Children & Teen Fiction Books

Book SynopsisAn illustrated adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes mystery – at an easy-to-read level for readers of all ages! Also includes a QR code for the free audiobook! Kensington Outrage. Murder by Madman. Both the experienced detective, Mr Lestrade, and consulting expert, Mr Sherlock Holmes, have come to the same answer. The horrible series of events is the work of a madman, not a common criminal. No other story can explain the facts. Someone is smashing Napoleon statues and the police have no idea why. Luckily, Holmes and Watson are on hand to help. Little do they know that these few small crimes will turn into one big adventure!

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Book SynopsisThe epic conclusion to Chris Colfer's No.1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories! In the highly anticipated finale, Conner and Alex must brave the impossible. All of the Land of Stories fairy tale characters - heroes and villains - are no longer confined within their world!With mayhem brewing in the Big Apple, Conner and Alex will have to win their biggest battle yet. Can the twins restore order between the human and fairy-tale world? Breathtaking action mixed with laugh-out-loud moments and lots of heart will make this a gripping conclusion for fans old and new.Trade ReviewHaving invested many reading-hours into these books over the past couple of years, I did feel quite emotional saying goodbye to these characters, who feel like old friends. The ending is well done and gives our heroes an appropriate send off, even if Colfer can't resist leaving the tiniest cliffhanger at the very end in typical fashion!I have loved reading the stories as much as my children have... * The Bookbag *

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Book SynopsisLaugh-out-loud school-based fun in two-colour stories, perfect for encouraging independent reading!Life at Wigglesbottom Primary is often lived on the edge. An unexpected visitor, a bewitched violin and an invasion of bunnies! What can it all mean???Three short stories in each book keep just confident readers engaged while lively two-colour illustrations bring these hilarious early readers to life and perfectly bridge the gap between picture books and chapter books.Written by the bestselling, Blue Peter award-winning author Pamela Butchart and illustrated by Becka Moor.Look out for all the Wigglesbottom titles!The Toilet GhostThe Shark in the PoolSuper DogThe Classroom CatThe Break-Time Bunnies

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Book Synopsis_______________ 'This poignant, realistic tale is about learning to love and taking responsibility, and how poems can tell the truth' - Sunday Times Book of the Week 'A story of the redeeming power of love. It's beautifully written and it made me cry but it also made me laugh' - The Bookbag _______________ SHORTLISTED FOR THE CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL All the time Mum was away, Eleven long years, I saved up my hopes Like little pennies in a jar. Apple's mother disappeared years ago, leaving Apple with her nana and a lot of unanswered questions. But when she unexpectedly explodes back into Apple's life like a comet, homecoming is bittersweet. It's only when Apple meets someone more lost than she is that she begins to see things as they really are. This beautiful novel from multi-award-winning author Sarah Crossan explores family, friendship and reconciliation. It is a story about how messy, complicated and surprising love can be. _______________ Experience every emotion with the finest verse novelist of our generation... Don't miss Sarah Crossan's other irresistibly page-turning books Moonrise, One, Toffee, and The Weight of Water.Trade ReviewThis poignant, realistic tale is about learning to love and taking responsibility, and how poems can tell the truth … * Sunday Times Book of the Week *A story of the redeeming power of love. It's beautifully written and it made me cry but it also made me laugh * The Bookbag *Poignant, powerful, just perfect * Cathy Cassidy on THE WEIGHT OF WATER *Succinct, with a gentle lyricism, the poems are telling about immigration, prejudice, self-delusion, families and first love, on the way to a life-changing conclusion * The Sunday Times - Children's Books of the Week on THE WEIGHT OF WATER *Exquistely and touchingly written * Irish Times on THE WEIGHT OF WATER *

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Book SynopsisBursting with color and charm, this finger puppet book lets inquisitive babies and toddlers touch, feel, and explore their growing world. Newborns will love snuggling up with Baby Alligator! Baby Alligator plays, swims, and stretches out to sleep on a warm rock in the sun. Featuring a plush finger puppet that peeks into each lovingly illustrated page, this addition to the bestselling Finger Puppet series offers parents and children a fun, interactive way to play and read as they build a lifelong love of books together.

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Book Synopsis'Delicious, dastardly and diabolically delightful' JACK MEGGITT-PHILLIPS, author of THE BEAST AND THE BETHANYMonsters + (secretly highly dangerous) doughnuts = all the ingredients for an explosively funny read!Tenth-generation monster-hunter Grace has a unique way of bumping off monsters. She and her sister run a bakery, Cake Hunters, where they make fabulous creations full of a special exploding baking powder that will get rid of any troublesome monster! And that's just as well - as Grace's latest mission is to track down the monsters who, in a major breakout, have escaped from prison in Monster World - and there's a LOT of them ... Luckily for Grace she has cyclops Mr Harris on her team - who's a pretty good sidekick when he's not eating monsters (or doughnuts), or going off on a hunt for his long-lost mother, or accidentally exploding and ending up who knows where ...Can Grace and co restore order to Monster World before things really get out of hand?

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding story about a little girl, the sea and a seemingly fierce creature in need of her help perfect for fans of Benji Davies'' The Storm Whale.My toes hunt for grooves in the rock. And then ... I see her. While searching for wonders in the rockpools, a little girl discovers a silver shark, stranded in the shallows sleek and quick, but still just a baby. The sun is high and the tide is out: how will the shark find its way home? Drawing on family memories of life in Barbados, award-winning author Mariesa Dulak and bestselling artist Alea Marley have woven together a spellbindingly beautiful story about our connections to the sea, and what we owe other living creatures.

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Book SynopsisA touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, from Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of Wishtree. Meet Odder, the Queen of Play: Nobody has her moves. She doesn't just swim to the bottom, she dive-bombs. She doesn't just somersault, she triple-doughnuts. She doesn't just ride the waves, she makes them.Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practising her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she's known. She's a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself – and about the humans who hope to save her.Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature's most beloved and charming animals.

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Book SynopsisThe fourth and final adventure in the hilarious series about Scooter and his alien sidekick Fizzbee. The jam factory is under surveillance by the Alien Intelligence Agency will they succeed in finding a reason to evict Fizzbee from Earth?Scooter and Fizzbee are experts when it comes to making out-of-this-world jam inventions. But lately there have been a few hiccups. Giant vegetables, floating children ... their new line of jam infused with Fizzbee''s alien ingredients has got a little out of control.Scooter and his friends decide it''s time to launch Operation: Make Fizzbee Look Good to reassure the villagers that Fizzbee isn''t dangerous. Unfortunately, someone else is getting to work on Operation: Make Fizzbee Look Bad. Agent Fleur De Vious, the one and only spy in the Alien Intelligence Agency, believes Earth should be alien-free. After she receives a request from Fizzbee''s family to visit her, she decides enough is enough she''s going to find ev

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Book SynopsisFilled with deadly secrets and the monsters you thought only existed in your mind ...''I had no idea what would happen next!'' - Tess James-Mackey, author of You Wouldn''t Catch Me DeadYou''ve heard of Frankenstein''s monster, you''ve heard of Dracula, but have you heard of the Villa Diodati? Eve, Griffin, Hal and Ren embark on a summer they''ll never forget at the birthplace of all things Gothic.The summer is beset by mysterious happenings, as the monsters they create begin to clamber out of their minds. Events rise to a horrible climax when, on a dark and stormy night, one of the villa''s guests is found dead and each of our foursome becomes a suspect in a gruesome murder.It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. But when the stuff of nightmares becomes their reality, will they make it out alive? Perfect for fans of Wednesday and Stranger Things.

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Book SynopsisYou’re never too young to save the word. Blue has always dreamt of joining her parents as they document environmental issues around the world. Finally, she gets her wish. A hot summer in Australia brings Blue face to face with the climate crisis. From volunteering at a wildlife hospital to joining a koala rescue mission, she’s determined to make a difference. But with bushfires raging out of control, no animal is safe – and no human either. About the Blue's Planet Series: Blue’s Planet is a globetrotting ecological adventure series, following a passionate 12-year-old animal lover called Blue and her quest to save the world. Whether its climate change and wildfires in Australia, or wildlife trafficking and palm oil deforestation in Borneo, nothing will stop Blue from making a difference and encouraging others to do the same. Perfect for budding young environmentalists and fans of Greta Thunberg.

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Book SynopsisWhen Alice falls down a large rabbit hole, she finds herself in Wonderland where nothing is quite what it seems. Curiouser and curiouser! Alice soon learns that the only way out of Wonderland is to go deeper in...

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Book SynopsisSolve puzzles, complete activities and decorate awesome pictures in this activity book that includes 1001 stickers, and is based on the upcoming Disney film, Encanto

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Book SynopsisAward-winning author Eve Ainsworth returns with a stark, honest and deeply moving novella exploring the difficult subject of alcoholism. Violet's mum hasn't been herself for a while. A few too many glasses of wine in the evening. Mornings when she can't get out of bed. Now Violet's the one looking after her little brother and looking out for empty bottles in Mum's bag. But it's just another little blip. Mum will be fine again soon. She has to be … How long do blips last for? Bestselling author Eve Ainsworth tackles the difficult subject of alcohol addiction in this stark, honest and deeply moving novella. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 13+Trade Review"Harrowing and convincing" – Books for Keeps "Packs a powerful punch … this compelling, moving story will engross fans of true-to-life fiction, while casting sensitive light on a tough subject" – LoveReading4Kids "Another affecting novella … This is a story that doesn't pull any punches" – The Letterpress project "Eve Ainsworth has a real skill for weaving a gripping story surrounding hard hitting issues … packs a lot into a few words" – Teen Librarian

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Book SynopsisThe #1 New York Times bestseller Nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Writing 'At once vivid and simple, lyrical and surgical, expressive and exacting' Lupita Nyong'o Dreams are today’s answers for tomorrow’s questions. Eleven-year-old Kofi Offin has dreams of water, of its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets. He has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, West Africa, where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father’s father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. But when the unthinkable – a sudden death – occurs during a festival between rival villages, Kofi ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves. Yet Kofi’s dreams may be the key to his freedom…Trade Review"At once vivid and simple, lyrical and surgical, expressive and exacting, comforting and cutting" -- Lupita Nyong'o"a gripping coming-of-age story" * Guardian *"An intensely powerful coming-of-age story steeped in African tradition and mythology" * Waterstones *"An unflinching and essential reminder that African American history begins in Africa, not in slavery" * The School Librarian *"[Alexander's] most ambitious work to date... This is a powerful work which draws much of its power from its portrayal of Kofi's life among the Asante and Kofi's restlessly upbeat and curious, if rather innocent, nature" * Books for Keeps *

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Book SynopsisBook 1 in the Hopeless Heroes series that takes readers on fun adventures back to Ancient Greece! When Tim Baker breaks his mum’s favourite vase, it’s the least of his problems. The Greek hero he’s released is in danger of doing far worse. To the flowers, the rug— "Oh, no! Not the kitchen!" Hercules is only trying to be helpful but he’s just hopeless. It’s time to send this dim demigod home before Tim becomes ancient history. Includes a QR code for the free audiobook! About the Hopeless Heroes series: Hopeless Heroes is a fun-filled series about Greek mythology, adventure and what it means to be a hero. Readers aged 7+ will love diving into the world of Tim Baker and his (sort of) friend Hercules. A great series to bridge the gap before the Percy Jackson series.Trade Review“A magical adventure.” – Donnie age 9

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Book SynopsisVoices, Now or Never brings a young Private Fazal Khan fromhis home in India to the battlefields of the Second World War. As he and his friends make their way to the beaches of Dunkirk, Fazalmust deal with more than the terrors of a dangerous trek toreach the evacuation zone. A gripping adventure in an exciting new series.

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Book SynopsisA scream in the night, a hidden staircase to nowhere and a ghostly face: Dunadd House still has secrets.For over 400 years something has been hidden in old Dunadd House, and as another dangerous winter descends Samuel and the Morton children discover it's not just the cold sending a shiver down their spine: not all their ghosts have been put to rest.Can they unravel the family secret before they're forced to leave their home forever?The bone-chilling sequel to Scottish Children's Book Award winner Chill.Trade Review'Will keep readers on the edge of their seats. ...These scary stories are a great addition to any middle-grade collection.'-- School Library Journal'Readers who enjoyed Chill will be delighted to pick up the story here and new ones will want to go back and read the earlier adventures.'-- Jane Sandell, The Scotsman'This will be a great story to read with Junior classes or to encourage 8-12s to read for themselves'-- Wendy Worley. The School Librarian, Winter 2009'I think this book was very spooky and exciting... I would give it 5 out of 5.'-- Freya, James Gillespie's High pupil, Teen Titles

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Book SynopsisThe latest adventure from our indomitable hero and his friends!A strange new philosophy is gaining popularity amongst the Roman soldiers, spearheaded by the charismatic Isivertuus. When its enchanting influence reaches the Gauls, everything they once held dear is turned upside down.As news of the dire situation reaches Asterix and Obelix, they embark on a thrilling quest to confront Isivertuus and restore the indomitable spirit of the Gauls. Armed with their trademark humour, bravery, and trusty magic potion, can our heroic duo save the Chief''s wife and break the spell of the White Iris?

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Book SynopsisRead the HILARIOUS books that inspired the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON films! Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is a smallish Viking with a longish name. Hiccup''s father is chief of the Hairy Hooligan tribe which means Hiccup is the Hope and the Heir to the Hairy Hooligan throne - but most of the time Hiccup feels like a very ordinary boy, finding it hard to be a Hero. It is the Doomsday of Yule. At the end of this day, either the humans or the dragons will face extinction. Alvin the Treacherous is about to be crowned the King of the Wilderwest on the island of Tomorrow. His reign of terror will begin with the destruction of dragons everywhere.The fate of the dragon world lies in the hands of one young boy: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. If Hiccup can''t beat Alvin the Treacherous then the entire human AND dragon race will become extinct. The time has come to prove himself, once and for all. Will Hiccup - with the help of his friends FishlTrade ReviewThere is a deep humanity to the novel's resolution, which understands that endings are not really endings at all, and that life contains a mixture of the good, the evil and the just plain ordinary. The best children's books make the world magical. As every child looks for Narnia in the back of a wardrobe, so I hope that, for years to come, children will see dragons all around them. How to fight a dragon's fury is a resounding finale, full of fire and smoke, love, honour and old fashioned thrills. It's a triumph. -- Philip Womack * The Daily Telegraph *Very funny * Evening Echo (Cork) *Praise for the series: Cressida Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books fill every spread with scales and fangs and typographical jeux d'esprit * The Independent *I am really sad this series has ended because it's my absolute favourite series. I have enjoyed all of Hiccup's adventures and really wish dragons were real; I would love to go into my garden and discover a Riproarer or maybe a triple-headed Deadly Shadow * The Guardian *Brilliantly written * Woman’s Way *An epic finale -- Noah Sanders, aged 10 * Northern Scot Midweek Extra *There are some really touching moments alongside rip roaring adventure...I am going to really miss Hiccup's dragon Toothless * South Wales Evening Post *Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books stand out not only for their humour, excitement, and startlingly vivid descriptive language, but also, more surprisingly, for their profound meditations on complex political, historical, emotional and moral themes. They incite children to reason and to question, and inspire their imagination and inquisitiveness. * Philosophy Now Magazine *Cowell still writes these with pep and inventiveness * The Daily Telegraph *If your child's already a fan they'll devour this in a few hours; if not, cancel all Christmas plans and prepare for some mammoth reading sessions * The School Run *My children's book of the year... [How to Train Your Dragon] has kept a consistent flow of brilliant characters, jokes, stylish writing, illustrations and ideas - and the finale is tremendous. Her geeky, once-despised Viking hero, Hiccup, saves humanity (and dragons) from certain doom in an unpredictable, satisfying way. This series is one of the greatest ever written for those between eight and 12. Buy them all and your holidays will be blessed with perfect peace. -- Amanda Craig * The New Statesman *Wihtout question, Cowell has crafted a modern classic. The world she has created, throwing readers back into a time when dragons and humans inhabited the same place, is every bit as consuming and deep as Harry's in Hogwarts ... And so the fight -- part Doctor Who, part biblical epic -- begins.gripping, a worthy end to something very special * The Big Issue *Cressida Cowell won the Philosophy Now prize this year ... it turns out that the adventures of Hiccup, the Heroes and the dragons raise big questions about courage, parent-child relationships, friendship, bullying, what is means to be a boy and particularly, what is truly valuable. This opens with a sock-it-to-'em chapter and builds from there * The Sunday Times *This book is awesome; a truly fitting finale for such an amazing series * The guardian.com *Flaming good * Daily Express *The future is in the hands of a popular hero, Hiccup, who'll make you laugh along the way. Superb illustrations, too. * Chase *The story is full of excitement, danger, magic and triumph. This tremendous final adventure for Hiccup and his dragons is unmissable * The Week Junior *[Toothless] is the world's most adorable dragon, and there are probably very few who would argue that * Express.co.uk *With a story that soars and dips, twists and turns like a dragon's flight path, this is the brilliant final episode in a series that belongs on the bookshelves of every child who loves a turbulent thriller of a take * Daily Record *If your children haven't discovered these brilliant stories yet, they're missing a trick. * Daily Express *Now out in paperback is How to Fight a Dragon's Fury, the 12th and last in the series of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III's hilariously haphazard instruction manuals on how to be a hero the hard way * Evening Echo (Cork) *This is my favourite book ever! It's about different types of dragons, how they behave and how to find them! ... I adore this book so much that I couldn't stop reading it! * The guardian.com *There is a deep humanity to the novel's resolution, which understands that endings are not really endings at all, and that life contains a mixture of the good, the evil and the just plain ordinary. The best children's books make the world magical. As every child looks for Narnia in the back of a wardrobe, so I hope that, for years to come, children will see dragons all around them. How to fight a dragon's fury is a resounding finale, full of fire and smoke, love, honour and old fashioned thrills. It's a triumph. -- Philip Womack * The Daily Telegraph *Cowell addresses some big issues in this magical and mysterious tale that is bound to become a modern classic * The Independent *Very funny * Evening Echo (Cork) *Praise for the series: Cressida Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books fill every spread with scales and fangs and typographical jeux d'esprit * The Independent *I am really sad this series has ended because it's my absolute favourite series. I have enjoyed all of Hiccup's adventures and really wish dragons were real; I would love to go into my garden and discover a Riproarer or maybe a triple-headed Deadly Shadow * The Guardian *Brilliantly written * Woman’s Way *An epic finale -- Noah Sanders, aged 10 * Northern Scot Midweek Extra *There are some really touching moments alongside rip roaring adventure...I am going to really miss Hiccup's dragon Toothless * South Wales Evening Post *Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books stand out not only for their humour, excitement, and startlingly vivid descriptive language, but also, more surprisingly, for their profound meditations on complex political, historical, emotional and moral themes. They incite children to reason and to question, and inspire their imagination and inquisitiveness. * Philosophy Now Magazine *Cowell still writes these with pep and inventiveness * The Daily Telegraph *If your child's already a fan they'll devour this in a few hours; if not, cancel all Christmas plans and prepare for some mammoth reading sessions * The School Run *My children's book of the year... [How to Train Your Dragon] has kept a consistent flow of brilliant characters, jokes, stylish writing, illustrations and ideas - and the finale is tremendous. Her geeky, once-despised Viking hero, Hiccup, saves humanity (and dragons) from certain doom in an unpredictable, satisfying way. This series is one of the greatest ever written for those between eight and 12. Buy them all and your holidays will be blessed with perfect peace. -- Amanda Craig * The New Statesman *Wihtout question, Cowell has crafted a modern classic. The world she has created, throwing readers back into a time when dragons and humans inhabited the same place, is every bit as consuming and deep as Harry's in Hogwarts ... And so the fight -- part Doctor Who, part biblical epic -- begins.gripping, a worthy end to something very special * The Big Issue *Cressida Cowell won the Philosophy Now prize this year ... it turns out that the adventures of Hiccup, the Heroes and the dragons raise big questions about courage, parent-child relationships, friendship, bullying, what is means to be a boy and particularly, what is truly valuable. This opens with a sock-it-to-'em chapter and builds from there * The Sunday Times *This book is awesome; a truly fitting finale for such an amazing series * The guardian.com *Flaming good * Daily Express *The future is in the hands of a popular hero, Hiccup, who'll make you laugh along the way. Superb illustrations, too. * Chase *The story is full of excitement, danger, magic and triumph. This tremendous final adventure for Hiccup and his dragons is unmissable * The Week Junior *[Toothless] is the world's most adorable dragon, and there are probably very few who would argue that * Express.co.uk *With a story that soars and dips, twists and turns like a dragon's flight path, this is the brilliant final episode in a series that belongs on the bookshelves of every child who loves a turbulent thriller of a take * Daily Record *If your children haven't discovered these brilliant stories yet, they're missing a trick. * Daily Express *Now out in paperback is How to Fight a Dragon's Fury, the 12th and last in the series of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III's hilariously haphazard instruction manuals on how to be a hero the hard way * Evening Echo (Cork) *This is my favourite book ever! It's about different types of dragons, how they behave and how to find them! ... I adore this book so much that I couldn't stop reading it! * The guardian.com *

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Book SynopsisWINNER SHEFFIELD CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2019, YA CATEGORY. WINNER REDBRIDGE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2019. SHORTLISTED WATERSTONE'S CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2019. WORLD BOOK NIGHT TITLE 2019. – and many more. 'It was the day the clocks went back. That's when I decided to kill him.' Humorous and heartbreaking debut novel with the fresh, funny, honest voice of a 14-year-old Geordie lad recounting the trials and tribulations of family life and finding first love. Danny's mam has a new boyfriend. Initially, all is good – Callum seems nice enough, and Danny can't deny he's got a cool set up; big house, fast car, massive TV, and Mam seems to really like him. But cracks begin to show, and they're not the sort that can be easily repaired. As Danny witnesses Mam suffer and Callum spiral out of control he goes in search of his dad. The Dad he's never met. Set in Newcastle and Edinburgh, this supremely readable coming-of-age drama tackles domestic violence head on, but finds humour and hope in the most unlikely of­ places. ME MAM. ME DAD. ME. WINNER SHEFFIELD CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2019, YA CATEGORY. WINNER REDBRIDGE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2019. SHORTLISTED WATERSTONE'S CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2019. SHORTLISTED BRISTOL TEEN BOOK AWARD 2019. LONGLISTED BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2019. NOMINATED FOR THE CILIP CARNEGIE PRIZE 2019. WORLD BOOK NIGHT TITLE 2019. Trade ReviewTouching and compelling to the end... It has sweetness and comedy, despite the gravity of its theme. And it is a lesson in standing up for yourself and others and finding the people who deserve your trust' * The Sunday Times, Book of the Week *A glorious, soaring voice telling an important story. Made me guts feel funny, like I was on a rollercoaster -- Joanna Nadin, author of Joe All AloneAn assured debut... Danny's honest distinctive voice brings humour and hope' * The Bookseller *It's an intriguing premise and one that Duffy, whose work as creative director at Comic Relief inspired and informed this novel, handles with aplomb -- Claire Hennessy, Irish Times5* A powerful story of filial love when domestic violence gets in the way. An unforgettable central character and a truthful ending make for a truly impactful read -- Jill Murphy, The BookbagI really loved Danny, I loved his Geordie voice, I loved his endearing relationship with his girlfriend Amy. Although this is a story that deals with domestic violence there are some moments that are really funny in it... A heavy topic dealt with a relatively light touch which is really important' -- Karen Gregory, Down the Rabbit HoleA memorable and touching read * South Wales Evening Post *Never once does the authenticity of the narration waver... The immediacy of the text is potent' 5 stars' * Books for Keeps *By turns humorous and heartbreaking * Your Elmbridge. *It's hard to think of a work I've read for young people in recent times that has so much heart and humour, yet manages to explore such darkness... I heartily recommend this for all teens' * Herald, Books of the Year. *For pitch-perfect teenage voices, you can't go wrong with Malcolm Duffy's Me Mam. Me Dad. Me. * Irish Times, Books of the Year *Stories like Danny's are important. Duffy explores the themes of domestic violence, isolation, and growing up with sensitivity, energy and heart * Armadillo *

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Book SynopsisThe laughter never ends with Oi Frog and Friends!Board book edition of the brilliantly funny, rhyming read-aloud picture book, guaranteed to get children giggling! From the bestselling, multi-award-winning creators of Oi Frog. *Over 1 million copies sold*According to Frog ...Cats sit on gnats,Dogs sit on logs,Raccoons sit on macaroons,Armadillos sit on pillows andChicks sit on bricks.But wait! Cat doesn''t like sitting on gnats, they keep biting his bottom! Will Frog and Dog help him change the rules?''This animal rhyming silliness goes from strength to strength.'' The Guardian''Will have children in fits of giggles.'' Parents in TouchCan''t get enough? Look out for: Oi Frog, Oi Dog, Oi Duck-billed Platypus, Oi PuppiesOi Frog and Friends is a top ten bestselling series. Loved by children and parents, the books have won numerous awards, including the LaughTrade ReviewThis animal-rhyming silliness goes from strength-to-strength. * The Guardian *This joyful rhyming text will have children in fits of giggles, and adults enjoying the cleverness of the text. * Parents in Touch *Oi Frog! was - and still is - a genius concept. The finale will have your little ones (and grown-up readers) giggling in delight. Truly fabulous. * Wales Daily Post *It's a brilliant premise that can run and run, and with such appealing illustrations from Jim Field and such clever rhymes from Kes Gray, here's hoping it does... Colourful, witty and silly. * Book Trust *The combination of Gray's writing and Field's illustrations work wonderfully once again, no matter what Gray fires at Field, he can draw it. Fans of the series will love this outing as it is essentially more of the same, but delve a little deeper and it is playing with the lore of the world. Not many children's books create a universe in which the characters inhabit, but Gray has achieved it. Fans should grab this with abandon, they will especially love the ending. * The Book Bag *The rhymes in this book are enormously enjoyable and will have children giggling with delight. Another wonderful book to support phonics, rhyme and early reading, but most of all, to hook in young. * The English Association *

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Book SynopsisFred, a young girl, and her Grandpa travel to the island of Papa-Nupi to see, or rather hear, the mysterious Tub-Tub; a plant that flowers every 200 years and which ? produces music so beautiful even the birds in the trees stop singing to hear it.? But even if they can get there, can they manage to bring a recording back with them to prove what they? ve heard?

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Book SynopsisBest friends Bumble and Snug are Bugbops - little monsters filled with BIG feelings! Join them and a VERY excited unicorn, in this new, full-colour graphic novel, as they go on a thrilling, funny adventure and learn about the world outside and inside.Bumble and Snug are in the magical unicorn forest when they get into a spot of trouble. Luckily, they are rescued by a unicorn and together they have the great idea to become superheroes.Introducing the super buddies! From a runaway ice-cream van to a lost teddy bear, Bumble, Snug and Sparklehoof the unicorn save the day. But not everybody is happy when Sparklehoof gets too excited with his magic.Bumble and Snug have to come up with a super action plan to stop Sparklehoof. And with a giant kitten on the loose and a jelly city, they will have to work FAST!Bumble and Snug and the Excited Unicorn is a story about being too excited and how to listen, friendship and magic, and three new SU

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Book SynopsisThere were ten in the bed All the animals are very sleepy, but there's no space in the bed! Read or sing along with the nursery rhyme and help the animals get ready for bed. Packed with cute characters and colourful illustrations that young children will love. With a free sing-along audiobook!

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Book SynopsisIf This Gets Out is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance. - Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of UsOne of the world''s biggest boy bands. A secret love. What happens if the world finds out? A queer YA boy band romance from Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich, perfect for fans of Only Mostly Devastated and What If It''s Us.Eighteen-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two members of the boy-band Saturday, one of the biggest acts in America. Along with their bandmates, Angel Phan and Jon Braxton, the four are teen heartbreakers in front of the cameras and best friends backstage. But privately, cracks are starting to form: their once-easy rapport is straining under the pressures of fame, and Ruben confides in Zach that he''s feeling smothered by management''s pressure to stay in the closet.On a w

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Book SynopsisWelcome back to Planet Omar! The fifth book in Zanib Mian''s laugh-out-loud series, with amazing cartoon-style illustrations. Perfect for fans of Tom Gates and Wimpy Kid.Omar and his friends are taking part in a national rocket building competition. With a little help from Omar''s scientist mum and dad and some fart power too, they come up with a rocket that''s ready to blast off.But when someone starts sabotaging the rockets, the boys find themselves on a new mission to reveal the culprit...*Zanib Mian is a World Book Day author for 2021 with her Planet Omar title, Operation Kind.*Have you read the first book in the series, Accidental Trouble Magnet? Love Reading 4 Kids called it ''irresistible reading!''

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Book SynopsisA bewitching collection of 30 short stories and tales from the world's favourite storyteller Enid Blyton.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThird in the bestselling series of historical novels by award-winning Tony Bradman: the action-packed story of Roman boy Lucius, exiled to the most savage province of the Empire Britannia.For thrilling real-life action-adventure, you won''t get much better than Tony Bradman. lovereading.co.ukBanished from Rome by his jealous stepfather, fourteen-year-old Lucius is exiled to Londinium. Plunged into mortal danger as he flees his stepfather''s assassin, Lucius takes a false name and joins the brutal ranks of The Eagles, the Roman Legion in Britannia. Under the watchful eye of the god Jupiter, Lucius excels in battle and catches the attention of his superiors but how can he fulfil his destiny when he can't even claim his own name? As the shadows of war gather, Lucius's secret past catches up with him. He must face not only the Celtic rebels but also his stepfather's relentless vendetta and the spectre of his own self-doubt.Packed with Curricul

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Book SynopsisColour detailed images of one of the best-selling characters on the market, Stitch, in this premium colouring format

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Book SynopsisPacked with crystal-clear notes on every poem, plus exam-style questions and online audio recordings for ultimate exam prep!This superb GCSE Poetry Guide covers the entire Power and Conflict cluster from the AQA Anthology of Poetry - blimey!The full text of every poem is included, with clear, concise notes on the meaning, form, structure, language and context - plus questions to help students develop their personal responses. And since it's crucial to be able to compare the poems, we've included in-depth sections dividing the poems by the themes and poetic techniques found in the cluster.There are practice questions and exam-style questions at the end of each section, and the book is rounded off with plenty of detailed exam advice, including a section specifically focused on targeting those top 8-9 Grades. What's more, we've also included top tips based on real Examiner's Reports, so students know exactly what markers are looking for!As the cherry on top, the C

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Book SynopsisFollowing a traumatic accident, a special friendship helps talented musician Annie heal and rediscover her love of music in this stunning novella from celebrated author Katya Balen. The blackbirds’ song uplifts and restores in this captivating novella from one of the most exciting voices in children’s fiction. After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she’s always loved. She exists in a world of angry silence – furious with her mum and furious she can’t seem to play her beloved flute any more. Then she meets Noah, who shows her the blackbirds’ nest hidden in the scrubland near their flats. As their friendship grows, the blackbirds’ glorious song reignites Annie’s passion for music. But when tragedy strikes again, will her fragile progress be put at risk?Trade Review"Word perfect. Note perfect" – Phil Earle "Made me cry … Beautiful" – Jackie Morris "In the same way a great piece of music or an especially stirring sequence in film can overwhelm you, Birdsong fills you to the brim and threatens to spill over … Utterly singular and a triumph" – Just Imagine "A perfectly structured novella" – Waterstones "This is a book to dwell in, letting the story wash over you and settle your soul … Katya Balen and Barrington Stoke is a wonderful combination" – Kate Heap, Scope for the Imagination

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Book SynopsisIn the dark, dangerous streets of Victorian London Oliver enters the world of people so poor and desperate that they will take any risk and know no mercy. Relentlessly pursued by the menacing criminal world, who should Oliver trust? Are his true friends strong enough to resist the determined plotting of desperate villains? In this gripping tale of kidnapping, shooting and murder, Charles Dickens shows the threats to a vulnerable boy’s existence and asks the eternal question: which is more powerful, good or evil?Trade ReviewAt a recent department meeting, it became evident that Dickens is an author who can divide a room. ‘Let’s teach some Dickens at key stage three,’ some argued. ‘I can’t imagine anything worse,’ others said. ‘Too difficult’, ‘too wordy’, ‘enough to put anyone off’. ‘But the stories are great,’ I argued. It’s easy to see both sides of the argument. As someone who has dipped in and out of Dickens over the years, I have always been delighted by the actual reading of the novel, but sometimes it has taken a considerable effort of will to start the thing. Many are long, all are complex, and there is some truth in the assertion that they are too difficult—not for all, certainly, but for some children at key stage three, Dickens could sound the death knell for reading pleasure. There is a case, then, for a differentiated Dickens, and here, as with other literary classics, Real Reads provides a helpful solution. The series currently includes nine of the major novels: Bleak House, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Hard Times, Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, The Old Curiosity Shop, A Tale of Two Cities and Little Dorrit. All follow the same format—a couple of pages introducing the characters with some delightful illustrations by Karen Donnelly, forty-seven pages of narrative and a ‘Taking Things Further’ section at the back. Like other Real Reads, too, the novels are not designed to replace the originals, but to complement them. The publisher’s hope is that for some readers, the Real Reads are a springboard into the original texts; for others it is to broaden their range of cultural experience and introduce them to a world of wonderful plots and characters. What makes these retellings particularly appealing from a classroom point of view is that significant attention is paid to the language use characteristic of the authors. The novels are retold with some integrity to the original—that is that some of the cadence of Dickens is retained; that some of the vocabulary remains authentic, and that some of those seminal passages remain relatively unaltered. Take the opening of A Tale of Two Cities as an example, ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the season of wealth, it was the season of poverty. In short, it was a time very much like the present.’ In short, it is very much like the original. The retellings go some way to preserving Dickens’s characters and while there are of course casualties, the characters that remain are rounded and engaging. For Oliver we feel pity as he pleads with Sikes ‘P-p-p-please don’t make me steal,’ in the face of Sikes terrifying whisper ‘Quiet, vermin’. We long for Nancy to be saved by Mrs Maylie and feel the poignancy of her departure: ‘You must take Oliver to safety. I must return to my life.’ We sense the justice in Fagin’s wait for death ‘his face so distorted and pale, his eyes so bloodshot, that he already looked more dead than alive as he awaited his punishment.’ Of course, we also feel the delight and relief as ‘Oliver and Mr Brownlow walked hand in hand to their carriage.’ Some of Dickens’s humour is preserved: Mrs Joe is to be found bringing Pip up by hand and at the birth of David Copperfield, Peggotty’s ‘bosom swelled with such joy and pride that two buttons popped from her bodice and flew across the room.’ The heartbreak remains too: ‘As he wasted away over the next few days, Little Dorrit didn’t leave her father’s side. His spirit was like a maimed bird, able to think only of the place that had broken its wings. Finally, his spirit broke free of all earthly concerns. Little Dorrit wept bitterly. The ‘Filling in the Spaces’ section at the back of each book provides a helpful resource for teachers. Elements of the plot that have been omitted in order to contain the retelling in such a thin volume are listed here and can provide a useful point of departure to read some of the original text. There is some contextual material pertinent to the text, so for Little Dorrit we learn that Dickens’s father was sent to Marshalsea Prison when Dickens was twelve and for Hard Times we can read about the rise of steam power and the way in which machinery in factories gave rise to mass migration to cities. There is also a two-page section called ‘Food for thought’ that provides points for discussion, themes, style and symbols and would neatly help shape classroom discussion and activity. In The Old Curiosity Shop, for example, ‘Oscar Wilde said that Nell’s death makes the reader laugh, whereas critics in Dickens’ time were usually overcome by grief. Which is closer to your own reaction? Why?’ would lend itself very well to paired, group or whole-class debate. Thinking about how the symbols of fog, hands, light and shadow and city and countryside match the action in Bleak House immediately suggests ways in which pupils might track language against action as they read. At the lower end of the price range for class readers, the excellent and durable quality of the books presents a good investment at £4.99 RRP for individual texts. -- Jane Campion * English in Use *

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Book SynopsisAlly arrives from England with her brothers to stay for a month in Africa - weeks of running wild on an unspoiled, untamed coast amid mangrove creeks, vast white sandy beaches, coral reefs and warm seas. But on their first walk through the forest to the beach, Ally is swamped by a sense of an unseen presence close to her - of being spoken to. The feeling increases as a local teenager, Leli enthusiastically sweeps her into the world of his village and their offshore island (Kisiri - the place of secrets). It’s the beginning of a friendship that swiftly becomes an intense, overwhelming bond between them. Kisiri is a place of local legend, protected and feared: village youngsters dare each other to go there. Village elders forbid it. Ally and Leli feel drawn to it, and land on its shores. At once Ally feels again that invisible presence, a whispered voice. But fear can change things, divide people. The bond between Ally and Leli feels unbreakable. But suddenly eve

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Book SynopsisIt's January 1928, the day before the great flood. There's a snowstorm and the river is about to burst its banks-fourteen souls will be lost. Can Glory an orphan with only one hand and her time-travelling friend Needle and their pet crow change the future? Is there anyone among all those people entombed in the snow-shrouded town who will listen?Trade ReviewPICKED BY THE IRISH INDEPENDENT AS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR. 'Magical and original.'-The characters are splendidly drawn. A remarkable debut which features a brilliant and surprising ending.' Irish Examiner.-Rich with historical detail, evocative-classic in tone and original in vision.' Irish Times.- The plot swirls and sparkles and will keep readers on tenterhooks.'Lovereading4Kids, Debut of the Month-A fabulous and totally left field adventure.' Angels and Urchins. -Filled with memorable characters, a treasure. ' Just Imagine-An enchanting time twisting adventure. Kieran Larwood. --Gripping with a brilliant twist inn the tail. Helena Duggan.-Glorious storytelling, Nicki Thornton. -Written in an unique and memorable voice, not one to miss.' Sinead O'Hart.

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Book SynopsisA freak electro-magnetic pulse leaves 17-year-old Bo and six other teenagers trapped inside a building in the British seaside resort of Blackpool, desperately trying to work out what just happened, why they can’t get out, and how to survive the weirdest weekend of their lives. Dealing with each other’s egos and issues is nothing compared to the fallout unleashed by the solar event, because hidden beneath the building they discover it has activated a powerful energy device called blackloop. As blackloop starts affecting everyone and everything in its vicinity, can Bo, who’s still grieving the loss of her mum, summon the courage to confront her fears, realise she’s falling in love, and make a move on Karim before it’s too late?

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Book SynopsisPuffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child. You know when you feel a rumbling in the ground, and people tell you it''s a tube train going by? Well, it''s not a tube train,'' Corky said. ''It''s the thing that lives in the sewers. It comes up at night, when we''re asleep.'' ''What is it?'' Ruskin asked breathlessly. ''Krindlekrax,'' Corky replied.There are plenty of weird and wonderful characters who live on Lizard Street. The hero of our story is Ruskin Splinter. But to be honest, Ruskin is a very unlikely hero. Small and thin, with knock-knees, thick glasses, a squeaky voice, no one at Ruskin''s school believes he''s capable of anything - all except for Ruskin''s only friend Corky, the school caretaker. Ruskin is therefore delighted when Corky tells him the terrifying story of Krindlekrax: the giant crocodile who lives beneath their town''s streets. Finally, a chance to prove himself! But canTrade ReviewWeird and wonderful * Guardian *Fizzes with life and humour ... outstanding * Sunday Times *Ridley's surreal plots and invigorating characters are shockingly enjoyable * The Times *

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Book SynopsisCreate your own games with magnets of Bluey, Bingo and their friends.Bluey and Bingo love to play! Use your magnets of Bluey and her friends to join in on the fun and create games at home, in the forest and at school.Featuring twelve magnets for endless imaginative fun!

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Book SynopsisWelcome to Oakleaf Academy, the fairy boarding school at the end of the rainbow, where readers can join friends Poppy, Ivy, Azalea, and Jessamy on their magical misadventures. In A Secret at Fairy School, the talkative sprite Jessamy accidentally brings an adorable mushroom creature into the school. She knows that she''s broken a rule but instead of coming clean she decides to keep it a big secret - even from her friends! But when odd things start happening at the Student Show, she realizes the whole school could be in danger. How can she put things right ... and save the day? Oakleaf Academy is a charmingly illustrated chapter book series, with each story following a different pupil at fairy school. The series blends together the hijinks and misadventures of traditional boarding school stories, the ups and downs of real schoolgirls'' friendships and a generous sprinkling of mystery and adventure - al

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Book SynopsisGrandpas make a lot of strange noises. There's schluuupglubshlurrrpglub', creak pop', hooonkkkkkkksnnoooortttttt', and of course eeeaswoscrreech!' But what on earth do they all mean? Join Grandpa on his daily adventures to learn why he makes all of his mysterious noises.From thanking Grandma for a cup of tea to saying hello, Grandpa has his own unique way of expressing himself. Children will love finding out what each creak and pop means, and will be able to understand their own grandparents even better! Of course, the noises coming out of Grandpa's bottom will also provide hours of entertainment.In Grandpa's Noises, a range of sounds and words coming from body and mouth are explained through a warm, funny and colourful day in the life' story. Children look at life with open, honest eyes but sometimes it takes a bit of thinking and code-breaking to work out what's really going on. Vibrant illustrations and lively lettering combine to provide a Grandpa dictionary' so that readers, along with Grandpa's cat and particularly in-the-know grandchild, can discover just what his various exclamations mean. Afterall, once you know that eeeawoscreech!' is actually the sound of a misbehaving hearing aid, Grandpa becomes a lot less scary and even more lovable!

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