This text examines the life cycle of a broad bean, and is one of a collection of titles which investigate the life cycles of a number of familiar plants and animals.

It is part of the "Take-Off" series, which is designed to be used with nine-year-olds who are struggling to achieve the levels of literacy expected of their age.

The titles chosen are based on best-selling titles within existing Heinemann Library series and meet all Key Stage 2 requirements for their subject area.The National Literacy Strategy emphasizes that children with special educational needs should work, wherever possible, with their peers within the Literacy Hour.

The aim is to use structured, intensive teaching to enable as many children as possible eventually to work at the appropriate level for their age.