Cosmic Comics is an exciting new collection of decodable chapter books specifically designed to capture attention and motivate by using simple code text. Cosmic Comics are presented in a bright, highly appealing graphic comic style with out-of-this-world characters, classic story plots, and sophisticated scenes – making them ideal for students building fluency, and for striving readers in years 2 to 4+.
KEY FEATURES:
Targeted Learning: Consolidates decoding skills and reinforces phonics knowledge.
Engaging Content: Space patrollers roam the galaxy solving mysteries, helping others in need, meeting interesting creatures and visiting wild planets.
Age-Appropriate: Fully decodable (simple code, CCV & CCVC) text while enjoying highly appealing stories and imaginative scenes for kids from 5-10+ years old.
Catch-Up: Perfect for older students who need to catch up on critical early reading skills. Sophisticated look and feel in a first chapter book format.
Meet the Characters
Buzz
Buzz is a space patroller. He is accident prone, impulsive and often makes mistakes. He leads with kindness and bravery, and is always trying to help anyone who could be in trouble – Human, Alien or Animal alike.
Jip
Jip is Buzz’s trusty dog-bot. She speaks and barks and always has Buzz’s back. It is often up to cautious, clever Jip to protect Buzz and save the day! She uses her robot tools to get them, or anyone they are helping, out of trouble. Buzz wouldn’t be the success he is without Jip!
Mac
Mac is the boss! Mac’s identity is kept a secret so children reading can decide who Mac is to them. Mac sends Buzz and Jip on missions to help creatures around the galaxy get out of trouble. Mac may join in on the missions, but they are often talking through a communication device.
Series Overview
Build foundational skills and fluency while exploring the Universe. Go on an epic adventure with recurring characters Buzz, Jip and Mac. Striving readers will build fluency and confidence as they meet manageable simple code text and real stories that engage, getting them excited for the next story and the next…
Stories consist of simple CVC and CCVC words with regular spellings, so once students have the simple code secure they will get a ton of practice with manageable text, high interest storylines and low challenge – perfect for building fluency in Grade 3 and building confidence in striving readers Grades 4-6.
Meet the Author
John Lockyer has well over 300 titles in print, many of which have been published for the educational market. He has written books for children of all ages, covering a diverse range of topics. The Kea (2001, Reed) was a finalist for the Elsie Locke Award in 2002, and A History of New Zealand received a Booksellers Gold Award. Willie Apiata VC (2009, Puffin) was a finalist in the Non-Fiction category of the 2010 NZ Post Children’s Book Awards.
He has been teaching in primary schools for more than 30 years and currently teaches literacy and ESOL part time. An effective teacher, he places a great emphasis on children’s knowledge of the purposes and functions of reading and writing and of the structures used to enable these processes.
His books in the popular fiction series for children interested in rugby, published by Hachette Livre, include: Kiwi Kicks for Goal (2006); Kiwi and the New Player (2006); Kiwi has a Big Secret (2007); Kiwi goes to Rugby Camp (2007); Kiwi Shows Off (2008); and Kiwi Gets in a Mess (2008). In 2024 these books were translated into Chinese and published in China by Tsinghua University Press. Kiwi Beware (2004, Reed) is a picture book for young readers and My Kiwi (2005/2010) is a picture book for older readers. His other titles published by Reed Publishing are: Harry and the Anzac Poppy (1997); Lottie Gallipoli Nurse (1998); The Anzac at Gallipoli (1999); The Kiwi (2001); The Kea (2001); A History of New Zealand (2002); How Parliament Works in NZ (2004); and The Coming of the Pakeha (2008). Lost (2007), Date of Origin (2008), The Intruder (2009) are all science fiction novels for young readers published by Pearson Publishing.
Latterly, he has focused on writing for the educational market in China, particularly with Oxford University Press and its Talking about China series. He has also established a strong relationship with Flying Start Books, publishers of Red Rocket Readers a best-selling and multi-award-winning early literacy programme.
