Understanding Traditional Stories is a photocopiable teacher resource book containing a range of fairy tales, fables and folk stories from around the world. It meets the needs of the curriculum for Key Stage 1 (5-7 year olds), whereby, these pupils are required to become "very familiar with key stories, fairy tales and traditional stories, retelling them and considering their particular characteristics." The traditional stories are accompanied by photocopiable activities, focusing on developing comprehension and reading skills. These activities will help prepare pupils for their Year 2 tests in which they are required to demonstrate that they not only have the ability to decode words and retrieve information, but also that they are able to use skills such as inference, deduction and state their opinion of a text. Many of the suggested follow up activities link to PSHE and to other areas of the curriculum such as science. The speaking and listening activities for each story support the expectations of the new curriculum, which places a heavy emphasis on Key Stage 1 children being encouraged to develop these skills.