Search results for ""UCLan Publishing""

Evangeline''s not good. She might even be a bully. But she''s not a baby, so why did her Dad think bringing that freaky-looking Watching Elf would help her behaviour before Christmas?!But then, footsteps scuttle beneath the fairy lights. Wrongdoers are attacked, each mysterious ''punishment'' more violent and disturbing than the last. When she finds a tacky old horror magazine warning of a malevolent demon that flays your skin in the spirit of Christmas, Evangeline is filled with dread; is this connected to that hideous doll watching her from the hallway? And if so, what if she is on its naughty list?The first in a brand new horror series, Blood Texts. Book 2 publishing 2nd September 2025. Cover illustration by Keith Robinson.

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There is a Season' is the first children's book from Kerri Cunningham, also known as Murphys Sketches. A collection of poems to guide you through each season of the year. It takes you on a journey from April showers in spring, to the frosty mornings of winter and everything wonderful in between. Celebrating all that nature has to show us and the little things that we can enjoy together throughout the year, it encourages you to get outside and look for and talk about signs of spring, summer, autumn and winter. You can pick up There is a Season' and dive into crunchy autumn leaves or wander through a summer meadow with Kerri's poems and cosy and colourful illustrations that sit alongside each one.

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Maya Pritik is seventeen, an aspiring doctor and wants to get through Sixth Form in one piece. This is not made easy by school bully Candice Riley, who has a target on Maya's back and is the owner of the not-so-anonymous Hot-Or-Not Instagram account. Luckily Maya has her best friend, Lucie Perry, and older brother, Tamir, to keep her together. Maya's passion is music, so when she hears musical theatre heartthrob Harry Wu singing an original song, she has to go investigate. Perfect for fans of Sex Education, When Dimple Met Rishi and Never Have I Ever, THE MERCURY IN ME is an ode to romcoms, musicals, and being British Indian. Featuring an ensemble cast including one ride-or-die best friend, a smattering of theatre kids, and a brother in turmoil, this is a YA debut not to be missed.

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What if living forever was a death sentence?Decades after the discovery that a small percentage of the population has stopped ageing, the Avalonia Zone is in crisis. From overpopulation to food shortages, the Undying' have been blamed for the state's problems, banished to the fringes of society, and punished for every minor infraction. When sixteen-year-old Sadie takes the fall for an attack by a rebel group, The Alchemists, she suddenly finds herself wrenched away from her quiet life and from her ailing father. Armed with little help and even less knowledge, Sadie is thrust into a cold and cryptic correctional facility' The Tower. Here she'll have to rethink everything she's been told about the Undying population in an attempt to save the life she knows, protect a group of unlikely friends, and give voice to the voiceless in a society on the brink of catastrophic upheaval.

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Ori Reynolds has just made the biggest mistake of her life. One that’s resulted in: 1) losing all but one of her friends, 2) feeling like the World’s Most Terrible Person, and 3) having all her fun summer plans cancelled. And, as if things couldn’t get any worse, she now has no choice but to go on a road trip with her estranged grandad Claude to his home in the French countryside. Talk about life giving you lemons! However, while Ori scoffs at her mum’s suggestion to “make lemonade”, her sour situation is about to turn significantly sweeter than she could ever have imagined… The Thing About Lemons is the perfect summer read for fans of The Kissing Booth, To All The Boys I Loved Before and Sex Education.

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Ned is awkward, a little shy, and just trying to find his place in the world. He also happens to be the assistant to the nation's most feared highwayman, The Shadow . . . In a time when highwaymen ruled the roads, Ned is reluctantly swept up into a whirlwind of adventure. Whilst escaping the grasps of the thief-takers, Ned soon finds himself stepping into his Master's shoes and an unwanted life of crime. The pressure is building with new friends and enemies galore when Ned stumbles upon a long-infamous gem, The Bloodstone, which forces him to make an important choice. Can he ultimately escape this new threat and finally free himself from the grips of The Shadow?

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So, you want to make contact with aliens? How hard can it be? Meet Matilda as she launches her mission to discover how likely it is that life exists on other planets. With the help of her friends and family she learns all she can. What was the Big Bang? How does the universe expand? How are stars and planets are formed? Along the way she will discover the electromagnetic spectrum, the speed of light, and so much more in an easy-to-understand look at physics, history, language, and of course the all important snacks. Illustrated by Heidi Cannon.

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Sixth-former Anna Campbell is the go-to girl when anyone needs anything. Teachers, friends, random strangers… It never occurred to her that she could say no. After all, Anna Campbell’s always been too ‘nice' to say no. But Anna is sick of being that girl, the nice girl, and she’s going to do something about it. Only, is she prepared to risk losing everything she cares about – even herself – along the way…? A novel for anyone who’s ever struggled to put themselves first.

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Based on the true story of Chinese dancer Lihua Tai, The Visible Sounds tells the uplifting tale of a young child dealing with the frustration and solitude of hearing loss. Alone in silence, the child’s life is changed forever when a chance touch unlocks a vibrant new world, now blazing with rainbows of visible sounds. The Visible Sounds brings a message of hope and joy to children living with a disability and is an inspirational reminder that dreams can become reality.

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Two friends awaken a world of myth and magic in this epic middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of Rick Riordan. It's not every day that you find a famous weather woman bound by magic to a tree deep in the woods. Or discover that the weatherwoman is in fact Sunna, the Norse Goddess of the Sun, and one of the seven day guardians who keep time in order. But that's just what happens to new friends Buzz and Mari--and it's only the start of their adventure. Now, as humanity are forced into a lockdown called the Unmorrow Curse and are forced to repeat the same Saturday over and over again, Buzz and Mari must journey to collect the Runes of Valhalla and awaken the other day guardians, before vengeful god Loki can get to them first.

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Autumn Moonbeam loves gymnastics and dance so when Sparkledale Dance Academy have try-outs for their competitive dance team, Black Cats, she thinks it’s the most broom-tastic opportunity ever! Just one problem, Autumn is nervous and worries she won’t make it onto the team. And then she discovers that her nasty neighbour Severina Bloodworth is trying out too. But with her best friend Batty by her side can Autumn overcome her shyness, lack of confidence and magical mishaps to be chosen to join Sparkledale Dance Academy? Enchanting, fun and full of heart, this is a story about growing into yourself, following your dreams and making new friends along the way. With added stunts and magic, of course!

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“The world is big and there’s much to see, And a bear must go where he wants to be. And a bear as curious as me— longs to gaze at the starlit sea!” A book-loving bear sets off to see the world. She takes one special thing—her Bear’s Big Book of Being Wise. But when she meets different creatures—each needing her help—she discovers that books aren’t just brilliant at fixing problems—they can also help you make new friends. And if you’re lucky, books can take you to a very special place indeed…

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“There’s one thing about her that’s hard to ignore, THAT RIDICULOUS NECK! What on Earth was it for?” Poppy the plesiosaur had a preposterously long neck – but what was it for? Did she use it to pluck off pesky parasites, to zap predators with electricity or to ambush unlucky fish? From the brilliant minds of world-renowned plesiosaur expert Dr Adam S. Smith, award-winning author Jonathan Emmett and illustrator Adam Larkum.

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“Believe me, Kian Reader without librarians, the world is doomed!” He said. “Doomed to be ruled by me! Mwaahahahahahahaha!” Evil genius, and a bit too bonkers, Doctor Badd is determined to create a bigger more powerful F.A.R.T. than the world has ever seen - Fellowship Against Reading Texts. With Martin Marvello, the famous local, best-selling, award-winning children's author on side, will he be able to overthrow the powerful Secret Library Service, or will Kian Reader, ably assisted by his friends Asif and Prissy, be able to thwart their plans? Stacks of humour, a reluctant hero with almost total recall and a fiendish plot make this a long overdue action adventure.

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Preston Oldcorn is in a desolate void between life and death. In order to save his soul he must brave his greatest fear - Cold Bath Street. A ghost, gothic thriller that will keep you gripped to the end. “This is an excellent book with compelling characters, a creepy atmosphere and a clever plot. It was hard to put down and I finished it in one day.” Joseph Delaney Preston Oldcorn lay quite still, eyes tight shut, trying to shrug off the cold grip of the nightmare. It was 9:22 p.m. It was always 9:22 p.m. A cold hand had plunged into Preston's chest and tightened its icy grip around his heart. In an instant, Preston was dead. Preston finds himself in a desolate void, trapped in the chasm between life and death. Soon discovering that he is not alone, Preston must stay one-step ahead of his enemies and discover the mysteries held by this new world as he tries to save his soul. But doing so means braving the darkest and most feared part of town: Cold Bath Street.

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Orphaned twins Connor and Grace Tempest have begun their new life aboard the pirate ship Diablo. Connor finds he's a natural buccaneer and loves his new life. Grace is not so certain. Her heart is calling in another direction, towards the vampire ship she abandoned and Lorcan, the handsome vampire who sacrificed everything to protect her. The time has come for Grace to choose her future but to do this she must leave someone behind. Hearts will be broken and impossible choices will be made in this breath-taking adventure in the bestselling Vampirates series.

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When Carl visits the Peak District with his parents to try and recover from the fallout of a horrific accident, he becomes caught up in the mysterious tale of the Lost Lad. Are the hills actually haunted or is Carl being chased by his own demons? As past and present collide, Carl must learn to come to terms with the loss of his best friend, Jack and find a way to move on. Illustrated by Tamsin Rosewell.

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Preston Oldcorn is in a desolate void between life and death. In order to save his soul he must brave his greatest fear - Cold Bath Street. A ghost, gothic thriller that will keep you gripped to the end. “This is an excellent book with compelling characters, a creepy atmosphere and a clever plot. It was hard to put down and I finished it in one day.” Joseph Delaney Preston Oldcorn lay quite still, eyes tight shut, trying to shrug off the cold grip of the nightmare. It was 9:22 p.m. It was always 9:22 p.m. A cold hand had plunged into Preston's chest and tightened its icy grip around his heart. In an instant, Preston was dead. Preston finds himself in a desolate void, trapped in the chasm between life and death. Soon discovering that he is not alone, Preston must stay one-step ahead of his enemies and discover the mysteries held by this new world as he tries to save his soul. But doing so means braving the darkest and most feared part of town: Cold Bath Street.

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The Gods of Olympus and their descendants have lost their memories. They think they are ordinary humans. Only Hannah Messenger and her friends know who they really are. And that means when the God's objects of power start to go missing, only Hannah and her friends can stop the thief. A MG urban fantasy about learning that real power is in the friendships you make.

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In the chilly South Pole, a hardworking little penguin named Percy lives next to his post office. But not many residents of the South Pole seem to know it is there. With determination and confidence Percy sets off on a mission to make himself known… Will he be able to make his dream come true and create a successful business?

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What do you think ART is? Is it pictures on the walls of a gallery? And what about an ARTIST? Someone holding a paintbrush, standing in front of an easel? Yes to both, but art and artists are so much more than that! Art is everywhere around us, we just need to know how to look for it… I’m Joe Haddow, artist, radio producer, podcaster and super-fan of all forms of art. I’m on a mission to show everyone how art can be found in so many different places, and created by so many different people. So, whether you sing, draw, write, dance, paint, act, play a instrument or tell jokes, OR if you are just wanting to find out how to discover what kind of artist you want to be – this book is for you! An inspiring, friendly guide to art and why it matters. Meet the incredible people making art of all kinds and follow the tips to make your own art!

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The magic face paints have transformed Austin, Alanna and sausage dog Ozzy into superheroes! When two supervillains, Foul Prune and Brains, swoop into the busy City Museum in a flying machine, they steal a priceless gem and Austin and Alanna narrowly escape being hit with their Freeze Ray. Alanna Storm and Austin Steel must track the supervillains down, return the gem and save the museum before their time in this superhero world runs out!

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The bear gave a sigh and she waved a paw, “I’m a curious bear, who must explore. The world is big, and there’s more to see— And I’ll find this bear who is not like me.” With the call of the wild giving her itchy paws, the bear sets off on a new adventure with her book, fixing problems and making friends as she travels. But will she find the strange bear from her book — and if so, will it really be that different?

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NEW ORLEANS, 1995. MINA'S HAVING A KILLER HALLOWEEN. Three months after Fang Fest, Mina's settling into her new life. Despite the teething problems in her relationship with Jared, she has her sister back, new friends and a part-time job to die for. Over Halloween, Mina and the gang have planned a spooky week of Gothic restaurants, horror movies, ghostly tours, creepy carnivals and a costume ball. But the fun doesn't last. Mina is on work experience with Detective Cafferty while the police are investigating a savage masked killer and a rise in suspicious 'animal attacks'. During her own investigations, Mina discovers a mysterious group of slayers, who are battling to control the rogue vampires. The threats circle closer as Mina spends her days with the police and nights with the slayers. Will she and her friends survive Halloween without being staked, stabbed or bitten?

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There's so much to love about October - Halloween, pumpkin everything and MAGIC. Especially magic. But for nervous young witch Clemmie, this October might see the stars descend on her for the first time, bringing with them a whole month of chaotic new power. She's spent twelve years watching her mum, aunts and cousin receive their October power and knows that, for the Merlyns, magic can get very messy. And there are those who want to harness their magic and make it last beyond October. It's a bold experiment, until Clemmie and her coven find themselves in mortal danger. What price must be paid for magic that never ends? Or for having magic at all?

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Praise for Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest: 'A delightfully engaging mystery.' Katherine Woodfine 'A magical rollercoaster of a ride.' Marie Basting 'Satisfyingly sprinkled with clues to sniff out, this is a timeless, accessible and well-paced mystery with bags of atmosphere.' Booktrust The stage is set for a thrilling mystery! Gracie Fairshaw is delighted to get a sneak preview of the Children's Ballet's Christmas spectacular. But when the curtain rises, things go horribly wrong for the young dancers. Accidents, pranks and a poison pen letter make Gracie wonder if someone is trying to spoil the show. Can Gracie and her friends stop the saboteur before their final act?

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I am Cal Adams - what does that mean? Sixteen years old Black hair Blue eyes Short Gay. For Cal, coming out is explosive, but that is nothing compared to the fallout from his family, friends and foes. When events in Cal's life reach critical, he is shaken to his core. Can he rely on his loved ones to help avoid meltdown?

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From Imagination to Reality Produced in association with BIS (British Interplanetary Society). Based on the original NASA Press Kit (Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Mission) this is full of exclusive never before seen content from the BIS archives. Including an introduction written by Helen Sharman, the first woman to visit the Mir Space Station! Capturing the excitement of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, how it happened, why it happened, what the team discovered and what followed on Earth. An accessible book for children that will inspire and encourage a love of learning about science and space.

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A story of healing and recovery that will warm your souland get you into the garden. Garden of Her Heart is the story of one loner, two secrets, and three weeks at the Pinewoods Retreat. When Holly Bush (yes, she still hasn't forgiven her mother for that combination) is made redundant with gardening leave, after a brutal attack, she decides to visit a retreat not far from home. There she finds friendship and a garden in need of love, she ends up doing literal gardening leave, bringing the community of guests together. Journaling her way through her holiday, Holly works on both her mental and physical scars and discovers an inner strength as her secrets are revealed.

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From dream duo, Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O''Connor (creators of The Bear and Her Book, and The Bear and Her Book: There''s More to See), we present a brand new picture book. Quill, the mouse, is a dreamer! He longs to write stories and share them with children in his beloved library. But getting his words noticed seems impossible for such a small creature. Can he and his spider friend, Leggsy, find a way to make his voice stand out from the crowd or will Quill's stories remain forever unheard?

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On the island of Arcosi, dragons and their riders used to rule the skies. But now they are only legends, found in bedtime stories, on beautiful murals and ancient jewellery. Then servant girl Milla witnesses a murder and finds herself caring for the last four dragon eggs. Forced to keep them secret amidst the growing tensions in the city, she begins to fear that the island's ruler, Duke Olvar, isn't all that he seems. But how can Milla and her friends keep the eggs safe when it means endangering everything she's ever loved? Fiery friendships, forgotten family and the struggle for power collide as Milla's fight to save the dragons leads her to discover her own hidden past. Originally published by DFB in 2018. Cover art by Joe Todd-Stanton.

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Eleven-year-old Darwen Arkwright's ordinary life changed forever when he was given a magical mirror, a portal to the wonderful world of Silbrica. Darwen defeated the terrible monsters released from the mirror once. Now, an even more terrifying beast has escaped through the mirror. Darwen and his friends, Rik and Alexandra, must journey to Costa Rica to save the world from a giant tentacled creature that leaves destruction in its wake. This time, old allies can't be trusted, and the danger runs deeper than Darwen could have ever imagined. The problem with doors is that they open both ways. There are monsters inside, and some of them are trying to get out ...

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Gracie Fairshaw and her family have barely moved into The Majestic, a Blackpool boarding house when Ma mysteriously vanishes. She teams up with her younger brother George, and befriends siblings Violet and Tom, and maid Phyllis. They must work out why one of the guests - a conman conjurer - has made Ma disappear!

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Be original! You are one of a kind, and so is your story! Finney the Fox wants to write a book. He’s just bursting with ideas. The only problem is … all the original ideas are gone! Or are they? Join Finney as he tries to find his story, with a little help from a friend. Based on the UCLan Publishing logo, Finney the Fox has been brought to life by competition winner Alana Washington & illustrator Charlotte Caswell.

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Have you ever felt small and low? Can Wawa the bird find a way to help her friend see that being different can be a strength, giving a child the courage to fly a kite at the town’s festival? Join the pair on an extraordinary and inspiring journey through the wonders of the world, helping to grow understanding and confidence.

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No witch is excited about gloomy magic-free November apart from young hag Clemmie who is relieved to finally be done with October’s magical mess. But if there’s no more magic, then where are all the armour-clad knights coming from? When even their enemy coven, the Morgans, don’t have any answers, the Merlyns are on the run. Neither the Morgan or Merlyn covens want to burn so they will have to work together to solve the mystery of where the witch-hunting knights and the all-engulfing flames are coming from. Will Clemmie be able to find her voice in time to save her family? Continuing directly on from THE OCTOBER WITCHES, this NOVEMBER sequel is full of bonfires, knights, family disasters and one very important round table. Cover illustration by Heidi Cannon.

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Open the MAGIC face paints and adventure awaits… Fairytale world or Monster Ball Which one will you choose? In each a race to find the prize, Will you win or lose? Austin, Alanna and sausage dog Ozzy are going to a Monster Ball! With the help of a magic paintbrush, Austin has been transformed into a werewolf, and Alanna is a vampire. Their mission is to find a crystal ball, but when a pair of evil skeletons steal a witch’s wand, mayhem ensues on the dance floor. Will Austin and Alanna take back the wand and complete their mission before their time in the monster world runs out? The third adventure in the Magic Faces series, Heroes of the Pirate Ship and Superhero Mega Mission are also available.

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On a quiet farm in a frosty England, under the glowing light of a magical milk moon, a boy calf is born. His name is Albi, and he has no idea how extraordinary he is going to be. Several miles away lives a human boy called Rufus. Rufus is extraordinary in his own way, but he has no friends and no one to love him. Rufus seeks the family he never had, and he'll go to any lengths to find it. Albi and Rufus must each embark on a journey that will take them across continents, showing them things they never believed could be true. But why are they so deeply connected? And will each extraordinary 'boy' find what they're searching for? An epic, one-of-a-kind story to encourage empathy and open questioning minds. Cover illustration by Levi Pinfold with interior illustrations by Angela Cogo.

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FACT: Octopuses have three hearts. FACT: Octopuses have BEAKS, like BIRDS. FACT: The octopus at the aquarium is psychic! Sashi feels like she has three hearts and they're all breaking. She's losing her beloved Dadu to dementia, and her parents don't even want her to visit him any more. She hides from her grief in the aquarium, and that's where she meets Ian. Like her Dadu, Ian is trapped. Like her Dadu, Ian should be at home with his family. And then Ian tells her he's in danger and only she can help him escape. Except Ian just happens to be an octopus...

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Packed with a colourful Slavic cast of tempestuous gods and frightening monsters, The Wind Child is above all a story about friendship, and how far you would go and what you would sacrifice to avoid saying goodbye to someone you love. No human has ever returned from Navia, the Slavic afterlife. But twelve-year-old Mara is not entirely human. She is the granddaughter of Stribog, the god of winter winds and she’s determined to bring her beloved father back from the dead. Though powerless, Mara and her best friend Torniv, the bear-shifter, set out on an epic journey to defy the gods and rescue her father. On their epic journey they will bargain with forest lords, free goddesses from enchantments, sail the stormy seas in a ship made of gold and dodge the cooking pot of the villainous Baba Latingorka. Little do the intrepid duo know of the terrible forces they have set in motion, for the world is full of darkness and Mara will have to rely on her wits to survive.

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It's time for a P-A-R-T-Y and you're invited! Join the fun with photos, presents, party foods and some special surprise guests in this enjoyable and engaging story... 'Whisker twitchingly fun!' The Daily Mouse's Nose Paper 'A brie-lliant party story!' The Cheesy Smellograph A playful and interactive picture book from reading development and children's book consultant, Jake Hope.

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Ahoy there! The Nine Sails is casting off for Madagascar so all aboard for a treasure hunt you'll never forget! Kintana has grown up listening to stories of life at sea from her pa, an ex-pirate turned pet shop owner. So when a tall ship - The Nine Sails - berths at Pirate Island she eagerly joins the motley crew as a cabin boy - even though her main duty will be to look after the pirate's pets. But someone on board is determined to disrupt the voyage, could the dreaded captain's curse be to blame? Or is it the lure of buried treasure that will draw the ship back? One thing is for sure, Kintana is about to discover that sometimes adventure is found closer to home.

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Lace up your boots and get ready for kick-off – it’s time discover the true story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies football team, courageous pioneers of women’s football in the UK. From the founding of the team in World War One to the eventual ban of the women’s game by the FA, join the team in their journey to the top of the league. Written by a world authority on the Dick, Kerr Ladies, and featuring original artefacts, and history of the game, this Companion Guide is a must for any football fan. Gail is a former footballer and lives in Preston. She’s 100% dedicated to bringing this remarkable story to younger readers. The Dick, Kerr Ladies: the greatest sporting heroes you’ve never heard of.

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What if you could befriend a cloud? What weather would you choose? What if the weather matched itself to your mood, whether you wanted it to, or not? 11-year-old Stella has returned home to Shetland to spend the summer with her Grandpa, but it's nothing like she remembers. Grandpa is lost in his grief for Gran, the island is bleak and Stella feels trapped, until she encounters an old woman, Tamar, who can spin rainbows and call hurricanes. With the help of Nimbus, a feisty young storm cloud, Stella begins to learn the craft of weather weaving. But when her cloud brain-fogs Grandpa and The Haken (a sea witch) starts to close in, she realises that magic comes with big responsibilities. It will take all her heart and courage to face the coming storm... THE WEATHER WEAVER is essentially a Moana tale for Shetland; a coming of age story, intertwined with island myths and hidden magic. At its heart, the novel tackles the following themes: independence, the meaning of home, and the fallibility of grown-ups.

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