Children’s / Teenage general interest: Witches, wizards and magicians

Book SynopsisIn this book from the highly acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the incredible life of Harry Houdini, one of the most famous entertainers to have ever lived. When he was four, little Ehrich emigrated with his family from Hungary to the USA. Although they had reached a world of great opportunity, the family lived in poverty and Ehrich had no choice but to go to work from a young age. When he was just nine, Ehrich worked as a trapeze artist, and this experience led him into a life of entertainment. As he grew older, Ehrich continued to play to audiences with fascinating card tricks. But when working as a locksmith by day and honing his magic skills at night, Ehrich realised that he would need more than a deck of cards to really 'wow' people... and so, the great Harry Houdini came to be. As Houdini, the escape artist who could free himself from handcuffs, chains and knots like no one else, he

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Book Synopsis''It isn''t actually a known spell. I sort of made it up myself.''Mildred Hubble has always been the worst witch at Miss Cackle''s Academy, but she just knows this term will be different. She''s done the best holiday project ever and she''s sure that her form teacher, the fearsome Miss Hardbroom, will be impressed. Even her arch-enemy, Ethel Hallow, is being friendly to her! But is it all too good to be true - will disaster strike again for the Worst Witch?Mildred may be the worst witch at the academy but she''s the best friend you could ever have. Millions of readers love her. And so will you . . .Trade ReviewA wonderful zany story * Daily Telegraph *Jill Murphy is one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land * Observer *

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Book SynopsisDorothy lives on the American prairie. A tornado lifts her wooden home into the air with Dorothy and her dog Toto inside, bringing them to the magical Land of Oz. Dorothy makes friends with a scarecrow, a tin man and a lion, but she longs to return home. With fun activities after the story, and online audio in British and American English.

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Book SynopsisFiona Watt (Author) Fiona Watt is an Editorial Director and writer at Usborne Publishing. She graduated from Exeter University with a Bachelor of Education in Art and Design. She taught for three years at a primary school in Kent, before spending two years at a British school in The Netherlands. She started working at Usborne in 1989 and has written and edited hundreds of books including baby and novelty, sticker, art and craft, cookery, science and activity books. She has written all the titles in the award-winning THAT'S NOT MY series and many in the highly successful Sticker Dolly Dressing series. She is the sixth biggest-selling UK children's author, with over 10 million of her books sold in the UK since records began.Trade ReviewThese tactile, strokable patches are not just an added treat but a means to develop sensory awareness alongside the language skills being learned. As ever the characters are smiley and hugely appealing. * Andrea Reece, Lovereading4kids *

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Book Synopsis Studio Ghibli meets Diana Wynne Jones in the first spellbinding APPRENTICE WITCH book! 'Reminded me of the best of the Worst Witch books' ABI ELPHINSTONE 'A charming tale of magic, bravery and friendship, reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones.' GUARDIAN 'The Apprentice Witch is entirely more charming, adventurous, and full of heart than a book has any right to be.' TRENTON LEE STEWART 'A delightful, witty and vivid story' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE Arianwyn fluffs her witch’s assessment. Awarded the dull bronze disc of an apprentice – to the glee of her arch-rival, Gimma – she’s sent to protect the remote, dreary town of Lull. But her new life is far from boring. Turns out Gimma is the pompous mayor’s favourite niece – and worse, she opens a magical rift in the nearby forest. As Arianwyn struggles with her spells, it’s soon clear there’s much more than her pride at stake … A bewitching debut set in a world of domestic magic – a refreshingly small-world fantasy perfect for readers aged 9 and up. A spellbinding read, tapping into important themes of overcoming failure and building self-esteem. Filled with thrills, pesky magical conundrums, outlandish creatures and an enchanted forest, yet retains its warm soul and earthy charm!

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Book SynopsisForbidden love, danger and vengeance . . . Read the first book in the Dark Artifices series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author and the queen of fantasy, Cassandra Clare, in a stunning new anniversary edition.  This luxurious hardback collector's edition of the international bestseller includes new bonus material, and an exclusive introduction from the author. This is the perfect series for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, Alexandra Bracken and existing fans of the Shadowhunter novels.DISCOVER THE BREATHTAKING WORLD OF THE SHADOWHUNTERS. In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai are partners in battle; best friends. Parabatai can be everything to each other – but they can never fall in love.Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter. Alongside her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she p

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Book SynopsisThe eighth and final adventure in the hilarious Worst Witch series.I am a hopeless case - everything I do always does go wrong in the end.Summer term has started at Miss Cackle''s Academy, and somehow disaster-prone Mildred Hubble has made it to Year Four without being expelled.Even though everyone knows her as the Worst Witch, she''s secretly set her sights on winning the school''s highest honour - that of Head Girl of Miss Cackle''s Academy.Can she stay out of trouble and prove to everyone that even the worst witch can turn her fortunes around?Not if her arch-enemy Ethel Hallow has anything to do with it...''The Worst Witch is back - and it''s as subtly feminist as ever'' - New StatesmanRead the rest of Mildred''s (mis)adventures: The Worst Witch, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, The Worst Witch All at Sea, The Worst Witch Saves the Day, The Worst Witch to the RescTrade ReviewA wonderful zany story * Daily Telegraph *Jill Murphy is one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land * Observer *

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding rhyming story that brings to life the precious moments between a mother and daughter, with a sprinkle of magic and a supernatural twist. The magical moments between a mother and her daughter are some of the most treasured memories to make. But what if your mummy happens to be a witch? This wonderfully witchy story is a cauldron of utterly charming ingredients told through the eyes of a little witchling. From dandelion ice-scream to pumpkin perfume and cauldron baths, and best of all a mummy who can wake up the sun and make the stars shine. PRAISE "Adorable storytelling, beautiful illustrations. An instant 'Moon Lane Classic'." - Tamara Macfarlane, Founder of the multi-award winning Moon Lane bookshops in London and Kent "A beautiful celebration of nature, magic moments & mums that do things differently." - Through The Wardrobe bookshopTrade Review"A beautiful celebration of nature, magic moments and mums that do things differently." - Through The Wardrobe bookshop ; "This book is a celebration of the ordinary moments shared and cherished between a mum and daughter, it's bubbling over with love, and I adore all the witchy details. Perfect for bedtimes, this gorgeously illustrated book in tones of peach and sage and lilac will send little ones off to a magical dreamworld where anything is possible." @milo_and_gigis_bookshelf ; "Filled with imagination, comfort and love, 'My Mummy is a Witch' is a heartwarming picture book to share with little ones all year round. " - The Kids Books Curator ; "...the gentle rhyme makes this a really relaxing read, perfect to snuggle up with and savour those special moments." @mrsbrownsbookbox ; "The story sparked my little boy's imagination, with him desperate to smell pumpkin perfume and have a bath in a cauldron. He is especially excited to follow the recipe at the back of the book to make dandelion ice cream!!" @thestayathometoddler ; "Everything about the colours, the soft rhyming flow and even the font captivates you from page one! All I can say is finally a book about witches that isn't anchored in Halloween" @littlegreengem_ ; "Both my 3 and 6 year old loved it" @wellies.and.wildflowers "...this book has definitely jumped straight into my favourites!" @learningwithroman ; "Jess Rose never fails to impress with her beautiful illustrations." @mammy_gittins ; "What a lovely story about a Mummy and daughter who make such magical memories." @playtimewiththedavies

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Book SynopsisSpend a year at Hogwarts™ with this magical LEGO® set.Read all about the school’s most mysterious corners, discover fascinating facts and complete the fun activities.Play along with the Harry Potter™, Ron Weasley™ and Hermione Granger™ minifigures, and use the instructions included to put together three brilliant builds: the Gryffindor™ dining table, a Christmas gift and a Christmas tree.Once you’ve put your new LEGO builds together, use the fold-out Gryffindor play scene to create more fantastical stories of your very own.LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2023 The LEGO Group.WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

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Book SynopsisThe Worst Witch All At Sea is the fourth hilarious adventure in The Worst Witch series. Mildred Hubble is in deep water on the school trip!Lovable but disaster-prone Mildred Hubble is possibly the worst ever trainee witch to darken the doors of Miss Cackle''s Academy for Witches.When the class goes for a week''s school trip to the seaside, Mildred can''t bear to leave behind her beloved cat, Tabby behind, so she smuggles him along. But keeping Tabby hidden leads Mildred into yet more trouble...''A wonderful zany story'' - Daily TelegraphLook out for more of Mildred''s disastrous adventures: The Worst Witch, The Worst Witch Strikes Again, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, The Worst Witch Saves the Day, The Worst Witch to the Rescue, The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star and First Prize for the Worst Witch. Trade ReviewA wonderful zany story * Daily Telegraph *Jill Murphy is one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land * Observer *

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Book SynopsisBursting with beautiful illustrations to colour, Harry Potter: Slytherin: The Official Colouring Book is a must-have colouring book for ambitious members of this house and fans of the magical film series. Grab your coloured pencils — it's time for colouring wizardry! Show your house pride with intricate, all-new artwork of characters, iconic objects, and magical places from the Harry Potter films, all themed to house Slytherin. Featuring important house moments from the Sorting Ceremony, Yule Ball, feasts, and so much more, this colouring book is jam-packed with special designs and scenes every cunning Slytherin will love.Trade Review‘Spellbinding … perfect for fans of the Wizarding World’ -- PaperCrafter

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Book SynopsisReturn to the land of Never After, where real life and fairy tales collide, in The Missing Sword, the fourth book of bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz''s hit fantasy series.To save her mother from Olga''s evil clutches, Filomena must travel to the legendary land of Camelot to find the legendary sword Excalibur.But Camelot is not all that it seems. Fil and the crew quickly realize that another fairy tale has taken hold in the land of Arthurian Legend . . . the Wizard of Oz! With the help (and hindrance) of the Wicked Witches of East and West, the League of Seven follow the yellow brick road to retrieve the sword and complete their most important quest yet.In a land where nothing is truly as it seems, will Fil and the League of the Seven survive the witch''s tests? Or will Olga''s perilous plans rip Fil''s mother away from her forever?Trade ReviewEqual parts whimsical and adventure-packed, Filomena's journey will entrance readers and have them rooting for the young, witty heroine . . . A refreshing twist on well-known fairy tales * Kirkus on The Stolen Slippers *The twist-filled plot moves along quickly with plenty of action and snappy banter * Booklist on The Stolen Slippers *

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author of Vespertine comes a heart-stopping new sequel novella to the breathtaking fantasy Sorcery of Thorns. This is the perfect read for fans of Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas’s A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES series, and Holly Black!Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor’s occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another . . . ? With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth and Nathaniel have to wor

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Book SynopsisThe action-packed sequel to THE MARVELLERS, the best-selling fantasy adventure! 'I want to live in this world' - Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson seriesWelcome to Year Two at the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors!Ella, Jason, and Brigit are back at the global magic school in the sky for their second year. But not everyone is happy that Ella has returned, and when an illness begins affecting the students' marvels, she's in the spotlight once more.As tensions between Marvellers and Conjurors reach an all-time high, Ella and her friends are determined to unlock the secrets of the Arcanum Training Institute's past. Why is the truth about the Conjure architect who founded the Arcanum Training Institute being kept hidden? To discover what mysteries their school holds, they'll need to track down the stolen memories . . .Praise for THE MARVELLERS, a New York Times bestseller (May 2022): 'A richly imagined world . . . I didn't want it to end!' - A. F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief 'A marvelous gift of a novel!' - Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U GiveTrade ReviewClayton continues building a world that is intricate, captivating, and sure to satisfy. This novel brings additional cultural diversity to the story as Ella explores her school and becomes involved with more members of the multidimensional cast of characters. A wonderfully well-developed sequel. * Kirkus starred review *The story is fast-moving and exciting throughout and could easily be enjoyed as a whole class experience or as private reading for those at the higher end of the suggested reading ages and abilities. * School Reading List *

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Book SynopsisWhat do you get if you mix together two best friends, a witch''s curse and a haunted house? A spell-binding mystery from acclaimed performer and bestselling author Carrie Hope Fletcher - star of Andrew Lloyd Webber''s Cinderella.They say children who are born on Friday 13th are immune to evil spirits. Whilst Ivy and Maggie liked to believe that was true, it didn''t stop them checking for monsters under their bed each and every night. Ivy and Maggie have been best friends ever since they were born at exactly the same minute twelve years earlier. They''re always on the look-out for a new adventure but unfortunately Crowood Peak is officially the most boring town in the world. Or at least it was until children start to mysteriously disappear and, even stranger, none of the grown-ups seem to have noticed . . . It''s up to the Double Trouble Society to work out what''s going on. All the evidence points to the old mansion next door with strange green lights in the windows and a new owner who looks suspiciously like a witch! Can Ivy and Maggie solve the mystery of Hokum House and rescue their friends or will they be next on the witch''s list of victims?

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Book Synopsis“High stakes, big heart, and lots of Black Girl Magic…unputdownable.” —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love—she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.After years of waiting for her Calling—a trial every witch must pass to come into their powers—the one thing Voya Thomas didn’t expect was to fail. When Voya’s ancestor gives her an unprecedented second chance to complete her Calling, she agrees—and then is horrified when her task is to kill her first love. And this time, failure means every Thomas witch will be stripped of their magic. Voya is determined to save her family’s magic no matter the cost. The problem is, Voya has never been in love, so for her to succeed, she’ll first have to find the perfect guy—and fast. Fortunately, a genetic matchmaking program has just hit the market. Her plan is to join the program, fall in love, and complete her task before the deadline. What she doesn’t count on is being paired with the infuriating Luc—how can she fall in love with a guy who seemingly wants nothing to do with her? With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline. If she wants to save their heritage and Luc, she’ll have to find something her ancestor wants more than blood. And in witchcraft, blood is everything.Trade Review"Liselle Sambury builds a world not far from our own, where blood is both weapon and salvation. Blood Like Magic is an intoxicating, skillful blend of science fiction and fantasy that reads like an enthralling dream. Poignant, smart, and wholly unique. An ode to the spirits of Black women, this novel demands that the future never forget the enduring power of family or the long, sharp blade of history. A bold, magical debut full of heart, and an author to watch! -- Tracy Deonn, New York Times bestselling author of LEGENDBORN"With high stakes, big heart, and lots of Black Girl Magic, Blood Like Magic is everything you love about paranormal fantasy. The fast pace, painfully relatable characters, and incredible generational magic system makes Blood Like Magic unputdownable. Liselle Sambury left me with a massive book hangover that won’t be cured until I get the sequel!" -- Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery BoysAfro-futurism meets urban fantasy in this strong YA debut. Descended from a long line of powerful Black witches and having just started her Bleeding, 16-year-old Voya Thomas anxiously plans for the Calling that will follow, an ancestor-given trial that she must pass in order to inherit magic. A Thomas hasn’t failed in 100 years, but Voya worries nonetheless. To pass a Calling, one must make the correct choice between two decisions—something Voya has notorious difficulty with. Her concerns threaten to become reality when she receives the most impossible task ever known to witches, one with equally unheard of consequences: if Voya does not destroy her first love in one month, all current and future Thomases will lose their magic. Voya’s one desire is to help her family, but she’s never been in love, and she doesn’t want to take a life. As her family tries to find loopholes around committing murder, Voya stumbles across an ancestor she’s never heard of, whom the adults insist on pretending doesn’t exist. Sambury blends technology and fantasy to create a detailed world that’s both futuristic and magical. Featuring a cast of BIPOC and queer characters of all ages, this novel focuses on familial love, individual desires, and making choices that will lead to the greatest good. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kristy Hunter, the Knight Agency. (June) -- Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW* * April 26, 2021 *In Sambury's downright dazzling debut, Voya has finally started menstruating, which means she's ready to come into her family’s magic and receive her gift from her family’s ancestors. To receive this gift, each witch needs to complete a task given to them by an ancestor, and failing is not an option. To Voya’s misfortune, Mama Jova, who suffered at the hands of slavery, imparts her task: to echo the family’s mantra of “suffer and survive,” Voya is instructed to destroy her first love or risk losing her family forever. This engrossing novel features a world both familiar and unfamiliar, in a near-future Toronto. Sambury vividly captures the vibrancy of Toronto as well as the diversity within the witch community, and her dedication to world building lends authenticity to her characters. Family and heritage are two important themes, demonstrated powerfully in the novel's descriptions of history keeping, food, and daily family life. While this urban fantasy takes place in the near future, Sambury does not turn a blind eye to the persistent history of systemic racism against Black people, the evils of slavery, or police brutality targeting Black people, nor how those impact the Black community on a daily basis, all while keeping magic compellingly at the forefront. This impressive debut will wow readers and leave them eager for more from this writer to watch. -- Booklist STARRED Review * June 1, 2021 *It’s 2049 in Toronto, and sixteen-year-old Voya is about to go through her Calling, the trial that will determine whether she will have magic like the rest of her witch family. She might fail, though, since she’s directed to destroy her unknown first love, but if she doesn’t do it, her entire family will lose magic and future generations will be magicless. Billion-dollar tech company NuGene offers a solution with a beta matching program, and she’s matched with handsome trans NuGene intern and sponsor son Luc, who seemingly wants nothing to do with her; Voya’s task will only get harder as the two become closer. Sambury’s near-future Toronto is an interesting mix of cultural progressivity and capitalist nightmare, with NuGene’s high-tech modding and genetic sequencing services only available to the rich and a “sponsor” system where CEOs groom kids from “so-called ‘disadvantaged’ countries” to become heirs, but Voya’s Black family faces less discrimination than they would in the present day. The technology is additionally thought-provoking, with a rating system for everyone’s profiles to determine approachability, and the two prominent trans characters have new tech for transitioning per their preferences but also new battles to fight. It’s impossible not to root for Voya, who loves cooking Trinidadian recipes and always looks out for her big, often dysfunctional family, as she uncovers conspiracies in the witch community. Readers will certainly be holding out until the last page to see if Voya and her complex, nuanced family get their much-deserved happiness. -- BCCB * June 2021 *

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Book Synopsis"A non-stop adventure, full of spellbinding, sorcerers and selkies. Cat Gray's storytelling proves that magic really does exist." Helena Duggan, author of A Place Called Perfect"Spellstoppers is a charming page-turner and I lapped up every moment of this magical tale." Clare Povey, author of The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bon LivreWelcome to Yowling - a secretive seaside village where magic is just one step away...Max has spent years thinking he is cursed, because whenever he touches anything electrical it explodes. But then he is sent to Yowling and discovers he is a Spellstopper, someone with the rare ability to drain dangerous build-ups of magic and fix misbehaving enchanted items.When Max's Grandad is kidnapped by the cruel Keeper of the malfunctioning magical castle that floats in the bay, only Max's gift can save him. Together with his new friend Kit, Max throws himself into an adventure filled with villainous owls, psychic ice cream and man-eating goldfish. But can he really pull off the biggest spellstop ever?The perfect summer-holiday magical adventure for fans of Diana Wynne Jones, Catherine Doyle and Thomas Taylor. Trade ReviewThe writing sings in this magical adventure about finding the power within. * The I *A non-stop adventure, full of spellbinding, sorcerers and selkies. Cat Gray's storytelling proves that magic really does exist. * Helena Duggan, author of A Place Called Perfect *Spellstoppers is a charming page-turner and I lapped up every moment of this magical tale. An ode to knowing (and growing) your strengths and finding wonder everywhere you look. * Clare Povey, author of The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bon Livre *

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Book SynopsisThe Evernight has been defeated and the sun has returned, thanks to Larabelle Fox and her friends Joe and Double Eight. White Witches have their souls back and Mrs Hester is no more. It should be a time of celebration and relief. But a new threat is emerging from the mists of the Veil, the dangerous forest that surrounds the Silver Kingdom’s southern lands. Mysterious killings are taking place, and Double Eight is the suspect. Lara and Joe journey to Lake End to discover what’s really happening, all the while trying to stay one step ahead of the secret police . . . With artwork by Amy Grimes.Trade Review"MacKenzie’s imaginative ability to create a fantasy world is limitless … the sheer energy and charm of the characters propel the plot at breakneck speed – and the reader with it" * Daily Mail *"Ross MacKenzie is the dream author for those who want their stories full of adventure, danger and magic... one to recommend for fans of Philip Pullman as well as Harry Potter, a spell-binding treat for anyone looking for stories of magic and courage" -- Andrea Reece * LoveReading4Kids *

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Book Synopsis Arianwyn is back for another thrilling adventure in the second APPRENTICE WITCH book - Studio Ghibli meets Diana Wynne Jones! Praise for book 1: 'Reminded me of the best of the Worst Witch books' ABI ELPHINSTONE 'The Apprentice Witch is entirely more charming, adventurous, and full of heart than a book has any right to be.' TRENTON LEE STEWART 'A delightful, witty and vivid story' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE During an eventful holiday in Kingsport, Arianwyn is recruited for an important mission: to retrieve the Book of Quiet Glyphs from its hiding place in the Great Wood. But as she returns home to Lull, feyling refugees gather outside the town walls and hex plagues the forest. As tensions lead to fall-outs with her friends, town squabbles and magical mishaps, Arianwyn faces a sobering truth: she alone can find the Book, and wield its secrets ... A bewitching series set in a world of domestic magic – a refreshingly small-world fantasy perfect for readers aged 9 and up. A spellbinding read, tapping into important themes of overcoming failure and building self-esteem. Filled with thrills, pesky magical conundrums, outlandish creatures and an enchanted forest, yet retains its warm soul and earthy charm!

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Book SynopsisEnter the world of Septimus Heap, Wizard Apprentice. Magyk is his destiny. In the fifth book of this Magykal series, Septimus and his friends find themselves on an island whose secrets are as dark and dangerous as its inhabitants.Septimus Heap returns to the House of Foryx with Spit Fyre to pick up Jenna, Nicko, Snorri, and Beetle. But the journey home does not go well and when Septimus and his friends are caught in a storm, Spit Fyre crashes into the Rokk Lighthouse. They are rescued by the lighthouse keeper who is disturbingly sinister, and who has an equally sinister cat . . . And all the while, Septimus is trying to fight the strange pull he''s feeling to the island and its mysterious secrets.Trade ReviewPraise for Septimus Heap series: Warm, funny and humane, Sage takes care with the destiny of even her smallest characters, and is a real discovery * Amanda Craig, The Times *Her yarn scoots along like a dragon-boat with the wind in its sails * Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times *Full of hurtle-paced humour * Telegraph *Wonderfully imaginative . . . Children of all ages will relish this * Waterstone’s Guide to Kid’s Books *

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Book SynopsisPrincess Arnica is so sweet and gentle that when she smiles even wolves and bears forget their fierceness. Everyone loves her, but she loves only Poor Johnny. Luckily, he loves her too, and even more luckily she has a very sensible king for a father, who is happy for her to marry whomever her heart desires. So, no problems then? Well, maybe just one - The Witch with a Hundred Faces has cast a spell on Arnica and Johnny which means that one of them, at any one time, must always be a duck, and the other human! Who can help them? Only the Seven headed Fairy. Will they be able to find her? You'll just have to read the book and find out!Trade Review"Charming and funny, a minor classic … Quirky and philosophical, this is a fabulous read-aloud for children ages 6-11." — Wall Street Journal"Here’s something new and wonderful. Lázár (1936–2006) was a Hungarian national treasure. . . . Move over Princess Bride: Arnica is a worthy successor to Buttercup." — Susan Harari, Keefe Library, in Youth Services Book Review"A quacking read... a wonderful, twisted fairytale, with gorgeous illustrations." -- The Times, Children’s Book of the Week"Gorgeous illustrations! A beautiful Hungarian fairy tale... love, friendship and a wicked witch! Just brilliant!" -- Independent Book Reviews"Ably translated from Hungarian into English, and uniquely enhanced with the original artwork of Jacqueline Molar, this delightfully entertaining retelling of an Hungarian folk tale by author Ervin Lazar is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library collections." — Midwest Book Review"Something rather special... [a] fairytale of love and friendship... perfect to read aloud or to share with new slightly more confident readers." -- Angels and Urchins"A stunning fairytale about love, friendship and laughter, but Lázár also offers wise words about controlling one's anger, forgiveness and showing kindness... this is a magical tale to be enjoyed by readers young and old." -- Bluebird Reviews"Jacqueline Molnár's eye-catching illustrations have a wonderful folk art quality to them which wonderfully complement the text... contains all the most important ingredients of a fairy tale: friendship, peril, humour and a touch of magic." -- Library Girl and Book Boy blog "The style of writing is refreshingly modern and amusing… I have no way of knowing if this is the style of Ervin Lázár, capably translated by Anna Bentley, or if there is some magic happening in the translation… It’s really very charming [and] …the illustrations by Jacqueline Molnár turn out to be exactly what the book needs." -- Bookwitch blog

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Book SynopsisEveryone needs a little wishcraft and magic in their lives, especially kids! There are three key things to remember when doing wishcraft. The first is to be as clear as you can about your wish. The second thing to remember is to have fun: let go, celebrate, be creative, be in the moment! The third thing to remember is that you are the magic. Without you, without your unique energy in the world, the magic, the wishcraft, cannot work.

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Book SynopsisWith beautiful cover illustration by Alex T. Smith, creator of the Claude series, Dial a Ghost is a wonderfully spooky young fiction title from the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson.'Get me some ghosts,' said Fulton Snodde-Brittle. 'Frightful and dangerous ghosts!'Fulton has gone to the Dial a Ghost agency with an evil plan. He wants to hire some truly terrifying ghosts to scare his nephew Oliver to death. The Shriekers are the most violent and sickening spectres the agency has, but a mix-up means the kind Wilkinson ghosts are sent in their place. Now Oliver has some spooky allies to help him outwit the wicked Snodde-Brittles . . .Trade ReviewYou'll love this chain-rattling, blood-oozingly hilarious story. -- Daily TelegraphWildly original and wholly satisfying. -- Amanda Craig * The Guardian *

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Book Synopsis'Magical in every sense of the word' Eoin Colfer Step into the magical world of Hedgewitch, where the land of Faerie lies just beyond our own, in this enchanting new series for children age 9+ and readers of Nevermoor and Michelle Harrison.Cassie Morgan has run away. After seven years spent waiting for her mother to return, she flees her dreary boarding school and sets out to find her. But the world outside her school is full of hidden magic and children have been going missing.With the help of a talking cat and a flying broom, Cassie escapes to the enchanted village of Hedgely. There she will begin her training in the practical skills of witchcraft with the Hedgewitch, who watches over the Hedge, the vast forest that marks the border between England and Faerie.Will Cassie discover the truth about her mother? Can she find the lost faery treasures before the wicked Erl King gets his hands on them? And what will it take to save her new home - and Britain itself - from the shadowing magic of Faerie?'There are only two sorts of fantasy story: the ones that feel fake and the ones that feel real. It's hard to explain the difference but you know the real ones when you read them, and Hedgewitch is one of them' Philip ReeveNominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for WritingTrade Review'Magical in every sense of the word. So magical that I suspect Skye McKenna might actually be a fairy' -- Eoin Colfer'An enchanting contemporary classic. The writing is as magical as the story – a total treat' -- Piers Torday'There are only two sorts of fantasy story: the ones that feel fake and the ones that feel real. It's hard to explain the difference but you know the real ones when you read them, and Hedgewitch is one of them' -- Philip Reeve'A richly inventive story' -- Gillian Cross'So full of magic and adventure – I wish I'd written it myself!' -- Linda Chapman'Oozes magic from every page. The start of a cosy, compelling series for anyone who's ever wanted to be a witch' -- Aisha Bushby'From the very first page, the story sweeps you into an utterly believable magical world, one filled with warmth, wonder, mystery and just the right amount of danger to thrill young readers' -- Aisling Fowler'Fantasy lovers should not miss Hedgewitch' * Daily Telegraph *'Vivid and thoroughly assured, Hedgewitch may well stand alongside the works of Murphy and Rowling in years to come' * Literary Review *'A twisty tale that brings together nature and folklore' * i weekend *'Thoroughly magical and compelling' * New Statesman *'A magical story of adventure and friendship involving a cast of remarkable characters' * The School Librarian *'Packed full of mystery and imagination' * BookTrust *'Charming magical quest' * LoveReading4Kids *'This magical story feels like it will be an instant classic' * The Week Junior *'The start of an entrancing new series whose characters will quickly charm their way into the hearts of its readers, and encourage them to embrace the magic of the wild' * librarygirlandbookboy.com *'This feels like slipping on your pjs, and is a gentle read with just enough darkness to set your hairs on edge' * misscleavelandsreading.com *'For those with magic in their soul, Hedgewitch is a pure delight' * lilyandthefae.wordpress.com *'With echoes of Diana Wynne Jones and Alan Garner, Hedgewitch feels like a future classic' * www.picturebooksnob.com *'A spell-binding read full of evil magical folk and good witches' * Toppsta Reviewer, aged 9 *'A great book full of magic, friends and fun' * Toppsta Reviewer, aged 12 *'I really, really love this book. I couldn't stop reading' * Toppsta Reviewer, aged 8 *

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Book SynopsisSuzy can't wait to return to the Union of Impossible Places on the Impossible Postal Express. But when she arrives, she overhears a dastardly plan to destroy Trollville from a shadowy and unexpected villain. Suzy and her friends must race from magical cloud-worlds to secret caverns to catch the culprit, before Trollville comes crashing down...Trade ReviewA pacy, gutsy, creative and dramatic story with delightful depth. * Teach Primary *Bell's imagination takes full flight again for this second helping of extraordinary, exhilarating and inventive adventure. * Lancashire Post *Full of treasure, quirky magic, new characters... For every child who's dreamed of being whisked off on an adventure. * South Wales Evening Post *The second book in a series of fantasy adventures, this fun story is set in a world that defies the laws of gravity - and most other laws of physics, too! * BookTrust *Imagination abounds in this troll-centric series and this sequel delivers in fun adventure just as the first book did. * WRD About Books *

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Book Synopsis*THE TOP-TEN BESTSELLER* From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling new YA fantasy about a teen girl with mythic abilities. This is the perfect read for fans of Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas's A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES series, and Holly Black! Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, tasked with cleansing the bodies of the dead so that their souls can pass on; otherwise, they will rise as spirits with a hunger for the living. When her convent is attacked, Artemisia defends it by awakening a revenant. Wielding this ancient spirit’s extraordinary power almost consumes her – but only a vespertine, a priestess trained to wield a revenant, has any chance of saving Loraille. As Artemisia unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets and dark magic, her bond with the revenant gro

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Book SynopsisThe final book in The Worldwalker Trilogy - inspired by the Salem witch hunt - Witch's Pyre is the electrifying conclusion from internationally bestselling author of the Starcrossed series, Josephine Angelini.If you fail, you burn.Lily Proctor has come a long way from the weak, sickly girl she used to be. She has gained power as a witch and a leader, found her way home, chosen to face battle again, and (after losing her first love and being betrayed by her new love) she has learned more about loss and grief than she ever wanted to know.Thrust once again into a society different from anything they have ever seen, Lily and her coven are determined to find answers to find a new path to victory, a way to defeat the monstrous Woven without resorting to nuclear weapons or becoming a tyrannical mass murderer like her alternate self, Lillian. But sometimes winning requires sacrifices . . . and when the only clear path to victory

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Book SynopsisFriday 18th February Binxy has just reminded us that we have to put on this play in front of the WHOLE SCHOOL and now we’re a mixture of excited and SCARED! When Bea’s class is tasked with putting on the school play, she can’t wait to get started. Her friends are nothing if not dramatic, and now her magic is getting stronger, perhaps she can use that to create some special effects! But before long the drama takes over the school – with overenthusiastic set design, nervous performers and transformation mishaps. It’s time for Bea and her friends to put their teamwork to the test and put on an unFROGettable performance… A perfect potion of magic and mischief, DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WITCH is THE WORST WITCH meets TOM GATES. PRAISE FOR DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WITCH: “Great fun!” – iPaper “Full of magical mayhem!” – BookTrust “A magical adventure that will touch your heart and tickle your funny bone.” – Maz Evans, author of WHO LET THE GODS OUT “A brilliant, hilarious story!” – Emma Carroll, author of THE WEEK AT WORLD’S END

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Book SynopsisHang on to your broomstick for a gorgeous colour paperback edition of The Worst Witch!Written and illustrated by Jill Murphy when she was only sixteen, disaster-prone Mildred Hubble - the worst witch at Miss Cackle''s Academy - has been casting her spell for over forty years, enchanting millions of young readers. For this special edition, Jill Murphy has reproduced her original illustrations entirely in gorgeous full colour, and has written a special letter to her readers.Mildred Hubble is a trainee at Miss Cackle''s Academy for Witches, but she''s making an awful mess of it. She keeps getting her spells wrong and crashing her broomstick. And when she turns Ethel, the teacher''s pet into her worst enemy, chaos ensues...''Millions of young readers have fallen under the spell of Jill Murphy''s Worst Witch'' - Sunday Express Jill Murphy was born in London in 1949. From a very early age she was drawing and writing stories, and was already puTrade ReviewMillions of young readers have fallen under the spell of Jill Murphy's Worst Witch * Sunday Express *Witty and original * Books for Keeps *

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Book SynopsisSometimes all you need is a pinch of magic...Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Adept Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn''t, she''ll lose her magic forever. For most young witches and wizards, it''s a simple enough test:ONE: Help your town, do good all around.TWO: Live there for one moon, don''t leave too soon.THREE: Fly home by broomstick, the easiest of tricks.The only problem? Eva only has a pinch of magic. She summons heads of cabbage instead of flowers and gets a sunburn instead of calling down rain. And to add insult to injury, whenever she overuses her magic, she falls asleep.When she lands on the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, the residents expect a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. So Eva comes up with a plan: set up a magical repair shop to aid Auteri and prove she''s worthy. She may have more blood than magic, but her semi-magical fixes repair the lives of the townspeople in ways they never could have imagined. Only, Eva''s bit of magic may not be enough when the biggest magical storm in history threatens the town she''s grown to love. Eva must conjure up all of the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can muster or Auteri and her dreams of becoming a witch will wash away with the storm.

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Book SynopsisEdith Pattou has been writing since the age of seven. She is the author of two highly acclaimed fantasy novels in the US, Hero's Song, an International Reading Association Young Adult's Choice, and Fire Arrow, a Booklist Top Ten Fantasy Novel. While writing North Child, which is based on the Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Edith became an expert in mapmaking, seamanship, Scandinavian languages, Norse mythology and the Arctic, journeying by ship through the fjords of Norway.Trade ReviewA captivating, epic tale of a quest and a girl who must discover the truth about herself. * S Magazine *This richly imagined story is perfect for whiling away wintry afternoons. * The Guardian *An unforgettable, glittering, epic fairytale. * Sophie Anderson, author of The Girl Who Speaks Bear *An absolute stunner... Perfection. * Alex Bell, author of The Polar Bear Explorers' Club *This is epic stuff. * The Guardian *

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Book Synopsis"More magic, mystery and mayhem from the amazing Cat Gray." Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander"Fun and thrilling in equal measure, with a heart of spookiness and danger." Nicki Thornton, author of The Last Chance HotelWelcome to Elbow Alley, home of the most monstrous mystery and a whole lot of spooky fun!Pip was not expecting his new neighbours to be vampires, banshees and ghosts. Worst of all is the mysterious spirit snatcher, which appears out of nowhere and sucks away people's personalities. When it attacks Pip's parents, the only way to save them is to find and destroy it. But no one knows who it is... Along with his new friend Fliss and her dog Splodge, Pip sets out to investigate, facing murderous ghouls, werewolf attacks and a dangerously mouldy cheese. Because if he and Fliss can't stop the creature by their thirteenth birthdays, they'll be spirit-snatched too.Trade ReviewMore magic, mystery and mayhem from the amazing Cat Gray. * Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander *This is a perfectly magical, mystical investigation, fun and thrilling in equal measure, with a heart of spookiness and danger. * Nicki Thornton, author of The Last Chance Hotel *Magical, thrilling, and mysterious, The Spirit Snatcher is a race against time like no other. * Sinéad O'Hart, author of The Eye of the North *Delightfully spooky and spellbinding in equal measure. * Clare Povey, author of The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre *

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Book SynopsisA glorious new edition of Robin Jarvis's classic and the inspiration for The Power of Dark and its sequels. Contains bonus material specially produced for this Egmont Modern Classics title.When orphans Ben and Jennet arrive in the seaside town of Whitby to stay with Alice Boston, they have no idea what to expect. A lively 92-year-old, Miss Boston is unlike any other foster mother they've known.Ben is gifted with the sight', which gives him the power to see things invisible to other mortals. He soon encounters the mysterious fisher folk who live under the cliffs and discovers that Alice and her friends are not quite what they seem.But a darkness is stalking the streets of Whitby, bringing with it fear and death. Could it be a ghost from the Abbey? Or a beast from hell? Unless the truth is uncovered, the town and all its inhabitants is doomed.Robin Jarvis started writing in 1988 and quickly became a bestselling author with his Deptford Mice and Whitby Witches series. The Whitby Witches i

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Book Synopsis''The thing about ghosts is sometimes we create our own. And sometimes they find us, no matter what we do.'' The thrilling conclusion to the Ghosts of Shanghai by the award-winning author of the Mysterium trilogy, for fans of Philip Pullman, Susan Hill and Robin Stevens.Ruby is on a mission to rescue the boy she loves: Charlie has been swept away in the powerful waters of the River Yangtze. But the world she loves is now broken by danger and fear, and Ruby is lost and surrounded by ghosts. Can Ruby trust herself, and those around her, to find Charlie and return to Shanghai? Or has she ventured too deep into the realm of spirits?On an amazing journey down the Yangtze, crossing from one world to the other, Ruby must follow the ''red thread of destiny'' to find Charlie and home, before she loses herself . . .

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Book SynopsisWith a beautiful cover illustration by Alex T. Smith, creator of the Claude series, The Great Ghost Rescue is a wonderfully spooky young fiction title from the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson.'Nobody knew what had gone wrong with Humphrey. Perhaps it was his ectoplasm . . .' Humphrey the Horrible sounds scary, but he's actually a very friendly skeleton, with twinkling eye sockets and jangling finger bones. Humphrey dreams of being ghastly, like his brother - a screaming skull - or terrifying, like his bloodsucking vampire-bat cousins. But when Humphrey discovers an evil plot to exorcise his family, he finally realizes you don't have to be spine-chillingly fearsome to be a hero.Trade ReviewEva Ibbotson weaves a magic like no other. Once enchanted, always enchanted. -- Michael Morpurgo

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Book SynopsisEva Ibbotson was born in Vienna, but when the Nazis came to power her family fled to England and she was sent to boarding school. She became a writer while bringing up her four children, and her bestselling novels have been published around the world. Journey to the River Sea won the Nestlé Gold Award and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Some of her other young fiction titles include The Secret of Platform 13, Dial a Ghost and The Great Ghost Rescue. Eva died peacefully in October 2010 at the age of eighty-five.Trade ReviewThe perfect alternative for Harry Potter fans * Independent on Sunday *This kind of fun will never fail to delight. -- Philip PullmanWildly original and wholly satisfying. -- Amanda Craig * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches and Wild is the Witch comes a lush romantic fantasy about forbidden love, the choices we make, and the pull between duty and desire.Tana Fairchild''s fate has never been in question. Her life has been planned out since the moment she was born: she is to marry the governor''s son, Landon, and secure an unprecedented alliance between the witches of her island home and the mainlanders who see her very existence as a threat.Tana''s coven has appeased those who fear their power for years by releasing most of their magic into the ocean during the full moon. But when Tana misses the midnight ritual-a fatal mistake-there is no one she can turn to for help...until she meets Wolfe.Wolfe claims he is from a coven that practices dark magic, making him one of the only people who can help her. But he refuses to let Tana''s power rush into the sea, and instead teaches her his forTrade ReviewPrepare to be bewitched. Achingly beautiful, devastatingly romantic, and deliciously atmospheric, Bring Me Your Midnight casts a powerful spell. * Stephanie Garber *A beautiful-looking, lush and atmospheric YA fantasy with a good dash of romance. * Grimdark Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe first title in a thrilling, fiery and powerful Caribbean-inspired YA fantasy duology. Trust no witch . But every day brings her closer to freedom - and vengeance. But revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain - except the lengths Iraya and Jazmyne will go to win this game. Two witches.Trade ReviewAuthor Ciannon Smart has successfully soaker her Jamaican heritage into this debut novel, bathing her pages in the culture, patois and descriptions of that beautiful island. This is a magic-filled fantasy world stuffed to the rafters with powerful women. * SFX *If you enjoy vibrant fantasy with complex characters, shifting loyalties and magic that crackles through each page like lightning, then you're bound to love Witches Steeped In Gold. It's a fierce and magnetic book of witchcraft, revenge and political intrigue, with an end that sets the scene for more witchery, vengeance, complicated alliances and fiery romance as the story continues. * Culturefly *This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must enter into a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes. * United by Pop *A Jamaican-inspired fantasy world filled with matriarchy, magic, and betrayal. * Book Riot *Smart's Jamaican-inspired YA fantasy debut novel is a fascinating read full of rich worldbuilding, complex magical systems, and high-stakes drama. * Buzzfeed *Deadly, fierce, magnetically addictive: this Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut is a thrilling journey where dangerous magic reigns supreme and betrayal lurks beneath every word. * Nerd Daily *A bloody and deadly delight, Witches Steeped in Gold puts power into the hands of Black girls - the true, beating heart of magic! * Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of the Belles series *

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Book SynopsisA spooky, quirky adventure of curses and magic, perfect for fans of Malamander and A Place Called Perfect. Welcome to Barrow. A spooky old town filled with strange birds, terrible floods and cursed by the infamous Barrow Bogwitch... When Lewis and his family move to Barrow, he doesn't think much of the stories at first. Until weird things start happening at midnight. Realizing they are in grave danger, Lewis and his new friend Moira must unearth old secrets and follow clues to break the curse. But the Bogwitch is stirring again...and she has eyes everywhere. Halpin knows how to weave a thrilling story Lancaster Guardian

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Book SynopsisHave fun celebrating the spooky season with Halloween! Lift the giant flaps to reveal and touch the shimmery ghost, the furry werewolf and the witch's silky hat! Bright and friendly illustrations from Tiago Americo bring the scenes to life and, with something to spot or count on every page too, each colourful book in the My First Touch and Find series provides lots of fun for older babies and toddlers. Also available in this tactile series: Dinosaurs, Beach, and Things That Go.

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Book SynopsisMaggie Sparks does NOT fit in! Especially not with Arthur’s new friends, who all love SCIENCE. Maggie tries everything she can think of to be like them – even reading BORING science books. But nothing works! Then things go from bad to worse when an angry astronaut upsets Arthur. Thankfully, Maggie is a super powerful, super smart, super talented WITCH. She plans to use her powers to fix things, fit in and make Arthur’s dreams of exploring SPACE come true. All she needs is a little magic … About the Maggie Sparks series: Step into the magical world of Maggie Sparks: the mischievous little witch who turns every day into an adventure. Join Maggie as she learns how to tackle school, make friends and most confusing of all: understand her emotions – when she’s not facing dragons and meeting aliens, that is! Perfect to bridge the gap between Isadora Moon and Amelia Fang for young readers aged 5+.

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Book SynopsisIt's harvest time and best friends Merlina the little witch and Igor the dragon are busily gathering fruit and vegetables. They can't wait to make pumpkin pie! When Igor gets hurt, Merlina tries to help with magic. But sometimes Merlina’s spells go a little wrong... Merlina and the Magical Mishap is a luminous autumnal picture book from bestselling illustrator Daniela Drescher, creator of In the Land of Fairies and the Little Fairy series, and a delightful bedtime read. Trade Review'Daniela Drescher's paintings are as magical as her stories. It is a story about friendship, making mistakes and trying your best when spells sometimes go a little bit wrong.'-- Kindling'The perfect story to enjoy during this season[...] The atmospheric illustrations of Merlina's charmingly messy home provide us with endless enjoyment as we keep discovering details hidden within each page.'-- StorybookMamma, Instagram'The art is full of warm autumn colors. Merlina's house is comfy cozy with knitting and plants and books. The characters are adorable.'-- Goodreads Review

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Book SynopsisCELEBRATE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HALLOWEEN CLASSIC!Your favourite witches are ready to put a spell on you in this official Hocus Pocus colouring book!The Sanderson sisters have returned and are ready to run amok once more! Light the Black Flame candle and bring Winifred, Sarah and Mary back to life as you colour your way through Salem.With intricate patterns and iconic scenes from the film, this book will put a spell on you, keeping you entertained for the next 300 years.Come, we fly!Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney+ now!Also available: Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Colouring Book, Disney The Fashion Collection Colouring Book, Marvel Spider-Man Colouring Book: The Collector's Edition and Disney The Christmas Collection Colouring Book.

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