Parade of the Pipers: Band 15/Emerald (Collins Big Cat) Richard O'Neill 9780008541774

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. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available.

When a group of Travelling recyclers agree to tidy up a town, their methods of working, their music and stories have a huge impact on the residents making them examine their lives.

Emerald/Band 15 books provide a widening range of genres including science fiction and biography, prompting more ways to respond to texts.

Pages 46 and 47 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.

Richard O'Neill is an author who grew up in a traditional nomadic Romani family, many of whom were recyclers as well as being talented musicians and storytellers. This story of outsiders who help the townspeople in a number of different ways has allowed him to show the many potential benefits of listening to and learning from those who are different to us.

Michelle Russell's heritage and culture of Travelling Showmen has been inspirational to her work as an author. Writing Parade of the Pipers with Richard evoked memories of family members up-cycling and fixing things that other people might have just thrown away.

As a teacher, junk modelling and recycling were also a daily activity that the children and Michelle would explore. As a busy Mam and Nana, this story also shares a message that however busy we are, we also need to relax and enjoy the time we have with others.