Big Cat Read On - Saving Anwen

Paperback

I’m at Denbigh Castle with Mum and her boyfriend Andrew. It’s cold and wet, but I’m here because I need “closure”, apparently. Grandad died two weeks ago, and Andrew gave Anwen, the falcon Grandad cared for, to his friend Rhys who owns Fantastic Falcons. Rhys and his falcons are here at the castle, so this is where I get to see Anwen one last time. I’ve had to say goodbye to Grandad, but why should I have to say goodbye to Anwen as well?

Ask the author and Book talk questions invite the reader to think more deeply about the themes in the book and reflect on their reading experience. Online lesson plans provide guidance in using this book in a range of settings, including independent, social and whole-class reading – all designed to support the reader to connect with the book and encourage a positive attitude to reading.

Big Cat Read On supports fluent readers to improve their reading skills and nurture a love of reading. Consisting of a wide range of engaging chapter books, the Big Cat Read On series improves reading stamina and comprehension, develops vocabulary, and introduces children to more sophisticated narrative structures and themes.

RRP: £7.99

Imprint

Collins

ISBN

978-0-00-874483-0

Publication Date

28-04-2025

Format

Paperback

Pages

112 pages

Dimensions

130x198mm

Product Description

I’m at Denbigh Castle with Mum and her boyfriend Andrew. It’s cold and wet, but I’m here because I need “closure”, apparently. Grandad died two weeks ago, and Andrew gave Anwen, the falcon Grandad cared for, to his friend Rhys who owns Fantastic Falcons. Rhys and his falcons are here at the castle, so this is where I get to see Anwen one last time. I’ve had to say goodbye to Grandad, but why should I have to say goodbye to Anwen as well?

Ask the author and Book talk questions invite the reader to think more deeply about the themes in the book and reflect on their reading experience. Online lesson plans provide guidance in using this book in a range of settings, including independent, social and whole-class reading – all designed to support the reader to connect with the book and encourage a positive attitude to reading.

Big Cat Read On supports fluent readers to improve their reading skills and nurture a love of reading. Consisting of a wide range of engaging chapter books, the Big Cat Read On series improves reading stamina and comprehension, develops vocabulary, and introduces children to more sophisticated narrative structures and themes.

Author

Oliver Sykes, Illustrated by Ian Morris, Prepared for publication by Collins Big Cat

Oliver is an award-winning author, poet and writer/performer. He is also one of six kids, and was brought up on a council estate in rural Derbyshire, by his single-parent dad. When Oliver turned eight, his dad took him and his siblings to a Horse Fair where for the first time he encountered a peregrine falcon. Oliver was allowed to handle and fly the falcon, and ever since he has been a keen admirer of peregrine falcons. This memory played a big part in the creation of Saving Anwen. Another big source of inspiration was Oliver's partner, Gwen. The couple moved to Denbigh, where the story is set, in 2023, and attended the annual Medieval Festival at Denbigh Castle, which features food stalls, displays, demonstrations, battle re-enactments and falconry. As they were walking along, Gwen said, “Wouldn’t this make an amazing setting for a children’s story?” Oliver looked around for a moment, said “Gwen, you’re a genius,” and the rest (as they say) is history.

Imprint

Collins

ISBN

978-0-00-874483-0

Publication Date

28-04-2025

Format

Paperback

Pages

112 pages

Dimensions

130x198mm

Product Description

I’m at Denbigh Castle with Mum and her boyfriend Andrew. It’s cold and wet, but I’m here because I need “closure”, apparently. Grandad died two weeks ago, and Andrew gave Anwen, the falcon Grandad cared for, to his friend Rhys who owns Fantastic Falcons. Rhys and his falcons are here at the castle, so this is where I get to see Anwen one last time. I’ve had to say goodbye to Grandad, but why should I have to say goodbye to Anwen as well?

Ask the author and Book talk questions invite the reader to think more deeply about the themes in the book and reflect on their reading experience. Online lesson plans provide guidance in using this book in a range of settings, including independent, social and whole-class reading – all designed to support the reader to connect with the book and encourage a positive attitude to reading.

Big Cat Read On supports fluent readers to improve their reading skills and nurture a love of reading. Consisting of a wide range of engaging chapter books, the Big Cat Read On series improves reading stamina and comprehension, develops vocabulary, and introduces children to more sophisticated narrative structures and themes.

Author

Oliver Sykes, Illustrated by Ian Morris, Prepared for publication by Collins Big Cat

Oliver is an award-winning author, poet and writer/performer. He is also one of six kids, and was brought up on a council estate in rural Derbyshire, by his single-parent dad. When Oliver turned eight, his dad took him and his siblings to a Horse Fair where for the first time he encountered a peregrine falcon. Oliver was allowed to handle and fly the falcon, and ever since he has been a keen admirer of peregrine falcons. This memory played a big part in the creation of Saving Anwen. Another big source of inspiration was Oliver's partner, Gwen. The couple moved to Denbigh, where the story is set, in 2023, and attended the annual Medieval Festival at Denbigh Castle, which features food stalls, displays, demonstrations, battle re-enactments and falconry. As they were walking along, Gwen said, “Wouldn’t this make an amazing setting for a children’s story?” Oliver looked around for a moment, said “Gwen, you’re a genius,” and the rest (as they say) is history.