Collins Arabic Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 3 to 11. The series is structured with reference to the learning progression of Arabic at nursery and primary schools researched especially for Collins. This carefully graded approach allows children to build up their reading knowledge of Arabic step by step.

Level 7 books include story lines with more episodes in time sequence, and may include imaginary happenings in the context of familiar experiences. There is still repetition but more variation in pattern and more new words are introduced than in lower levels. Non-fiction titles bring in simple non-fiction tools, such as diagrams, labels and captions. Additional vowel marks that encourage the flow of pronunciation are introduced at this level. Verbal sentences of up to 8-10 words with repeating and accessible actions appear at this level. Double spacing is used between words to ensure children see where each new word in a sentence begins and ends.

This imaginative journey round the world based on material by the poet James Carter recounts a journey to some exotic and far-flung locations. Anne Wilson's beautiful collage-style artwork captures the atmosphere of India, China and Africa. This book is the perfect springboard for discussion of travel, transport, other countries and cultures.

James Carter is a critically-acclaimed children's poet and writer-in-schools.