In a world where those with M.E. are often disbelieved and overlooked, this story stemmed from Sally's desire to introduce readers to this illness at an early age. Though Sally has to spend most of her time resting at home, Hercules - her wheelchair - is her noble steed on mini adventures further afield. She was keen to show ambulatory wheelchair-users exist, not least so she could stand up without feeling like a fraud. Best of all, being able to include a three-legged dog sidekick based on Sally's own canine companion is the highlight of her career so far. Sonny was diagnosed with M.E in 2023, after years of not understanding the cause of their fatigue, and along with other disabilities they've had since childhood, the need for representation became more important. They believe giving non-disabled children the chance to see disability in a neutral or positive light can help combat bullying in childhood and prejudice in later life.
Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available. When Max uncovers a burglary at the beach, he must foil the thieves and their feathered fiend before his family are caught up in danger. But will Monty his dog help save the day or derail the mission entirely? Diamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view. Pages 54 and 55 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.