Recreation

New Titles Children’s April 2013 (arrived in March)

Audio Visual

True horror stories [sound recording], Terry Deary.
A collection of horror stories from around the world based on experiences which someone has claimed are factual.
True mystery stories [sound recording], Terry Deary.
Find out how one woman checked into a Parisian hotel, and then disappeared, why a flight of planes never returned and if the ghosts of Borley rectory can ever rest in peace. Using the accounts and fact files, uncover some mysterious events from real life and decide what you think really happened.
True ghost stories [sound recording], Terry Deary.
A collection of ghost stories from around the world based on experiences which someone has claimed are factual.
Cowgirls 'n' angels (DVD), directed by Timothy Armstrong.
Ida Clayton has never met her rodeo-rider dad. In her search to find him, she encounters the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, a group of female trick riders led by former rodeo star Terence Parker. Despite her young age, Ida convinces Parker to let her train to become one of the risk-taking Sweethearts. If she succeeds, she just might find the family she’s been looking for.
Frankenweenie (DVD), directed by Tim Burton.
Young Victor conducts a science experiment that will bring his dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous consequences.
Hotel Transylvania (DVD), directed by Genndy Tartakovsky,
The Hotel Transylvania, run by Dracula, is a unique, high-end resort catering only to the finest monsters and their families. Dracula is preparing for an extra special weekend - his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday - when trouble arises: a human has stumbled upon the resort for the first time ever! Even worse: the human has taken a liking to Mavis!
Madagascar 3. Europe’s most wanted (DVD), directed by Eric Darnell, Conrad Vernon, Tom McGrath.
Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria are on the run through Europe in this wildly-entertaining and outrageous comedy critics call 'charming and very funny'! With the fame-loving King Julian and take-charge Penguins, the whole crew joins the circus to escape Captain Dubois of Animal Control.
Pixar short films collection. Volume 2 (DVD).
Disney and Pixar present an incredible new collection of 12 short films, featuring multiple Academy Award nominees (Best Short Film, Animated: 'Presto,' 2008; 'Day & night,' 2010; 'La luna,' 2011) and a host of family favourites. Join the celebration of imagination with this must-own collection, packed with unforgettable animation, fantastic stories and captivating characters. Plus, enjoy all-new extras that share how Pixar’s storied talent got their start - including student films from acclaimed directors John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter.
Diary of a wimpy kid. 3, Dog days (DVD), directed by David Bowers.
When Greg Heffley’s dad threatens to send him to military school if he doesn't stay out of trouble, Greg finds all-new ways to land himself in the doghouse! For starters, Greg’s in over his head when he pretends to work at the swanky country club where Rowley’s family has a membership. Things don't go much better on a father-son camping trip with the Wilderness Explorers, and then there’s the Heffley’s new dog, Sweetie, who fetches even more trouble for Greg.
Dreams [sound recording] : classical music for a good night’s sleep.
Gerry and the Crocodettes [sound recording].
The cast consists of Gerry the Crocodette, Frincess the Princess who is destined to be the queen and Pat the 900 year old Galactic Alligator and these three characters come from a far away Galaxy called Croco. Arriving on Earth, the first friend they met was Herman the yeti who was born in Tibet in a town 4 mile underground. The mischief character that he is leads to a lot of lessons to be learnt. Star Fairies Venus and Saturn complete the cast. All Star Fairies listen to wishes that children make and if the wish is meant to come true then they will do everything in their power to help make them come true.
Hits and rarities [sound recording].
To celebrate The Wiggles' final shows together with the original line-up of Anthony, Murray, Jeff and Greg, The Wiggles have released this album. It features all your Wiggly favourite tunes from the last 21 years! The album also includes many rare and unheard tracks from the kings of kids The Wiggles!
Lullaby [sound recording] : soothing music for quiet moments.
My favourite minidisco songs [sound recording].
Putumayo kids presents Celtic dreamland [sound recording].
Putumayo kids presents Hawaiian playground [sound recording].
Times tables [sound recording].
Danny Kaye sings "Hans Christian Andersen" and other favourites [sound recording].
Sue Pugmire’s songs for kids of all ages. Vol. 1 [sound recording], Sue Pugmire.
"Features classic children’s songs such as; There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly, Cat Came Back, My favourite Things and Rainbow Connection, as well as original native songs like Pukeko and Tuatara. All tracks feature Sue singing (like a songbird) and playing guitar, she is accompanied on various tracks by different musicians on varying instruments. Sue Pugmire’s Songs For Kids Of All Ages Vol.1 really is for kids of all ages - including mums and dads!" — publisher’s description.
Kids for life [sound recording], composed, performed & produced by Anna Rugis.
Ben 10/Generator Rex. Heroes united (DVD), Cartoon Network.
When a mysterious rift appears over Manhattan, Rex is on the scene to see if there is trouble coming. However when Humungosaur comes from the clouds, Rex gets a bit more than he bargained for! Rex begins battling it out with the Vaxasaurian in Central Park, not realising that Humungosaur is actually Ben Tennyson. Ben soon discovers he’s in an alternate dimension and that he and Rex must team up to overcome their combined foes.
Chuggington. Chug-a-sonic! (DVD).
Trainee engines Brewster Koko and Wilson just love pretending to be Action Chugger, Chuggington’s very own jet-propelled film star. So any chance to meet their real life super-hero is just the ticket! In these fantastic adventures they get to do just that as Koko and Brewster put their stunt skills to use and Action Chugger crashes on the way to the film set. The superhero takes Hodge into space and learns to be an 'ordinary' Chugger while Brewster is inspired to make his own film. Meanwhile there’s more traintastic excitement as a dangerous bridge threatens to ruin Brewster’s big day and Toot plays sick to avoid track inspection with her twin brother Hoot.
Dinosaur train. The submarine (DVD).
"Learn about all the different types of dinosaurs with Buddy and his family! Board the wondrous Dinosaur Train to travel and explore the world inhabited by these amazing creatures" — Container insert.
Doc McStuffins. Friendship is the best medicine (DVD).
Dottie 'Doc' McStuffins is an amazing six-year-old girl with a very special talent: she has the ability to talk to and heal toys! Together with her trusty friends - Lambie, Stuffy, Hattie and Chilly - Doc treats and helps all toys and stuffed animals that need their boo boos fixed, ouchies kissed and problems solved. Whether it’s a raspy walkie-talkie with "staticosis", a toy crab with "claw-be-gone-itis" or just a little doll who needs a big hug, Doc McStuffins is on call 24/7 to help everyone discover the importance of taking care of themselves and others.
In the night garden. Where are you? (DVD).
In the Night Garden… is about a magical picture-book place that exists between waking and sleeping in a child’s imagination. Words, rhymes and music take children on an imaginative journey to a happy world of lovable characters.
Mickey Mouse clubhouse. Mickey & Donald have a farm (DVD).
When the powerful wind from Pete’s Giant Windmill accidentally sends all of the animals on the new Clubhouse Farm flying to different places, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy hook up the clickety-clack wagon and head off to find them.
The Cat in the Hat knows a lot about that! Breeze from the trees (DVD).
Follow along with Cat, Nick and Sally as they learn how to build a robin’s nest, find the mother of a lost egg and meet a plant expert who teaches them all about trees!
The Garfield show. Volume 4 (DVD).
"Everyone loves Garfield, the star of his own syndicated newspaper comic strip read all around the world and two big screen movie features! Garfield is a lazy, selfish, overweight, orange tabby whose main hobbies are chilling out, pizza, watching TV, pizza, having fun… and pizza. Whether he’s scarfing down lasagne (or pizza), or tricking Nermal the kitten, Garfield is guaranteed to crack you up. But remember: he hates Mondays!" — container.
Tom and Jerry. Follow that duck! (DVD).
Eight episodes from the Hanna-Barbera animated cartoon series following cat and mouse rivals, Tom and Jerry. The collection sees the arrival of friendly yellow duckling Quacker and a baby woodpecker who believes Jerry is his mother, as well as an appearance from the Easter Bunny.
Angelina ballerina. Ballerina princess (DVD).
Join Angelina Ballerina and her friends for enchanting adventures filled with princesses, princes, kings and queens. Dancing their way through Chipping Cheddar, Angelina encounters an evil witch, uncovers a Cinderella-like mystery, treats the king and queen to a regal performance, and brings an epic tale to life with her friends! With secrets, spells, dance and celebrations, the stage is set for a royally good time!
The clumsy ghost and other spooky tales [sound recording], various authors.
In this anthology of 7 new ghost stories, we meet all kinds of phantoms in different situations - a kind hearted but accident-prone spectre unwittingly upsetting a family home; ghosts in ancient Egypt, on board a pirate ship, in the making of a television film and in a Newcastle swimming pool.
Raven hearts [sound recording], Fiona Dunbar.
When Kitty goes to stay on an eerie, windswept moor, she soon hears about a terrifying ghost hound rumoured to prey on humans. A man has disappeared without a trace - and he’s not the first. Helped by a strange spirit called Lupa, Kitty must solve the mystery - and fast…
Kingdom of the wicked [sound recording], Derek Landy.
Magic is a disease. Across the land, normal people are suddenly developing wild and unstable powers, unwittingly endangering their own lives and the lives of the people around them. Kitana, along with her normal teenage friends, becomes infected. Becomes powerful. Becomes corrupted. Wielding the magic of gods, they're set to tear the city apart unless someone stands up against them…
White dolphin [sound recording], Gill Lewis.
Bullied at school for her dyslexia and troubled by her mother’s unexplained disappearance, Kara seeks sanctuary sailing the ocean’s waves in her father’s boat. Meanwhile, Felix resents his well-meaning parents for dragging him to live by the coast and misses his old friends back in London. On their first encounter, Kara and Felix take an immediate dislike to each other. But when they happen to discover a dolphin calf stranded on the beach they know they must work together to save it against all odds. Realizing they have more in common than they could ever have guessed, the two friends set out to find the truth behind the disappearance of Kara’s marine biologist mother, and to protect the delicate reef in the bay of their home town from the destruction of commercial dredging. Their actions set in motion a dramatic chain of events that no one could have foreseen. And soon they must make an impossible choice. Risk their own lives or face losing everything.
The pirates' mixed-up voyage [sound recording], Margaret Mahy.
This hilarious adventure story features Captain Wafer and his fellow pirates. When the pirates kidnap a famous inventor they sail into no end of trouble. Unable to read, they land at the wrong island and, realizing the perils of illiteracy, enroll at the academy of the dreaded Dr Silkwood.
The stones are hatching [sound recording], Geraldine McCaughrean.
Eleven-year-old Phelim and his companions, a Maiden, a Fool, and a strange black Horse, journey to the Stoor Worm’s lair to destroy the long-forgotten Worm and its Hatchlings, who have been roused from their slumber by the sounds of war.
Life according to — Alice B. Lovely [sound recording], Karen McCombie.
'I do not, repeat do NOT, need a NANNY!' Edie Evans is sick of being treated like a kid. And will do anything (ANYTHING) she can to be left alone to look after herself. But then along comes the strange, the shy, the captivating Alice B. Lovely.
The brilliant world of Tom Gates [sound recording], Liz Pichon.
Tom Gates, a master of excuses, expert doodler, comic story writer extraordinaire introduces his life including his sister Delia whom he torments mercilessly, his best-friend Derek, Amy Porter, the girl he’s desperate to impress, and the problems he has at school,
The whizz pop chocolate shop [sound recording], Kate Saunders.
Welcome to the most magical house in London. Oz and Lily’s family have inherited it together with the mysterious shop downstairs. Long ago, its famous chocolate-makers were clever sorcerers. Now evil villains are hunting the secret of their greatest recipe. The terrifying power of this magic chocolate could destroy the world. The children are swept into a thrilling battle, helped by an invisible cat, a talking rat and the ghost of an elephant.
The white giraffe [sound recording], Lauren St. John
After a fire kills her parents, eleven-year-old Martine must leave England to live with her grandmother on a wildlife game reserve in South Africa, where she befriends a mythical white giraffe.
The smallest horse in the world [sound recording], Jeremy Strong.
Emerald Star [sound recording], Jacqueline Wilson.
This is a fantastic new adventure for brave, feisty Hetty Feather - one of Jacqueline Wilson’s most well-loved characters. Since leaving the Foundling Hospital, Hetty has seen her fair share of drama, excitement, tragedy and loss. After the death of her beloved mama, she sets off to find a real home at last - starting with the search for her father. But Hetty is no longer a simple country girl, and begins to fear she'll never truly belong anywhere. And even when she is reunited with her beloved childhood sweetheart Jem, Hetty still longs for adventure - especially when an enchanting figure from her past makes an unexpected reappearance. Could a more exciting future lie ahead for Hetty?
Pinocchio and other stories [sound recording], Anonymous, Hans Christian Andersen & Carlo Collodi.
Magical retellings of three classic fairy tales.
Pinocchio: When Geppetto makes a wooden puppet of a little boy, he is astonished when the puppet comes to life! But Pinocchio dreams of being a real boy.
The princess and the pea: The King and Queen have made all the plans for their son’s Royal Wedding, but the Prince still hasn't chosen a bride. Will he ever find a wife who is a princess through and through?
Tom Thumb: A woodcutter and his wife are desperate for a child - even one as small as his father’s thumb. So Merlin and the Fairy Queen grant their wish, and Tom Thumb is born!
Merlin and the ring of power [sound recording], Tony Bradman.
Merlin’s a wizard now and the Lady in the Lake has told him that he must use a ring of power to make himself stronger. Problem is, he has no idea what she means. Can he find out in time to stop the useless king starting a war?
Two Flat Stanley stories [sound recording], Jeff Brown.
Grace the sea sister [sound recording], Amber Castle.
When eleven-year-old Gwen ventures into the forest beyond her castle home she comes across the magical island of Avalon and her life changes forever. The lady of the lake, Nineve, asks Gwen to embark on a quest to protect the enchanted island of Avalon from the evil sorceress Morgana Le Fay. Morgana has imprisoned the eight Spell Sisters of Avalon throughout the kingdom and stolen their magical powers. It’s up to Gwen, her best friend Flora and a very special horse named Moonlight to find the sisters and return them to Avalon before its magic is lost forever. In their fifth adventure Gwen and Flora face stormy seas and dangerous cliff-climbs to save Grace the Sea Sister from Morgana’s spell.
Sophia the flame sister [sound recording], Amber Castle.
Gwen and Flora search for Sophia the Flame Sister who Morgana has imprisoned in an enchanted forest. Can the girls save her and help to restore the magic of fire to Avalon?
Moonbeans and the circus of wishes [sound recording], Annie Dalton.
Meet Jax and her magical moon cat! A school trip to the City Farm reveals that cheeky Conrad is a natural when it comes to animals. But when his mum tells him that he can't have a pet, Conrad goes from mischievous to moody, getting into BIG trouble at school. This could be Jax’s toughest mission yet… especially as Beans has other things on his mind. Can a sprinkle of moon-cat magic help Conrad’s deepest wish come true?
Moonbeans and the talent show [sound recording], Annie Dalton.
Everyone is talking about the school talent show - except Jax. She’s far too busy with Moonbeans, her magical moon cat. But then she meets Hubble, the white rabbit whose owner, Howard, dreams of wowing the crowds with his dazzling magic act! But Howard’s show has more mishaps than magic and looks set to stand out for all the wrong reasons. Can Jax and Moonbeans help Howard conjure up his hidden talent with a little magic of their own?
Tilly’s moonlight fox [sound recording], Julia Green.
When Tilly moves to a big, old house with her mum and dad, she can't wait to start exploring. There, deep in the garden, she finds a mysterious, hidden gate … Led by a wild fox, Tilly discovers the magical secret that lies beyond the gate and nothing is ever quite the same again.
Broomstick rescues [sound recording] : &, Broomstick baby, Ann Jungman.
Two stories about witch sisters Ethel and Mabel.
Euuugh! Eyeball stew! [sound recording], Alan MacDonald.
Iggy discovers a young member of the Henna tribe lost in the jungle (Henna, so-named for their fiery red hair and penchant for covering their faces in mud). The girl is wearing some rare and precious firestones, which mesmerise the Urks, especially Borg, who devises a new and devious plot to become Chief Urk. Iggy must embark on a dangerous journey to return the Henna girl safely to her tribe in the Cloud Mountains. But when he gets there, the welcome is not exactly what he had in mind. Time for a very cunning plan.
Tom’s sausage lion [sound recording], Michael Morpurgo.
But it’s true,' Tom shouted. 'It was a real lion, I know it was.' No-one believes Tom when he says he has seen a lion - padding around the orchard with a string of sausages in its mouth! No-one, that is, except for Clare, the cleverest girl in the class. Together, she and Tom plan to prove his story is true - by catching the lion!
Running wild [sound recording], Jamie Rix.
Ping’s off on an adventure down-river. With bears and humans and snow leopards lurking in the shadows, it’s going to be a wild ride.
Roodica the Rude and the chariot challenge [sound recording], Margaret Ryan.
Long ago, when wolves and bears roamed the land, and before underpants had been invented, the Romans conquered Britain. The Romans built fine houses and straight roads, and encouraged the Celts to take baths. But not everyone liked the Romans. Lots of people fought back, and none more stubbornly than Queen Goodica’s youngest daughter Roodica the Rude!
Mr Gum and the biscuit billionaire [sound recording], Andy Stanton.
Good evening. OK, this book’s a bit hard to describe. There’s this gingerbread man with electric muscles, see? And he’s as rich as a mushroom, right? And Mr. Gum and Billy William are planning to get the cash, yeah? And it’s up to Polly to save the day. And there’s a funfair and hot dogs, and Friday O'Leary shouts out some crazy stuff, and… hey, that wasn't so hard to describe after all.
Kidnap at Denton Farm [sound recording], Robert Swindells.
The Outfit can't believe it when half the village turns out to protest against Farmer Denton’s new wind turbine. After all, it’s so much better than ugly pylons and nuclear power stations. So they decide to keep an eye on things, just in case…
Coven Road [sound recording], Ruth Symes.
Most little girls want to be princesses or ballerinas, but not Bella Donna. She’s wanted to be a witch her whole life, and the only thing she wants more is to find a family to adopt her. No one seems quite right for her until the day Lilith arrives and Bella knows immediately that Lilith might be the one to make both her secret wishes come true.

Into Reading

My friend Rabbit and the snow geese, based on the characters from Eric Rohmann’s Caldecott Medal-winning picture book My friend Rabbit.
On the first day of winter, the Gibble Goose Girls sulk when the snow has made their favourite outdoor activities impossible, so it’s up to Rabbit and Mouse to prove that the cold season has its own charms.
Frog’s flying adventure, written by Eve Bunting ; illustrated by Josee Masse.
Frog finds a flower and tries to keep it alive, flies on his seagull friend’s back, and gets help from his friends when he has trouble falling asleep.
The elves and the trendy shoes, Evelyn Foster and Claudia Venturini.
Hopscotch Twisty Tales combine carefully controlled text levels and word counts with highly entertaining and original stories, perfect for children starting to read independently.
A pet named Sneaker, Joan Heilbroner ; illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre.
Sneaker the snake is not only a good pet for Pete, he becomes a good student at Pete’s school and a hero at the public swimming pool.
Penny and her marble, Kevin Henkes.
Penny feels guilty after taking a beautiful blue marble that she sees in Mrs. Goodwin’s grass, but gets a pleasant surprise when she goes to return it the next day.
Splat the cat with a bang and a clang, based on the bestselling books by Rob Scotton ; cover art by Rick Farley ; text by Amy Hsu Lin ; interior illustrations by Robert Eberz.
Splat’s friends are having a rehearsal for their cool new band, the Cat Gang. But something’s missing… it just doesn't feel right without Splat! Everyone wants Splat to join the band. But Splat can't sing and he doesn't play an instrument! What can he do that is perfect for the Cat Gang?
Beauty and the pea, written by Hilary Robinson ; illustrated by Simona Sanfilippo.
The beast of Pea Castle was sad and lonely. He needed a kiss from a princess to turn him back into a handsome prince. One day, Beauty arrived at the castle. The beast put a pea under her mattress and she could not sleep a wink. Was Beauty the princess that could break the spell? Fairytale Jumbles is a series of four rhyming books for Purple Band 8 of the Start Reading programme.
Hansel, Gretel and the ugly duckling, written by Hilary Robinson ; illustrated by Simona Sanfilippo.
Hansel and Gretel went out to collect wood for their father, but they got lost in the forest. Then a wicked old lady trapped them in her cottage! The ugly duckling followed a trail of bread that the children left behind them. Would the ugly duckling be able to rescue Hansel and Gretel?
Archie and Frisbee, written by Anne Rooney ; illustrated by Ann Johns.
Frisbee is the new class hamster. Archie wants to take him home for the weekend more than anything! Miss Nitwit tells him he must be good, but will Archie be up to his usual tricks?
Archie and Terrible Trevor, written by Anne Rooney ; illustrated by Ann Johns.
Archie’s sister, Lucy, has an invisible friend. Archie thinks she’s being silly. Until Terrible Trevor appears and he realises that having an invisible friend might be fun after all.
Archie and the babysitter, written by Anne Rooney ; illustrated by Ann Johns.
Archie gives the babysitter and his little sister, Lucy, a real run for their money when Mum and Dad go out for the afternoon!
Archie at the museum, written by Anne Rooney ; illustrated by Ann Johns.
Archie goes on a school trip to the museum. He climbs into displays, annoys the museum staff and plays a naughty trick on one of his friends!
Super-villains, written by Victoria Taylor.
Go on a reading mission with LEGO DC Super Villains.

Non-Fiction

Children’s book-a-day almanac, Anita Silvey.
An Almanac with information about famous events and celebrations for each day of the year and related children’s book
1001 inventions & awesome facts from Muslim civilization.
Traces centuries of invention and technological innovation in the Muslim world, revealing how Muslim intellectuals built elephant water clocks, drew detailed world maps, and built colossal architectural structures.
This is my family : a first look at same-sex parents, Pat Thomas ; illustrated by Lesley Harker.
"This is My Family" takes a child’s point of view in its discussion of same-sex marriage. Its message is intended both for children of gay or lesbian parents, as well as for the kids and parents of the children’s friends and playmates.
The little book of sequencing skills, Keri Finlayson ; illustrations by Mike Phillips.
The activities and suggestions in The Little Book of Sequencing Skills will help you and the children in your care to explore a range of creative ways to develop sequencing skills. The ability to sequence events and objects is essential for young children’s learning and the ability to put thoughts and actions into sequence is important for the development many competencies. This book hopes to offer the early years practitioner a variety of practical, creative ways to help with the understanding, recognition and manipulation of sequences and to do so within the context of a variety of areas of learning.
Brilliant ideas for times tables practice for ages 5-7, Molly Potter.
Learning tables is ultimately about learning by rote which of course some pupils take to better than others. Some will practise tirelessly at home and learn them successfully but for those that for one reason or another fail to manage this, some effective classroom input is crucial.
Brilliant ideas for times tables practice for ages 7-9, Molly Potter.
Learning times tables causes a constant headache for teachers and parents but it is an essential skill for all primary aged children. Molly Potter has come up with a bank of puzzles, activities and games designed to make learning times tables more palatable! This series aims to make times tables learning fun by including a wide variety of methods tackling the same sums. By giving so many methods for learning the same tables, it also enables teachers to cover them little and often as is deemed best practice.
Brilliant ideas for times tables practice for ages 9-11, Molly Potter.
Learning times tables causes a constant headache for teachers and parents but it is an essential skill for all primary aged children. Molly Potter has come up with a bank of puzzles, activities and games designed to make learning times tables more palatable! This series aims to make times tables learning fun by including a wide variety of methods tackling the same sums. By giving so many methods for learning the same tables, it also enables teachers to cover them little and often as is deemed best practice.
The girl in red, story and pictures by Roberto Innocenti ; written by Aaron Frisch.
The illustrations of award-winning artist Roberto Innocenti offer a modern take on the centuries-old tale of an innocent girl in a red riding hood who meets a wicked wolf in the dark woods.
East of the sun, west of the moon, Jackie Morris.
From the moment she saw him, she knew the bear had come for her. A girl travels with a polar bear and learns of his secret sadness as they journey to the homes of the four Winds and to the castle East of the sun, West of the moon.
Rhymes for playtime fun : a collection of 50 lively join-in songs and action poems for young children, compiled by Nicola Baxter ; illustrated by Cathie Shuttleworth.
Playtime rhymes and circle songs for young children, with a special find the frog game on every page.
A rock is lively, Dianna Hutts Aston + Sylvia Long.
Introduces readers to rocks and minerals, describing how they are created, what they can be used for, and their different forms and types.
When dinos dawned, mammals got munched, and Pterosaurs took flight : a cartoon prehistory of life in the Triassic, Hannah Bonner.
There were pterosaurs (flying reptiles), the first flowering plants, humongous sea creatures, early turtles, and the first coral reefs. Early mammals also appeared in the Triassic, and there were several dramatic extinction events.
The curious explorer’s illustrated guide to exotic animals A to Z, Marc Martin.
From armadillo to zebras, chameleons to quetzals, these exotic animals will surprise and delight. No curious explorer should be without Marc Martin’s stunning celebration of strange and beautiful creatures from all over the world. Here is a book of wonder, a unique and breathtaking treasure from one of Australia’s most outstanding new talents.
My first day, Steve Jenkins & Robin Page.
Explore some of the fascinating things that animals do on their first day.
Everything you need to know about snakes and other scaly reptiles, written by John Woodward.
Learn all you need to know about these stunningly slithery reptiles. Ever wondered how to charm a cobra? Everything You Need to Know About Snakes contains amazing facts and staggering statistics.
Kiwi : the real story, Annemarie Florian ; Heather Hunt.
A little book of sloth, Lucy Cooke.
Hang around just like a sloth and get to know the delightful residents of the Avarios Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica, the world’s largest sloth orphanage. You'll fall in love with bad-boy Mateo, ooh and ahh over baby Biscuit, and want to wrap your arms around champion cuddle buddy Ubu!
Wild horse scientists, written by Kay Frydenborg.
Traces the work of two wildlife veterinarians who protect and chart the lives of Assateague Island’s wild horses, describing their shared efforts to balance the horses' ecosystem and raise awareness.
Sea otter, Suzi Eszterhas.
Far away in the Pacific Ocean, a baby sea otter is born, just a little bigger than a kitten. See her learn how to find food and look after herself. At first she floats in the water while mum dives for food, and later she learns how to dive herself, for delicious clams and crabs, and how to sleep on a bed of sea grass in the water. By the time she is one year old she is grown-up and ready to have a baby of her own.
Orangutan, Suzi Eszterhas.
High in the trees of the rainforest in Sumatra, a baby orangutan is born. Follow her from birth to adulthood, as she learns to look after herself. See her eating her first solid food, mashed fruit, learning to climb, and relaxing in the "nest". She will stay with her mum, learning how to survive in the forest, until she is five years old.
Jet plane : how it works, David Macaulay with Sheila Keenan.
Introduces young readers to the mechanical science of jet planes that recreates an airplane ride while explaining how powerful engines, specially designed wings, and cockpit controls work together to enable a jet’s flight.
Super trucks, written by Clive Gifford.
Take a rip-roaring ride with some seriously terrific trucks. Hop into the driving seat and put your brain in gear for an amazing ride with some seriously SuperTrucks. Be prepared to be dazzled by the fastest, loudest, most powerful, and coolest machines on the planet.
Cool nut-free recipes : delicious & fun foods without nuts, Nancy Tuminelly.
Learn how to cook for anyone!
The boys' book of things to make.
The ultimate compendium of making models, games, quizzes and puzzles, and it’s all perfect for active boys. With over 150 amazing projects there is enough here to keep busy bodies occupied all year long. This is the book to crush rainy-day blues, with monster puppets, DIY crazy golf, pirate games and garden Olympics; boredom is not an option. Split into three sections things to make, things to do and things to know; "The Boys' Book of Things To Make" is a good source of information as well as fun. So whether your child is into gluing and painting, making their own pin-hole camera, quizzes and trivia, or even making their own slime look no further.
Dinosaur things to make and do, Rebecca Gilpin ; designed and illustrated by Erica Harrison ; additional designs and illustrations by Vicky Arrowsmith … [et al.] ; steps illustrated by Molly Sage ; photographs by Howard Allman.
Part of the best-selling "Usborne Activities" series, this title includes activities to make such as: a stand-up stegosaurus, a pterosaur with glowing eyes, and hatching dinosaur eggs. Each activity is illustrated in an appealing and colourful style, with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.
Sneaky Art : crafty surprises to hide in plain sight, Marthe Jocelyn.
With this book, plus some easy-to-find materials, you'll have everything you need to create playful, eye-catching art projects that you can sneak into surprising places.
I can knit, Edie Eckman.
This book is set up to follow the natural learning progression with short lessons and quick results. After just a few pages, you have enough skills to begin making and finishing simple projects. This book walks you though knitting techniques for both left and righthanded knitters. Instructions and photographs are included. As you progress through the lessons and the projects you will build your knitting skills and will enjoy creating fun, wearable accessories and useful gifts that you and friends and family will love!
The looky book, Donovan Bixley.
Hours of fun for the kids - and the adults! The Looky Book is a puzzle book mostly for young children with 11 different puzzles all with colourful New Zealand landscapes, birds and animals. Find the numbers with the crazy All Black lambs, spot the difference: the mischievous keas have changed around somebody’s campervan, find the animals hidden deep in the bush, match the farmers to their animals.
We go together! : a curious selection of affectionate verse, Calef Brown.
A collection of illustrated poems of love and friendship teeming with wit, whimsy, and wordplay from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator, Calef Brown.
If you were a chocolate mustache, poems by Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis ; drawings by Matthew Cordell.
Riddles, limericks, story poems, nonsense rhymes, haiku, and other poetic forms seasoned with funny art by Cordell.
Stardines swim high across the sky and other poems, Jack Prelutsky ; illustrated by Carin Berger.
Presents a collection of humourous animal poems told through couplet verses and accompanied by illustrations featuring shadow boxes, dioramas, and cut-paper collages.
The three little pigs, written by Vivian French ; illustrated by Liz Million.
Perfect for reading aloud, this innovative and beautifully designed book offers a simple, clever and utterly enjoyable way of sharing stories and learning to read. The "Walker All Join In Story Plays" are written in strongly patterned language by Vivian French to cater for readers with different levels of experience. There are brief teaching notes at the back which give parents and teachers helpful advice on sharing the books with children.
Rain & fire : a companion guide to The last dragon chronicles, Chris and Jay d'Lacey.
While the New York Times bestselling Last Dragon Chronicles has come to a close, husband and wife Chris and Jay d'Lacey have collaborated on Rain & Fire, a fabulous companion to the series. Fans will be able to explore d'Lacey’s fiery world one last time as they uncover secrets behind all seven books and gain insight into the characters they thought they already knew.
Beastly best bits : the executioner’s cut, Terry Deary ; illustrated by Martin Brown.
In Beastly best bits Terry Deary and Martin Brown take you on a guided tour through the history of the world using their favourite bits of 20 years of Horrible histories books. And they promise to leave the gory bits in (and the boring bits out). 2013 is the twentieth anniversary of Horrible histories.
The big show, Ryan Nagelhout.
The Big Show is one of the largest athletes on the planet. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. Featuring full-color photographs, a detailed timeline of key events in Big Shows career, and easy-to-read chapters, this book will show readers just how Paul Wight became the biggest and strongest grappler on the globe.
John Cena, Ryan Nagelhout.
Find out how a college football player became The Champ of the WWE. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. Featuring full-color photographs, a detailed timeline of key events in Cena's life, and easy-to-read chapters, this book will take you from his rap career to his time making movies along with his big moves in the ring.
Christian, Ryan Nagelhout.
Christian went from playing hockey to battling the WWE's fiercest grapplers. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. With full-color photographs, a detailed timeline of key events in Christian's life, and easy-to-read chapters detail his major accomplishments. Including his tag team triumphs with Edge and his individual honours, this book will satisfy even the most dedicated of wrestling fans.
CM Punk, Ryan Nagelhout.
CM Punk started a revolution in the WWE with his unique style and rebel antics. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. Featuring full-color photographs, a detailed timeline of key events in Punk's life, and easy-to-read chapters, this book will take you from his early days in Chicago to his rise at the top of the wrestling world. This book will satisfy even the most dedicated of wrestling fans.
From the good mountain : how Gutenberg changed the world, James Rumford.
A short biography of Johannes Gutenberg and how he invented a way to print books with moveable type.
Looking at Lincoln, Maira Kalman.
A brief look at the life of United States president Abraham Lincoln.
Randy Orton, Ryan Nagelhout.
Randy Orton has wrestling in his DNA. The son of a WWE legend has made a name for himself in the ring. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. Featuring full-color photographs, a detailed timeline of key events in Orton's life, and easy-to-read chapters, this book will take readers from his early days watching his dad wrestle to starting a career of his own.
Drummer boy of John John, Mark Greenwood ; illustrations by Frane Lessac.
A story inspired by events in the boyhood of Winston "Spree" Simon, a pioneer in the development of the steel drum, in which he discovers he can create tunes by banging on discarded cans.
Ancient Egypt, Jinny Johnson.
Ancient Egypt is an adventure to discover this fascinating ancient world, unlocking the secrets of pharaohs, pyramids and gods, and finding out about everyday life thousands of years ago.
Taff in the WAAF, Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom.
This tells the fascinating story of life on the Home Front in World War II.

Older Fiction

Hold fast, Blue Balliett.
On a cold winter day in Chicago, Early’s father disappeared, and now she, her mother and her brother have been forced to flee their apartment and join the ranks of the homeless and it is up to Early to hold her family together and solve the mystery surrounding her father.
Precocia : the sixth circle of Heck, Dale E. Basye ; illustrations by Bob Dob.
Following sentencing in the court of Judge Judas, eleven-year-old Milton and his older sister Marlo find themselves in Precocia, the circle of Heck for kids that grow up too fast.
The bully book, Eric Kahn Gale.
What is The Bully Book? Part mystery, part tragedy, part comedy. When the author was eleven, he was bullied. This book is loosely based on incidents that happened to him in sixth grade. Eric Haskins, the new sixth-grade bully target, is searching for answers. And unlike many of us who experienced something awful growing up, he finds them. Though they may not be what he expected.
33 minutes, Todd Hasak-Lowy ; illustrated by Bethany Barton.
An epic lunch period leads to a fateful showdown as small, skinny seventh-grader Sam’s former best friend, now a popular athlete, promises to beat Sam up at recess in exactly thirty-three minutes.
Te popi whero, nā David Hill i tuhi ; nā Fifi Colston ngā pikitia i tā ; nā Ngaere Roberts ngā kupu i whakamāori.
Jim, a soldier on the Western Front in World War 1, is wounded while charging through No Man’s Land. He stumbles into a shell crater for shelter and finds a badly wounded German soldier. The two men try to help each other, but it’s Nipper, the messenger dog, whose gallantry gives them a chance for survival.
Never say die, Will Hobbs.
Fifteen-year-old half-Inuit Nick and his white brother, Ryan, meet and share an adventure on the Firth River in the Canadian Arctic, facing white water, wild animals, and fierce weather as Ryan documents the effects of climate change on caribou for National Geographic.
Phantom of Terawhiti, Des Hunt.
"It’s the school holidays and Zac thinks he might go crazy with boredom. He’s living in exile with his disgraced father on the remote Terawhiti Station on Wellington’s wild south-west coast. Zac and his father witness a shipwreck off the coast. Investigating further, he finds a set of unusual paw prints on the beach. Whose yacht it is? And what animal could have made the paw prints? Soon Zac is drawn into a mystery which threatens his life and those around him. He must protect the secret of the Phantom of Terawhiti from those intent on hunting it - and him - down".
Roger Langridge’s Snarked! Book three, Cabbages and kings, [written and illustrated by Roger Langridge with colors by Lisa Moore ; inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll].
After surviving a dangerous sea journey, the heroes finally reach Snark Island where they hope to find the Red King.
The colossus rises, Peter Lerangis.
Teens Jack, Marco, Aly, and Cass begin a quest to find seven pieces of Atlantis’s power that were hidden long ago and that will, if returned to Atlantis, save them from certain death due to the genetic abnormality that also gives them superior abilities.
Confessions of a former bully, Trudy Ludwig ; illustrations by Beth Adams.
Nine-year-old Katie’s punishment for bullying classmates includes making up for the hurt she has caused, and so she decides to write a book about bullying, why it is not okay, and how to start being a better friend.
Binny for short, Hilary McKay.
Binny’s life has been difficult since her father died and her dreadful old Aunt Violet disposed of her beloved dog, Max. Her world changed then, to a city flat with not enough space for her Mum, her big sister Clem and her small brother James. Definitely no room for a pet. Then one day Aunt Violet dies, leaving a small cottage in Cornwall to Binny and her family. Binny finds herself in a new world once more, full of sunshine and freedom and Gareth, the enemy-next-door and the ideal companion for dangerous dares. But Max is still lost in the past, and it seems impossible that she'll ever find him again.
Sun catcher, Sheila Rance ; illustrated by Geoff Taylor.
On her 13th birthday Maia, who has been brought up by Tareth, the weaver and warrior who she has always believed is her father, falls into an adventure that will take her on a perilous journey to a kingdom poisoned by bitterness and jealousies. A kingdom that she must save. Exotically located in the Far East in an age when trading and communities were gaining more exposure to a wider world than ever before, this debut novel is beautifully, richly written, thoroughly researched and a pleasure to read.
Unlucky charms, Adam Rex.
Three kids must save the world from the diabolical schemes of an evil breakfast cereal company, which has been luring magical creatures to our world through a rift in the time-space continuum.
Crown of dreams, Katherine Roberts.
Rhianna Pendragon has now claimed two of the four magical Lights that have the power to return her father King Arthur’s soul to his body. Her next quest is for the Crown of Dreams, which is hidden deep in Dragonland. The wearer of the Crown can claim the Pendragon throne, and Rhianna knows she has to find it before Mordred, King Arthur’s murderer and her own cousin. Rhianna and her knights must wage an epic war against Mordred and his dark forces to win the Crown of Dreams and keep the quest for the Lights alive.
Son of Spartacus, Simon Scarrow.
Free from slavery, Marcus is determined to find and save his kidnapped mother. Meanwhile, his master Julius Caesar wants Marcus to help destroy the bands of rebel slaves and their leader Brixus, who plans to unite a slave army and resurrect the cause of Spartacus. But Marcus and Brixus are old allies who share a life-threatening secret.
An Anzac tale, written by Ruth Starke ; illustrated by Greg Hotfeld.
When Australia pledges its support to Great Britain at the outbreak of World War I, mates Roy Martin and Wally Cardwell are among the first to enlist. But what the friends first thought would be an adventure soon turns to disaster. In this graphic novel, Ruth Starke and Greg Holfeld have combined to create an extraordinary and original work for upper primary students on the subject of Gallipoli and the Anzac campaign.
Those Snake Island kids, Jon Tucker ; illustrated by the author (with help from some of those kids).
"When Jake persuades his family to embark on a sailing-camping holiday on a small Tasmanian island, he is mostly interested in pirate fantasies and his home-built sailing dinghy. But he does not plan on events which are to leave him isolated with his brother and sister and a couple of Kiwi kids. Ultimately, after being forced to dig deep into their personal reserves, the treasures they all gain from their experiences are very different from the ones Jake has set out find"
The center of everything, Linda Urban.
For Ruby Pepperdine, the center of everything is on the rooftop of Pepperdine Motors, stargazing from the circle of her grandmother Gigi’s hug. That’s how everything is supposed to be until it goes spinning out of control. Now Ruby’s best friend, Lucy, is mad at her. Her new friendship with Nero is pretty bumpy too. Worst of all, Ruby regrets what happened with Gigi. How Ruby didn't listen. And now it’s too late to make things right. But Ruby has one last hope. It all depends on what happens on Bunning Day, when the entire town will hear her read her winning essay. And it all depends on her twelfth birthday wish — unless she messes that up too.
Queenie, Jacqueline Wilson ; illustrated by Nick Sharratt.
The brilliant and highly anticipated new novel from award-winning, bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson, set in the children’s ward of a 1950’s hospital.

Picture Books

100 first words.
Little ones will love lifting the flaps in this colourful first words book! With over 100 first words and pictures to look at, this interactive book is perfect for improving your child’s vocabulary.
Baby’s day!.
"What do you want to do today? Come and play!" This nifty book features engaging photographs of toddlers toddling through their busy days something little ones and their parents can relate to! Originally published in 2003, it has proven a big hit, and is now being re-released with bolder colours and patterns, and enhanced age recommendations and developmental guidance for the purchaser.
I'm not reading!, Jonathan Allen.
Baby Owl is having a hard time reading a story to the little chicks. Poor Baby Owl.
Dirty Gert, Tedd Arnold.
Little Gert loves to play in the dirt so much that she turns into a tree.
Nightsong, Ari Berk, Loren Long.
Chiro, a young bat, is nervous about flying into the world for the first time without his mother, especially on a very dark night, but he soon learns to rely on his "song" to find his way and stay safe.
Littleland, Marion Billet.
With things to do, places to go and people to visit, there’s just so much for the little ones to enjoy. An adorable and stylish first book for the very young! First, the little ones need to get dressed. But little Koala has lost a sock! Can you see where it is? Their bedroom is a tiny bit messy, isn't it? Is your room ever untidy?
Pug & Doug, story and pictures by Steve Breen.
Pug and Doug are best friends, even when their differences lead to a misunderstanding.
Dream friends, story & art by You Byun.
A shy little girl yearns to find a real-life friend as wonderful as the one she plays with in her dreams.
Very special friends, Jane Chapman.
Mouse is waiting by the river for her Special Friends. The clouds are drifting. The dragonflies are zipping by. Rabbit and Frog sit with Mouse while she waits. Turtle shares his picnic. It’s a lovely, sunny day for waiting, but all too soon the day is almost over. Where are Mouse’s Special Friends?
Lulu and the treasure hunt!, Emma Chichester Clark.
Come on down to Wagtail Town where every day is an adventure! The second title in this brilliant new series for pre-schoolers, featuring loveable dog characters. From the highly-regarded, award-winning creator of Blue Kangaroo, Emma Chichester Clark. Lulu is very excited about the New Tricks School treasure hunt. She can't wait to go-go-go and find a clue, but she has promised to look after little Bonnie who can't run very fast. What will Lulu do when she has to choose between staying with Bonnie or finding a clue? And who will find the treasure? An energetic series, exploring first experiences, set in a captivating town full of dogs from around the world. Will bring joy to canine-crazy readers!
Maude : the not-so-noticeable Shrimpton, Lauren Child ; illustrated by Trisha Krauss.
Flamboyant and eccentric, being noticed is what all the members of the Shrimpton family live for all except, that is, for Maude. She prefers to blend into the background rather than stand out in a crowd. And this is very much to her advantage when they all come face to face with a rather hungry tiger. Sophisticated and highly decorative, Trisha Krauss cleverly uses visual clues and innuendo to embellish the tale of the not-so-noticeable Maude and her extraordinary family.
The Goobledygook is eating a book, Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting ; illustrated by Tom Jellett.
"Something is coming. Can you see? It snuffles and gruffles. What can it be? Look. Look! It’s a Gobbledygook! It’s ripping up pages and eating a book!" A rollicking tale, full of irresistible rhyme and song-like rhythm, of a little girl who takes on the task of introducing a slightly out-of-control monster to the joys of reading.
There was an old lady who swallowed some leaves!, Lucille Colandro ; illustrated by Jared Lee.
You won't believe why this old lady swallowed some leaves, a shirt, a pumpkin, a pole, some pants, a rope, and some hay! Read this book to find out!
Sherlock Bones and the missing cheese, Susan Stevens Crummel ; illustrated by Dorothy Donohue.
Cheese belongs to you!, Alexis Deacon ; illustrated by Viviane Schwarz.
Rat law is simple: if you take a piece of cheese, it belongs to you. So if a bigger rat takes it then cheese belongs to them. Unless a quicker rat swipes it!
Gideon : it’s play time, not naptime!, Olivier Dunrea.
Gideon likes to splash with the ducklings, hop with the frogs, play chase-the-piglets, and scamper all over the farmyard. But one thing busy Gideon does not want to do is take his nap, no matter how many times his mother asks until he gets tuckered out, of course.
The disgusting sandwich, Gareth Edwards ; illustrated by Hannah Shaw.
One day, a boy drops his sandwich in a sandpit, and the race is on! A very hungry badger wants it, but he’s just not quick enough. The sandwich is dropped, squashed and slithered over by everyone from a squirrel, to a fox, to a band of slugs. Will the badger ever get his paws on that sandwich? And will he even want it if he does, or will it just be too disgusting?
Night sky wheel ride, Sheree Fitch ; illustrated by Yayo.
Sheree Fitch’s brilliant poetry and Yayo’s vivid artwork light up the night sky in this wonderful picture book for children young and old. Exploring the magical delights of the fairground, Night Sky Wheel Ride is an exhilarating read splashed with colour.
Superfrog and the big stink!, Michael Foreman.
Superfrog is back on another urgent mission — rubbish from the big, grey city is polluting his pond! Once again it is up to everyone’s favourite Superhero to save the day!
Dinosaurs love cheese, Jackie French ; illustrated by Nina Rycroft.
Giraffes can't resist the trees, I like milk and sandwiches. But who stole the cheese?
Ricky’s birthday, Guido van Genechten.
Ricky is excited to welcome all his friends to his birthday party, but he begins to worry when his best friend is missing.
Big, Edward Gibbs.
Big, bigger, biggest. Small, smaller, smallest. Animals of all shapes and sizes make up this playful game of comparisons. Open the gatefold to find out who is the biggest, smallest, thinnest and fattest of them all. Each animal character is beautifully and dramatically illustrated and the novelty layouts make this a book that children will be drawn to again and again.
My first book of animals, Alain Gree.
Suitable for ages 0-2 years, this book can help children learn their first words with the aid of illustrations.
My first book of colours, Alain Gree.
Suitable for ages 0-2 years, this title helps children learn their first words with the aid of illustrations.
My first book of numbers, Alain Gree.
Suitable for ages 0-2 years, this title helps children learn their first words with the aid of illustrations.
Busy-busy Little Chick, Janice N. Harrington ; pictures by Brian Pinkney.
Mama Nsoso knows her chicks need a warm new house, but each day when they set out to collect sticks and mud she is distracted by good things to eat, while Little Chick stays busy gathering the building materials himself.
Spot’s abc : a first alphabet book, Eric Hill.
Features the loveable puppy Spot who helps your toddler learn the alphabet. This book has lots of big and little flaps for your child to play with and use to discover another letter.
Spot’s dressing-up fun : a lift-and-look book, Eric Hill.
Offers colourful illustrations of Spot and his friends dressing up as characters that are loved by toddlers: pirate, clown, cowboy and fairy. This title is suitable for toddler’s hands to hold and play with.
Open this little book, Jesse Klausmeier ; illustrated by Suzy Lee.
Die-cut pages open to reveal different animals, each opening a book of a different colour and reading about the next.
Anton and the battle, Ole Konnecke.
Anton and his friend Luke compete to see who is the strongest, loudest, and, finally, who can eat the most cake.
Rainbow, illustrated by Fiona Land.
Designed to stimulate a baby’s senses, this title teaches them the different colours of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple (which features both indigo and violet).
Lion vs Rabbit, Alex Latimer.
Lion is a bully. All the other animals are terrified of him. So they advertise for help. Soon Rabbit comes to the rescue. Although he’s small and Lion is big, Rabbit has something that Lion doesn't have. This is an extremely funny story with a wonderful little twist, and the key message that you can always get the better of a bully.
Mama Hen’s big day!, Jill Latter.
Mama Hen hunts around to find the very best place to lay her egg.
Green as a bean, Alison Lester.
Red as a rocket, or an apple in my pocket. Pink as a jelly, or a jar of strawberry jam. Orange as an orange, or juice in a jug. Green as a bean, a grasshopper, or bug. Yellow as the sun that shines all day. Blue as my favourite shoes I wear to play. This delightful board book from Alison Lester is perfect for little children discovering the world around them. Have fun learning new words and colours together.
One clucky hen, Alison Lester.
This delightful board book from popular author-illustrator Alison Lester is perfect for little children discovering the world around them. Have fun counting and learning new words together.
Two little aliens, Sam Lloyd.
Two little aliens come to Earth, looking for fun! A play park seems the perfect place to start but even the simplest things can seem pretty confusing when you're new to the world.
Grendel : a cautionary tale about chocolate, David Lucas.
This is a charming and clever tale of a little monster who loves chocolate. Grendel loves his mum and Grendel loves his dog, but most of all Grendel loves chocolate! When he is magically granted three wishes, what does he wish for? More chocolate of course! He gets rather more than he asks for when his whole world turns to chocolate and starts to melt. Whatever can he do?
Nora’s chicks, Patricia MacLachlan ; illustrated by Kathryn Brown.
Arriving on the American prairie in the hope of making a new home, Nora, a little girl from Russia, struggles with loneliness until Papa brings her a dozen chicks and two geese who follow Nora everywhere she goes.
Splosh!, David Melling.
Count to ten in this delightful Splosh the duck board book from the bestselling author David Melling.
Gracie Grumposaurus, written by Brian Moses ; illustrated by Mike Gordon.
Gracie Grumposaurus was a very grumpy dinosaur. From first thing in the morning until last thing at night, Gracie was a grump. Her parents tried everything to cheer her up, but nothing worked. Would anything make her smile? If you've got a child who’s even a little bit grumpy, this book will surely cheer them up. Includes notes for parents and teachers on how to share this book to help children learn about their feelings and emotions.
Snug as a bug, Tamsyn Murray & Judi Abbot.
Would you prefer to be as snug as a bug rolled up in a rug? Like two cosy bats in thick woolly hats? As hot as three pigs in big purple wigs. Or would you prefer to be like ten sneezy kittens without any mittens? Like nine frozen frogs in huge wooden clogs? As cool as eight bees on miniature skis? George has to decide for himself on a day out at the park with Mum. This funny book of crazy combinations is guaranteed to make kids laugh.
Dinosaur farm, Frann Preston-Gannon.
Jack and his pet dino-dog get up early each morning to tend to the duties on the dinosaur farm. First the pterodactyl eggs need collecting. Then the triceratops need to be let out to graze. Of course the diplodocus need a good scrub after their mud bath - they do get very messy! As the day goes on, Jack becomes more battered and bruised by his encounters. Exhausted after his daily chores, Jack collapses into bed. But wait! Did he close the gate to the T-Rex pen?! And if you've fallen in love with Dino Dog, so have we. Join him on his own adventures coming soon!
When Tom met Tallulah, Rosie Reeve.
When Tom meets Tallulah, he’s just a shy little kitten but Tallulah knows just how to make him feel at home. Tallulah, you see, is very good at 'CAT'. She can tell exactly what Tom wants from a simple 'purr' or 'miaow'. They are the perfect team, best friends until Tom begins to learn 'HUMAN'. Suddenly, Tom is not quite as cute as he first seemed. SOMEONE has not been nice. Find out just how much mischief one rascally cat can get up to in this rebelliously funny picture book.
Tom and Tilly, written and illustrated by Jedda Robaard.
Join Tom and his teddy bear Tilly for a journey across the high seas. Bath time is an adventure for Tom and Tilly! Comes with instructions on how to make a paper boat.
Exclamation mark, Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld.
A punctuation mark feels bad that he doesn't fit in with the others until a friend reveals the possibilities that exist when differences are accepted.
Go!, illustrations by SAMi ; text by Harriet Ziefert.
SAMi gets it. Lift-a-flap, find a shape, a color, a connection. SAMi babies can move on to these slightly older-skewing concept books. This one offers toddlers a playtime way to develop color and shape identification, and connect those things to an assortment of vehicles sailboat, helicopter, hot air balloon, train, bicycle, etc.
Yum!, illustrations by SAMi ; text by Harriet Ziefert.
SAMi gets it. Lift-a-flap, find a shape, a color, a connection. SAMi babies can move on to these slightly older-skewing concept books. This one offers toddlers a playtime way to develop colour and shape identification, and connect those things to an assortment of foods an apple, pizza pie, ice cream cone, carrot, sandwich, block of cheese, etc. Alternating die-cut pages transform one featured shape into a featured food with the flip of a page.
Churchill’s tale of tails, Anca Sandu.
Churchill is a pig with a big personality who couldn't be prouder of his perfect tail. Until one day it goes missing. So Churchill tries on a whole host of other tails - tails that make his personality even more colourful. But along the way, Churchill forgets what really matters most to him: his friends. Can Churchill learn to value his friendships and solve the mystery of his missing tail?
Happy birthday, Bunny!, Liz Garton Scanlon ; illustrated by Stephanie Graegin.
Illustrations and rhyming text portray the birthday party of a beloved baby.
Cheetah can't lose, Bob Shea.
An overly confident cheetah challenges a pack of clever kittens to a race.
Splash! splash!, written by Dawn Sirett.
Find the bath toys under the flaps and hear their funny noises.
Letting go, Janet Morgan Stoeke.
Pip, Midge, and Dot are enjoying the shade under an apple tree when fruit starts falling around them, causing the hens to suspect a fox is in the tree trying to hit them.
Ben and the icky-ooky-sticky-smick, Sally Sutton ; illustrated by Gary Venn.
Boys and bugs - beaut! Ben’s lost his pet icky-ooky-sticky-smick. And he is determined to find him. No other bug will do. No cribble-crabble-scuttle-snucks! Or lurky-murky-dottle-spots! Only his purple and velvety icky-ooky-sticky-smick …
Robomop, Sean Taylor ; pictures by Edel Rodriguez.
A robotic mop, assigned to clean a basement restroom, yearns to feel the sunshine, see the world, and more, but when he is finally outside, he discovers that what he needs most of all is a friend.
The countryside game, Herve Tullet.
A visual walk through the countryside without any text, told with a turn of the page. Readers can tell the story aloud as they 'walk' through the book.
That’s not my lamb, written by Fiona Watt ; illustrated by Rachel Wells.
A sweet touchy-feely book, just right for sharing with babies and toddlers. The furry textures are a delight to touch, and even very young babies will reach out to touch them.
Are we there yet?, Sam Williams ; illustrated by Manja Stojic.
Ducklings Eeny, Meeny, Miney and Little Mo follow Mum on a surprise journey. Every parent and carer knows the refrain, 'Are we there yet?', and this simply told and beautifully illustrated picture book is the perfect read-aloud for toddlers everywhere.
Prince Charmless, Jeanne Willis & illustrated by Tony Ross.
Since the day he was born, nothing was good enough for Prince Charmless. From the moment he woke until the time he went to bed, he complained. One day all the royal servants decided they had enough of his complaining and packed their bags. The pampered prince was left to fend for himself, with some unexpected results.
Doug unplugged, Dan Yaccarino.
Doug the robot discovers that cities are much more than downloaded facts when he unplugs from the computer feed and explores one first-hand.
That's mine!, Michel Van Zeveren.
In the jungle, the mighty jungle, a little frog finds an egg. "That's mine!" he says. But the snake wants his egg, and so does the eagle, and so does the lizard…

Younger Fiction

Baddies vs. goodies, written by M. D. Badger ; illustrated & designed by Simon Swingler.
At Baddie Primary, baddie kids learn everything from evil cackling to explosions and general mischief. The only problem is that the baddies' school is right across the road from Goodie Primary. Those annoying goodies really are the worst. Luckily, being a baddie is the best fun ever! Scorcher and his friends are already in a battle with those dorks from Goodie Primary and it’s only the first day of term! Who will win?
Violet Mackerel’s possible friend, Anna Branford ; illustrated by Sarah Davis.
Violet Mackerel has moved into her new house. Violet Mackerel doesn’t have any friends near the new house and she would quite like to make one. There is a girl next door who could be a possible friend. Her name is Rose and she has a pink and white bedroom and a doll’s house. Violet hopes that Rose might not be a possible friend for very long. In fact, she would quite like Rose to be a very good friend.
Stink and the freaky frog freakout, Megan McDonald ; illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.
Stink has been in the Polliwog swim class for what seems like frog-ever, and still can't bear to put his face in the water. Then, one day, Stink has a close encounter with a freaky mutant frog. All of a sudden, his froggy senses are tingling!
Sailing the unknown : around the world with Captain Cook, written by Michael J. Rosen ; illustrated by Maria Cristina Pritelli.
A sailor boy named Nick travels the uncharted world of the late 1700s in this illustrated account of the historic three-year voyage of the British vessel Endeavour and its captain, James Cook.
A trip to the bottom of the world with Mouse : a Toon book, Frank Viva.
A boy and a mouse take a bumpy sea journey to the majestic expanses of the Antarctic, where they see the sights and meet new friends.
Following Grandfather, Rosemary Wells ; illustrated by Christopher Denise.
Jennie is as close to her grandfather as a mouse can be, and when he suddenly dies she keeps thinking she sees him turning a corner, sitting on a bench, heading for the pier, or walking along their beloved beach, seeking the elusive Queen’s teacup seashell.
Ivy takes care, Rosemary Wells ; illustrations by Jim LaMarche.
Brokenhearted when her best friend departs for the summer, Ivy spends her own summer caring for animals in the mid-century Southwest, sharing her season of discovery with a stubborn pony, a mischievous puppy, and a scarred racehorse.
Junior Caesar, Dave Woods, Chris Inns.
Junior Caesar’s school is awful and the pupils are revolting! So Junior Caesar decides to teach the teachers a lesson. Can he tackle terrible tongue twisters? Will he reach the end of the known world? Can he rule the Roman Games? Young Junior Caesar fights the power in ancient Rome!
Robin Hoodie, Dave Woods, Chris Inns.
It’s Robin Hoodie vs robbin' Prince John! 'Tis a terrible crime! Prince John has stolen all the sweets from the children of Sherbet Forest. So it’s up to brave Robin Hoodie and his Merry Boyz Very Little John, Will Starlett, Friar Tuckshop and Maid Marionette to get them back. Will Robin Hoodie’s sweet plan go sour?