Children’s & Young Adult

Ivan lives in a land where the winter is dark and fearful. Starjik, King of Winter, steals Ivan's little brother and Ivan braves the bitter cold to find him.

From the award-winning author Kevin Crossley-Holland comes a collection of very short stories; none more than two pages long, and some much shorter. There are stories about ghosts, supermarkets, animals, adventures, and all kinds of things to inspire every short story writer.

Twenty-four robbers display their cooking talents in this retelling of the traditional skipping rhyme.

It's a busy year for the Queen - she has lots of important events to attend. Meanwhile, a little girl is wondering what knickers Her Majesty will choose to wear on a school visit! Will they be her 'at home' knickers - adorned with corgis - or her 'garden party' knickers, or perhaps her woolly Balmoral ones...?Both children and adults will love this very special and endearing insight into a child's imagination, from the best-selling author-illustrator of Father Christmas Needs A Wee and Jesus' Christmas Party.Recently, the Queen visited a nursery in Norfolk and enjoyed a display based on the book:"e;...just to make it special, there was one element that was not quite so traditional: pants. These were not just any pants, either. They were the Queen's Knickers, and at Dersingham Infant and Nursery School, in Norfolk, they were put on special display in honour of their royal visitor"e; ~ Valentine Low, The Times

Packed with facts, this miniature encyclopaedia is designed to be both fascinating and fun to use and covers a vast scope of information, from the Earth, its plants and animals, to its people and discoveries.

The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters is a captivating piece of literature by the renowned author, Allan Ahlberg. This enchanting book, which was first published by Penguin Random House Children's UK on the 30th of September, 1999, has since been a favourite among readers. The genre of this book is unique as it beautifully interweaves elements of fantasy and reality, creating a mesmerising narrative that is sure to captivate the reader's imagination. The story revolves around a postman who embarks on a magical journey, delivering letters to different characters from various fairy tales. Allan Ahlberg's exceptional storytelling skills coupled with the intriguing plot make this book a must-have for every book lover. Dive into the enchanting world of The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters, and let Allan Ahlberg take you on an unforgettable literary journey.

Billy's Bucket is a delightful children's book written by the renowned author Kes Gray. Published in 2004, this book is a must-read for young readers. The story revolves around the imaginative world of a boy named Billy and his extraordinary bucket. The genre of the book is children's fiction, which is a specialty of Kes Gray. His ability to weave stories that captivate the young mind is truly commendable. Published by Penguin Random House Children's UK, a publisher known for its wide range of children's books, Billy's Bucket is a testament to their commitment to quality literature for children. The book is available in English. So, immerse yourself in the magical world of Billy's Bucket, and you will not be disappointed.

Penguin presents, the downloadable audiobook edition of Goodnight Mr Tom, read by Patrick Malahide. Young Willie Beech is evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of WW2. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of old Tom Oakley - but his new-found happiness is shattered by a summons from his mother back in London... Winner of the Guardian Childrens Fiction Award.

Shakespeare's enchanting comedy of magic and mix-ups, fairies and fools, chaos and confusion beautifully retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability. Easy reading text and delightful illustrations bring the characters and story vividly to life. Includes a guide to the characters and links to recommended websites for children to find out more about Shakespeare and the play. "e;Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme."e; - Julia Eccleshare

One of the brilliant titles in Jean Ure's acclaimed series of humorous, delightful and poignant stories written in the form of diaries and letters which make them immediately accessible to children.This is the story of how Mandy learns to cope with her untidy life and finally emerges triumphant.Mandy Small has trouble writing so Cat, her teacher, suggests that she tells her life story into a tape recorder. So begins Mandy's funny and sometimes sad story of life with her loving but chaotic parents - Dad, the Elvis look-alike, and Mum, whose idea of a special meal is burnt toast!Then there's school, where the horrible Tracey Bigg picks on Mandy and her timid friend, Oliver, not to mention Old Misery Guts, the landlady and Nan, who thinks that Mandy's parents aren't fit to look after her. With so many things to worry about, Mandy begins to think that she's in danger of turning into a real Fruit and Nutcase!Mandy's story, told in the form of diary into a tape recorder, is a funny and often moving account of a child's everyday life, with all its difficulties. Hilariously illustrated by Mick Brownfield.

The trouble is, Willy is one of 300 million sperm and they all want the same prize - an egg. It's lucky Willy is such a good swimmer ... Hilariously funny, warm, endearing and totally non-threatening - this small masterpiece presents the facts of life to young children in a unique but totally accessible way.

Follow the Tomten through one chilly night as he guards the farm and keeps everyone safe, even while they sleep.

An adventure that allows children to join in the search for the mischievous puppy by lifting the flaps on every page to see where Spot is hiding. It features simple text and colourful pictures that can engage a whole new generation of pre-readers as they lift the picture flaps in search of Spot.

A collection of four linked stories of family life set in modern west Africa.

'Your little cousin cannot help being dull and stupid.'

A bumper combination of the popular "Fairies" and "Princesses" titles from the Sticker Dolly Dressing series. With over 800 stickers to dress the characters for a variety of occasions, including tea parties, balls and ice skating.

Part of a series of piano pieces, this title is suitable for kids. Selected, edited, graded and fingered for Pre-Grade 1 piano, it presents music which is complemented with cartoon illustrations, puzzles and games. It features superhero themes including Batman, Star Wars, James Bond and Superman as well as some fresh superhero pieces.

First Cookbook by Angela Wilkes is an engaging read published by Usborne Publishing Ltd in 2006. This book is a treasure trove for anyone looking to explore the world of cooking. As the title suggests, it's the perfect starting point for beginners, offering a comprehensive guide to preparing simple yet delicious meals. Angela Wilkes, a renowned author in the genre, breaks down complex cooking techniques into easy-to-understand steps. Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd, this book is not just a cookbook, but a testament to Angela's love for cooking and her commitment to empowering others with culinary skills. If you're looking to start your culinary journey, Angela Wilkes' First Cookbook is your perfect companion.

Travel 20,000 years into the past and discover what life as a caveman was like in this prehistoric picture book by a prodigiously talented artist.

Axel Scheffler's Pocket Library is a delightful collection of books that were published by Pan Macmillan in 2009. This anthology is a treasure trove of stories that will captivate the imagination of young readers. With its vibrant illustrations and engaging narratives, it serves as a perfect introduction to the world of literature for children. The author, Axel Scheffler, is renowned for his ability to create magical worlds filled with charming characters and adventures. This collection reflects his unique storytelling style and artistic talent. Belonging to the genre of children's literature, Axel Scheffler's Pocket Library is a must-have addition to every child's bookshelf. Published by Pan Macmillan, this collection is a testament to their commitment to bringing quality literature to readers of all ages.

Helps kids learn how to draw manga eyes, heads, faces, bodies, as well as more specific lessons on drawing manga fantasy characters, manga 'shoujo' and manga monsters. This title features more than 1,000 illustrations that offer step-by-step instruction and fun, colourful inspiration.

Brimming with Christmas spirit, this calendar features 24 jewel-like miniatures board books, nestled in a three-panelled, stand alone backer. The books are numbered 1 through 24, and, like the peek-a-boo windows on an Advent calendar, are meant to be opened one per day from December 1st through Christmas Eve.

Help your little one learn colours and shapes with this delightful, touch and feel book for babies and toddlers. Explore the touchy feely pages together. Feel a silky blue butterfly, velvet red shoes, a bumpy orange, a smooth, diamond-shaped kite, and more. Look at the bright, sparkly images - from shiny green peas and a twinkly purple flower to a picture in a sparkly square frame. Help your baby to name each colour and learn the different shapes.With large word labels and one main picture per page to focus on, this baby book has a simple design that's easy for very young children to follow, helping them identify the objects, and name the shapes and colours. And every page has texture or an eye-catching shiny area to expand a baby's senses, and encourage early learning. Little ones will love turning the sturdy board pages themselves, pointing to the pictures, and feeling the tactile patches.Part of a best-selling, touch and feel series, this is a perfect first book for babies and toddlers.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Little Learning Library by Eric Carle is a delightful and educational book published in 2009 by Penguin Random House Children's UK. This book is a part of the beloved children's literature genre. It's a charming story of a very hungry caterpillar who eats his way through a wide variety of food before pupating and emerging as a beautiful butterfly. The book is filled with Eric Carle's distinctive collage illustrations and offers the opportunity to learn about numbers, days of the week, and different types of food. This little learning library is an essential addition to every child's bookshelf. It's an engaging and fun way to introduce young readers to the world of reading. Penguin Random House Children's UK has done a fantastic job in maintaining the quality and charm of this classic story.

A timeless classic story, Louisa Alcotts Little Women is brought to life on this abridged, downloadable audiobook by Kate Harper. Meg is the eldest and on the brink of love. Then theres tomboy Jo who longs to be a writer. Sweet-natured Beth always puts others first, and finally theres Amy, the youngest and most precocious. Together they are the March sisters. Even though money is short, times are tough and their father is away at war, their infectious sense of fun sweeps everyone up in their adventures - including Laurie, the boy next door. And through sisterly squabbles, their happy times and sad ones too, the sisters discover that growing up is sometimes very hard to do.

Helps your baby discover all about things that go, with touch and feel textures. This title lets you stroke, tickle and touch the textures together with your baby and enable them to discover all about things that go. It is suitable for encouraging tiny fingers to explore and tiny minds to develop.

Will Montague is a page to Prince Edward, son of King Henry VIII. As the King's favourite, Will gains many enemies in Court. His enemies convince the King that Will's father has committed treason and he is thrown into Newgate Prison. Will flees Hampton Court and goes into hiding in the back streets of London. Lost and in mortal danger, he is rescued by a poor boy, Nick Drew. Together they must brave imprisonment and death as they embark on a great adventure to set Will's father free.

New York Times Bestseller Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she's a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goalto flyRosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt's dream come true. But when her contraption doesn't fly but rather hovers for a moment and then crashes, Rosie deems the invention a failure. On the contrary, Aunt Rose insists that Rosie's contraption was a raging success: you can only truly fail, she explains, if you quit. From the powerhouse author-illustrator team of Iggy Peck, Architect comes Rosie Revere, Engineer, another charming, witty picture book about believing in yourself and pursuing your passion. Ada Twist, Scientist, the companion picture book featuring the next kid from Iggy Pecks class, is available in September 2016.Praise for Rosie Revere, EngineerComically detailed mixed-media illustrations that keep the mood light and emphasize Rosie's creativity at every turn.Publishers Weekly The detritus of Rosie's collections is fascinating, from broken dolls and stuffed animals to nails, tools, pencils, old lamps and possibly an erector set. And cheddar-cheese spray. Kirkus Reviews This celebration of creativity and perseverance is told through rhyming text, which gives momentum and steady pacing to a story, consistent with the celebration of its heroine, Rosie. She's an imaginative thinker who hides her light under a bushel (well, really, the bed) after being laughed at for one of her inventions. BooklistAward 2013 Parents Choice Award - GOLD 2014 Amelia Bloomer Project List ReadBostons Best Read Aloud Book