The invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022, and regrettably, it appears that this conflict is far from reaching a resolution anytime soon. The UK has welcomed almost 200,000 Ukrainian nationals[1] so far and had offered school places to 20,500 children by the end of September 2022[2]. Many of these children arrived with limited English and teachers and support staff were understandably looking for appropriate resources to ease their transition into school.

Here, at Badger Learning, we decided to publish a range of six dual language English–Ukrainian eBook PDFs and a simple phrasebook in June 2022 and to offer these for free. We have been taken aback by the response from schools and families with over 13,000 copies downloaded so far from all over the world including in Ukraine. Many of you contacted us to request more resources so we conducted a survey to find out what would be most useful and had an unprecedented number of responses. Of these, 74% requested printed books as well as eBooks, 99% were interested in more fiction titles and 91% more non-fiction. Of the fiction themes, Humour, Action & Adventure were the most widely requested with recurring characters and fantasy elements as the most popular choices.

This led us to choose the Alien Detective Agency series, with its appealing characters, suitable for both KS2 and KS3 (ages 8–14) as ideal books to support children to build fluency in reading English or just relax and enjoy a story in their own familiar script. Our authors Roger Hurn and Jane West were immediately keen to be on board and support the project further.

As a small educational publisher, we do have to charge for the new resources, but we will continue to offer the original six eBooks for free. We have used native Ukrainian translators and proofreaders to ensure that the text uses natural language and vocabulary along with utilising professional design and printing, so children have the best possible experience when reading them.

The text on the left-hand page is in English with the right-hand page translated into Ukrainian. Comprehension is supported by appealing illustrations and simple, controlled language that has been carefully levelled. The eBooks can be read on any device that accepts PDFs, emailed home to students, or printed out onto paper. 

Alien Detective Agency English-Ukrainian Dual Language Readers

Alien Detective Agency follows the human/alien crime fighting duo, Jack Swift and Wanda Darkstar, as they meet weird and wonderful aliens, both on other worlds and here on Earth! These six new dual language English–Ukrainian books have been specifically created to support Ukrainian students familiarising themselves with the English language. Featuring text on the left-hand side in English and the right-hand side in Ukrainian, along with a helpful dual language vocabulary list at the front. Each story is also accompanied by a bonus free audiobook in English to aid a more robust and rounded understanding of the English language, as well as to help build fluency.

Readers Pack - includes all 6 paperback books

RRP £41.94 • Save 20% • Only £34.00

eBook Readers Pack - includes all 6 PDF ebooks

RRP £41.94 • Save 20% • Only £34.00

Renegade Robots English-Ukrainian Edition Special FX English-Ukrainian Edition World Cup Chaos English-Ukrainian Edition Looking after Wolmump English-Ukrainian Edition Dream Snatcher English-Ukrainian Edition Deep Space Dinosaur Disaster English-Ukrainian Edition
Renegade Robots Special FX World Cup Chaos Looking After Wolmump Dream Snatcher Deep Space Dinosaur Disaster
Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99
eBook — £6.99 eBook — £6.99 eBook — £6.99 eBook — £6.99 eBook — £6.99 eBook — £6.99

 

Listen to a sample of the free audiobook for Renegade Robots read by Roger Hurn here

We have also created a selection of free downloadable posters and book bunting for you to use as part of library displays to capture students attention!

Free Downloadable Posters Free Downloadable Bunting
Free Downloadable Posters

 

English-Ukrainian Dual Language Readers Mixed

Six titles that have proved hugely popular with primary and secondary schools. A mix of fiction and non-fiction titles were selected especially with refugee children in mind, featuring positive stories and non-fiction with a wide appeal that avoids potentially triggering subject matter. These books are expertly levelled and use simple short sentences and controlled language — ideal for language learning.

Readers Pack - includes all 6 paperback books

RRP £41.94 • Save 20% • Only £34.00

CLEVER CREATURES — ENGLISH–UKRAINIAN DUAL LANGUAGE COMIC CHAOS — ENGLISH–UKRAINIAN DUAL LANGUAGE ROCKET DOG — ENGLISH–UKRAINIAN DUAL LANGUAGE WANDA DARKSTAR — ENGLISH–UKRAINIAN DUAL LANGUAGE HOW TO TREK THE HIMALAYAS — ENGLISH–UKRAINIAN DUAL LANGUAGE
Clever Creatures Comic Chaos Dog Diaries Rocket Dog Wanda Darkstar How to Trek the Himalayas
Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99 Paperback — £6.99
eBook — FREE DOWNLOAD eBook — FREE DOWNLOAD eBook — FREE DOWNLOAD eBook — FREE DOWNLOAD eBook — FREE DOWNLOAD eBook — FREE DOWNLOAD
Download all 6 eBooks for FREE here

These children’s books can be used in a variety of ways with Ukrainian pupils and their English-speaking teachers and peers. Click here for some suggestions

We are absolutely thrilled that our eBook PDFs for Ukrainian pupils have been shortlisted for the Teach Secondary Award in the free resources category! You can download all 6 dual language eBooks here absolutely free.

 

 

 

 

Other resources available to schools:

 

[1] Statistics on Ukrainians in the UK

[2] School placements for children from outside of the UK