Books by David Wood

"That tree has a history. In the old days people called it the See-Saw Tree. Just imagine how that community will feel should it be threatened. Just imagine what might happen if any of the Council's plans went ahead and they cut down that oak tree, that special oak tree..."

NODDY AND THE NOAH¿S ARK involves most of the familiar book characters, including Big Ears, Whiskers the Cat (a puppet), Bumpy Dog, Tessie Bear, Mr. Plod, Sam and Sally Skittle and the goblins, Sly and Goblin. Mr. Noah needs financial support to keep his animals fed. Tessie Bear and Noddy collect sixpences for the cause. But the collecting box is stolen by the goblins. In NODDY AND THE TOOTLE, Noddy and the other familiar characters meet the Great Tootle, a travelling magician, who is able to make people dance by playing his penny whistle.|Large flexible cast

Looking for a whizzpoppingly wonderful collection of plays for your whole class? Want some ready-made, delumptious lesson plans to accompany them? Biffsquiggled at the thought of how to stage these pieces?Well, look no further because this is a scrumdiddlyumptious selection of David Wood's plays; paired with all the information and materials you need to use them in class or on stage, edited by Paul Bateson, an experienced primary-level drama teacher. The plays create worlds that trigger children's imaginations as well as entertain them, make them think as well as make them laugh, and open their minds to new ideas and the power of storytelling through theatre. Plays included are: The Gingerbread Man The See-Saw Tree The BFG Save the Human Mother Goose's Golden ChristmasThis book also contains a new foreword by David Wood.

"Collected essays by a leading philosopher situating the question of the animal in the broader context of a relational ontology"--

Habit rules our lives. While many of our individual habits seem perfectly reasonable, when aggregated together they spell ecological disaster. Beyond consumerism, other ways of living are clearly possible. Reoccupy Earth shows how an approach to philosophy attuned to our ecological existence can suspend the taken-for-granted and open up alternative forms of earthly dwelling.

The perfect book for teachers and other adults who want to introduce children to gardening. This simple gardening method works well in any environment and doesn't take up a lot of space. Easy and fun to read, Miss Green and Botany Boy will explain how to turn those empty raised beds sitting around in your school yard or backyard into productive and vibrant gardens.

Babes In The Magic Wood has an original storyline, and does not resemble the usual pantomime versions. Widow Crockett and her babes, Simple Simon and Contrary Mary, run a toyshop, their biggest job being the making of toys for Father Christmas's order.The British master of children's theatre has adapted this enchanting fairytale into a lively stage adventure with charming, original songs.

A musical dramatization of the adventures of the Owl and Pussycat at sea and in the Land where the Bong Trees grow.

A two-act play in which young Penguin comes from Iceland to search for his mother and father.

The Pied Piper is based on the traditional tale made famous by Robert Browning, and uses much of Browning's poem. This adaptation has the Piper making his first appearance as a modern busker, delighting the children with his music.3 women, 5 men, 20 men or women

The Salamander, a sort of dragon, is in trouble with the Fire Flies, because he is unable to create a fire by breathing on a pile of sticks. To redeem himself he is sent on a mission to burn down Papertown. The paper inhabitants, including the Papertown Crier (a newspaper), the Postman (an envelope), Professor Paperback (a book who runs the bookshop), Mr. Quid (a pound note who is the Bank Manager) and Lady Carrier Bag - gather their resources to meet the threat. Spike the Pen (the litter collector), Fireman Silver, and even the cheeky Litterbug become involved, and the two petty criminals, Blotch and Carbon, are released to join the forces.Flexible cast

Rupert and his famous friends, including Edward Trunk, Bill Badger, Podgy Pig, Algy Pug, Pong Ping and Tiger Lily feature in this new story. Edward Trunk wishes for a sunny day for his birthday, but Nutwood is currently experiencing only winter weather. On the advice of Wise Owl, Rupert goes to see the Clerk of the Weather. The friendly Green Dragon is a great help, but Zita, the Ice Maid, has to be foiled first! Tuneful songs and lots of audience participation.

The action starts in Mrs. Macdonald's farmyard. Jack, her son, is preoccupied with his dream of building a rocket. At first this leads him astray, but eventually proves he's really a winner. His sister is the only practical member of the family, a hard-working tomboy. The family is threatened with eviction by Mr. Meany, an unfair landlord. Jack is sent to sell Marigold, the cow. Meanwhile, the arrival of a spaceship containing Buzz and Beep, two spacemen on a mission to find a cow, leads to unusual complications.Large flexible cast

Set in the Nutty May Fair, the play follows the struggle of the nuts - including Kernel Walnut, Monkey Nut, William the Conker, Gypsy Brazil and Old Ma Coconut - against the villainous confectioner Professor Jelly Bon Bon, who is searching for nuts with which to create a new chocolate assortment. The "Chocolate Squirter's" aims are eventually foiled, thanks to the nuttiness of the Nuts and the audience's help.-3 women, 3 men, 1 girl or boy

A musical play in which the garden insects, tired of being sprayed but unable to agree on the best method to stop it, begin warring among themselves while the garden goes to ruin. No music included.

Hijack Over Hygenia is set in an aeroplane interior, on a roof, in a throne room and in a bedroom. Hygenia is the cleanest kingdom in the world. Disease is unknown. But one day a villainous Measle enters illegally and starts bringing the inhabitants out in spots. It is all the plot of Dr. Spicknspan who, owing to the pervading healthiness, is always out of work. Things look serious, but the plot is foiled by the gallantry of the royal staff: peace, health and cleanliness are restored.|4 women, 8 men

Long, long ago humans ruled the world, but they made a terrible mess of it. Wars and pollution nearly destroyed all of them. Now the animals are in charge, and they have started a worldwide campaign to save humans from extinction.Large flexible cast

Presents in a two-act play the adventures of Meg, a rather unsuccessful witch, and her mute cat, Mog, who has to communicate with mime.

Though Mother Shipton's shoe is crowded to its laces, she lives there happily with her vast brood of children, among them Jack and Jill. Unfortunately, however, the shoe is actually the property of a Giant, who lost it and has been looking for it - with one bare foot - ever since. One day The Great Boon arrives, a genial and charming, but not terribly efficient, magician, looking for a Circus in which he is due to appear. His attempts to save Mother Shipton and family from the Giant involve the loss of her shoe because he is unable to bring the Giant down to human size and harmlessness without also reducing the shoe. However, after a lot of adventures and muddled magic all ends happily.-Large flexible cast