Children & Teen Books

Book SynopsisNEW DREAMWORKS FILM NOW ON NETFLIX!A heartwarming and touching story about a little boy who is scared of the dark, brought to life through Emma Yarlett's spell-binding storytelling and renowned illustration style.Meet Orion. Orion is scared of A LOT of things - spiders, monsters, the sea and even bicycles. But there is one thing that frightens him more than anything, THE DARK! But then, one scary bedtime, a new visitor arrives called Dark. Orion starts to wonder if things aren't as worrying as he first thought . . . Will Dark be able to show Orion that there is light and fun to be found in the darkness after all?This joyful and engaging story is perfect for sharing with children who worry, especially those who are afraid of the dark. With cut-out pages that bring the lovable character of Dark to life, this book is ideal for fans of Emma's other work like Poppy Pickle, Dragon Post, Nibbles the Book Monster as well as Ruby's Worry, The Worrysaurus and The Colour Monster.Trade ReviewReminiscent of Oliver Jeffers, Yarlett's illustrations are a joyful mix of digital collage, sketchbook, and saturated watercolor done in a palette of blueberry and Starburst candies. Many pictures invite close inspection, adding quirky details that fill out the story. Orion's adventures replace fear with fun, ending with a hug, a new friend, and a well- traveled pair of bunny slippers. Only sweet dreams ahead with this one. -- Julia Smith * Publishers Weekly *Fantastic story about facing your fears, full of humor, momentum, trust and moving parts. * Miss Marple's Musings *Yarlett is the best kind of author-illustrator, incorporating exciting fonts into her whimsical images, pulling the reader in again and again. Her text is simple enough for young children, but clever asides will keep adults entertained. Quirky sketches and thought bubbles fill each colorful page to perfection. -- Jill Lorenzini * BookPage *Orion and the Dark is a brilliant and completely stunning picture book for children that tackles these widespread fears of darkness beautifully and cleverly. This book completely won us over. Not only is is visually beautiful and full of intricate illustrations that you and the kids can pour over, but it is such a clever way to communicate the reality of nighttime and darkness to young children. * Review Zoo *This is a wonderful book! The illustrations are fantastic, with a hand that is its own page for kids to reach out for. The creature that is Dark, is adorable and full of the night sky. Lots of little details to look at and explore. -- Stephanie * Kiss The Book *Orion and The Dark is a gem of a book. Between the story and the artwork, it's picture book heaven. I think of it as a wonderful blend of Lemony Snicket's The Dark and Dan Santat's Beekle. There are even a few pages with sweet cut-outs that I'll let you discover for yourself. Overall, I'm pretty sure if you read this book, you'll find yourself hugging it to you and thanking Emma Yarlett for bringing this story to life. -- Jen Vincent * Nerdy Book Club *

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Book SynopsisEnter Sherwood Forest with the fabled Robin Hood and his band of merry men, and meet such unforgettable characters as Friar Tuck, Little John, Allan a Dale, the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham, and wicked King Richard. Every moment of the story is filled with action and excitement.

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Book SynopsisIn a digital world it's hard to know what's real. Imagine a world where your only friends are virtual, and big tech companies control access to food, healthcare and leisure. This is Jess's world. But when she turns fourteen, Jess can go to school with other children for the first time. Most of them hate the 'real' world, but Jess begins to question whether the digital world is 'perfect' after all. Back home, her sister Chloe's life-saving medication is getting ever more expensive. Determined to help, Jess risks everything by using skills forbidden in the cyber-world, only to stumble on something explosive. Something that will turn her whole world upside down. It's up to Jess to figure out exactly what is real, and what is fake - Chloe's survival depends on it.Trade Review'Praise for Ele Fountain' - :'[Melt is] a marvellously compulsive story. The unbelievable made believable. Now there's the test of a great story' - Michael Morpurgo'Fans of Ele Fountain, author of Boy 87 and Lost, will find plenty of white-knuckle drama in Melt' - Telegraph'Fountain writes with verisimilitude and verve' - Observer'Exceptional... vivid, convincing and empathetic... [Boy 87] grips us with the need to know how the heart-stopping events will turn out' - The Times

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Book SynopsisKayla Miller, the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of Click, Camp, Act, and Clash, returns with a new Olive story!

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Book SynopsisElmer and the other elephants are waiting for the storm to end so they can see the beautiful, colourful rainbow. But something dreadful has happened: the rainbow has lost its colours! Elmer decides to give his own colours to the rainbow. But what will happen to Elmer if he gives the rainbow his own colours? Will he lose them for ever?Trade Review"Elmer, the big-hearted patchwork elephant, first appeared in 1989 but is still a firm favourite with the pre-school generation." * Glasgow Herald *"It's worth buying Elmer books in hardcover because they tend to be read and re-read so much that the paperbacks will have lost their covers and pages long before your toddlers get bored of them!" * My Child *

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Book SynopsisChildren will delight in following the black cat's progress through the dark wood, into the dark house, and eventually to the surprise discovery at the back of the toy cupboard, in this mysterious, beautifully illustrated picture book.Trade Review"This stunning book - theme and pictures both - is based on a motif of great simplicity and power...a lovely end." * Observer *"The most brilliant fusion of picture and theme." * T.E.S. *"Ruth Brown's spooky read-aloud book pretends to be scarier than it is: even the youngest listener should be delighted by the punch line." * Time Magazine *"The simplicity of the text and the expressive beauty of the illustrations build up the tension to culminate in a surprising ending in this stunning picture book." * Booktrust *

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Book SynopsisGet ready for an exciting fairy adventure with the no. 1 bestselling series for girls aged 5 and up. When Rachel and Kirsty meet on the ferry to Rainspell Island they have no idea the incredible magical adventures in store for them!'These stories are magic; they turn children into readers!' ReadingZone.comRead all seven fairy adventures in the Rainbow Fairies set! Ruby the Red Fairy; Amber the Orange Fairy; Saffron the Yellow Fairy; Fern the Green Fairy; Sky the Blue Fairy; Izzy the Indigo Fairy and Heather the Violet FairyIf you like Rainbow Magic, check out Daisy Meadows' other series: Magic Animal Friends and Unicorn Magic!

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Book SynopsisThe Great Big Book of Families introduces children to the fact that not all families look the same. Featuring funny artwork and wonderfully accessible text this book celebrates each family in its own unique and wonderful way. What is a family? Once, it was said to be a father, mother, boy, girl, cat and dog living in a house with a garden. But as times have changed, families have changed too, and now there are almost as many kinds of families as colours of the rainbow. From a mum and dad or single parent to two mums or two dads, from a mixed-race family to children with different mums and dads, to families with a disabled member. This is a fresh, optimistic look through children's eyes at today's wide variety of family life: from homes, food, ways of celebrating, schools and holidays to getting around, jobs and housework, from extended families, languages and hobbies to pets and family trees.The Great Big Book of Families is a brilliant introduction for children to all family types great and small.Trade Review"This clever book is taking a truly 21st Century look at family life… In spite of managing to reflect the reality of life for all families, the book refrains from making value judgements. No family is depicted as better or worse than any other – just different."'Useful, funny and truthful''It’s a book packed with detail, humour and interest, reminding us that there is no such thing as ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ – we are all equal. ..In terms of diversity in its widest sense, books simply don’t get much more inclusive than this.''Useful, funny and truthful' 'A wonderfully entertaining celebration of the huge diversity found within contemporary families.''It’s a book packed with detail, humour and interest, reminding us that there is no such thing as ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ – we are all equal. ..In terms of diversity in its widest sense, books simply don’t get much more inclusive than this.'"This clever book is taking a truly 21st Century look at family life… In spite of managing to reflect the reality of life for all families, the book refrains from making value judgements. No family is depicted as better or worse than any other – just different."

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Book SynopsisA spectacular concept board book from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers, based on his million-copy selling, global phenomenon Here We Are!Inspired by the exceptional, award-winning global picture-book phenomenon, Here We Are, comes this irresistible introduction to opposites to welcome babies and toddlers to our planet. A perfect gift for families to treasure forever, and a must for all nurseries.Trade ReviewPraise for Here We Are: “The witty images are atmospheric and full of enthralling detail” Nicolette Jones / The Times “An optimistic snapshot of contemporary life, this heartfelt hug of a book ought to become a classic” The Guardian “Beautiful illustrations” Creative Review “There is a childlike awe and wonder about the stars and planets in the book” The Irish Times ‘Delightfully illustrated’ Time ‘Beautifully illustrated’ Artists & Illustrators ‘This performer had assured pace and charm. The storytelling was captivating and a beautifully realised gem, with a surprise ending. Gorgeous!’ Audio Production Awards judges

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming story of facing fear and sharing our culture andexperience with our peers.

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Book SynopsisWhen a little girl is told there's no such thing as mermaids, shedoesn't believe it for a second. Surely mermaids exist? After all,they're always in books and films!But if she has any chance of proving that mermaids are real, thelittle girl needs proof!So starts a wonderful journey. And DO mermaids exist? There's only one way to find out...

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Book SynopsisNibbles is a very naughty book monster – he's chomping, munching and nibbling his way through fairytales that don't belong to him! Can you help catch him and put him back in his own story? Children will love to lift the flaps, peek through the peep holes, and chase Nibbles through a fantastical world of books, in this quirky story, exquisitely illustrated by Emma Yarlett (My Daddy’s Going Away and Bear’s Big Bottom). Jam-packed full of your kids' favourite fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.Trade Review"Cheeky, funny and brilliantly original." * - S (Sunday Express Magazine) *"Gloriously fun and interactive fairytale mash-up from a rising picture book star." * - The Bookseller *"Fantastic production makes this book a really exciting reading experience." * - BookTrust *"[Nibbles] works on several levels: chubby toddler fingers will love to explore the chunky cutaways, where Nibbles has chewed; older readers will enjoy the fun of Nibbles making a guest appearance in fairytales from 'Little Red Riding Hood' to 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'." * - The Guardian *"Younger children (from three to six) will love this highly interactive and hugely imaginative book." * - Huffington Post *"Funny and innovative, with clever cut-outs throughout." * - Metro *"The stories within the story are clever and funny and the illustrations are wonderfully detailed. It is ideal for family reading and seems set to become a favourite." * - The Scotsman *"Full of flaps to lift and holes to peek through, the format makes wonderful use of Yarlett's sense of invention and playfulness." * - The Bookseller *"A superbly crafted and ingenious picture book." * - South Wales Evening Post *"Brilliant fun." * - Angels and Urchins Magazine *"The combination of cute characters, colourful illustrations, intelligent interactivity and excellent execution means that Nibbles: The Book Monster is a strong contender for best book in this house. If all children's books were as well thought out as this one, adults would probably stop reading their own books." * - The Book Bag *"Mischievous, witty and playful, Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlett is one of the most enjoyable picture books to read aloud I've come across in a long time." * - Playing By The Book *"If you love books, then how can you not love a book about books? Take a bite, book lovers!" * - A Bookish Life *"One of my favourite picture books of the year so far." * - Book Lover Jo *"Nibbles is sure to be a hit with the whole family." * - The BookTrust *"This is a joyous celebration of reading and naughtiness that little ones will gobble up." * - Irish Daily Mail *"A wonderful story to illustrate how readers 'devour' books." * - Reading Zone *"Newly developing readers can have great fun lifting flaps and chasing Nibbles through the books while enjoying the gorgeously expressive illustrations." * - Primary Times Magazine *"This is just the kind of bright, interactive and lively picture book that children love... full of mischief, adventure and the joyful experience of reading. Picture book bliss for busy little hands and inquisitive young minds!" * - Lancashire Evening Post *"There is so much detail on every page that re-reading is a delight full of fresh surprises each time." * - Teach Early Years Magazine *"This is a picture book not to be missed! Nibbles is a fantastic book! The lift-the-flaps element is perfect for the classroom and brings the story to life for readers and listeners." * - Madeleine Lindley Book Centre *"Emma Yarlett's best yet." * - Jill R Bennett *"The book is stunning ... It's every book lover's picture book dream." * - Winged Reviews *"Emma Yarlett is seriously genius. I am pretty sure kids and parents alike will go back to Nibbles over and over again." * - London Mums *

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Book SynopsisA fantastic selection of facts and as stunning selection of stickers to keep children entertained for hours!Did you know there are trucks that can go in the water, trucks big enough to transport space shuttles, and even jet-powered trucks? Well, now you do! In this exciting, fact-filled and interactive encyclopedia, children will learn all about these extreme machines around the world, as well as the trucks they see everyday on the road or at construction sites.From bulldozers and diggers to monster trucks and driverless vehicles, children will love discovering the details of what these vehicles do, finding the right truck stickers to complete every page, and even creating their own adventurous stories with the scenery pages in the back of the book.Get stuck into this savvy sticker book to discover: -Features over 90 trucks, from popular rescue vehicles and building site machines, to tough terrain vehicles and monster trucks-More than 600 reusable stickers throughout the book-Text provides facts about a range of trucks and their special features and uses-Every page is designed for children to add stickers to the page-Fun feature spreads allow children to create their own scenes using stickersThe highly interactive sticker book format of Sticker Encyclopedia Trucks promotes learning through play, and the Sticker fun pages encourage children to revisit their learning about trucks. With more than 600 reusable stickers that can be used to decorate children''s belongings, and 90 amazing trucks, this is the perfect sticker book for children aged 5-7, who love trucks and vehicles, doubling up as the ideal gift for parents, carers and relative who want to encourage learning through play in youngsters!

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Book SynopsisFrom his Baker Street apartment, Sherlock Holmes wields his powers of deduction in pursuit of justice and truth, venturing out into foggy Victorian London accompanied by his faithful sidekick Dr Watson. This classic collection of Holmes tales includes many of the detective’s most-loved exploits: Holmes is confronted by a venomous snake in ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’, mystified by a missing thumb in ‘The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb’ and beguiled by a beautiful opera singer in ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’, never once losing his famous cool. First appearing separately in the Strand Magazine, these stories were published together in 1892 in a volume that rapidly became one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes collections. Showcasing Arthur Conan Doyle’s inimitable genius for mystery and storytelling, these tales are proof that the famous detective remains one of the greatest crime fighters ever created.Table of ContentsA Scandal in BohemiaThe Red-headed LeagueA Case of IdentityThe Boscombe Valley MysteryThe Five Orange PipsThe Man with the Twisted LipThe Adventure of the Blue CarbuncleThe Adventrure of the Speckled BandThe Adventure of the Engineer's ThumbThe Adventure of the Noble BachelorThe Adventure of the Beryl CoronetThe Adventure of the Copper Beeches

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Book Synopsis‘It’s dark monstrous fun!’ Wondrous Reads Re-join Stitch Head, a mad professor’s forgotten creation, as he steps out of the shadows into the adventure of an almost-lifetime… When Stitch Head sees his ice-blue eye for the very first time, he’s convinced that it once belonged to the legendary pirate, Captain Flashpowder. Could it be that he is part-pirate? But as Stitch Head prepares for a life on the high seas, some fishy business closer to home puts a stop to his swashbuckling plans… The second book in the best-selling, laugh-out-loud STITCH HEAD series by award-winning author Guy Bass, with illustrations by Pete Williamson. Full of monstrous fun, THE PIRATE'S EYE is perfect for fans of David Walliams, AMELIA FANG and THE NOTHING TO SEE HERE HOTEL. Delve into Stitch Head’s other adventures: STITCH HEAD THE GHOST OF GROTTESKEW THE SPIDER'S LAIR THE BEAST OF GRUBBERS NUBBIN THE MONSTER HUNTER

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Book SynopsisAs recommended by Meghan Markle as the one book she can't wait to share with her child - the timeless fable about the gift of loveOnce there was a little tree ... and she loved a little boy. So begins the classic bestseller, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk ... and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.Trade ReviewA genius ... his is an enduring influence * The Times *Resonates beyond words * Guardian *Wry, humorous ... his poems share the same anarchic spirit as Spike Milligan * Independent *That rare adult who can still think like a child * The New York Times *

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Book SynopsisA classic, exuberant, rhyming picture book from the much-loved Quentin Blake.Mr Magnolia has only one boot.He has an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot -And two lovely sisters who play on the flute -But Mr Magnolia has only one boot.In this wittily rhyming picture book, Mr Magnolia has a full and happy life except for one serious omission - a boot. But one day, he receives a mysterious parcel, and at last Mr Magnolia can splash in the puddles with everyone else!Trade ReviewTypically exuberant pictures from the first Children's Laureate with a singing storyline that begs children to join in the fun * The Times *An all-time great * Mail on Sunday *Mister Magnolia leaps and performs as only Quentin Blake knows how * Guardian *A completely wonderful, dotty rhyme * The Sunday Times *Delicious * Books for Keeps *

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1977, this cult classic has been reissued for a new generation of ghost-hunters. This book is for anyone who has shivered at shadowy figures in the dark, heard strange sounds in the night or felt the presence of a mysterious `something' from the unknown.Trade ReviewA seminal work of ground-breaking genius * David Nicholls, author and screenwriter *Its macabre contents stayed with me my whole life. Shaped it, even * BAFTA-winning writer, comedian and actor Reece Shearsmith *This is the best book ever published * Reader review *A classic guide to all things ghostly. * Sunday Express (S Magazine) *This book's power to enthral and capture the imagination has not diminished one iota...worth every single penny. * Starburst Magazine *

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Book SynopsisMeet Skig, who’s meant to be a warrior (but is really more of a worrier). Meet a giddy comet, skidding across the sky with her tail on fire. Put a marvellous new machine in your pocket and maybe you’ll be able to fix all your life’s problems. Kate Wakeling’s first book of poems for children is full of curious characters and strange situations. The poems she writes are always musical, sometimes magical, and full of wonder at the weirdness of the world.Moon Juice contains 25 poems and features bonus materials, including interviews with the author and the illustrator, and ideas for writing your own poems.Trade ReviewThere’s a focussed precision in much of Kate’s writing that turns many of her poems into sharp injections of humour or close observation. Her words are gently juxtaposed with black and white illustrations by the Latvian artist Elīna Brasliņa. Expressive, playful and good at making you re-read the poem to see another of its strands, they play an important role in making this book appealing and approachable.Playing by the Book -- Zoe ToftA collection of poems by a new voice writing for children is an event to be celebrated. Moon Juice by the poet, Kate Wakeling is just such an event. However, these are not poems created to grab the attention with the quick laugh and a lot of noise; these are poems to seduce, to attract because they reflect the imagination of the young reader. Ferelith Hordon, Books for Keeps

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Book SynopsisThis is the classic novel brought to life in full colour! 'I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future'. Classical Comics' first Dickens title is probably his best-loved story. Scrooge gets a rude awakening to how his life is, and how it should be. Full of Christmas Spirit(s), this is a book that you'll want to read all year round!Trade ReviewIn 1951, Alastair Simm portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in the classic black and white film and vocally reprised the role in a 1971 30 minute TV animated version. And there have been many other film and TV versions as well as comic adaptions over the decades. I know. I'm old. I've seen them.So,dusting the spiders webs from my head,I sat down to read Classical Comics version because I had seen some artwork back in May but I really wondered whether the full version would work -could the team add a little extra or a twist to make this better than any other version?No.And by A"noA" I mean that there was no need to add a little something extra or twist. This is the original Dickens story that gave us goosebumps when the teacher read it to us all those years ago in school.Mike Collins and David Roach [who I believe used to produce a Small Press mag titled A"HellfireA" back in the 1980s] will be familiar to comic fans. But could they adapt Mr. Dickens' classic?Of course they can! I could imagine receiving this as a Christmas present and sitting down to read it after dark. It's everything you expect from A Christmas Carol and fun to read and look at.Collins and Roach. Fantastic art. And the colourist,James Offredi does a really great job that adds so much more to the art -look at Marley's Ghost. Wonderful.Original Text is great but I think for younger readers it has to be Quick Text. I have to honestly say that I do,for some reason,look for faults or something not quite right. Why I have no idea. The logo A"Classical ComicsA" says it all.As with the other titles there are the list of characters the Dramatis personae,a lot of information on the author,how the book was drawn,lettered and even Teachers Resources notes. Perhaps the government ought to invest money by buying and distributing these books to schools to educate children but it seems they don't have that kind of money [only the kind for bailing out crooked bankers].Reading for fun or otherwise,these books,whether Henry V, MacBeth, Jane Eyre or A Christmas Carol,cannot be faulted and here's to the companies continued success!www.comicbitsonline.comTable of ContentsDramatis Persona 4A Christmas CarolStave OneMarley's Ghost 7Stave TwoThe First of the Three Spirits 42Stave ThreeThe Second of the Three Spirits 69Stave FourThe Last of the Spirits 95Stave FiveThe End of it 127What the Dickens? 144The Dickens Family Tree 149Dickens Timeline 150Hard Times 152A Very Victorian Christmas 154Page Creation 156

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Book SynopsisBE CLASSIC with The Westing Game, introduced by New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett.     A highly inventive mystery begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of the very stranger will of the very read Samuel W. Westing. They could become millionaires, depending on how they play a game. All they have to do is find the answer - but the answer to what? The Westing game is tricky and dangerous, but the heirs play on - through blizzards, burglaries, and bombings, Sam Westing may be dead ... but that won''t stop him from playing one last game! Winner of the Newbery Medal Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award An ALA Notable Book A School Library Journal One Hundred Books That Shaped the CenturyA supersharp mystery...confoundingly clever, and very funny. —Booklist, starred review Great fun for those who enjoy illusion, word play, or sleight of hand. —The New York Times Book ReviewA fascinating medley of word games, disguises, multiple aliases, and subterfuges—a demanding but rewarding book. —The Horn Book

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Book SynopsisMiserable old miser Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas. Can somebody so selfish, so harsh and so horribly lonely ever change his ways? In one terrifying night, poor Scrooge is haunted by four ghosts. Why do they show him visions of his past? Why do they show him other people enjoying Christmas? Why do they show him the deaths of a young boy and of a miserable old miser? Weep and laugh as you read this much-loved Christmas story. Will Scrooge always think that Christmas is ‘Humbug’, or will he learn to shout ‘Merry Christmas, one and all’?Trade ReviewAt a recent department meeting, it became evident that Dickens is an author who can divide a room. ‘Let’s teach some Dickens at key stage three,’ some argued. ‘I can’t imagine anything worse,’ others said. ‘Too difficult’, ‘too wordy’, ‘enough to put anyone off’. ‘But the stories are great,’ I argued. It’s easy to see both sides of the argument. As someone who has dipped in and out of Dickens over the years, I have always been delighted by the actual reading of the novel, but sometimes it has taken a considerable effort of will to start the thing. Many are long, all are complex, and there is some truth in the assertion that they are too difficult—not for all, certainly, but for some children at key stage three, Dickens could sound the death knell for reading pleasure. There is a case, then, for a differentiated Dickens, and here, as with other literary classics, Real Reads provides a helpful solution. The series currently includes nine of the major novels: Bleak House, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Hard Times, Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, The Old Curiosity Shop, A Tale of Two Cities and Little Dorrit. All follow the same format—a couple of pages introducing the characters with some delightful illustrations by Karen Donnelly, forty-seven pages of narrative and a ‘Taking Things Further’ section at the back. Like other Real Reads, too, the novels are not designed to replace the originals, but to complement them. The publisher’s hope is that for some readers, the Real Reads are a springboard into the original texts; for others it is to broaden their range of cultural experience and introduce them to a world of wonderful plots and characters. What makes these retellings particularly appealing from a classroom point of view is that significant attention is paid to the language use characteristic of the authors. The novels are retold with some integrity to the original—that is that some of the cadence of Dickens is retained; that some of the vocabulary remains authentic, and that some of those seminal passages remain relatively unaltered. Take the opening of A Tale of Two Cities as an example, ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the season of wealth, it was the season of poverty. In short, it was a time very much like the present.’ In short, it is very much like the original. The retellings go some way to preserving Dickens’s characters and while there are of course casualties, the characters that remain are rounded and engaging. For Oliver we feel pity as he pleads with Sikes ‘P-p-p-please don’t make me steal,’ in the face of Sikes terrifying whisper ‘Quiet, vermin’. We long for Nancy to be saved by Mrs Maylie and feel the poignancy of her departure: ‘You must take Oliver to safety. I must return to my life.’ We sense the justice in Fagin’s wait for death ‘his face so distorted and pale, his eyes so bloodshot, that he already looked more dead than alive as he awaited his punishment.’ Of course, we also feel the delight and relief as ‘Oliver and Mr Brownlow walked hand in hand to their carriage.’ Some of Dickens’s humour is preserved: Mrs Joe is to be found bringing Pip up by hand and at the birth of David Copperfield, Peggotty’s ‘bosom swelled with such joy and pride that two buttons popped from her bodice and flew across the room.’ The heartbreak remains too: ‘As he wasted away over the next few days, Little Dorrit didn’t leave her father’s side. His spirit was like a maimed bird, able to think only of the place that had broken its wings. Finally, his spirit broke free of all earthly concerns. Little Dorrit wept bitterly. The ‘Filling in the Spaces’ section at the back of each book provides a helpful resource for teachers. Elements of the plot that have been omitted in order to contain the retelling in such a thin volume are listed here and can provide a useful point of departure to read some of the original text. There is some contextual material pertinent to the text, so for Little Dorrit we learn that Dickens’s father was sent to Marshalsea Prison when Dickens was twelve and for Hard Times we can read about the rise of steam power and the way in which machinery in factories gave rise to mass migration to cities. There is also a two-page section called ‘Food for thought’ that provides points for discussion, themes, style and symbols and would neatly help shape classroom discussion and activity. In The Old Curiosity Shop, for example, ‘Oscar Wilde said that Nell’s death makes the reader laugh, whereas critics in Dickens’ time were usually overcome by grief. Which is closer to your own reaction? Why?’ would lend itself very well to paired, group or whole-class debate. Thinking about how the symbols of fog, hands, light and shadow and city and countryside match the action in Bleak House immediately suggests ways in which pupils might track language against action as they read. At the lower end of the price range for class readers, the excellent and durable quality of the books presents a good investment at £4.99 RRP for individual texts. -- Jane Campion * Use of English *

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Book SynopsisCaptain America: My Mighty Marvel First Book introduces the first Avenger to the youngest superfans—featuring art by legendary artist Jack “King” Kirby!   Jump into action with Captain America! Learn all about his super-powers, alter ego, and teammates in this bright and bold board book, with art from the classic comics.   Bright colors and three special gatefolds make for a fun-filled read perfect for the youngest kids and long-time Marvel fans alike.    

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Book SynopsisPenguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers'' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.Roald Dahl flew planes in the Second World War (1939- 1945) when Germany, Italy and Japan fought against Britain and other countries. Going Solo is Dahl''s time with the RAF (Royal Air Force). He writes, I did not need to leave out anything here because every moment was, to me, totally interesting.

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Book SynopsisTurn the page, share the adventure in an out-of-this world story from bestselling author, Ben Miller.  ‘A sheer delight for all kids both big AND small’ Ruth Jones   'Bubbles with warmth and mischievous humour . . . irresistible' Alexander Armstrong 'Wonderful, funny, magical' Chris Evans*BRAND NEW ADVENTURE ROBIN HOOD AGED 10 3/4 AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW* Harrison tries his best to be good. He doesn’t steal, he always shares with his sister and he never cheats at board games, but Harrison also has a BIG flaw . . . He can't control his temper! So when he’s given a black hole instead of a balloon at a party, Harrison jumps at the chance to get rid of everything that makes him cross. But when it’s not just things he hates that are disappearing into the black Trade Review‘A sheer delight for all kids both big AND small’ -- Ruth Jones on The Night I Met Father Christmas'Bubbles with warmth and mischievous humour . . . irresistible' -- Alexander Armstrong on The Night I Met Father Christmas'Wonderful, funny, magical' -- Chris Evans on How I Became a Dog Called Midnight‘A magical adventure’ -- Sunday Express on The Day I Fell into a Fairytale‘Great for reading aloud’ -- Week Junior on The Day I Fell into a Fairytale'Each of [Ben’s] five books is joyous and thoughtful' -- Red Magazine'Fabulous' -- Sunday Express on The Boy Who Made the World Disappear‘A fire-side gem of a story’ -- Abi Elphinstone on The Night I Met Father Christmas'Enchanting, funny and intriguing in equal measure' -- Philip Ardagh on The Night I Met Father Christmas‘Clever and amusing’ -- Sunday Times on The Night I Met Father Christmas‘A delightful tale for kids both small and big' -- My Weekly on The Night I Met Father Christmas'Utterly festive and charming' -- BookTrust on The Night I Met Father Christmas‘A beautifully illustrated take on the classic tale by comedian Ben Miller’ -- Best Magazine on The Night I Met Father Christmas

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Book SynopsisVisit a sandy beach, add crabs and starfish to rockpools, see sea birds and puffins fly high in the sky and lots more in this fascinating sticker book. With over 200 stickers of animals, plants, and fish to decorate the pages, including seals, otters, turtles other interesting sea creatures.

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Book Synopsis''A heart-warming story with a great girl-power message'' - Jacqueline WilsonCharlie Bass is a horse-mad ten-year-old who dreams of owning her own pony. So when she accidentally manages to buy a racehorse, Charlie is thrilled.The horse she buys, Noble Warrior, looks the part: strong, fit and healthy. There''s just one problem - he won''t gallop. In fact, he won''t even leave his stable without his best friend, a naughty palomino pony called Percy. Charlie is convinced that Noble Warrior has what it takes to be a champion. But can she prove it? Derby Day is fast approaching and only a win can save the family farm from being repossessed.The stakes couldn''t be higher for the Basses. Can Charlie turn her chaotic family into a top training team? Can Noble Warrior overcome his nerves? Will Percy the pony ever stop farting?Find out in this classic, funny animal story, perfect for fans of Dick King-Smith and Gerald Durrell.Trade ReviewA heart-warming story with a great girl-power message * Jacqueline Wilson *A cheerful paean to books, big thighs and working hard to realise your dreams * Guardian *Funny and touching * Telegraph *There are useful human life lessons here: create a team, Balding urges, delegate, do your research, believe in yourself, and magic ensues * Observer *Will inspire girls to aim high * Express *Charlie is a feisty, funny girl who will appeal to pony-mad readers who'll devour all the inside knowledge of the equine world that Balding brings to her debut * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisAll he does is DIG holes - and BARK!WOOF! Barks the dog.When The Big Skeleton and The Little Skeleton become fed up with The Dog Skeleton they decide to swap him at the pet shop!They start off with a goldfish but soon get tired of him and swap him for a parrot - but soon they get bored of him too . . . Eventually the pet shop owner gives them a box to take home with a surprise pet inside.What do you think it will be?Can''t get enough of the Funnybones skeletons? Discover:Funnybones: The Black CatThe Funnybones Collection

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Book SynopsisThis new colourful dictionary is for children aged 7+ eager to discover new words and spellings. Not only does it feature clear definitions, word origins, and synonyms but the letters start with fun facts, tips help with navigation, examples come from favourite books and the supplement gives extra vocabulary too.

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Book SynopsisToddlers will love learning 1000 new words with Peppa in this brilliant new sticker book!Look at the pictures, say the words out loud, then peel off the stickers and play!Explore themes such as family, home, nature, objects, animals, friends, playtime, food, shopping, seasons, travel and adventure. Packed with stickers and hours of fun for learning at home!

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Book SynopsisHOCUS POCUS! There''s a witch in your book and she''s making a terrible mess.Can you use your own magic to show Messy Witch who''s boss and help her keep your book tidy?A brilliantly interactive picture book from bestselling author Tom Fletcher.Who''s in Your Book? Interactive adventures for big imaginationsAlso in this series: There''s a Monster in Your Book: makes reading interactive and funThere''s a Dragon in Your Book: explores empathy and responsibilityThere''s an Alien in Your Book: explores acceptance and inclusionThere''s an Elf in Your Book: explores following instructions and good/bad behaviourThere''s a Superhero in Your Book: explores the power of kindness

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Book SynopsisIt''s time for Mr Potato''s Super Fantastic Dance Competition!Peppa, Suzy Sheep, Mandy Mouse and Rebecca Rabbit can''t wait to perform their dance. Will they win a prize? And can Peppa persuade Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig to join in, too?Peppa and George love dancing. Everyone loves dancing!

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Book SynopsisTen-year-old Tracy is one of the most popular and well-loved children's book characters ever created. This title features the story of Tracy Beaker and the Dare Game; and a letter from the author about how Tracy was created.

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Book SynopsisAn instant New York Times bestseller, Wilder Girls is Rory Power's chilling and unputdownable YA debut. The Power meets We Were Liars in this compelling story of survival and the power of female friendships, perfect for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.'Body horror meets boarding school in a moving, terrifying thriller' – GuardianEveryone loses something to the Tox; Hetty lost her eye, Reese's hand has changed, and Byatt just disappeared completely.It’s been eighteen months since the Raxter School for Girls was put in quarantine. The Tox turned the students strange and savage, the teachers died off one by one. Cut off from the mainland, the girls don’t dare wander past the school’s fence where the Tox has made the woods wild and dangerous. They wait for the cure as the Tox takes; their bodies becoming sick and foreign, things bursting out of them, bits missing.But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her best friend, even if it means breaking quarantine and braving the horrors that lie in the wilderness past the fence. As she digs deeper, she learns disturbing truths about her school and what else is living on Raxter Island. And that the cure might not be a cure at all . . .'Your new favourite book' – Cosmopolitan'Wholly original and compelling' – Observer'A staggering gut punch of a book' – KirkusTrade ReviewBody horror meets boarding school in a moving, terrifying thriller . . . one of the year's most memorable debut's. * Guardian, The Best Books of 2020 *Your new favourite book. * Cosmopolitan *Finally, Rory Power combines the challenges of dystopian survival with the dynamics of boarding school life in the wholly original and compelling Wilder Girls. -- Fiona Noble * Observer *This thrilling saga . . . is sure to be one of the season’s most talked-about books, in any genre. * Entertainment Weekly *Groundbreaking . . . brutal and beautiful, raw and unflinching. -- Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal CoilPart survival thriller, part post-apocalyptic romance, and part ecocritical feminist manifesto, a staggering gut punch of a book. * Kirkus, Starred Review *Power's evocative, haunting, and occasionally gruesome debut will challenge readers to ignore its bewitching presence. * Booklist, Starred Review *Wilder Girls is the bold, imaginative, emotionally wrenching horror novel of my dreams – one that celebrates the resilience of girls and the earthshaking power of their friendships. An eerie, unforgettable triumph. -- Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of FurybornWilder Girls is so sharp and packs so much emotion in such wise ways. I'm convinced we're about to witness the emergence of a major new literary star. -- Jeff VanderMeer, New York Times bestselling author of AnnihilationThe perfect kind of story for our current era * Hypable *A feminist, LGBT+, sci-fi-horror story with all the tantalizing elements of gore, mystery, war, and love you can ask for. Real, flawed, brave girls against a world gone mad. A shudderingly good read! -- Dawn Kurtagich, author of Teeth in the MistA very different boarding school tale * i News *A New York Times bestseller, this is a story of survival and the power of female friendships. It’s part thriller and part post-apocalyptic romance, celebrating the resilience and strength of girls * Muddy Stilettos, included in a best book for teenagers round-up *

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Book SynopsisA boy. A wolf. A legend of all time. The second book in the internationally bestselling WOLF BROTHER (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness) series by renowned author Michelle Paver. Thousands of years ago an orphan boy and his wolf cub challenge a demon bear that threatens to destroy their world for ever. With the help of the World Spirit, Torak destroys the bear, but his beloved Wolf is lost in the process. Yet Torak's quest is far from over. A strange sickness is threatening the Raven Clan and only the Seal Clan have the cure. Torak must face a lonely journey to the Seal Islands to find it, but what he stumbles upon there is far from what he was expecting. And all is not as it seems ... Audio edition also available, read by Sir Ian McKellen.Trade ReviewSpirit Walker is an enchanting story of courage and danger set in one of the most beautifully described Stone Age landscape and will continue to delight fans of the series and is every bit as good as Wolf Brother. * FANTASY BOOK REVIEW *Spirit Walker is an enchanting story of courage and danger set in one of the most beautifully described Stone Age landscape and will continue to delight fans of the series and is every bit as good as Wolf Brother. * FANTASY BOOK REVIEW *Dazzling entertainment, seamless storytelling * LOVEREADING4KIDS *Dazzling entertainment, seamless storytelling * LOVEREADING4KIDS *SPIRIT WALKER is every bit as good, if not better, than WOLF BROTHER. * KIDSREADS *SPIRIT WALKER is every bit as good, if not better, than WOLF BROTHER. * KIDSREADS *As in Wolf Brother Michelle Paver's sheer passion for her story set in a world of myth and natural magic, shines through in this skilfully woven, exciting and brilliantly satisfying second installment of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. * BOOKTOPIA *As in Wolf Brother Michelle Paver's sheer passion for her story set in a world of myth and natural magic, shines through in this skilfully woven, exciting and brilliantly satisfying second installment of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. * BOOKTOPIA *

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Book Synopsis Splish and splash and bring playful scenes to life in full colour just by wetting the pages of this clever pet-themed bath book. Who loves pets? Meet the colourful pet characters from cheeky cat to beautiful bunny, happy lovebirds to friendly dog. Bath time becomes a magical experience like no other with these stunning books from Wee Gallery that are durable and safe to withstand hours of splashy fun, time and time again. Meet new faces and watch the artwork come to life when immersed in water, revealing beautiful colours. Softly shaped pages make it easy for little fingers to hold. Wee Gallery are a husband and wife team who create beautiful and innovative books, toys and puzzles specially designed to help babies and children develop through visual learning. Other titles in the Wee Gallery Bath Books series include Colour Me: Who's in the Rainforest?, Colour Me: Who's

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Book SynopsisRead more of Izzy's adventures! Baby Aliens Got My Teacher The Spy Who Loved School Dinners My Headteacher Is a Vampire Rat Attack of the Demon Dinner Ladies To Wee Or Not To Wee! There's a Yeti in the Playground The Phantom Lollipop Man Icarus Was Ridiculous

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Book Synopsis''Hilarious and charming'' Dav Pilkey, bestselling author of Dogman and Captain UnderpantsNarwhal and Jelly and Otty?! In the fourth book of this blockbuster early graphic novel series, exuberant Narwhal and sceptical Jelly test the waters of adding a new friend to their pod when they meet Otty the super-adventurous otter!A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series featuring three short stories and a super fun ocean fact page and joke page too!The perfect first book for young readers, just moving on from picture books, discovering the joys of friendship, working together and the power of imagination.Dive in to more o-fish-ally awesome Narwhal & Jelly books:1. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea!2. Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt3. Peanut Butter and JellyPRAISE FOR Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea:''Undersea adventures have never been so darn cute . The incessant charm and unabashed joy should make this an easy sell. Swimmingly delightful and a guaranteed smile-maker'' Starred Review, Kirkus Rev

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Book SynopsisA brand new title in the bestselling gorgeously gothic and wickedly funny Amelia Fang series perfect for readers of 7+MEET AMELIA FANGA little vampire with a big heart.Amelia Fang's mum has a baby vampire on the way! But with the Fang household completely focussed on the new arrival, no one is paying Amelia any attention.Until she is asked to look after three very mischievous caticorns who make it their business to get Amelia in a world of trouble.Now EVERYONE is watching. And not in a good way!Sink your fangs into Amelia's other howlingly hilarious adventures:Amelia Fang and the Barbaric BallAmelia Fang and the Unicorn LordsAmelia Fang and the Memory ThiefAmelia Fang and the Half-Moon HolidayAmelia Fang and the Lost Yeti TreasuresAmelia Fang is perfect for readers of 7+ and fans of Witch Wars, The Worst Witch and Isadora MoonWhen she''s not trying to take over the world or fighting sock-stealing monsters, Laura Ellen Anderson is a professional children''s book author & illustrator, wTrade ReviewThe perfect mix of funny, foul and fearful ', Metro 'Brilliantly imagined . . . laugh-out-loud funny', Sunday Express

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to teenage friendships, by award-winning author and well-being expert Nicola Morgan. Essential reading for teenagers and the adults who care about them.Nicola Morgan is an established expert on the teenage brain and adolescent stress, known for her engaging, clear style. She is author of the internationally renowned Blame My Brain: The Amazing Teenage Brain Revealed (shortlisted for the Aventis prize for science) and The Teenage Guide to Stress (winner of the School Library Association Award 2015, with both the judges' and readers' awards). Now The Teenage Guide to Friends written for teenagers but essential for adults who want to understand tackles the all-important subject of teen friendships. Contents include a section on making friends, keeping friendships strong, and what happens when they break down as well as a look at online friendships, cyber-bullying, toxic friendships and frenemies, and empathy. There is also a Trade Review“Both enlightening and practical, this is a must-read for 12+ year olds, and an essential addition to school libraries.” * Joanne Owen, LoveReading *“I really enjoyed the book and I think parts of it really helped me […]” * Teen Titles *Getting to know yourself in order to better empathise with others is central to the book, and helpful quizzes areincluded. An insightful guide on how to maintain friendships and be a good friend yourself. * Children's Books Ireland - Mind Yourself *

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Book SynopsisCan knights and dragons ever be friends?

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Book SynopsisA magical adventure about a girl, a bear and some very special shoes from the bestselling creators of What the Ladybird Heard and Sugarlump and the Unicorn. Full of action and imagination, and with a delightfully unexpected ending, this gorgeous book is one to enjoy over and over again.When Josephine leaves the shoe shop after buying some new running shoes, she hears an unusual sound - Click-click! Click-click! It's a bear with a backpack! Luckily for Josephine, her new shoes are anything but ordinary - these are magic shoes. But can they help her escape the bear when there's a mountain, a bog and even a lake in her way?The Girl, the Bear and the Magic Shoes is an exciting adventure from the stellar picture-book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. Enjoy more of their stories with Sharing a Shell, The Singing Mermaid, and The Rhyming Rabbit.Trade Reviewa charming adventure full of magic and friendship -- Julia Eccleshare (September Pick of the Month) * Love Reading *With its subtle back-to-school theme, endearing humour and addictive wordplay, this is a superbly packaged book for sharing at school, home or nursery. * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisCassandra Clare returns to the world of Shadowhunters in her newset series, The Dark Artifices, a sequel to the bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

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Book SynopsisThe third adventure in the ROARsome DRAGON REALM series for 9+ readers! Perfect for fans of magical fantasy, heartfelt friendships and time travel! DON'T MISS the brand new DRAGON FORCE series, set in the world of DRAGON REALM. INFINITY'S SECRET out now!'A soaring, sizzling, fire-breathing gem of an adventure story' – Abi Elphinstone, bestselling author of SKY SONG In an alternate reality, 5,000 years in the future, the evil Dragon of Death has become ruler of Dragon City. Humans now live to serve the dragon population and it’s no different for Billy Chan and his friends. After losing contact with their own dragons, they’re determined to track them down in this new city, even if it means putting their own lives at risk. But one dragon has turned to the dark side and has no plans to return. With the help of a new clan of dra

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Book SynopsisFirst Stories: Aladdin is the perfect introduction for young children to this classic fairy tale.Push, pull and turn mechanisms bring the story of Aladdin, his lamp and the magical genie to life. This well-loved fairy tale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Amanda Enright.Little ones can collect more books in the First Stories series, including Doctor Dolittle, The Jungle Book, and Peter Pan.

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Book SynopsisSolomon Crocodile and his friend Mortimer are bored. They want to find some fun, but what can they do? Tree-climbing is tricky, chasing lizards doesn't end well and flying turns out to be a lot harder than it looks. But then they spot the biggest hippo in the river. Just imagine the splash he'd make if two naughty crocodiles were to surprise him! But Solomon and Mortimer are about to get a whole lot more than they bargained for . . .Sure to delight fans of the original Solomon Crocodile, which has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide, Solomon and Mortimer is a warm, funny and charming tale from the Kate Greenaway Medal winning Catherine Rayner, which young children will ask for again and again.Trade ReviewA cheeky and beautifully illustrated tale -- Ruth Swindon * The Guardian IBW Guide *

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