The Long House in Danger

Collins have added a further batch of titles to their recently launched 'Reading is Fun' series for learner readers. In my view only one, Wise Dog, lives up to the maxim for the series: Vernon and his mother are at odds as the pair hurriedly prepare to leave the house in the morning. They are watched by Rumble, the family dog who wisely lies low and in turn helps Vernon to dispel his mother's temper as well as getting more than his fill of breakfast. Rumble's expressions tell a great deal of the story and help readers to anticipate what is going to happen.

Isn't it Time? is a frenetic dash through the school day ending with a party and a birthday watch. I found both the rhyming text and the pictures far too busy.

Olaf the Viking features in the other two titles, both told in rhyme which I feel learner readers may well find less than helpful. Each comprises a series of four line stanzas with two, three, four and never more than five words per line.

This structure whilst appearing simple needs an experienced reader if it is not to sound awkward and stilted. The realistic and historically accurate pictures contain a great deal of incidental information about the period and these to me are the strongest feature of the books.