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‘I can’t recommend these Early Readers highly enough’ The Merry Bookworm review!

Lorraine at The Merry Bookworm has posted a fab, very thoughtful review of some of our most recent Early Readers:

Regular visitors to the blog will know that I am a huge fan of Maverick’s Early Reader books. They are everything book-banded reading schemes should be (but are so often not…): full of entertaining, boldly-illustrated and inclusive stories, which not only help children to learn to read, but more importantly encourage reading for pleasure right from the outset. I was delighted, therefore, to receive some of the latest Early Reader releases from the lovely people at Maverick, albeit not as excited as my son, who literally whooped for joy when he opened the parcel and dived straight in…

The Little Green Monster by Jill Atkins and illustrated by Daniel Limon – Purple Band
This is a brilliantly entertaining and funny story, with the underlying message that while it’s good to try hard and do your best, it’s also OK to make mistakes. Aside from really enjoying the story, my son also loved the bold and expressive illustrations.

The Magic Music Box by Katie Dale and illustrated by Giovana Medeiros: Gold Band
With inclusive characterisation and a touch of magic and sparkle, this engaging story encourages children to persevere, follow their dreams and pay kindness forward. My daughter squirrelled this book away shortly after it arrived and it has remained in her room ever since. As she has been a ‘free reader’ for over a year now, it shows that these stories appeal to more confident readers too, not just to those on book-banded schemes.

The Coach, the Shoes and the Football by Katie Dale and illustrated by Ellie Oshea: Gold Band
The story is a clever, modern take on the Cinderella fairy tale, which will appeal to boys and girls alike. It also has a subtle, underlying message that it’s important to tell an adult you trust if you are not being treated kindly. 

The Time Train by Jenny Jinks and illustrated by Letizia Rizzo: White Band
We all loved this pacey, time-travelling adventure, with trips to the Stone Age, Ancient Egypt and the Future. It’s an exciting, action-packed story: both children loved spotting the ‘changes’ made to history and we had fun following the antics of Letizia Rizzo’s stowaway caveman!

The Detective Club: Buried Treasure! by Elizabeth Dale and illustrated by Kelly O’Neill: White Band
This is an entertaining and satisfying adventure story, with echoes of The Secret Seven. We enjoyed trying to figure out who was the perpetrator of the crime, and the children were very excited to eventually find out that it was a dastardly grown-up! It did make me smile when Hugo said, with a shake of his head, “Crime never pays, Mummy…”

If you are looking for book-banded stories for your children, then I can’t recommend these Early Readers highly enough.’

Thank you, Lorraine! Read the full review here and learn more about the whole scheme on our dedicated website here with free audio file and activity pack downloads and links to ordering these and other titles in the 100 title series.