Book excerpt: Book Band: Turquoise (Ideal for ages 6+) A delightful retelling of a classic story with a twist, ideal for children practising their reading at home or in school. The little swan is not quite like his brothers and sisters. He's small and brown and just doesn't fit in. So he sets off alone into the big, wide world. Will the ugly little swan find a friend? Will he discover who he truly is? This heartwarming fairytale with a twist from well-known author James Riordan is perfect for children who are learning to read by themselves and for Key Stage 1. It features engaging illustrations from Brendan Kearney and quirky characters young readers will find hard to resist. _______________ Bloomsbury Young Readers are the perfect way to get children reading, with book-banded stories by brilliant authors like Julia Donaldson. The series is ideal for both home and school, with gorgeous colour illustrations, tips for parents, and fun activity ideas. Online guided reading and teaching notes, written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), are available at bloomsburyreaders.com. 'Every child needs a Bloomsbury Young Reader. Fun, stretching, just the right length, full of adventurous vocabulary and punctuation.' - Julie-Ann McCulloch, Teacher