Colly's Barn: A Captivating Chapter Book About the Secret Wisdom of Animals

by Michael Morpurgo, Ian Andrew (Illustrator)

A beautifully crafted chapter book by former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo. Perfect for children learning to read. Annie's father is going to knock down the old barn and build a new one. What will happen to Colly the swallow and all the other birds and animals that live there? Annie is worried about their safety. But one night something amazing happens and she realises that the birds are wiser than she could ever have imagined … The Reading Ladder series helps children to enjoy learning to read. It features well-loved authors, classic characters and favourite topics, so that children will find something to excite and engage them in every title they pick up. It’s the first step towards a lasting love of reading. Level 3 Reading Ladder titles are perfect for fluent readers who are beginning to read exciting, challenging stories independently. Varied sentences Detailed illustrations to enjoy Chapters Interesting characters and themes A rich range of vocabulary More complex storylines to stretch confident readers All Reading Ladder titles are developed with a leading literacy consultant, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents keen to support their children’s reading. For more information about the series and advice on supporting children’s reading, www.egmont.co.uk/readingladder Book White. Michael Morpurgo's book 'There Once is a Queen' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 06-06-2022.

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Hwee Goh]

Michael Morpugo has done it again. This is a heartwarming story of friendship, loyalty and sacrifice. My copy comes as an non-intimidating picture book that's part of a 20-book collection of books from the Egmont blue/red/yellow banana series. It's actually quite wordy and split into chapters so it makes a good transition for a child on his or her way to becoming a confident reader. For ages 7-9.

[Sylvia]

Nice little book for grade 2,3.

[Sam]

Cute little children’s book!