This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE)

Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills.

Fantastic stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child’s reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure. This retelling of the original fairytale is suitable for children aged 5-7, or those reading at book band Orange.

Mary Auld

Mary Auld is a writer of children’s information books, working over a broad range of subjects. She has been actively involved in music from an early age, both singing and playing the flute, on an amateur basis. She loves making music in a group, be that in an orchestra or a choir. Whether making music or writing children’s books, her aim is to share her enthusiasm and inspire readers. Mary Auld is a pen name for Rachel Cooke, who is an honorary fellow of the English Association, in recognition of her editorial work in children’s non-fiction.

Natalia Gubanova

Natalia is a children’s book illustrator with an eye for detail. She has had a great passion for drawing since her early childhood, and after graduating in Graphic Design, she chose her path in children’s illustration. In her work, she enjoys playing around with colours, creating characters and telling stories. When she is not busy drawing, she enjoys spending time with her Pom dog and going for a run or swim.