Blog : Books

It was a special day for the Year 2 children at Hurst Hill Primary School this morning after they returned from their half-term break. During the school assembly the story of Hercules the Hippo, a tale created when they were in Year 1, was presented as a published book for every child in the school to enjoy. Volunteers from the now Year 2 class helped to act out the story in front of the entire school which everyone enjoyed.

Hercules the Hippo is the school’s mascot but no one was quite sure how a large hippo had made it all the way to Paul Street in Coseley from Africa. That was until the children’s imagination was set free and the story unfolded. Watch out J.K Rowling is all we have to say and who would have thought that one year group would have so many talented actors!

Each class has received a copy of the book and every child from Year 2 received their own copy to take home and share with friends and family. Don’t panic, you can still get your hands on a free digital version of the story by visiting this link.

Hercules the Hippo

Mother Nature asks a little boy to do a very important job. He helps the animals, insects and birds settle into their new homes and makes lots of friends in the Mystical Woodland. But when he looks at the night sky he realises there’s something missing. One day a friendly litterbug gets lost and changes his world forever!

We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone at George Betts Primary Academy and a special thanks to all of the parents who helped bring this story to life in 12 languages so that it can be enjoyed by all of the children at the school. This was a fabulous project to work on and this story helped us create a new outdoor learning space inspired by the story. Download the story in the language of your choice by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

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[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_English.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (English)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Arabic.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Arabic)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Chinese.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Chinese)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_French.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (French)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Hindi.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Hindi)[/button]

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[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Italian.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Italian)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Polish.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Polish)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Punjabi.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Punjabi)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Romanian.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Romanian)[/button]

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[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Russian.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Russian)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Somali.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Somali)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Spanish.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Spanish)[/button]

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/The_Mystical_Woodland_Urdu.zip” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download (Urdu)[/button]

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One day the peaceful and happy life of Hercules the Hippo changes forever. Mysterious men kidnap his Mother and take her to a faraway land. Will he ever see her again?

Hercules is guided by his friend the Crow on an epic journey across the desert, mountains and the sea but sadly he arrives too late. With the help of new friends, Hercules is able to heal his broken heart and find happiness again.

Our books are produced and published as part of creative learning projects with young children. They are available as free downloads and also as printed paperbacks making them great Teacher resources for your Primary School. Creating a book is a great cross curricular enrichment opportunity and often the idea becomes a platform for bigger schemes of work.

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/HERCULES%20THE%20HIPPO.pdf” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download[/button]

Following the Autumn Equinox people around the world organise and participate in happenings, events and festivals that illuminate and celebrate their world.

Through the Autumn term children at Kingsland Primary School were inspired by light and expressed their creativity with music, visual arts and poetry.

They explored the light of the universe and the light inside themselves and created original poetry that helped them radiate and share their light.

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/LightPoems.pdf” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download[/button]

Spider liked her independence and was very happy scuttling around in the moss and climbing tall trees. One day she began to lose her grip and tumbled into a deep, dark place. As she struggled alone to get back on to her feet she discovered, with the help of a Rabbit, that she had a rare talent for breakdancing. Word spread quickly as Bee buzzed around and organised a dance class with quite astonishing results!

This quirky story written in verse is inspired by those unforeseen events (that happen to everybody) that often turn into very happy accidents. It celebrates the joy of spontaneity and how we enjoy ourselves the most when we least expect it.

This story was created as part of a creative learning project with Green Meadow Primary School. Like the story itself the story making workshop was spontaneous, unpredictable and great fun! The children used the story as inspiration for a sculptural installation (of a breakdancing spider!) that will inspire spontaneous and unpredictable outdoor learning.

Our books are produced and published as part of creative learning projects with young children. They are available as free downloads and also as printed paperbacks making them great Teacher resources for your Primary School. Creating a book is a great cross curricular enrichment opportunity and often the idea becomes a platform for bigger schemes of work.

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/THE%20HAPPY%20ACCIDENT.pdf” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download[/button]

Owl didn’t know how to make friends and swooping down to the Woodland floor was creating the wrong impression. Owl seemed destined to spend a very special day alone.

Fortunately for Owl, Spider was a very good listener. Spider had been watching Owl and decided to spring into action to help. Displaying Superhero powers Spider planned a surprise that helped Owl’s Birthday Wish come true!

A delightful story that will help young children think about how they can communicate when they would like to make and retain friends. The beautifully drawn characters inspire creative discussion and activities for children in Foundation Stage and KS1.

Our books are produced and published as part of creative learning projects with young children. They are available as free downloads and also as printed paperbacks making them great Teacher resources for your Primary School. Creating a book is a great cross curricular enrichment opportunity and often the idea becomes a platform for bigger schemes of work.

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/THE%20BIRTHDAY%20WISH.pdf” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download[/button]

Yellow Ladybird loves nothing more than wandering in the Woodland smelling beautiful flowers. One day his friends fly off without him leaving him stranded and in need of help.

Caterpillar comes to the rescue and promises to help Yellow ladybird to fly. But Caterpillar disappeared and Yellow Ladybird was very worried, but with the help of the Woodland creatures Yellow Ladybird witnesses some natural magic and is soon soaring in the sky with his friends.

This delightful story introduces Woodland creatures to young children and presents the amazing transformation of the Caterpillar into a Butterfly in a humorous and informative way.

Our books are produced and published as part of creative learning projects with young children. They are available as free downloads and also as printed paperbacks making them great Teacher resources for your Primary School. Creating a book is a great cross curricular enrichment opportunity and often the idea becomes a platform for bigger schemes of work.

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/MELLOW%20YELLOW.pdf” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download[/button]

One day a small dinosaur called Terry set off on his way to Broomwood Primary for his first day at school but he is unsure of which way to go.  Fortunately he meets Rex who can show him the way. On his journey he meets lots of dinosaurs also on their way to school. All of a sudden an earthquake presents the group of friends with a problem. Will they make it to school on time?

This delightful story introduces dinosaurs to young children and shows us that things aren’t always as they seem and that great things can come from small packages.

Our books are produced and published as part of creative learning projects with young children. They are available as free downloads and also as printed paperbacks making them great Teacher resources for your Primary School. Creating a book is a great cross curricular enrichment opportunity and often the idea becomes a platform for bigger schemes of work.

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/TERRYS%20FIRST%20DAY.pdf” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download[/button]

Our latest book sees a breakdancing Spider inspire a flashmob!….Spider liked her independence and was very happy scuttling around in the moss and climbing tall trees. One day she began to lose her grip and tumbled into a deep, dark place. As she struggled alone to get back on to her feet she discovered, with the help of a Rabbit, that she had a rare talent for breakdancing. Word spread quickly as Bee buzzed around and organised a dance class with quite astonishing results!

This quirky story written in verse is inspired by those unforeseen events (that happen to everybody) that often turn into very happy accidents. It celebrates the joy of spontaneity and how we enjoy ourselves the most when we least expect it.

This story was created as part of a creative learning project with Green Meadow Primary School. Like the story itself the story making workshop was spontaneous, unpredictable and great fun! The children used the story as inspiration for a sculptural installation (of a breakdancing spider!) that will inspire spontaneous and unpredictable outdoor learning.

Our books are produced and published as part of creative learning projects with young children. They are available as free downloads and also as printed paperbacks making them great Teacher resources for your Primary School. Creating a book is a great cross curricular enrichment opportunity and often the idea becomes a platform for bigger schemes of work.

[button link=”http://www.universallearningltd.com/book/THE%20HAPPY%20ACCIDENT.pdf” button bgColor=”#333333″ hoverBgColor=”#4a236a”]Download[/button]