A shy boy finds refuge in a magical forest where he teams up with a wild, inventive girl and her pet wombat to outsmart a gang of bullies.
Adam Stower, an award-winning author and illustrator, introduces us to Ben Pole, a quiet boy who is constantly picked on by a bully named Monty. While trying to escape his tormentors, Ben discovers a hidden woodland world ruled by King Coo, a girl with a magnificent beard who lives in an elaborate treehouse with Herbert the wombat. The two become fast friends, using Coo’s wacky inventions—like catapults fueled by cow pats—to protect the forest from Monty and a suspicious pest controller. There are currently three books in this series, providing plenty of material for students to move through once they finish the first adventure.
This series is a fantastic pick for students who find long stretches of text intimidating. The pages are packed with energetic black-and-white drawings that help explain the action and the somewhat complicated gadgets Coo builds. Because the illustrations show exactly how characters feel or how a chase is unfolding, readers who are still building their English vocabulary won’t get lost. Using a series like this in class helps build momentum because the characters and the art style stay the same in every book. Once a student gets used to Ben’s voice and the layout of the woods in the first story, they will feel much more capable and excited to tackle the next two installments.
Total Books in Series: 3 Best Starting Point: King Coo: The Secret in the Woods
