for children at that notoriously difficult stage in the reading journey.

The origin of each story is explained at the end of the volume, and suggestions are given for other stories with a similar theme, including publishing details. These stories will be useful in Literacy Hour work in Year 1 and 2, and the interest level will take them beyond that for independent reading. Of the illustrations I preferred those by Peter Bailey, but all were competent.

The books' catchy titles are a mite confusing - though the titles of the individual stories within are shown on the back cover - and why explain that 'Twice Upon a Time' means two stories in one book? However, these are well worth adding to your class library.