Active Readers is a phonic-based reading scheme for 4-8 year olds. There will be twenty titles in total, with the last seven publishing in January '05. The phonic-based system is the most commonly used system in schools today. The system uses the phonic alphabet, to teach children simple letter sounds that they can build up confidently until they can read whole words. Active Readers incorporate fictional stories with key phonic sounds repeated over and over again to reinforce learning, whilst simple activities draw on the story to test children's reading, writing, comprehension and composition skills. Each title is beautifully illustrated by a different artist to engage children's imaginations and to appeal to the different age ranges.