About Us

Who are we?

Book Suppliers and Literacy Specialists…

Cat Reading

Ransom Publishing and Dragon Books are sister companies, working together to offer schools the very best selection of books for both the library and the classroom.

Ransom is our publishing arm specialising in literacy. Known best for our books for reluctant and struggling readers, the programme of books we have built up over the year is both valued and loved by teachers, parents and librarians. But more important the books work for reluctant readers, some of whom have never finished a book before, let alone enjoyed the experience of reading.

Dragon Books is our school book supply arm. We can supply most books in print but also tailor collections to meet school needs. Dragon Books was set up in 2015, when we realised how many other publishers had great books that often weren’t been offered to schools. In our ranges you will find some gems from publishers you may not know, alongside more familiar titles.


Why reluctant readers?

Bookshelf

Many of our books published by Ransom are high-low, which means that the content is appropriate to the actual age of readers but the text has been written to work for a lower reading age. Ransom offers the widest range of titles with low RA (Reading Age) but high IA (interest age) of any publisher in the UK, and we specialise in books for teens and older readers with very low reading ages.

When creating our books we think carefully about all aspects of the books development. The text is carefully written to both be appealing but also offer the right vocabulary for the level of the book. Many of our books are illustrated, and the illustrations are important both in making the book attractive, but also in assisting in developing reading skills.

Many of our books are dyslexia friendly, with carefully chosen fonts and layouts. Printed on cream paper, or even black. You can find more information on our specific series which are dyslexia friendly here


Using our titles in ESL

Garden

Because many of our books are hi lo (designed with a higher interest age than the reading age) they are ideal for those learning English as a second language. The structured nature of the various series helps develop reading skills, while the topics, style and approach of the books maintain pupils interest.


What you think

Our books have won various awards over the years. You can find details here . But more important to us is the great feedback we get regularly from our readers, their parents and their teachers.

We are proud of the list we have built and the contribution it makes in developing reading skills from the very youngest children just starting out learning to read, right through to older struggling readers. But we haven’t done it alone. Ransom works with a big pool of highly skilled authors and very creative illustrators. It is a team effort. And this starts with the feedback we get from teachers and librarians that helps us make our books work better, and what you tell us about what books you need and want. So please do get in touch. We love hearing from you.



"My son (who doesn't really like reading and really struggles with it) read all 6 books on the day they arrived. Fantastic: I could have wept with delight. Thank you"

P Kay, Hampshire Let me Learn Site

 

"Ransom Publishing produce zingy, readable books for struggling and reluctant readers. This specialist area struggled to break free from looking worthy, dull and orthopaedic for many years. Ransom have worked hard to break out of this mould and with their lively presentation, combined with an ever expanding ebook range they have produced some appetising fare for young readers."

LizistheLibrarian blog

 

"The new titles arrived today. We had advance requests for them - a first for any reluctant reader book. More titles please!"

Sandra Parry, Team Librarian, Northumberland School Library Service

 

"Can I pass on my congratulations to whoever produced your booked Encouraging Reluctant Readers. It is a refreshing change from the teacherly and hand-me-down politically correct stuff that usually passes for advice on the subject"

Barry Chaplin, Paddington Academy

 

"The books are fantastic... The book are interesting enough for older readers but easy enough to read"

School customer

 

"I'm glad that Ransom are publishing this story. I admire your integrity. The book world and writers in general should be grateful to you - helping to build a future population of readers. Since hugely more people don't read than do this is no light thing"

Tish Farrell, author