EAL (English as an Additional Language) Resources: Books & eBooks

Searching for books and e-books

Go to the Library search box on the library home page.

Select the "Books & eBooks" button.

Enter the title or keywords.

You can further refine your results by publication date or library branch.

You can also search for books in the Library catalogue.

ESL Readers have different levels!

When looking for different Readers, make sure you find the right level, as English Readers are graded from Beginner to Advanced. Choose the topic of interest by browsing the library catalogue. English Readers available at VU campus libraries are easy to find on library shelves – they all have number 428.6. 

ESL Reads
ESL Reads are engaging and relevant stories for those learning English. They are written for English as an Additional Language or dialect (EAL/D) students with low literacy. 

Stories acknowledge the challenges of migration in everyday life, health, social/emotional and cultural situations in education and work.

Levels 1-4 for each story in the series. 28 titles in total.
PageTurners
PageTurners are short, easy-to-read stories for adults learning to read. Published by Prace Inc., the books are designed by experienced teachers to suit the needs of adults learners. Aimed to show beginners that reading can also be fun, the books are sometimes funny, sometimes irreverent, and always on topics of interest to adults which are often drawn from real-life experiences.

Suitable for ESL or literacy students. 65 titles available in this series. Levels 1-4 covered in 9 series.

The following PRACE PageTurners are available at VU Library (Click on the book cover to read online)

Cuc's bed

Duong, C. T., & Dunn, A. (1999). Cuc's bed (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

What?

Malakar, C. (2006). What? (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Ned Kelly

Dunn, A. (2011). Ned Kelly. Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Bikini sandals

Dunn, A. (2001). Bikini sandals (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Just one friend

Dunn, A. (2001). Just one friend (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The hero

Dunn, A. (2001). The hero (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Convicts

Malakar, C. (2001). Convicts (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Pay dirt

Malakar, C. (2001). Pay dirt (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Tattoos

Hanrahan, M. (2001). Tattoos (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The duck

Malakar, C. (2001). The duck (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Too many Marias

Malakar, C. (2001). Too many Marias (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

A dog's life

Malakar, C. (1999). A dog's life (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Mizuri the cat

Dunn, A. (1999). Mizuri the cat (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The beach

Dunn, A. (1999). The beach (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Not any more

Malakar, C. (1999). Not any more (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Robots

Malakar, C. (1999). Robots (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Spare parts

Malakar, C. (2001). Spare parts (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The dentist

Dunn, A. (2009). The dentist (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The doctor's secret

Hanrahan, M. (2012). The doctor's secret (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Sports camp

Malakar, C. (2012). Sports camp (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The fortune teller

Malakar, C. (2012). The fortune teller (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Cyclone Tracy

Dunn, A. (2011). Cyclone Tracy (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Fire!

Dunn, A. (2011). Fire! (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Phar Lap

Dunn, A. (2011). Phar Lap (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Running with boats

Dunn, A. (2011). Running with boats (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Simpson and his donkey

Dunn, A. (2011). Simpson and his donkey (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

A handful of sand

Malakar, C. (2011). A handful of sand (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Would I lie to you?

Hanrahan, M. (2011). Would I lie to you? (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

On the goldfields

Malakar, C. (2011). On the goldfields (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The camel man

Malakar, C. (2011). The camel man (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

I'm watching TV

Dunn, A. (2009). I'm watching TV (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Peanuts

Dunn, A. (2009). Peanuts (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Red Dog

Dunn, A. (2009). Red Dog (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Dream job

Hanrahan, M. (2012). Dream job (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The ghost

Dunn, A. (2009). The ghost (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Can you read this?

Malakar, C. (2009). Can you read this? (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Tooth fairy

Hanrahan, M. (2009). Tooth fairy (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Outback road

Malakar, C. (2009). Outback road (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Shut up Steve

Malakar, C. (2009). Shut up Steve (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Wheels

Malakar, C. (2009). Wheels (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Football

Dunn, A. (2006). Football (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

I hate the beach

Dunn, A. (2006). I hate the beach (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Shipwreck

Dunn, A. (2006). Shipwreck (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Fresh fish

Malakar, C. (2006). Fresh fish (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Good morning Max

Malakar, C. (2006). Good morning Max (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The big T.V.

Hanrahan, M. (2006). The big T.V. (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Motor bikes

Kyrillidis, T., & Dunn, A. (2006). Motor bikes (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Snakes alive!

Hanrahan, M., Malakar, C., & Dunn, A. (2006). Snakes alive! (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Dance class

Malakar, C. (2012). Dance class (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Be careful

Malakar, C. (2012). Be careful (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Turning forty

Dunn, A. (2012). Turning forty (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

My first plane trip

Dunn, A. (2012). My first plane trip (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Learning to swim

Dunn, A. (2012). Learning to swim (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Drums

Dunn, A. (2012). Drums (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Whale watching

Malakar, C. (2015). Whale watching (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Spider!

Malakar, C. (2015). Spider! (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Rescue

Hanrahan, M. (2015). Rescue (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Dog gone

Hanrahan, M. (2015). Dog gone (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Double trouble

Hanrahan, M. (2015). Double trouble (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Late for work

Malakar, C. (2015). Late for work (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The necklace

Dunn, A. (2015). The necklace (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The drink machine is evil

Dunn, A. (2015). The drink machine is evil (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Scary story

Dunn, A. (2015). Scary story (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Helpful Harry

Malakar, C. (2018). Helpful Harry (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education

Black market bargain

Hanrahan, M. (2018). Black market bargain (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Strong Sam

Malakar, C. (2018). Strong Sam (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Dancer

Dunn, A. (2015). Dancer (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Lost

Dunn, A. (2015). Lost (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Train surfing

Dunn, A. (2018). Train surfing (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Blood

Malakar, C. (2018). Blood (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Catnapped

Dunn, A. (2018). Catnapped (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Internet scam

Dunn, A. (2018). Internet scam (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Marry me?

Dunn, A. (2018). Marry me? (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The burglary

Dunn, A. (2018). The burglary (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The shave

Dunn, A. (2018). The shave (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

The weekend

Dunn, A. (2018). The weekend (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

I want a holiday

Dunn, A. (2022). I want a holiday (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Bank hold-up

Dunn, A. (2018). Bank hold-up (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Car thieves

Dunn, A. (2018). Car thieves (M. Hanrahan, Illus.). Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education.

Levels of ESL Readers St. Albans

There are different levels of ESL Readers. Go to the shelves at the St Albans Campus Library with call number 428.6 (English Readers), and refer to coloured dots on readers.

Elementary dot is Orange, Pre-Intermediate is yellow, Intermediate is Green, Upper Intermediate is Blue, Advanced is Black.

Choose Readers that are not too easy ( you recognise meanings of all the words when you look through book's pages), and not too challenging (when you would need a dictionary often, slowing you down enjoying the book's plot).