Collins Big Cat - Saving Anwen: Big Cat Read On

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?

About 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.

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.

Collins Big Cat is a whole-school reading programme that provides complete support for primary reading. Children will become fluent readers through hundreds of high-quality fiction and non-fiction banded books by award-winning authors and illustrators. In-depth teaching resources support you in developing and assessing key reading skills at all stages from early reading through to phonics, to guided, whole-class and independent reading for more confident readers.

RRP: £7.99

Imprint

Collins

ISBN

978-0-00-874483-0

Publication Date

28-04-2025

Format

Paperback

Pages

96 pages

Dimensions

129x198mm

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?

About 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.

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.

Collins Big Cat is a whole-school reading programme that provides complete support for primary reading. Children will become fluent readers through hundreds of high-quality fiction and non-fiction banded books by award-winning authors and illustrators. In-depth teaching resources support you in developing and assessing key reading skills at all stages from early reading through to phonics, to guided, whole-class and independent reading for more confident readers.

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

96 pages

Dimensions

129x198mm

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?

About 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.

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.

Collins Big Cat is a whole-school reading programme that provides complete support for primary reading. Children will become fluent readers through hundreds of high-quality fiction and non-fiction banded books by award-winning authors and illustrators. In-depth teaching resources support you in developing and assessing key reading skills at all stages from early reading through to phonics, to guided, whole-class and independent reading for more confident readers.

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.