Attractive and well-illustrated ... There does seem to have been a genuine effort to find variety and the choice of writers is sure to satisfy curiosity about some old favourites and perhaps to introduce young readers to some new ones. -- Books for Keeps 20130701 For teachers and young project searchers these guides will make useful source material. -- The School Librarian 20030901 Informative, encouraging and well illustrated. -- TES Teacher 20050218 A lovely introduction ... A tempting read and useful in the home or library. -- Carousel 20040404

Originally a secondary English and drama teacher and subsequently a primary teacher, Nikki Gamble was Head of English Education at the School of Education at Anglia Polytechnic University before leaving to work as a freelance lecturer, writer and educations consultant. Her specialist teaching and research interests include children's literature, reader development and writing. She is secretary of the British Association of Lectureres in Children's Literature and a committee member on the UK Board on Books for Young People. She is a regular reviewer of children's fiction, contributing to The TES, Books for Keeps, the School Librarian. She has also been involved with the development of materials for the National Literacy Strategy and is currently working on a publication on guided reading for the Institute of Education, London and funded by the NLS.