In the "Variety Stage 8" books, Anne Adeney describes the adventures of Una the unicorn who helps the good Timberlins to avoid the mischief of the nasty Grumps, and Frances Usher tells the story of Moneypenny, the Yorkshire terrier, who is a small dog with very big ideas. Variety books provide a support and an extension of reading skills acquired from reading "Duck Green School Stories". They are divided into consolidation stories ("Una's Spelling Test", "Grizzlegrump's Revenge", "First Leaf Festival") and extension stories ("Moneypenny Goes Camping", "Moneypenny and the Pond", "Moneypenny's Big Walk"). They can be used for Shared or Guided Reading in the Literacy Hour.