Man's best friend could be the key to a new favourite read

From their first teddy, to learning to mimic noises, to their favourite cartoon character, it is no secret that children (and many adults) have a natural affection for all creatures great and small.

There are a number of tales throughout the Kumon Recommended Reading List with a furry friend at their heart. Here is a little preview of some of these stories, for all ages and reading abilities, to help you make a selection to read with your child:

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffer - a mouse took a stroll in the deep, dark wood. Join him and find out who this cunning rodent meets along the way.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seus - join The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 as they take over Dick and Sally's house, ignoring the warnings from Fish. How will they undo the chaos before mum and dad return?

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone � the three goats need to cross the river, but a smelly, hairy, disgusting troll blocks their path.

Hocus Pocus Hound by Samantha Hay and Nathan Reed�Marvo the Magician chooses a scruffy old dog to be his new assistant, how will Hocus Pocus Hound rise to the challenge?

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl � three devious farmers get together to overcome the cleverest Mr Fox.

My Life with the Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall � read this true story about Jane's life among a group of chimpanzees in the African jungle. Kumon students studying the English programme look at this story as they develop their paragraph building skills.

Charlotte's web by E B White � join the animals on the farm as Charlotte the spider comes to the rescue of Wilbur the pig.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame � a heart-warming tale of adventure and friendship, join Mole, Water Rat, Badger and mischievous Toad on their adventures in the Wild Wood. Kumon students examine excerpts of this book as they learn to interpret descriptive language.

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings � lonely 12-year-old Jody Baxter forges a friendship with an orphaned fawn. As the fawn grows older it starts to cause problems and Jody faces a harsh life-lesson.

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot � the world renowned poet brings us a series of short poems, introducing us to all types of purring felines including good cats, bad cats, magical cats, ordinary cats and many, many more. Kumon students look at the poetry of T S Eliot in the final level of the Kumon English Programme as they work on interpretation.

Watership Down by Richard Adams � enter this bunny world and follow rabbit Hazel, who listens to his brother Fivel's predictions of danger and leads a band of brave bunny rebels, who risk everything to find a new home.

Metamorphosis and Other Stories by Franz Kafka � what would you do if you woke up one day to discover you had turned into a giant insect? Kafka takes us on a strange and compelling journey with this and other tales.