Do you know that Henry VIII was happily married for almost 20 years to the same queen before meeting his other wives? Do you know Queen Elizabeth refused to marry in spite of all the men who loved her? And do you know what particular events during Queen Victoria's long reign contributed to making the British Empire the biggest ever?

English monarchs have fascinated the world for centuries. We are all curious to find out about their lives, their loves, their ambitions and their secrets.

This reader uses the EXPANSIVE READING approach, where the text becomes a springboard to improve language skills and to explore historical background, cultural connections and other topics suggested by the text. As well as the story, this reader contains:
• Wide range of activities practising the four skills
• PET-style activities and Trinity-style activities (Grades 4/5)
• Full recording of the text
• Dossiers on 'Reading a painting'
• Full colour fold-out chart of the English kings and queens from the Tudors to the Windsors
• Exit test and keys at blackcat-cideb