It was Pirate Captain Codspawn’s birthday. But what was his birthday surprise? It wasn’t the beetles in the butter. It wasn’t the spiders in the sugar. And it wasn’t the special pirate pie that Cook had baked. But it was the best present a pirate could ever want!

A humorous story about Captain Codspawn’s birthday. • Series editor Cliff Moon is an acknowledged expert in teaching reading, with decades of experience, well known and trusted by teachers. • Collins has commissioned top children’s authors and illustrators to create guided reading books that children will love to read. • Highly stimulating illustrations in a variety of styles, from cartoon to photographs, are designed to engage young readers’ interest and imagination. • The highly visual books support developing literacy skills and provide a wealth of speaking and listening opportunities • Easily accessible teaching notes at your fingertips are included at the back of every reading book to support classroom management. • Special pages are provided at the end of the story to help teachers recap, check understanding and move on. Competition: Biff, Chip and Kipper

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. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.

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. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available. Collins Big Cat is a whole-school reading programme that provides complete support for primary reading. Children will become fluent readers through hundreds of high-quality fiction and non-fiction banded books by award-winning authors and illustrators. In-depth teaching resources support you in developing and assessing key reading skills at all stages from early reading through to phonics, to guided, whole-class and independent reading for more confident readers.