"Songbirds" is a new Phonics series from "Oxford Reading Tree".

It comprises real stories written by the best-selling author of "The Gruffulo", Julia Donaldson.

All the stories are phonic stories that support the latest curriculum developments. "Oxford Reading Tree Songbirds" provide: fully decodable texts that build on pupils' phonic knowledge as they work through the 36 books over 6 stages; opportunities for segmenting, blending and matching sounds and letter blends; lively illustrations by a variety of artists; flexible activities that can be tailored to your phonic teaching; and an exciting interactive CD-ROM to accompany Stages 4-6.

Stage 6 titles practise the long vowel sounds made by these letters: "Tara's Party" - ar, a; "Paula the Vet" - or, au, aw, ore; "Where Were You Bert?" - er, ir, ur; "Clare and the Fair" - air, are, ear; "The Deer and the Earwig" - ear, eer, ere; and "Jack and the Giants" - ure, our.