Looking beyond Biff, Chip & Kipper? Discover series that teach values through real British heroes.
Oxford Reading Tree is brilliant for phonics and reading progression. Your child's school probably uses it, and for good reason — it's a proven system that works.
But at home? Many parents want books that do more than teach reading mechanics. They want stories that inspire, teach values, and reflect British culture.
If you're looking for books that complement ORT's reading skills with deeper values and British heritage, here are five excellent alternatives.
| Series | Age Range | Key Strength | Price Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proud Books | 5-7 (KS1) | Real British heroes teach values | £7-9 per book |
| Songbirds Phonics | 4-7 | Julia Donaldson phonics stories | £4-6 per book |
| Project X | 5-11 | Adventure stories, boy appeal | £5-8 per book |
| Bug Club | 4-7 | Pearson reading scheme, varied genres | £5-7 per book |
| Reading Champion | 5-7 | Diverse authors, modern stories | £5-7 per book |
What makes it different: Every story is inspired by a real British historical figure. Churchill, Magna Carta, the Royal Navy's anti-slavery squadron. Kids don't just learn to read — they learn courage, fairness, and generosity from real British heroes.
Example: In The Girl Who Wouldn't Shut Up, a chatty 7-year-old named Edie learns from Churchill's wilderness years that sometimes you have to speak up, even when you're the only one.
What makes it different: Written by Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo), these phonics readers combine systematic phonics with actual storytelling. Unlike ORT's focus on everyday scenarios, Songbirds brings Donaldson's playful language and rhyme.
What makes it different: Also from OUP, but designed for reluctant readers (especially boys). Fast-paced sci-fi and adventure stories with diverse characters. Think ORT meets Doctor Who.
What makes it different: Pearson's answer to ORT. More genre variety (non-fiction, poetry, plays) and more diverse representation in characters and settings.
What makes it different: Showcases diverse British authors and illustrators. Modern, inclusive stories with characters from all backgrounds. Less focus on phonics, more on storytelling quality.
Choose Proud Books if: You want books that do more than teach reading — you want British heroes teaching British values. Churchill, Magna Carta, the Royal Navy. Real heritage, real courage, real fairness. Stories your child can see themselves in.
Choose Songbirds if: You love Julia Donaldson and want phonics books with more rhyme and personality than ORT.
Choose Project X if: Your child needs fast-paced action and adventure to stay engaged with reading.
Choose Bug Club if: You want a digital platform with comprehension tracking and varied genres.
Choose Reading Champion if: You prioritize diverse voices and modern storytelling.
Or mix and match! Keep ORT for school-aligned phonics practice, and add one of these series for values, culture, and engagement at home.
Not necessarily. If your child's school uses ORT, keep it for phonics progression and homework. But at home, you're free to choose books that inspire, teach values, and celebrate British heritage. Think of it as ORT for skills, alternatives for soul.
Songbirds and Bug Club are systematic phonics schemes. Project X and Reading Champion are levelled readers (they match reading levels but aren't strict phonics). Proud Books are picture books focused on values and storytelling, not phonics drills.
Absolutely! Many parents use ORT for structured reading practice and supplement with books that teach values, British heritage, or just tell better stories. Kids don't need to choose — they can enjoy both.
Proud Books is explicitly rooted in British heritage (Churchill, Magna Carta, Royal Navy). Reading Champion showcases diverse British authors. The others are British publishers but don't focus on British identity as a core theme.
ORT books range £4-6 each (but you need dozens for full progression). These alternatives are similar (£5-9 per book). The difference is you need fewer books if you're not following a strict levelling scheme — you can pick favourites based on values and themes.
Get 3 illustrated sample chapters + activity sheets. See if your child connects with British heroes teaching British values.
📚 The Girl Who Wouldn't Shut Up, Tomorrow's Rules, and The Collection Jar