The Drum Maker and the Aziza: Band 14/Ruby (Collins Big Cat) Sandra A. Agard 9780008541750

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.

A retelling of The Elves and the Shoemaker, set in an African kingdom many years ago.

Ayan is known as one of the best drum makers in the land. However, as the years pass, he struggles to make the beautiful instruments he's famous for. When the queen holds a competition to find the finest drums for the harvest festival, Ayan is disappointed. He has the right tools, materials and skills, but his hands no longer work the way they used to. Just as he thinks he won't be able to present his gift to the queen, Ayan receives some much-needed help from the Aziza ...

Ruby/Band 14 books give increasing opportunities for children to develop their skills of inference and deduction.

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.

The Drum Maker and the Aziza is set in a place still unknown to most of world and it counters the stereotype that Africa has no fairy tales. Charisma believes this book will resonate with many of its readers because it gives what most of us seem to lack when we are stuck at dead ends - a sense of hope.