Children’s / Teenage fiction: Short stories

Book SynopsisRiz Chester is an average 11-year-old girl. She cant do anything special and is average at school. But Riz is particularly picky, she notices when the teacher is 2 minutes late, or when the food brand used in the cheese sandwiches changes. She also notices when money doesnt feel quite right. Spotted by a police officer, Riz gets called in for questioning. She demonstrates she indeed does easily notice the difference between the normal notes and the counterfeit ones, even though before her interaction with the officer she had never heard of counterfeiting. The officer explains that there is a ring of counterfeiting occurring locally but they havent been able to pinpoint the criminal source. Mum cannot remember where the notes came from, but something sticks out to Riz when she thinks about it later. She recruits her friends to help her help investigate, carefully planning a course of action to track down the counterfeit notes. With the help of Riz and her friends, the police uncover the counterfeit operation

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Book SynopsisVisit Dizzy in Happy Hills Orchard! It does not matter how often Dizzy falls down because they always get back up!Enjoy our symbolised adaptation of Little Cherries, Dizzy Tries Again. Featuring illustrations, sensory features and symbols to accompany the text, this book enhances reading comprehension and accessibility in a unique way.

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Book Synopsis Princess Minna loves to sort out mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom! In this full-colour, illustrated chapter book, join her on a funny, exciting adventure to help Granny and her friends, and still have time for a snowball fight! Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with the King and Queen, Raymond the Wizard and her best dragon friend, Lorenzo. There are often mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom and Princess Minna loves to sort them out! She can tame unicorns, kiss frogs and fight dragons (apart from Lorenzo) and she is very good at fixing things before it's time for bed. In The Big Bad Snowy Day, snow has fallen overnight and poor Granny Hoody is snowed in! Princess Minna has to fix things. But Granny Hoody lives in the dark forest and there's a big bad wolf who lives there too. Can Princess Minna find Granny's cottage or will she stray from the path and meet the WOLF instead?Full of colourful illustrations, these short, funny stories are perfect for readers just moving on from picture books and visual readers.

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Book SynopsisThis wonderful collection of fairy tales draws on the classic folklore of Eastern Europe. Read about stories of romance and adventure, gods who help mere mortals to wealth and happiness, and fables that touch on the origins of man and the creation of the world. Meet a man transformed into a noble animal to help him find his true love, the dragon trying to eat the man who saved his life, and the beautiful princess Vassilissa who is courted far and wide. Gods on a mountaintop help a young girl to wealth and happiness in `The Twelve Months', and a man transformed into a noble animal finds his true love in `The Feather of Bright Finist the Falcon'. Fables teach about the `Origin of Man' and the creation of the world from an egg (in `God's Cockerel'), and also of the injustice with which a friendly gesture is too often rewarded (`A Good Deed is Always Requited with Ill'). The twenty-two traditional tales reflect a wide range of emotions and experiences, flavoured by a shared cultural heritage. Whether the setting is a poor cottage deep in the forest, a small village, or a king's court, each story reveals a fascination with routines of family, church and community life, and a humorous ironic perspective on people and their affairs. Folklorist Neil Philip retells these stories in modern English, preserving the richness, meaning and magic of the original tales; ideal to read aloud or for older readers to discover by themselves. Larry Wilkes's lively illustrations of fantastical dragons and beautiful princesses complete the translation of Eastern European culture into stories for children of all ages to enjoy.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing The Famous Five to younger readers with this NEWLY-CREATED story for children aged 5 and up!Set in the world of Enid Blyton''s best-loved series, this newly-created early reader follows Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog on a special new adventure - illustrated in gorgeous full-colour throughout by Becka Moor. Expect all the usual excitement as the Five head off to birthday party with a very special present. Little do they know, two thieves are on their trail and desperate to get their hands on it... The story is broken down into short chapters with vibrant, full-colour illustrations on every page - perfect for shared reading or for newly confident readers to enjoy independently. This new title sits alongside Enid Blyton''s eight original short stories about the Famous Five- also available in early reader format, illustrated by Jamie Littler. Collect them all! A Lazy AfternoonGeorge''s Hair Is Too LongWell Done, Famous Five Five and a Half-Term AdventureWhen Timmy Chased the Cat Five Have a Puzzling TimeGood Old TimmyHappy Christmas, Five!***The Famous Five, Enid Blyton and Enid Blyton''s signature are registered trade marks of Hodder & Stoughton Limited. No trade mark or copyrighted material may be reproduced without the express written permission of the trade mark and copyright owner.

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Book SynopsisFunny Stories For 8-Year-Olds is a bright and varied selection of wonderfully entertaining stories by some of the very best writers for children. Perfect for reading alone or aloud - and for dipping into time and time againWith stories from Judy Blume, Anne Fine, Dick King-Smith, Morris Gleitzman and many more, this book will provide hours of fantastic fun.

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Book Synopsis*BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR* EasternEyePicked as as one of STYLIST'S *BEST AUTUMN READS OF 2020* 'A much-needed escape into a lyrical world'Let her be a little less human, a little more divineGive her heart armour so it doesn't break as easily as mineOne girl's wild journey of strength, beauty and growth as she discovers who she really is.Lyrical wonder, spiritual revelation and revolution meet with epic mythical landscapes in this deeply intimate coming-of-age story, one that teaches us all, no matter how small we feel, to become the masters of our own destiny.Meet Paro. A girl with a strong will, a full heart and much to learn. Born into a family reeling from the ruptures of Partition, follow her as she crosses the precarious lines between childhood, teenage discovery and realising her adult self.Nikita Gill's masterful poetry and beautiful illustrations conjure up jasmine-scented voices and smiles inhabited by ancestor's souls, rain dancing in a new city and the painful caverns in our hearts. We are taken on a journey of deity wisdom, fragmented family, and love lost and gained. We see power in belief, healing from trauma and hope after conflict. Undercurrents of the Trimurti - the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer - run deep, as Paro must confront fear, desire and the darkest parts of herself in the search for meaning and, ultimately, empowerment.Navigating different cultures, religions and identities, The Girl and the Goddess is a mesmerising poetic tale of where we come from, how we grow and how we become who we are.'A moving, layered story' The Irish Times'One of the best books of the year ... a spiritually enriching experience' EasternEyeTrade ReviewOne of the most exciting young writers working today * Stylist *Nikita Gill's poetry excels in its exploration of womanhood * The Independent *Lyrical superstar * Daily Mail *Empowering poetry that has inspired women worldwide * Marie Claire *A moving, layered story * The Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisThis is an engaging collection of over 115 delightful stories illustrated throughout with colorful and lively drawings. The short stories are the perfect length for bedtime reading, with accessible language and pretty pictures that will keep small children entertained as you read together. It includes four chapters each featuring a different cast of cute animal characters: "Five Minute Teddy Bear Tales", "Five Minute Farmyard Tales", "Five Minute Kitten Tales" and "Five Minute Bedtime Tales".

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Book SynopsisThe fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen have enchanted children for over a hundred and fifty years. The twelve stories in this selection include old favourites such as The Nightingale, The Snow Queen, and the Ugly Duckling, as well as some lesser-known tales such as The Snowman, The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, and The Shadow. These tales show many facets of Andersen's unique genius. By turns romantic and practical, sentimental and comic, straightforward and ironic, they are sure to captivate new and old readers alike. Neil Philip's sparkling translation aims to capture Andersen's relaxed, conversational style while Isabelle Brent's glowing gold pictures are full of rich, decorative detail.

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Book SynopsisA new gift edition of a classic title—with illustrations that are reminiscent of Winnie-the-Pooh! A whale and a seagull dance silently on a moon-drenched beach. A grasshopper pays a fortune for a speck of dust. A squirrel and an ant discover a mysterious feast with an invisible host in the depths of a forest. These whimsical animal tales will captivate readers of all ages.“Toon’s stories are beautifully told, quirky and delightful . . . they’re a joy!” —Wendy Cooling, MBE, founder of Bookstart“You cannot read this book and understand how anyone but Ahlberg could have illustrated it. She is the E. H. Shepard of the 21st century.” —Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisA body washed up on the beach...Evacuation to an old house with forbidden rooms and dark secrets...An animal rescue service...Set in World War Two, Emma Carroll explores the resilience, resourcefulness and inventiveness of children when their lives fall to pieces. Introducing some compelling new characters, as well as revisiting some familiar settings, these adventures are sure to win over new readers, as well as fans of old favourites such as Letters from the Lighthouse and Frost Hollow Hall.Trade Review"It's impossible to stop reading one of Emma Carroll's historical thrillers." Times "Carroll is a remarkable writer, evoking vivid historical detail and atmosphere as a backdrop to her characters' dramatic and often emotionally complex adventures."Daily Mail "Compelling storytelling about resourcefulness, initiative and courage in the face of extreme adversity." Booktrust

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Book SynopsisHold on to your lucky charms and delve into this bewitching collection of 30 fairy tales and magic stories, retold by the world''s best-loved storyteller. Perfect for children aged 5 and up!Watch out for cats in boots, three bears who live in the woods and strange unicorns in this magical collection of short stories by Enid Blyton. From lost slippers and fairy curses to imps without names and a dragon called Mr Wumble, there''s fairy magic brewing. Who will live happily ever after?These traditional tales are ideal for younger children being read to and for newly confident readers to read alone. Each story stands alone and is the perfect length for reading at bedtime or in the classroom.Enid Blyton remains one of Britain''s favourite children''s authors and her bumper short story collections are perfect for introducing her to the latest generation of readers.Read all of Enid Blyton''s bumper short story collections. New in 2020: Nature Stori

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Book SynopsisBe enchanted by this magical Christmas story from the world of Mr Men!It''s the night before Christmas and all through the Mr Men houses not a creature is stirring, but in the sky overhead there are some very special visitors on their way.Mr Men and Little Miss Celebrations introduce children to all the exciting occasions that people celebrate including birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, sporting events and even a trip to the moon.These colourful adventures will delight children of two years and upwards. Bold illustrations and funny stories make Mr Men and Little Miss the perfect story time experience.Have you collected all the Christmas Stories?Mr ChristmasLittle Miss ChristmasMr Men A Christmas CarolMr Men The Night Before ChristmasMr Men 12 Days of ChristmasMr Men A Christmas PantomineMr Men A White ChristmasMr Men Meet Father ChristmasMr Men The Christmas TreeMr Men The Christmas PartyMr Men All Aboard for ChristmasMr Men Winter WonderlandTrade ReviewThe colourful characters have been delighting children since Mr Tickle first appeared on bookshelves in 1971.The Independent The timeless Mr Men books capture modern stereotypes perfectly.The Telegraph The Mr Men and Little Miss characters remain a cultural phenomenon, whose impact is felt far beyond the nursery bookshelf.The Telegraph

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling and highly illustrated children''s books series, soon to be hitting screens everywhere as an animated film and TV show with Nickelodeon and produced by James Corden.Ever wonder why pigeons always act so weird? It's because they're out there chasing the bad guys and saving your butts!Did you know your city is protected by a secret squad of crime-fighting pigeons? It''s true! With master of disguise Rock Pigeon, bendy Tumbler, strong Frillback and super-finder Homey, the REAL PIGEONS will solve any mystery and fight any bad guy to keep the city safe!In their first adventure, Rock and his mystery-solving friends will tackle their first caseload: Why have all the breadcrumbs disappeared? Who on earth is kidnapping bats? And can the pigeons avert a dinner disaster??Perfect for readers aged 6+ and fans of Pamela Butchart, DogMan, the Naughtiest Unicorn and Hotel Flamingo.Trade Review‘These are fast moving tales, highly illustrated with black and white illustrations that move the stories along at a madcap pace. Young emerging readers will power through the book giving them confidence and a huge slice of fun as they read ‘a proper chapter book’. Funny books for this age group are always very welcome – and this one (the start of a series) – is so well done I am sure children will lap them up’ – lovereadingforkids.co.uk ‘A goofball farce… this episodic volume offers two other cases for the crime-busting birdies, and young readers will make quick work of them all. Totally coo!', Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisGripping real-life stories that will inspire, astonish and entertain

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Book SynopsisIs this the right book for you? Take the ANNOYING TEST and find out!1) Do you ask 'Are we there yet?' over and over on long car trips?2) Do you like to drive people mad by copying everything they say and do?3) Do you hog the shower and use up all the hot water?4) Do you enjoy asking silly questions that have no real answers?5) Do you swing on the washing line whenever you get the chance?SCORE: One point for each yes answer.3-5 You are a practical joking genius. You will love this book.1-2 You are a good practical joker. You will love this book.0 You are not a practical joker. You will love this book.Just Annoying is the second book in this hilarious series of stories about the world's most annoying practical joker – from the creators of the bestselling Treehouse series, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.

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Book SynopsisEvery night, King Shahryar married a new bride. Every morning, he chopped off her head. So when the lovely Sheherazade became the latest of his wives, she had to do some quick thinking to stay alive. Over a thousand and one nights, she kept the King enthralled with her storytelling, and the stories, gathered together as The Arabian Nights, have become one of the world's classics. You will find famous stories such as Aladdin, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and also others such as How Many Fools? and The Keys of Destiny, which will quickly become firm favourites. Full of magic and mystery, a selection of the original Arabian Nights stories are here retold for children in a lively and robust way. Read how through fanciful histories, romances, tragedies, comedies, riddles and songs, the enterprising maiden Sheherazade prolongs her life by holding the king's rapt attention. With vibrant illustrations by Sheila Moxley, The Arabian Nights offers a ride on a magic carpet into a world of adventure and excitement. Ideal to read aloud or for older readers to enjoy discovering by themselves.

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Book SynopsisTaken from sources that draw on ancient traditions, these tales from the Celtic lands of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man, have been handed down for centuries by word of mouth. Now retold for a modern readership, with an introduction by folklorist Neil Philip, they will appeal to children of all ages. Read how the lazy giant Tom defeated the giant Blunderbuss and his two dogs Catchem and Tearem; and how King Oisin left the land of youth to return to Ireland only to find himself suddenly 300 years old. At the heart of many of the stories are the mischievous little people (fairies) who create havoc and merriment wherever they go. Enchanting pictures bring the stories vividly to life, making this is a wonderful gift book for any child.

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Book SynopsisJack loves building sandcastles more than anything in the world. But he can’t stop the sea from stealing them away. Then one day he finds a shell with magical powers, and makes a wish to be king of his own sandcastle. In no time he finds himself in the middle of an amazing adventure. But is his new power greater than the power of the sea? This magical tale from M.P.Robertson draws the reader into Jack’s amazing adventure of wishes, sandcastles, shells, mermaids and floods through the truly magnificent, full-colour illustrations. A popular read in schools especially in summer and a great book for boys, this atmospheric adventure shows us the power of our imagination and dreams.Trade Review`Every time you look at it, it leaves an imprint on your mind like a footprint in the sand.’ The Guardian; `Full of transporting illustrations painted with all the sureness and authority of an old master, and a plot that straddles the ordinary and extraordinary.’ Sally Williams, The Independent

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Book SynopsisThe Puffin Book of Stories for Five-year-olds edited by Wendy Cooling brings together stories perfectly suited for every five-year-old.A brimming collection of exciting stories, full of adventure and magic, by much-loved writers, including Margaret Mahy, Ted Hughes and Malorie Blackman. From a naughty pirate to a very lonely lion, children will love the amazing characters they meet in this timeless collection.Perfect for five-year-olds to share or read aloud. Wendy Cooling was educated in Norwich and then spent time travelling the world. On her return to England she trained as a teacher, and taught English in London for many years. She left teaching to work on the promotion of books and reading as Head of the Children''s Book Foundation (now Booktrust), and later founded Bookstart, the national programme that helps to bring books to young readers.

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Book SynopsisJulian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton''s most popular series. Borrowing some scissors is the beginning of an adventure for the Famous Five, as George manages to get mixed up with some burglars. The others are too busy eating ice cream to realise that George is in trouble!Will the Famous Five manage to catch up with the burglars and save the day? In addition to the Famous Five novels, Enid Blyton wrote a clutch of short stories based on the characters. These were published in magazines and collected in the Famous Five Short Story Collection (Hodder). For the first time, the complete and original text of George''s Hair Is Too Long (1955) appears in an individual volume, illustrated with brand new colour art by Jamie Littler.

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Book SynopsisTerry Pratchett (Author) Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any. www.terrypratchettbooks.comMark Beech (Illustrator) Mark Beech has been a freelance illustrator for the last ten years, and nowadays works a great deal in the world of children's publishing. From picture books for early readers, to education and fiction books for older readers, he has even made a picture book for the ipad, which allows him to animate ill

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Book SynopsisSnuggle down with this charming collection of wintery and Christmas stories from the world's best loved storyteller. Perfect for children aged 5 and up!

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Book SynopsisWHAT if you stumbled upon a boy who could talk to animals?WHY is a hitchhiker both a saviour and a threat?HOW can a man see without using his eyes?SEVEN EXTRAORDINARY TALES OF MAGIC, MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE.Trade Review'One of the most widely read and influential writers of our generation * The Times *An unforgettable read, don't miss it * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisIn this wonderful collection of very short stories from award-winning author, Kevin Crossley-Holland, none of the stories is more than two pages long, and some are much shorter. There are stories about ghosts, supermarkets, animals, adventures, and all kinds of things to inspire every short story writer.Trade ReviewOne of these stories is as short as a fleeting thought, another seeks to explain God's gift to man of four score years and ten...In stories as short as these, the love between parent and child, siblings, friends and within communities is a melody, and the point at which the reader shares this intimacy is the unique note. A book to think about for the 9-plus reader. * The School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisJourney into the enchanting worlds of the Disney Princesses with 7 magical stories

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Book SynopsisI was a rat!' So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it's true, but what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge is sure of it. A victim of Rodent Delusion'? The hospital nurse says yes. A lucrative fairground attraction? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. Or is Roger just an ordinary little boy? Only three people believe this version of the story, and it may take a royal interventionand a bit of magicto convince everyoneelse. A playful parody of the press, I Was a Rat! is a magical weaving of humour, fairy tale, and adventure. When, in A Scarecrow and His Servant, a bolt of lightning brings Scarecrow to life, he proves to be a courteous but pea-brained fellow with grand ideas. He meets a boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant and the two embark upon a terrifying series of adventuresincluding battles, brigands, broken hearts, and treasure islands. But little does the Scarecrow know that he is being followed by a family who desperately wishes he'd never sprung to life. Two stories of myth, magic and adventure from the master teller of tales.

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Book SynopsisRichard Scarry brings his signature style to an array of beloved nursery tales! Little ones will fall in love with Richard Scarry's cherished collection of nursery tales. Featuring the classics The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and many more, this treasury is full of fun and excitement and is a perfect addition to any home or school library.

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Book SynopsisBewitched retellings of classic fairy-tales with brave and resilient heroines. WINNER: Book of the Year 2018 (CBI Awards) WINNER: YA Book of the Year 2017 (Irish Book Awards) WINNER: Reader's Choice Award for YA Fiction 2017 (Irish Times Ticket Awards) A multi-award winning collection of twelve dark, feminist retellings of traditional fairytales from one of Ireland’s leading writers for young people. In the tradition of Angela Carter, stories such as Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin are given a witchy makeover. Intricately illustrated with black and white line drawings. ‘Exquisitely written and powerful – I’m enchanted by it.’ — Marian Keyes ‘Deirdre Sullivan’s writing is beguiling, bewitching and poetic. Her prose is almost dreamlike, reminiscent of Angela Carter.’ – Juno Dawson, author of The Gender Games ‘Sullivan’s prose is delicate and masterful.’ – Dave Rudden, author of Knights of the Borrowed Dark ‘Witchy, eerie and beautiful. These thirteen fairytale retellings already feel like feminist classics.’ – Claire Hennessy, author of Like Other Girls Dark, feminist retellings of traditional fairytales for a teen audience – not for the faint-heartedTrade Review'An absolute stunner of a book.' -- Claire Hennessey * The Irish Times *A tapestry of retellings and reimaginings, some told in beguiling second person, that foreground women – their desires, powers, fearsomeness and vulnerability … enriched by Vaughan’s sharp, intricate, Beardsleyesque illustrations. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *This absolutely beautifully collection of retold fairy tales is as wonderful to read as it is to look at. Featuring lovely, feminist angles on your favourite fairy tales and beautiful full spread illustrations, it deserves a space on your shelf stat. * Buzzfeed *Sullivan muddies the black-and-white narratives, not only with murky endings, but with dark, dangerous, imperfect and even unhinged heroines. In doing so, she makes her fairy tales richer and more fertile, but also more adult… Her language is heavily perfumed with meaning… with its beautiful pen-and-ink illustrations reminiscent of Aubrey Beardsley’s for Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales, it would make a great gift for a teenager. -- Hattie Garlick * The Times Literary Supplement *Vaughan’s artwork is captivatingly complex and disturbingly mesmeric, harking back to a previous generation of fairy-tale illustrators while significantly contributing to the synergy between this volume’s words and images … In Sullivan’s enthralling renditions the feminine is inseparable from the political and the sexual … An engrossing and terrifying work. * Inis Magazine *These fairy tale retellings are remarkable: they stop you in your tracks. They make you exclaim ‘What! What did I just read?’ I turned the pages backwards as often as I turned them forwards. The inky woodcut style drawings are an added bonus from Karen Vaughan. They exactly match the text, dark and light, astonishing, flowing. -- Hilary McKay, novelist * Achuka.co.uk (round-up, best books of 2017) *

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Book SynopsisThis text presents lively short stories by major authors, first published in the Young Telegraph.

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Book SynopsisA charming story collection from Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees full of friendship and adventure, and perfect to read together Full of friendship and adventure, these three uplifting stories capture the wonder, muck and magic of a city child's week on the farm.Join in the daring rescue of a lost lamb, meet a boy who saves a family of swallows, and discover how Barney the horse forever changes the life of the girl who looks after him.From Michael Morpurgo, co-founder of the charity Farms for City Children, and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, this charming story collection for young readers celebrates the countryside and the way its landscape and animals can leave an impression on a child's heart forever.Trade Review PRAISE FOR MICHAEL MORPURGO 'From the first sentence of a Michael Morpurgo book, you know you are in the hands of a natural storyteller’ Guardian ‘Michael Morpurgo is one of the country’s most respected authors for younger children’ The Times

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Book SynopsisBelieve it or not a kid can grow younger; birds can bury you; ghosts have exams; there are eyes in the milk. A brilliant collection of funny, weird and whacky short stories from Paul Jennings.

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Book SynopsisA collection of thirty wonderful stories about the nature and the countryside from one of the world's best-loved children's authors; perfect to enjoy all year round.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the beauty and wonder of trees in this stunningly illustrated collection of poetry and stories celebrating trees and what they mean to the world around us . . . Inspired by the woods around his home, the mighty forests that support our life on Earth, and the Ted Hughes poem which gives this book its title, My Heart Was a Tree is a celebration, and Sir Michael Morpurgo's love letter to trees.There are stories from an ancient olive remembering Odysseus and Penelope, and from a eucalyptus that gave shelter to a koala; from a piece of driftwood that was made into a chair, and from a tiny sapling carried by a refugee as a reminder of home – these are poems and stories that will amuse, move and energise families and readers of all ages to appreciate the beauty and wonder of trees.Yuval Zommer's beautiful, detailed illustrations bring the natural world to life, and make My Heart Was a Tree a book to pore over for hours and hours, discovering something new each time.

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Book SynopsisTen Twisty Tales is a collection of gripping stories suitable for readers of 13 and above. They are all standalone, and explore a range of themes, from deceitful friends to thorny relationships and family crises. Some are darker than others, although there's often a glimmer of light shining through.

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Book SynopsisNumber One for Fiendish Fun!This book contains the FIENDISH Nurse Needle, a secret club, an ANNOYING brother and a birthday party!Four utterly hilarious and totally brilliant Horrid Henry stories by Francesca Simon, with illustrations by Tony Ross. An irresistible introduction to reading for pleasure.

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Book SynopsisJust as the heroine in these stories, in real life Erin is a young girl who cannot walk, talk or use her hands. She has cerebral palsy. Within are subtle messages for her and many others* such as 'never give up', 'I am able just as I am', 'reading gives one so much' and 'accept me as me'... Clare Latham was asked by SpecialEffect founder Dr Mick Donegan if she could build a communication system with Erin, which she did together with her Mum and personal assistant. Erin's tenacity, ability and sense of fun then spurred Clare to write these stories from their shared experiences and, as it were, keep her going... * There are 17 million around the world living with cerebral palsy (US National Institute of Health)... SpecialEffect: The charity is dedicated to giving disabled people the technology to access video games and the internet, thus promoting fun and inclusion. Dr Donegan was awarded an MBE for his service to disability.Trade ReviewBelfast Telegraph; Jersey Evening Post; London Mums magazine https://londonmumsmagazine.com/category/shopping-guides/books-tested-recommended/ ; Motherhood Moment https://motherhood-moment.blogspot.com/2023/11/book-nook-erin-and-mouse.html; AceCentre, blog https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/clare-latham-from-communication-books-to-childrens-booksTable of ContentsThe Mouse who learnt to write with his eyes Erin helps Mouse to read Erin and Mouse make magic Erin and Mouse play a Christmas song Erin plays with Mickey Mouse

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Book SynopsisJulian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton''s most popular series.The Famous Five are on their way to the cinema when Timmy spots a cat and tears after it, taking the gang on a detour to an empty house. But is it really empty? Some strange sounds suggest otherwise...Timmy leads the gang into another thrilling adventure. In addition to the Famous Five novels, Enid Blyton wrote a clutch of short stories based on the characters. These were published in magazines and collected in the Famous Five Short Story Collection (Hodder). For the first time, the complete and original text of When Timmy Chased the Cat (1956) appears in an individual volume, illustrated with brand new colour art by Jamie Littler.

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Book SynopsisThree brilliant storiesthat will captivateyoung readers by War Horse author and former Children''s Laureate,Michael Morpurgo.The Marble CrusherDoes Mr Manners, the headmaster, really have a machine that crushes marbles? Albert thinks so.Colly''s BarnColly the owl and Screecher the swallow band together to save the barn.ConkerNick beats the bully, Stevie Rooster, and becomes Conker king. But can he rescue a mistreated dog while searching for the best conker?Michael Morpurgo, demonstrates why he is considered to be the master storyteller in these animal tales that are wonderful for engaging early readers. aged seven years and up.Michael has written more thanone hundredbooks for children including An Eagle in the Snow, Listen to the Moon, Private Peaceful, and An Elephant in the Gardenand won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children's Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.

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Book SynopsisA full-colour beautiful gift edition of this magical story featuring Lyra and Pan, set in the world of Philip Pullman''s ground-breaking His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust. Illustrated for the first time by Chris Wormell.Two years after the events of His Dark Materials, Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon sit high on the roof of Jordan College, gazing down on the streets of Oxford. But their peace is shattered by a flock of enraged starlings, who seem intent on knocking another bird out of the sky - a bird that Lyra and Pan quickly realise is a witch''s daemon. The daemon carries worrying tidings of a terrible sickness spreading in the north, and claims that only Lyra can help him - but is he really a friend, or a foe?Illustrated throughout for the first time by Chris Wormell, this is the perfect gift for Pullman fans old and new.

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Book SynopsisNumber One for Fiendish Fun!This book contains a HORRIBLE story, yucky healthy meals, a mad professor and a ZOMBIE vampire!Four utterly hilarious and totally brilliant Horrid Henry stories by Francesca Simon, with illustrations by Tony Ross. An irresistible introduction to reading for pleasure.Trade ReviewWe can never get enough of Horrid Henry - and the more horrid he is, the better he gets! * LIVERPOOL ECHO *Even with his horrid tricks, I will always give Henry 10/10 -- Niamh, age 8 * TESCO MAGAZINE *Younger kids and older readers alike will devour these uproarious stories. Horrid Henry is great fun and as irresistable as ever. * THE BOOKBAG *I have read Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire at least 3 times and I loved it. I am awarding it ONE MILLION STARS -- Dylan, age 8all new Horrid Henry stories are a joy to read... -- Sally Morris * DAILY MAIL *

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Book SynopsisIntroducing The Famous Five to younger readers, aged 5 and up! In this full-colour, newly created adventure story, the Five investigate a mysterious noise on Kirrin Island...The Five are camping on Kirrin Island and hear a mysterious noise coming from the castle. And when they don''t find anything in the dark, Dick tries to convince the others that it''s the ghost of Kirrin Island. But ghosts aren''t real... right?Set in the world of Enid Blyton''s best-loved series, this newly created story follows Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog on a special new adventure. The story is broken down into short chapters with vibrant, full-colour illustrations on every page - perfect for shared reading or for newly confident readers to enjoy independently.Also look out for: The Birthday Adventure, Five to the Rescue!, Timmy and the Treasure, Five and the Runaway Dog and Message in a Bottle, illustrated by Becka Moor.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the Booker Prize-shortlisted Treacle Walker and the Carnegie Medal and Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-winning classic, The Owl ServiceThe definitive collection of traditional folk tales, selected and retold by the renowned Alan Garner.A collection of Alan's folk tales, told with his unique storytelling skill and inimitably clear voice. Essential reading for young and old alike.Among the stories collected here are: Kate Crackernuts Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree Yallery BrownTrade Review“The stories are written in a variety of voices, but the prose is always spare and hard, not a word wasted, not a word out of place… And if, by the time I have grandchildren, there are still public libraries, I trust that they will find this book in one, and take it to a quiet corner and read.” Neil Gaiman “…the great collections of British folk-tales, such as this one, should be treated in two ways: first, they should be bound in gold and brought out on special occasions as national treasures; and second, they should be printed in editions of hundreds of thousands, at the public expense, and given away free to every young teacher and every new parent.” Philip Pullman

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