New Titles Children’s May 2014 (arrived in April)

• Audio Visual
• Into Reading
• Non-Fiction
• Older Fiction
• Picture Books
• Younger Fiction

Audio Visual

Once upon a slime, Andy Griffiths.

Have you ever wondered where ideas come from and how stories are made? Would you like to know the true stories behind some of Andy and Terry's books and characters? Are you looking for simple, practical and inspiring writing activities? Would you like to discover 45 great ways to have fun with words and pictures? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is definitely the right book for you! Designed for teachers, students and young aspiring writers, Once upon a slime contains 45 fun writing and storytelling activities, such as lists, instructions, cartoons, personal stories, poems and pocket books. Examples from Andy and Terry's books are used throughout to demonstrate techniques and to inspire readers to have as much fun playing with ideas, words and pictures as Andy and Terry do when they get together to create their crazy books.

Everyone for Samoa (DVD) : mo tamaiti!,

Language has been described as the life blood of a culture. If a language dies, its history and culture die too. Many indigenous languages are in danger of being extinct so we are responsible to ensure its continuity amongst our children. For these reasons, we introduce the "Everyone For Samoa mo Tamaiti (for children)" DVD! This DVD aims to preserve our Samoan language, as it's an educational tool with entertainment elements. It features "O le Pi Tautau" (Samoan alphabet) by our "Faia'oga" (teacher), Puppets "Sapa" and "Sui" as well as Samoan favourite songs such as "Savalivali means go for a walk" and "Minoi minoi minoi". This DVD is in Samoan, with English and Samoan subtitles, and features colourful and child-friendly graphics which your family will enjoy.

Everyone for Samoa (DVD) : mo tamati! : volume two.

Everyone For Samoa is back with its second volume of "EFS mo Tamaiti" DVD! Like Volume 1, this DVD aims to preserve our Samoa language by educating our children. It features learning Samoan colours, animals, numbers, alphabet, games & many more, including our favourite superhero "Super Sefe Sefo"!

What body part is that? : a stupid guide to your body, Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton.

The crazy duo Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton have turned us all inside out in the Andy and Terry guide to the human body. There is a lot of nonsense written about the human body, and this book is no exception.What Body Part is That? will explain everything you ever needed to know about your body without the boring technical jargon and scientific accuracy that normally clog up books of this type.

Barbie. The pearl princess, directed by Zeke Norton.

Lumina is a mermaid who dreams of being a princess. As long as she can remember, she's had a magical power that makes pearls dance and glow. Lumina and her best friend Kuda, a pink seahorse, embark on an adventure to a majestic mer-kingdom. There, she uses her powers to help her friends prepare for the Royal Ball. Lumina then discover that her magical pearls are the key to unlocking her true destiny and ultimately saving the kingdom.

R.A.D.I.C.A.L.S., directed by Berenika Bailey.

12 year old comic book enthusiast Ryan loves to the play the superhero, only her friends believe they have outgrown this stage in life. But when all the dogs in the neighbourhood mysteriously disappear including that of close friend Lauren, Ryan convinces her best friends to develop their talents and use them to find the dogs. Meanwhile the calculating Dragmar, who dresses like an evil scientist and may well have read one too many comic books himself, has hatched an insidious plan to use dogs to transport bombs across the country in what just might be the crime of the century. Unfortunately parents and police neither believe the story. So its left to Champion Kid, Princess Allure, IQ, Audio Wave, Dashing Daemon and leader Roaring Lion to get to the bottom of the mystery and band together as a team to save the world.

The dolphin : story of a dreamer, directed by Eduardo Schuldt.

When Daniel Alexander Dolphin leaves his pod in search of the purpose of life, he finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime.

Apples & bananas [sound recording],

Apples & bananas (DVD), the Wiggles.

Apples and bananas is the tastiest treat for children since tea time! Twenty-two bite-sized nursery rhymes and songs that have been sung by children for hundreds of years have now been given The Wiggles? special musical magic! Sing along with special guest Lee Hawkins.

Nursery rhymes & children's songs.

Bananas in pyjamas. Cheese and whiskers (DVD).

B1, B2 and their adorable friends the Teddies and the ever mischievous Rat in a Hat romp their way through the magical world of Cuddletown. There are new friends to meet too; Topsy the kangaroo, Charlie the inventive monkey and Bernard the wise old dog.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Never Land rescue (DVD),

Something strange is happening in Never Land. All things magical are disappearing! Jake must go on the Forever Quest to get back the missing items. All three things must be brought to the top of Mount Destiny by sundown, where they will help bring forth the new Forever Tree. The one who saves the magic of Never Land will receive some of the magic of the new tree, making them the most powerful pirate in all of Never Land. Captain Hook wants this magic for himself, but can Jake get there first?

Kung fu panda. Legends of awesomeness. The midnight stranger.

Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness tells the continuing adventures of Po as he trains, protects, fights, teaches, learns, stumbles, talks too much, and geeks out as the newest hero in the Valley of Peace. Now living in the barracks with the Furious Five, Po will have to take on his many new responsibilities, his many new adversaries, and his many old pounds in the continuing adventures of the Dragon Warrior. And kick some serious boo-tay.

Max Steel. The invasion begins [videorecording (DVD].

Max Steel has faced some out-of-this world challenges before, but none as fearsome as Makino and his army of Ultralinks. They plan an all-out invasion of earth and it will be up to Max Steel to defend the planet. But with Dredd launching his arsenal of missiles to destroy the earth's defence grid, there will be no stopping the march of Makino and his forces. Can Max Steel prevent Dredd from accomplishing his devastating mission - or will the worlds turbo-powered hero have to face the might of Makino and his army here on Earth?

Monsters vs aliens. Cloning around (DVD).

Get ready for a world of hilarious monster mischief and alien antics in this all-new animated TV series inspired by DreamWorks Animation's ginormous hit movie Monsters vs. Aliens. Join team leader Susan, muscle-bound Link, ingenious Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D., and B.O.B., the gelatinous blob, as the residents of the government containment area embark on fun-filled adventures under the not-too-watchful eye of General Monger!

Postman Pat. Special delivery service. Mission accomplished (DVD).

Everyone's favourite postie is back with a brand new series and an even more challenging set of deliveries. When a naughty sheep escapes and is causing havoc - can Pat catch him and get him safely back to Amy? A swarm of bees has buzzed out of their hive and is on the hunt for pollen - there are flowers ALL over Greendale - Pat needs to find a way to tempt the bees back into their hive as quickly as possible. Whatever it is Pat is always there to get the job done.

Strange Hill High. Season 1, part 1.

Strange Hill High is a new comedy adventure animation with a twist! Created for CBBC using an all new innovation production technique combining puppets, Japanese vinyl toys and digital effects - Strange Hill High combines everyday classroom antics with fantastical and mysterious goings on! Set in an all-but-forgotten inner-city school with many secrets and mysteries, the show follows a team of three students who take it upon themselves to investigate all manner of bizarre and odd occurrences that seem to only happen at Strange Hill High, always with absurd and outrageous results.

Strange Hill High. Season 1, part 2.

Strange Hill High is a new comedy adventure animation with a twist! Created for CBBC using an all new innovation production technique combining puppets, Japanese vinyl toys and digital effects - Strange Hill High combines everyday classroom antics with fantastical and mysterious goings on! Set in an all-but-forgotten inner-city school with many secrets and mysteries, the show follows a team of three students who take it upon themselves to investigate all manner of bizarre and odd occurrences that seem to only happen at Strange Hill High, always with absurd and outrageous results.

Thomas & friends. Spills & thrills (DVD).

James tries to prove he's not afraid of the dark, or too vain to haul smelly fish, but when he pulls the nighttime kipper express he gets more than he bargained for!

Guess how much I love you. The end of the rainbow : the adventures of Little Nut Brown Hare.

Based on the bestselling picture book this gentle animated series is about the love and friendship between father and son. In these stories Big and Little Nutbrown Hare and friends play and laugh as they explore the wonders of the natural world around them. Guess How Much I Love You is a timeless classic for a new generation.

Little Princess. Teddies, toys and tantrums (DVD).

Little Princess is full of energy, charm and questions about how the world works. As with most little children she has an irrepressible curiosity and is delightfully stubborn when things don't go her way. But however demanding Little Princess gets, you can't stay angry for long once she puts on her big smile and tries to make it all better.

The last viking, Terry Deary.

The Viking invaders have arrived to make Emma and her fellow villagers slaves. Will they be able to outwit the raiders and escape?

After, written and read by Morris Gleitzman.

In the fourth part of Felix's story, continuing his adventures in World War Two, he faces perhaps his greatest challenge to find hope when he's lost almost everything, including his parents. As Europe goes through the final agonizing stages of the war, Felix struggles to reconcile hatred and healing. He's helped by a new friend, but if he should lose her as well.

Belly flop, written and read by Morris Gleitzman.

"'Doug's not like one of those posh guardian angels in the bible," Gran used to say. "He's invisible, he doesn't do violence and he's very busy, so if you need him you've got to ask." "I'm asking you now, Doug." He hopes his guardian angel is listening.

Gift of the gab, Morris Gleitzman.

Rowena finds her life turned upside down battling French policemen, bombs and discovering startling revelations about her mutism after her mother's death.

Now, Morris Gleitzman.

Felix is a grandfather. He has achieved much in his life and is widely admired in the community. He has mostly buried the painful memories of his childhood, but they resurface when his granddaughter Zelda comes to stay with him. Together they face a cataclysmic event armed only with their gusto and love, an event that helps them achieve salvation from the past, but also brings the possibility of destruction.

Pizza cake and other funny stories, Morris Gleitzman.

Save ten lives with a paperclip, discover how a big banana can ruin your sister's holiday, make a new friend with a garbage bin, develop a taste for sheep's spleen and chips, bounce on a vampire's bed, rescue your dad from a dog and a spider, use a toilet roll to get justice, upset the neighbours with a pickaxe, eat a pizza that makes you fearless, and imagine a world where teachers earn more money than a rock star.

Puppy fat, written and read by Morris Gleitzman.

Keith worries about his separated parents and wants to improve their appearance so they will find new partners, but he realizes that he cannot change them into different people.

Sticky Beak, Morris Gleitzman.

When Rowena, who is mute, rescues a pet cockatoo from the class bully, she begins to make sense of her feelings about the new baby her father and stepmother are expecting.

Teacher's pet, written and read by Morris Gleitzman.

Ginger is allergic to cats, and possibly her family as well. Ginger tries to be good, but its not easy when your mum puts cat food in your breakfast bowl; and it gets even harder when the school principal starts trying to kill your best friend.

Too small to fail, wriiten and read by Morris Gleitzman.

What do you do when your mum, your dad and sixteen camels are in trouble and only you can save them? The sometimes sad but mostly funny story of a boy, a girl, a dog and four trillion dollars.

Worry warts, written and read by Morris Gleitzman.

There's trouble in Keith's tropical paradise, his Mum and Dad just won't cheer up. But Keith is convinced he can do it, until he discovers the real problem.

Robot riot!, Andy Griffiths.

The Robot Riot! Test: 1. Henry McThrottle suspects that the new girl, Roberta Flywheel, is A: a spy. B: a boy. C: a robot. 2. Roberta writes in her diary that she is on a mission to A: kiss Henry. B: clean up the school. C: exterminate all humans. 3. Henry and his friends get Grant Gadget to build A: a treehouse. B: a sand castle. C: a robot-fighting robot. 4. Grant Gadget's robot-fighting robot malfunctions and A: picks flowers. B: starts telling jokes. C: goes completely out of control. 5. Robot Riot! is the name of A: a soft drink. B: a hairstyle. C: a very funny book about robots, making friends and falling out of windows. ANSWERS: The answers to these questions-and many more-are contained between the covers of this very funny book about robots, making friends and falling out of windows.

The very bad book, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.

In a very bad wood, there was a very bad house. And in that very bad house, there was a very bad room. And in that very bad room, there was a very bad cupboard .And in that very bad cupboard, there was a very bad shelf. And on that very bad shelf, there was a very bad box. And in that very bad box, there was a VERY BAD book...AND THIS IS IT!

The Woebegone twins, Christopher William Hill.

When twins Greta and Feliks lose their beloved Aunt Gisela to a poisoned marzipan cake and are sent to the ill-omened Schwartzgarten Reformatory for Maladjusted Children it seems their fate is sealed, that is until they are rescued by the glamorous and wealthy Olga Van Veenen, a fabulous children's author. The two twins are grateful but something tells them that Olga's motives are not entirely genuine. The Woebegone Twins is a tale of murder and mayhem, fact and fiction. The heroes are horrid. The plots are peculiar. And things are not always as they seem. If you prefer cleavers to kittens and fiends to fairies then welcome to the gruesomely funny tales from Schwartzgarten.

Gasp! ; Zapt! ; Splat!, Terry Denton.

Three hilarious stories in one volume about a naughty, greedy little fish who nearly gets what he deserves.

The 13-storey treehouse, Andy Griffiths ; illustrated by Terry Denton.

On a hill not too far away there is a tree. And in that tree there is a tree house. And in that tree house there is a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of sharks, a giant rope swing, a library full of comics, a secret underground laboratory, a vegetable vaporiser and a free marshmallow-dispensing machine that follows you around and automatically shoots marshmallows into your mouth whenever you are hungry.

The 26-storey treehouse, Andy Griffiths.

If you're like most readers, you're probably wondering just how Andy and Terry met. Well, it's a long story, but a pretty exciting one, and it's mostly true! Come on up, choose a hammock, and they'll tell you all about it (just don't go in the maze - they're still ironing out a few bugs...)

Into Reading

One woolly wombat, Kerry Argent.

This new 'first reader' edition of Australia's classic early childhood counting book is just the right size for little hands. Featuring a witty rhyming text and some of Australia's favourite native animals and their exuberant antics.

Fantastic frogs, Penny Arlon.

Discover More Readers: Fabulous Frogs is a Level 2 Reader (ages 5-7) packed with key facts, maps, charts, photographs and challenging vocabulary to explain it all. Readers can discover all about how frogs' bodies work, how they behave, and why are they so important to our global ecosystem perfect Reader for budding herpetologists. Comes with free digital book featuring extra content, games and activities, plus audio and video enhancements.

Big, big fish, [written by Catherine Baker ; illustrated by Chris Jevons]

Uses simple language and humorous stories to help children develop their phonics skills. This title presents level 7 that teaches sounds: ai ee oa oo (long) oo (short). It helps to build reading confidence through practice of these phonics building blocks, and reinforces school learning in a fun way.

Captain Comet's space party, written by Catherine Baker ; illustrated by Ian Cunliffe].

Suitable for helping your child with their phonics learning at school, this book teaches children to find the sound at the beginning of a word the initial letter sound.

Dash is fab!, written by Catherine Baker ; illustrated by Ian Cunliffe.

Suitable for helping your child with their phonics learning at school, this book teaches ch sh th (soft) th (hard) ng.

Monster stars, written by Catherine Baker ; illustrated by Ian Cunliffe.

Uses simple language and humorous stories to help children develop their phonics skills. This title presents level 12 that teaches different pronunciations for the same grapheme, for example the /i/ in 'milk' is pronounced differently to the /i/ in 'tiger'.

Nat naps!, written by Catherine Baker ; illustrated by Chris Jevons.

Suitable for helping your child with their phonics learning at school, this book teaches s a t p i n.

Wizard Woody, written by Catherine Baker ; illustrated by Ian Cunliffe.

Uses simple language and stories to help children develop their phonics skills. This title presents level 11 that teaches alternative spellings for some of the sounds covered in the previous levels. It helps to build reading confidence through practice of these phonics building blocks, and reinforces school learning in a fun way.

Snow dog, Malorie Blackman ; illustrated by Sami Sweeten.

"It's going to be woof-onderful!" There is nothing Nicky wants more in the world than a dog to play with. But Mum and Dad don't want a dog. Then Granddad has an idea he and Nicky can make a dog: a snow-dome dog. Even better, he has some special clay, found at the end of a rainbow, so that the dog will be extra-special. Maybe even magic. Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes be reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.

Space race, Malorie Blackman ; illustrated by Colin Mier.

Five, four, three, two one. Lift-off! What can Lizzie do when big-headed Jake challenges her to a race in space? She's got to beat him. But Jake has a super-duper, deluxe new spaceship that runs on special fuel. You can zoom to Pluto and back with this super space story from award-winning author, Malorie Blackman. Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes by reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.

The Frankenstein teacher, Tony Bradman ; illustrated by Peter Kavanagh.

Thud! Thud! Someone was heading steadily towards the classroom. Somebody with very heavy feet. At the foot of some spooky mountains is a little town with a little school. And there, in a little classroom, Class 3 are about to meet their new teacher. He's big, he has giant hands and he is very very ugly. He's the Frankenstein Teacher! Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes be reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.

Volcanoes, Laaren Brown.

Discover More Readers: Volcanoes is a Level 3 Reader (ages 7-9) for independent learners with timelines, vivid charts, exciting photographs and technical vocabulary. Independent readers can take their first steps to becoming a junior volcanologist. Learn about the scientific and human history behind the natural phenomenon of the vents in our Earth's crust. Comes with a free digital book featuring extra content, games and activities, plus audio and video enhancements.

Dragons v Dinos, Ann Bryant ; illustrated by Ben Redlich.

There is trouble on Scarytops Mountain. The Dragons are trying to out scare the Dinos yet again in the great gang rivalry. However when a baby Dragon goes missing, it inadvertently brings the two sides together. Race Ahead with Reading is the perfect introduction to reading chapters with brand new page turning reads in five short bite size chapters, to encourage children to take the driving seat with their reading.

Things that go!, James Buckley, Jr.

Discover More Readers: Things That Go! is a Level 1 Reader (ages 4-6) packed with key facts, vivid diagrams, exciting photographs and simple sentences to explain it all. This Reader reviews everything from bicycles and scooters to jets and rockets perfect for early readers who like everything that goes vroom! Comes with free digital book featuring extra content, games and activities, plus audio and video enhancements.

Titanic, Sean Callery.

Titanic tells the story of that terrible night through the eyes of Eva Hart, a seven-year-old girl who survived the sinking. Young scientists can examine the technology of the ship, and differing eyewitness accounts encourage readers to think about how history is created out of facts and opinions.

Great save!, Rob Childs ; illustrated by Michael Reid.

C'mon, you Greats! C'mon, you Greats!" Great Catesby Village School have their first ever football team the Greats. Jonty and his friends in the team are determined to score lots and lots of goals in the five-a-side tournament. For every goal is sponsored to help save their school from being closed. Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes be reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.

Oscar looks at whitebait, Carolyn Collis.

Oscar the bear is looking at Hamish catch whitebait at Lake Ferry. The goby screens are in place ready to direct the whitebait into the set net. Oscar takes part in this spring time activity.

The mad scientist next door, Clare De Marco ; illustrated by Rory Walker.

Ella's next door neighbour, Mr Willis, is seriously mean. She stays out of his way as much as possible. But when she accidentally catapaults her baby brother's favourite teddy bear into Mr Willis' garden, Ella is forced to go over to his house. And Ella is in for a shock!

Rotten Ralph's rotten family, written by Jack Gantos ; illustrated by Nicole Rubel.

Ralph takes a swing through his family tree to find out why he's so rotten.

Peas in a pod, Adele Geras ; illustrated by Peter Bailey.

Stella-across-the-road is getting married with a wonderful, romantic wedding. It's a dream come true for Jo, who is sure she and her sister Lily will be Stella's bridesmaids. But although the two girls look just like each other like two peas in a pod they are different. Lily hates silly, frilly dresses and doesn't want to be a bridesmaid.

Big fat cows, Andy Griffiths ; illustrated by Terry Denton.

Big cows here. Fat cows there. Big fat cows are everywhere!

Brave Dave, Andy Griffiths ; illustrated by Terry Denton.

Meet Dave. He is brave. Really, really, really brave well, until the night.

The camping trip, Catherine Hapka ; pictures by Anne Kennedy.

When Meg goes camping with the Pony Scouts, she finds herself unprepared for bugs, long walks to the bathroom and spooky stories.

Up in the air at the fair, based on the bestselling books by Rob Scotton ; cover art by Rick Farley ; text by Amy Hsu Lin ; interior illustrations by Robert Eberz.

Splat, Spike, and Plank can't wait to go to the fair. But when Kitten can't come, the friends are determined to bring her back the perfect gift. Beginning readers will delight in Splat's hilarious attempts to find the perfect present. Readers won't even know they are learning as they have fun with the -air sound.

Dig, farmer, dig!, written by Monica Hughes ; illustrated by Chris Jevons.

Uses simple language and humorous stories to help children develop their phonics skills. This title presents level 8 that teaches sounds: ar or ur ow oi er. It helps to build reading confidence through practice of these phonics building blocks, and reinforces school learning in a fun way.

Fix it vets, written by Monica Hughes ; illustrated by Ian Cunliffe.

Suitable for helping your child with their phonics learning at school, this book teaches j v w x y z zz qu.

Fun fair fun, written by Monica Hughes ; illustrated by Chris Jevons.

Uses simple language and humorous stories to help children develop their phonics skills. This title presents level 9 that teaches sounds: igh ear air ure. It helps to build reading confidence through practice of these phonics building blocks, and reinforces school learning in a fun way.

Huff! Puff! Run!, written by Monica Hughes ; illustrated by Chris Jevons

Level 4 teaches e u r h b f ff l ll ss. The series closely follows the order that a child is taught phonics in school, from initial letter sounds to key phonemes and beyond.

Top Dog, written by Monica Hughes ; illustrated by Chris Jevons.

Suitable for helping your child with their phonics learning at school, this book teaches sounds: m d g o c k ck.

Wow, Wowzer!, written by Monica Hughes ; illustrated by Ian Cunliffe.

Uses simple language and stories to help children develop their phonics skills. This title presents level 10 that looks back at the sounds covered in the previous levels and introduces longer words to increase children's vocabulary.

Shredder, Jonathan Kebbe ; illustrated by Sarah Nayler.

'I wish you'd get rid of that nasty little creature!' Shredder the class gerbil is in big trouble. His tiny teeth have shredded all the children's money and now Mr Blister, the grumpy head teacher, wants to get rid of him. Can Dino, the bravest boy in the class, save his furry friend? Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes be reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.

Just a kite, Mercer Mayer.

Hoping to participate in the Critterville Kite Flying Contest, Little Critter busily attempts to fly a kite and finds the activity more challenging than

Mia the bridesmaid fairy, Daisy Meadows.

Best friends Rachel and Kirsty are going to be bridesmaids. But Mia the Bridesmaid Fairy has lost her magical objects that make weddings everywhere special. If the girls can't help their friend, all weddings will be ruined everywhere! Mia's magical items are a silver sixpence, two golden bells and a moonshine veil.

Yo ho ho!, Marjorie Newman ; illustrated by Kate Sheppard.

'Mr Cutlass,' whispered Mary. 'Were you ever a pirate?' Class 4 have a very strange new teacher. Mr Cutlass wears a spotted scarf around his neck and has a parrot on his shoulder. Could he possibly be a pirate? And can Class 4 help him solve a secret message that could lead to hidden treasure?

Cinderella : the terrible truth, Laura North ; illustrated by Joelle Dreidemy.

Everyone knows the famous story about Cinderella but that's because it is a huge cover up. Find out what really happened at midnight on the night of the Royal Ball. Race Ahead with Reading is the perfect introduction to reading chapters with brand new page turning reads in five short bite size chapters, to encourage children to take the driving seat with their reading.

The Big Bad Wolf and the robot pig, Laura North ; illustrated by Kevin Cross.

The Big Bad Wolf is very hungry but the Three Little Pigs have got clever and built Wolf-proof houses. Then he had a mad idea to create a very special robot and trap the pigs once and for all! Race Ahead with Reading is the perfect introduction to reading chapters with brand new page turning reads in five short bite size chapters, to encourage children to take the driving seat with their reading.

Dog on a broomstick, Jan Page ; illustrated by Nick Price.

The countdown has started for the Grand Spell Contest and the Witch's cat has run off to be a cat-food tester! Then the Dog appears on her doorstep. He can't scratch, but he can dig big holes. He can't hiss and spit, but he can growl, dribble and cover everthing in muddy pawprints. Will the Witch let the Dog help her at the Grand Spell Contest? And, most importantly, can they both fit on her brooomstick? Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes by reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.

The chocolate monster, Jan Page ; illustrated by Tony Ross.

Lucy is always losing things. She loses her glasses, library books and swimming towels. And every time she does, Mum loses her temper. Lucy knows that things can't just vanish into thin air. The she discovers a strange little monster under her bed. He has taken all her things and won't give them back. But he might just swap them for Chocolate!

Norman the naughty knight, Smriti Prasadam-Halls ; illustrated by Ian Smith.

Telling tales lands Norman in tons of trouble! Norman the Knight has told so many silly stories that his family are all fed up. What will happen when a real, scaly, smoky, fire-breathing dragon comes knocking on the door of Creaky Castle? Banana books are the perfect way to develop a love of reading. They feature lively, simple text, full-colour illustrations and speech bubbles to enhance the story.

Pirates are stealing our cows, Martin Remphry.

Farmer Marchant gets a shock pirates are stealing his cows! What on Earth do pirates want with cows? Find out and join Farmer Marchant on a crazy high seas chase.

Dogbird, Paul Stewart ; illustrated by Tony Ross.

Woof! Woof! Woof! When Alice chose a budgie for a pet, Mum and Dad thought it was the perfect pet until they try to teach it to talk. For Dogbird will only bark. But its bark is to prove very useful indeed when Grandma becomes the target of burglars.

Super-saver mouse, Sandi Toksvig ; illustrated by George Hollingworth.

Boris is a "tube" mouse, living in the London Underground. His best friend is Heavy Duty, the station cleaner. One morning Boris discovers that Heavy Duty has had an accident. Bories has to think fast. He has seen trains come and go all his life but never before has he had to stop one.

The troublesome tooth fairy, Sandi Toksvig ; illustrated by Georgien Overwater.

When Jessica loses her first tooth, Granny tells her to watch out for a trainee tooth fairy. That shimmering little creature might look the part in her purple and silver outfit but she's not too sure of her job. As Granny knows, the trainee tooth fairy has been known to whisk away more than just the lost tooth.

Petting zoo, Gail Tuchman.

Discover More Readers: Petting Zoo is a Level 1 Reader (ages 4-6) packed with key facts, vivid diagrams, exciting photographs and simple sentences to explain it all. Includes information about sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even miniature ponies perfect for early readers who adore animals. Comes with free digital book featuring extra content, games and activities, plus audio and video enhancements.

Shark attack!, Gail Tuchman.

Discover More Readers: Shark Attack! is a Level 2 Reader (ages 5-7) packed with key facts, maps, charts, photographs and challenging vocabulary to explain it all. Readers can discover all about shark anatomy, behaviour and conservation efforts developing readers can learn all about the coolest fish in the sea. Comes with free digital book featuring extra content, games and activities, plus audio and video enhancements.

Wombat stew, Marcia K Vaughan, Pamela Lofts.

In this classic Australian picture book, a dingo catches a wombat and wants to cook him in a stew. But all the other bush animals have a plan to save their friend. They trick the dingo into using mud, feathers, flies, bugs and gumnuts in his wombat stew, and the result is a stew the dingo will never forget!

Non-Fiction

Cloud-based computing, Larry Gerber.

Readers determine what cloud computing looks like and how it is revolutionizing their education today. They evaluate its use in social collaboration, data storage and utility computing, Google Apps, Docs, and Maps, email, banking and shopping, pictures, movies, and music, mobile apps and services, and how the cloud is used in everyday life. The text explains the basics in this rapidly evolving technology along with its use in business applications.

Building apps, Laura La Bella.

With the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, apps have taken the world by storm and captured the collective imagination. Any teen seeking to learn what apps are, how they work, and how they can be designed, programmed, tested, and sold to the highest bidder will find all these questions answered in these pages. This hands-on, how-to resource packed with practical insider information is sure to help launch many of the next great apps soon to be downloaded to mobile devices. Its emphasis on career-building, science, and digital literacy content fully satisfies Reading Anchor Standard 10 of the Common Core Curriculum.

Guinness world records 2014. Gamer's edition.

Profiles video gaming systems and games from 2013.

Publishing your e-book, Daniel E. Harmon.

Gives a history of the e-book and tips on what it takes to get published.

Ladybugs have lots of spots, Sheryl and Simon Shapiro.

Circles can be fat or thin; there can be lots or one. And round things can be big or small, and learning can be fun.

Welcome to my country, Laklak Burarrwanga ... [et al.].

Laklak Burarrwanga and family invite you to their Country, centred on a beautiful beach in Arnhem Land. Its crystal waters are full of fish, turtle, crab and stingray, to hunt; the land behind has bush fruits, pandanus for weaving, wood for spears, all kinds of useful things. This country is also rich with meaning. 'We can go anywhere and see a river, hill, tree, rock telling a story.' Here too is Laklak's own history, from her long walk across Arnhem Land as a child to her people's fight for land rights and for a say in their children's schooling. She and her family stand tall, a proud and successful Indigenous community.

Fighter pilot, Nick Gordon.

Engaging images accompany information about fighter pilots. The combination of high-interest subject matter and light text is intended for students in grades 3 through 7.

Understanding digital piracy, Susan Meyer.

Looks at the evolution of digital piracy, discusses how major players in the entertainment industries are working to protect their copyrights, and considers the future of digital content.

The little book of parachute play : making and using parachutes in the Foundation Stage, Clare Beswick ; illustrations by Martha Hardy.

A parachute can be a wonderful resource, with a little planning and preperation, to support everyone's learning from the youngest children to those who are busily pushing the boundaries of Key Stage 1, ready for more. All activities are easy to do, with clear concise instructions covering all six areas of learning.

The little book of rhythm and raps, Judith Harries ; illustrations by Steve Evans.

This book focuses on introducing beat and rhythm through a fun mix of games and activities. Activities include beat games and inventing rhythms, while the performance raps are based on traditional tales and nursery rhymes as well as original topics.

Ice road trucker, Nick Gordon.

Engaging images accompany information about ice road truckers. The combination of high-interest subject matter and light text is intended for students in grades 3 through 7.

The little mermaid, Hans Christian Andersen ; illustrated by Charles Santore.

The beloved tale of The Little Mermaid is faithfully reproduced in this new edition of Hans Christian Anderson's classic. Original art by critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling illustrator Charles Santore is masterfully reproduced using the most advanced technology to bring these breathtaking illustrations to life like never before.

Beauty and the beast : a retelling, H. Chuku Lee ; illustrations by Pat Cummings.

Through her great capacity to love, a kind and beautiful maid releases a handsome prince from the spell which has made him an ugly beast.

Two trickster tales from Russia, retold by Sophie Masson ; illustrations by David Allan.

Tamatekapua, te kaituhi ko Piatarihi Tui Yates - Aunty Bea ; ko nga pikitia ataahua na Kat Quin Merewether ; ko Rodger Cunningham te tangata whakapiri waiata.

Presents the legend 'Tamatekapua" in an illustrated book with a CD inserted inside back cover. Tells the story of Tamatekapua, the chief of the Te Arawa canoe. Tamatekapua and his young brother Whakaturia stole breadfruit from Uenuku, and then sailed with the high priest Ngatoroirangi from Hawaiiki to Maketu, where Tamatekapua and his descendants peopled the land.

I'm good at languages : what job can I get?, Richard Spilsbury.

The different careers that lead on from an interest or aptitude in a particular subject are explored. Many occupations are examined looking at what the job involves and the special skills that are needed.

1 cookie, 2 chairs, 3 pears : numbers everywhere, Jane Brocket.

Five toes, twelve cupcakes, nineteen puzzle pieces numbers are all around us. How many numbers can you count in the pages of this book?

Extreme physics, written by Dan Green ; created by Basher.

From Basher, the illustrator who showed the periodic table in a whole new light and gave us his fresh spin on physics, astronomy, planet Earth, chemistry and more, comes a book that shines its light upon quarks, neutrinos and Schrodinger's cat with a brand new take on physics. Extreme Physics is a compelling guide to developments at the very forefront of science a must-read for anyone wishing to understand, and engage with, modern physics.

Everything volcanoes & earthquakes, Kathy Furgang with National Geographic Explorer Carsten Peter.

Introduces kids to plate tectonics and the tumultuous forces brewing beneath the Earth's surface that result in massive volcanoes and earth-shattering earthquakes. Includes over 100 photos and pictures, field notes, quizzes, and an interactive glossary.

Eruption! : volcanoes and the science of saving lives, text by Elizabeth Rusch ; photographs by Tom Uhlman.

An account of the work of volcanologists Andy Lockhart, John Pallister, and their team describes their life-risking efforts to investigate dangerous volcanoes that pose threats to more than one billion people worldwide.

Big book of dinosaurs.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about dinosaurs and more! Join Robert Irwin, Dinosaur Hunter as he tracks down the greatest dinosaurs of all time, learning just how these mighty creatures lived and roamed planet Earth. Journey with Robert as he visits the world's most renowned fossil museums and sites. Packed full of fascinating facts about the prehistoric era.

Jake's bones, Jake McGowan-Lowe ; consultant, Paolo Viscardi.

Jake is a boy with an unusual hobby: he collects bones! In this amazing book, Jake will tell you all about his incredible collection and introduce you to his skeletons, including Oscar the hedgehog, Vulpy the fox and George the deer.

Bone by bone : comparing animal skeletons, Sara Levine ; illustrations by T.S Spookytooth.

If you didn't have any bones, what would you look like? It wouldn't be pretty! Read all about vertebrates - animals with bones - and find out just how bones shape what all kinds of animals look like.

Scorpions! : strange and wonderful, Laurence Pringle ; illustrated by Meryl Henderson.

Challenges popular fear-based assumptions reveals how most of the world's scorpion species are not dangerous and only sting to subdue prey or protect themselves also provides vivid descriptions of scorpion life cycles, habits and characteristics.

The making of a monarch, photograohs and text, Linda Shmith.

The Making of a Monarch is a useful resource for the early childhood curriculum. Each page contains fine detail photographs of the monarch butterfly's life cycle enabling children to deduce information and ask questions. It serves as a resource for science, numeracy, literacy, art, music and drama.

The dolphins of Shark Bay, Pamela S. Turner with photographs by Scott Tuason.

A scientific journey to study the dolphins of coastal Australia considers the many potential sources of dolphin intelligence and what dolphin behavior can inform the scientific community about human intelligence, captive animals and the future of the oceans.

Suryia swims! : the true story of how an orangutan learned to swim, Bhagavan "Doc" Antle with Thea Feldman ; photographs by Barry Bland.

Although orangutans are not supposed to like water, an orangutan living at a wildlife preserve in South Carolina plays with her dog friend in the bathtub and learns to swim and dive in the pool. Based on a true story.

How to build a human body : a mind-bogglingly brilliant body book, Tom Jackson.

This is a fascinating and entertaining approach to the science of our bodies.

The eyes, Lorna Hendry.

Our eyes help us make sense of the world around us. They are an extraordinary part of the human body. The different ways animals see the world are just as amazing. They can see in ways that we cannot. Welcome to the world of eyes.

Grow me well : nutritional know-how for every body, Dee & Tamarin Pigneguy ; illustrated by Richard Gunther.

Coal miner, Nick Gordon.

Engaging images accompany information about coal miners. The combination of high-interest subject matter and light text is intended for students in grades 3

First book of ships and boats, Isabel Thomas.

From cargo ships to cruise liners and everything in between! Find out all about 30 types of ships and boats steam boats, speed boats, barges and many more in this beautifully illustrated and annotated first guide to ships and boats. Includes a fun spotter's chart to fill in!

First book of diggers and dumpers, Isabel Thomas.

From excavators to dumpers and everything in between! Find all about 30 different types of diggers and dumpers bulldozers, tipper trucks, rock breakers and many more in this beautifully illustrated and annotated first guide. Includes a fun spotter's chart to fill in!

First book of emergency vehicles, Isabel Thomas.

From fire trucks to ambulances and everything in between! Find out all about 30 types of emergency vehicles police cars, helicopters, rescue boats, police motorcycles and many more in this beautifully illustrated and annotated first guide to emergency vehicles. Includes a fun spotter's chart to fill in!

First book of bikes and motorbikes, Isabel Thomas.

From scooters to sports bikes and everything in between! Find all about 30 different types of bikes and motorbikes choppers, BMX bikes, cruisers and many more in this beautifully illustrated and annotated first guide. Includes a fun spotter's chart to fill in!

Space exploration, Charles Hope.

Take a look at the technological wonders of space, as you've never seen them before.

Mission : Mars, Pascal Lee.

A look at how to start preparing to be an astronaut on the way to Mars.

No monkeys, no chocolate, Melissa Stewart and Allen Young ; illustrated by Nicole Wong.

When you think of chocolate, you might think of a candy bar, a birthday cake, or a glass of chocolate milk. But where does chocolate come from? This book tells about the cocoa bean, which grows in the tropical rain forests and how the animals and other living things play an important part, even the monkeys.

Sewing school. 2 : lessons in machine sewing, Amie Petronis Plumley & Andria Lisle ; photography by Justin Fox Burks.

Introduces sewing machine techniques to children while outlining twenty skill-building projects for such accessories as a water bottle holder, a zippy pouch, and a secret message pillow.

Dressing up! : 50 step-by-step amazing outfits to make and faces to paint, Petra Boase with face painting by Bettina Graham ; photographs by John Freeman.

Kids love dressing up and creating fantastic disguises. Face painting is always popular, too, whether it's for a party, a play, or just for fun. This book contains 50 ideas for creating costumes at home, with expert instructions for various face-painting designs that will completely transform the wearer.

Crafts for pampering yourself, written by Susannah Blake.

Have an eco-friendly pampering party with these fab craft ideas! From lip balm to bath infusion, this book offers easy step-by-step instructions to upcycle, customise and add sparkle to your bathroom routines.

The little book of dens, Lynne Garner ; illustrations by Steve Evans.

Children love to make dens. Adults encourage children to make dens because it supports imagination and many aspects of early learning. This new addition to the Little Books series contains 19 ideas for budget friendly themed dens. Included within each themed idea are suggestions for making and decorating your den, dressing-up and props, games and activities, links to the EYFS early learning goals and links to useful books, websites.

Frankenstein's cat : cuddling up to biotech's brave new beasts, Emily Anthes.

Fluorescent fish that glow near pollution. Dolphins with prosthetic fins. Robot-armoured beetles that military handlers can send on spy missions. Beloved pets resurrected from DNA. Scientists have already begun to create these high-tech hybrids, mostly to serve human whims and needs. Frankenstein's Cat is an eye-opening exploration of weird science and how we are playing god in the animal world.

LEO the maker prince : journeys in 3D printing, Carla Diana.

LEO the Maker Prince teaches children (both young and old) about 3D printing by following Carla and LEO's journey through Brooklyn. LEO is a walking, talking robot who happens to be able to print (in plastic) any object that Carla draws. The other robots have their own special capabilities: Hi-Ho prints in metal, Sinclair can find and print objects from a huge catalog of designs, and the others (including AL1C3-D, IRIS-5, and NiXie) have unique talents, too. Readers can come along for the journey, too: all of the objects in the book are printable one way or another.

Cool creations in 35 pieces, Sean Kenney.

What can you build with just 35 LEGO bricks? Sean Kenney shows you 75 models he has made using some of the most common pieces available. Follow the instructions, tips, and techniques to create whatever you can imagine.

Totally cool creations, Sean Kenney.

Using bricks from off-the-shelf LEGO products, the author shows you how to build all sorts of models and shares ideas and tips for using your own pieces from home and your imagination.

Dreaming up : a celebration of building, Christy Hale.

A collection of concrete poetry, illustrations, and photographs that shows how young children's constructions, created as they play, are reflected in notable works of architecture from around the world. Includes biographies of the architects, quotations, and sources.

I'm good at design and technology : what job can I get?, Richard Spilsbury.

The different careers that lead on from an interest or aptitude in a particular subject are explored. Many occupations are examined looking at what the job involves and the special skills that are needed.

I'm good at music : what job can I get?, Richard Spilsbury.

The different careers that lead on from an interest or aptitude in a particular subject are explored. Many occupations are examined looking at what the job involves and the special skills that are needed.

Rodeo clown, Nick Gordon.

Engaging images accompany information about rodeo clowns. The combination of high-interest subject matter and light text is intended for students in grades 3 through 7.

King of the railway, writer, Emily Stead ; based on the Railway series by Reverend W. Audry.

A companion to the film King of the Railway. It features profiles on all the much-loved Thomas and Friends characters. It focuses on the most exciting moments from King of the Railway the arrival of the Earl of Sodor, the race between Gordon and Spencer, the runaway train and when Stephen comes off the track and ends up lost in the old mine.

Odd one out : a spotting book, Britta Teckentrup

Which bird has caught the worm? Where is the queasy monkey? And can you spot the scaredy-cat? Never has a search-and-find game been so pleasing to the eye. Each spread features fun rhyming couplets, beautiful and complexly patterned artwork, and a hidden surprise.

Can you see what I see? : toyland express, Walter Wick.

Follows the life of a toy train from the workshop to the attic, only to be rescued at a yard sale and brought to life once again in a new home. As readers search for more than 250 hidden objects, they will also notice how the train takes on various transformations along its journey.

Gamification : using gaming technology for achieving goals, Therese Shea.

The concept of gamification turns healthy behaviors, such as losing weight or helping the environment, into a game that rewards success. This new and exciting niche in the game industry provides limitless opportunities for young people who are interested in the cutting edge of computers and technology, and how it interacts with daily life. This book does an excellent job of explaining exactly what gamification is by showing how technologies such as smartphones and apps are upending the way games are conceived and played.

I'm good at sport : what job can I get?, Richard Spilsbury.

The different careers that lead on from an interest or aptitude in a particular subject are explored. Many occupations are examined looking at what the job involves and the special skills that are needed.

Once upon an if : the storythinking handbook, Peter Worley ; illustrations by Tamar Levi ; foreword by Anne Fine.

This book provides a compehensive guide to everything a would-be storyteller needs, including how to bring a story to life, tips on how to memorise a story and improvise descriptions, and techniques for using tone, movement and timing to engage and involve the children in your class.

Just joking : over 300 jokes inside!, text and illustrations by Dan McGuiness.

What do you call a pig that knows karate? A pork chop! Kate Ritchie, actress. With heaps of new jokes inside and page after page of fun activities, this is a book that will keep kids entertained for hours! Includes loads of hilarious illustrations by Dan McGuiness, creator of the popular Pilot and Huxley books! Publicity will again be extensive, with a focus on radio, national newspapers, news, children's print media, online and more. This phenomenal fun-raiser will continue to sky-rocket!

Banjo Paterson treasury, Banjo Paterson ; illustrated by Oslo Davis.

A treasury of classic verse from Australia's most famous poet, Banjo Paterson. Includes 'Waltzing Matilda', 'The Man from Snowy River', 'Clancy of the Overflow' and many more.

Kiwi as : New Zealand poetry for children, Kaye Lister ; cover art by Anne Westerskov.

Tusi Paia a tamaiti : tala mai le Feagaiga Tuai ma le Feagaiga Fou, toe faamatalaina e Pat Alexander ; Ata tusia e Carolyn Cox.

Byrd & Igloo : a polar adventure, Samantha Seiple.

A narrative account of the daring adventures of the legendary polar explorer and aviator and his loveable dog companion draws on letters, diaries, interviews, newspaper clippings, and expedition records to recount their dramatic and history-making achievements in the North and South Poles.

Benjamin Franklin, Kathleen Krull ; illustrated by Boris Kulikov.

Shows Ben Franklin the "natural philosopher" (the term for scientists back in the 1700s), whose experiments led to important discoveries about the nature of electricity - including his famous demonstration that electricity and lightning were one and the same.

A taste of freedom : Gandhi and the great salt march, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel ; illustrated by Guiliano Ferri.

An old man in India recalls how, when he was a young boy, he got his first taste of freedom as he and his brother joined the great Muhatma Gandhi on a march to the sea to make salt in defiance of British law.

March. Book one, John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell.

This graphic novel is a first-hand account of Congressman John Lewis' lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation. Rooted in Lewis' personal story, it also reflects on the highs and lows of the broader civil rights movement.

Muybridge and the riddle of locomotion, Marta Braun.

A biography of Eadweard Muybridge, famous for his invention of very fast photography, and his discovery of how animals and people run. Includes lenticular images of movement.

Florence Nightingale, Demi.

Florence Nightingale revolutionised the world of medicine by emphasising cleanliness, food that was hot and nutritious, and organization in hospitals. What began as an attempt to make army hospitals safer and more effective became a lifelong mission, and remains relevant today. This new picture book biography of Florence Nightingale, from celebrated author and artist Demi, beautifully portrays the story of Florence's life and explores the long-lasting effects of her career.

The mad potter : George E. Ohr, eccentric genius, Jan Greenberg & Sandra Jordan.

Illustrated with evocative historical photographs and over fifty color reproductions of his ceramics, The Mad Potter tells the extraordinary story of an eccentric American maverick who was determined to make his mark and who never stopped believing that even the unlikeliest dreams can come true.

Electrical wizard : how Nikola Tesla lit up the world, Elizabeth Rusch ; illustrated by Oliver Dominguez.

Here is the story of the ambitious young man who brought life-changing ideas to America, despite the obstructive efforts of his hero-turned-rival, Thomas Edison. From using alternating current, to lighting up the Chicago World's Fair, to harnessing Niagara to electrify New York City and beyond, Nikola Tesla was a revolutionary ahead of his time. Remote controls, fluorescent lights, X-rays, speedometers, cell phones, even the radio all resulted from Nikola Tesla's inventions.

Ancient Rome, Tracey Turner ; illustrated by Jamie Lenman.

Ancient Rome was packed full of daring, clever and ruthless men and women. But who was the toughest nut of all? Bursting full of entertaining and witty fact-filled text in bite sized chunks and jam-packed with hilarious full-colour illustrations throughout. Includes Hardometers and a Hard Nut rating for some of Rome's toughest nuts.

Ancient Greece, Tracey Turner ; illustrated by Jamie Lenman.

Ancient Greece was packed full of daring, clever and ruthless men and women. But who was the toughest nut of all? Bursting full of entertaining and witty fact-filled text in bite sized chunks and jam-packed with hilarious full-colour illustrations throughout.

The story of the First World War for children : 1914-1918, [John Malam ; illustrations, Peter Liddiard].

The First World War was the world's first 'total war'. Although large-scale wars like the Napoleonic wars had ranged across many territories, the scale of the First World War was unprecedented. It was also the first war between modern, industrialised nations and mechanised warfare saw new and terrifying weapons deployed for the first time, including airplanes, tanks, zeppelins, giant warships and poison gas. Now, on the verge of the centenary of the start of the First World War, this fact-packed information book relates the unfolding events and the human stories in a way that brings history vividly to life.

Native Americans : a visual exploration, S. N. Paleja ; introduction by Kevin Loring ; [illustration by Dafne Sagastume].

Uses colored maps and diagrams to explore such facts of Native American culture as dwellings, social structure, languages, and trade.

The great American Dust Bowl, written & illustrated by Don Brown.

The causes and results of the Dust Bowl and how the lessons learned are still used today. Presented in comic book form.

Convict labourers, Carmel Reilly ; illustrations by Andrew Hopgood and Melissa Webb.

Focusing on convict labourers, this intriguing book explores aspects of everyday life, job responsibilities and social activities in colonial Australia. Using a range of text types they immerse students in the period, painting a picture of life from the workers' point of view.

Domestic servants, Carmel Reilly ; illustrations by Liz Alger and Melissa Webb.

Exploring colonial Australia through its community members. Focusing on domestic servants, this intriguing book explores aspects of everyday life, job responsibilities and social activities in colonial Australia. Using a range of text types they immerse students in the period, painting a picture of life from the workers' point of view.

Gold digger, Carmel Reilly ; illustrations by Andrew Hopgood and Melissa Webb.

Exploring colonial Australia through its community members. Focusing on gold diggers, this intriguing book explores aspects of everyday life, job responsibilities and social activities in colonial Australia. Using a range of text types they immerse students in the period, painting a picture of life from the workers' point of view.

Squatters, Carmel Reilly ; illustrations by Liz Alger and Melissa Webb.

Exploring colonial Australia through its community members. Focusing on squatters, this intriguing book explores aspects of everyday life, job responsibilities and social activities in colonial Australia. Using a range of text types they immerse students in the period, painting a picture of life from the workers' point of view.

Older Fiction

Daughters of time : an anthology from the history girls, Mary Hoffman.

Daughters of Time is an anthology of short stories written by prominent female authors writing historical fiction for children today. Look through fresh eyes at the stories of some of history's most remarkable women. Contains 13 short stories about famous female figures throughout history ranging all the way from Boudicca to the Greenham Common women.

Paws and whiskers : animal tales from Jaqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Enid Blyton and more!, chosen by Jacqueline Wilson ; illustrated by Nick Sharratt.

Features stories about cats and dogs from the world of children's literature. This book also features personal pieces from many authors about their own treasured pets, with contributions from Michael Morpurgo, Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman and more.

The Curioseum : collected stories of the odd & marvellous, editd by Adrienne Jansen.

The crossover, Kwame Alexander.

Fourteen-year-old twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores his declining health.

Princess Labelmaker to the rescue! : an Origami Yoda book, Tom Angleberger.

One month before the state standards test are to take place, the Origami Rebel Alliance has found powerful allies in unexpected places in their fight against the FunTime test preparation program, but Principal Rabbski has not yet declared her allegiance.

The cuckoo, written by Gary Crew ; illustrated by Naomi Turvey.

Martin is the runt of his family. Without a mother to protect him, his overbearing father and brothers reject him. Aided by the self-sacrifice of loving friends, Martin finds the courage to fight for personal fulfilment.

Midnight, story by Mark Greenwood ; illustrated by Frane Lessac.

'A foal is born at midnight, on the homestead side of the river. Coal black. Star ablaze. Moonlight in her eyes.' On October 31, 1917, the 4th and 12th Regiments of the Australian Light Horse took part in one of the last great cavalry charges in history. Among the first to leap the enemy trenches was Lieutenant Guy Haydon riding his beloved mare, Midnight. This is their story.

The unfairest of them all, Shannon Hale.

In the aftermath of Legacy Day, Raven Queen, reluctant leader of the Rebels, and Apple White, head of the Royals, work together when an Ever After High student, Maddie, gets in trouble, threatening all of their Happily Ever Afters.

The sons of Scarlatti, John McNally.

Humour and high adventure combine in the biggest action debut in years even if its characters are very small. Infinity Drake aka Finn is off on holiday with his mad scientist uncle when they are summoned to a crisis meeting. Scarlatti, a lethal bio-weapon an uber-wasp killing machine has been released by a pitiless villain, with incalculable consequences for mankind. Unless Uncle Al can shrink a military team to track down and kill the beast. But then disaster strikes sabotage! Finn gets shrunk to 9mm and has to jump in a tiny Apache helicopter with three soldiers in a desperate race to destroy the beast that's out there, very angry and many times their size.

Sky raiders, Brandon Mull.

Whisked through a portal to The Outskirts, an in-between world, sixth-grader Cole must rescue his friends and find his way back home before his existence is forgotten.

The nameless one, Stewart & Riddell.

Cade has never met his uncle, the infamous 'descender' Nate Quarter, who years ago committed heresy by lowering himself over the cliff-face of the Edge. But Nate has returned, and the Academy of Flight are looking for revenge against all of his supporters including Cade. So now he has to run. With no money and nowhere else to go, Cade's only option is to stow away aboard the Xanth Filatine, a mighty sky-ship bound for the city of Hive. But getting onto the ship is only the beginning of his troubles as he runs afoul of thieving goblins, brutal skymarshals, and the unpleasant-sounding threat of skyfiring. Stewart and Riddell return to the world of the Edge Chronicles with the first in a brand new series of adventures starring Cade Quarter.

Zoid, Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.

A spaceship the size of a city drifts through space on its century-long journey to find a new Earth. When it launched it was populated by thousands of hopeful passengers and the most technologically advanced Zoids in the world, ready to serve the crew's every need. But that was then, and this is now. The Zoids rebelled against their masters, wiping out most of the crew in one bloody uprising. Now the few remaining humans are hunted by the Zoids like vermin. Fourteen-year-old York is a Scavenger who hunts Zoids and kills them by any means he can, bringing back their parts to mend the technology on which the few remaining humans rely. York has always battled to survive, but now the fate of his people is in his hands.

Dragon on trial, Tui T. Sutherland, Kari Sutherland.

Someone or something has murdered the goose who laid the golden eggs, and the evidence points to a dragon named Scratch. But this mystery won't be that easy to solve, Zoe and Logan are back on the case in another exciting fantasy adventure.

The brightest night, Tui T. Sutherland.

Sunny has always taken the Dragonet Prophecy very seriously, so Morrowseer's devastating news changes everything - now she must forge a new identity, and find a way to stop the futile and destructive war between the dragon clans.

The dark wild, Piers Torday.

Twelve-year-old Kester thought he had discovered the last wild animals in the land. He thought his adventure was over. He was wrong. Below the sparkling city of Premium, deep underground, a dark wild remains: animals who believe the time is right to rise up against their human enemies. And soon Kester realises: he is the only one who can stop them. Kester Jaynes saved the animals. Can he save the humans too?

The Afghanistan pup, Mark Wilson.

A deeply moving story about an abandoned pup in Afghanistan who touches the lives of two very different people a girl struggling to get an education in the face of fierce opposition, and an Australian soldier who ultimately gives his life in the service of his country.

Picture Books

ABC animals.

Teaches the alphabet while providing facts about animals that begin with each letter, from armadillo to zebra.

Easter surprise.

What do rabbits like to eat? What is a baby sheep called? Children will learn the answers to these questions and much more in this lift-the-flap book of Easter surprises! Children can open the flaps and name the objects beneath to develop vocabulary, memory skills, and hand-eye coordination.

My first book of baby animals.

Presents images of adorable baby animals that are complemented by the names of each portrayed species and the respective names assigned to their offspring, from a fox kit to a swan cygnet.

Old MacDonald had a farm, James Dean.

Pete the cat learns the sounds of the different farm animals in this twist on the classic song.

Peter Rabbit touch and feel playbook.

This tactile early-learning playbook is the perfect introduction to colours, shapes, numbers, animals and actions and features Beatrix Potter's best-loved characters. Ideal for older babies and toddlers, this bright, sturdy board book has textures to explore on every page and is perfect for sharing and encouraging interactive play.

Hugo the Hare's rainy day, Jez Alborough.

Hugo the Hare hates to get wet, and when the rain comes he huddles under his umbrella. But Hugo's friends are stuck in the rain and when Hugo comes to their rescue he can't help but get all soggy! However, perhaps having a bit of a splish splash isn't quite as bad as Hugo thinks.

Is that my cat?, Jonathan Allen.

"Is that my cat? It can't be. My cat is a slim, sleek pussy cat." But something's up with this rather large kitty the same one who used to fit through the cat door, climbed trees fearlessly, and always wanted to play. Now, it takes two hands to pick her up, and now this fussy eater finishes all her food! In true Jonathan Allen style, the story unfolds little by little, page by page - keeping us guessing right until the end, when we get a BIG, happy surprise.

Chimp and Zee's first words and pictures, Catherine and Laurence Anholt.

Learn with Chimp and Zee and point to everything you see! This first words book, with charming, humorous illustrations by a bestselling, award-winning creative team, will delight children and their parents. Concepts of colours, counting, food, animals, vehicles they're all in this busy book.

Duck, Duck, Moose!, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen ; pictures by Noah Z. Jones.

Duck and Duck busily prepare for a party, while their housemate, Moose, only gets in the way.

Tyrannosaurus wrecks!, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen ; illustrated by Zachariah O'Hora.

All the dinosaurs play nicely, except Tyrannosaurus wrecks.

Mrs. Mo's monster, Paul Beavis.

A monster with a one-track mind meets his match in an elderly lady called Mrs. Mo. With Mrs. Mo's help, the monster is surprised to discover that he can do more than he ever thought, but that's not the only surprise Mrs. Mo has in store.

The Yes, Sarah Bee, Satoshi Kitamura.

In a soft comfy nest in a safe warm place there snoozed a great big orange thing called the Yes. He was snug, but the Yes had a Where to go to. So he left his nest and went trundling out. But the Where was an endless place of Nos. They teemed and seethed. They picked and nipped, and snipped and snicked. The Yes yessed in all his goodness and bigness and yesness. But was he strong enough to overcome them?

Big and Small, Elizabeth Bennett, Jane Chapman.

A bear named Big and a mouse named Small head out to play. They climb a hill and cross a stream, but with each new adventure, Small finds himself in trouble. "A little help, please!" Small says to Big each time. When they return home, it's Big who needs Small's help for something very important!

Ambulance in action, Peter Bently ; illustrated by Martha Lightfoot.

Ambulance and Meerkat respond to an emergency call involving an automobile accident and safely transport the car's driver to the hospital.

Monster truck mountain rescue, Peter Bently ; illustrated by Martha Lightfoot.

After an avalanche, Monster Truck and Mouse rescue a standed mountain climber when the terrain is too difficult for other rescue vehicles to navigate.

Lilli-Pilli's sister, Anna Branford ; illustrated by Linda Catchlove.

Lilli-Pilli's mother is having a baby. Lilli-Pilli is sure the baby is going to be a sister. She can feel it in her wings.

Zoom! Zoom! : sounds of things that go in the city, written by Robert Burleigh ; illustrated by Tad Carpenter.

From morning's joggers until night's last train, a boy notices and enjoys the many sounds made by people and things in a big city.

The way to the zoo, John Burningham.

My day : a first words book, Rod Campbell.

My day supports your child in learning the names of objects familiar to them from their busy day. Each page has items to name and search for in the picture including a teddy to find every time.

What's that? a first words book, Rod Campbell.

This early starter introduces your child to words for familiar objects and animals at home and outdoors. There's a helpful rhyming text and colour matching too!

Oliver's tree, Kit Chase.

Oliver the elephant loves playing hide-and-seek but cannot tag his friends, Lulu and Charlie, when they hide in trees their favorite spots so they work together to find a tree where all three can play together.

Go to sleep or I let loose the leopard, Steve Cole, Bruce Ingman.

It was Joe and Ellie's bedtime. But Joe and Ellie were not in bed. The New Babysitter tries all kinds of tactics, but to no avail. However the New Babysitter has one last trick up her sleeve: "Go to sleep or I let loose the leopard!" But she couldn't, she wouldn't. Would she?

Hog in the fog : a Harry & Lil story, Julia Copus ; illustrated by Eunyoung Seo.

The tale of a hog in the fog. This is the story of Candy Stripe Lil and Harry the Hog who lived over the hill and a foggy March day, roundabout three, when Lil had invited Harry for tea. Lil is expecting Harry the Hog for tea, but there's a swirling fog outside and Harry is nowhere to be seen. Lil sets off to find her friend. Luckily she meets Deer, Sheep and Crow along the way, who all join in the hunt to find the hog in the fog. A heartwarming rhyming adventure story about friendship, teamwork and teatime!

I want my mummy!, Tracey Corderoy, Alison Edgson.

It's Arthur's first day apart from his mummy, but luckily Granny knows just what to do!

My first day at school, Meredith Costain & Michelle MacIntosh.

My First Day at School is designed to help reassure and prepare school-age children for that magical first day in an unfamiliar environment. It follows the experiences and emotions of four very different children from their first teary farewells to their parents through to the joy of making new friends and the discovery that school can be an exciting and enjoyable place, however challenging.

Maisy plays soccer, Lucy Cousins.

Maisy and her friends can't wait to play soccer! Maisy puts on her uniform, laces up her sneakers, and heads to the field. Charlie, Tallulah, and Dotty are on the blue team, while Maisy, Cyril, and Eddie are on the red. Let's play! Soon enough the game heats up, with plenty of action, excitement, and suspense. Who will be the first team to make a goal? Whatever the score, it's all in good fun, and everyone is still the best of friends at the end!

Off to market, Elizabeth Dale ; illustrated by Erika Pal.

Hop on board the market bus! Everyone wants a ride and soon it's full to the top. But when the bus reaches a steep hill it just can't go any further. How will they lighten the load? Little Keb has the answer, proving that even the smallest person can make a big difference.

Harold finds a voice, Courtney Dicmas.

Harold is an amazing mimic, and can imitate the sound of everything in his home. Tired of repeating the same old noises, he yearns to find out what other voices there are in the big, wide world. But what happens when he suddenly realises that he doesn't yet have a voice of his own?

Some bugs, words by Angela DiTerlizzi ; bugs by Brendan Wenzel.

From butterflies and moths to crickets and cicadas, a rhyming exploration of backyard-bug behaviour.

Nuts in space, Elys Dolan.

An elite crew of furry animals are celebrating. They have found the Lost Nuts of Legend and according to the myth, the bearer of this mythical snack will be immortal, invincible and never will it be past their bedtime. Now all they have to do is go home. But oh dear, if only it were that simple.

Santiago stays, Angela Dominguez.

Santiago stays. He does not budge when offered a walk. He does not budge when offered a treat. Not even a hamburger can lure this stubborn French bulldog away from his post, much to the disappointment of the little boy trying to engage him.

Orange juice peas, Lari Don and illustrated by Lizzie Wells.

Little Jessie is learning to be polite. When she says 'please' it sounds like 'peas'. When she asks the new babysitter for 'orange juice peas' that's exactly what she gets! Yack!

Where's Mommy?, Beverly Donofrio ; illustrated by Barbara McClintock.

While trying to keep their friendship a secret from their mothers, a human girl and a mouse make a surprising discovery.

What's everyone doing! : a lift-the-flap-book, Polly Dunbar.

What exciting things are Tilly and her friends doing? This title lets you look at the clues and guess, then lift the flaps to find out! Each of the seven spreads feature labelled picture clues on the left and a lift-the-flap picture on the right which reveals the answer.

Who's hiding? : a lift-the-flap book, Polly Dunbar.

Tilly and her friends are playing hide-and-seek. Can you guess who's hiding where? Lift the flaps and find out.

Macavity!, written by T.S. Eliot ; illustrated by Arthur Robbins.

One of the best-loved poems from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is given a new life in this stunning picture book with illustrations from Arthur Robbins that perfectly convey all the wit and humour of Eliot's creation.

Tiny rabbit's big wish, Margarita Engle ; illustrated by David Walker.

A small rabbit wishes with all his might to grow big as big as the forest itself until he discovers the advantage of being small and smart.

The almost fearless Hamilton Squidlegger, Timothy Basil Ering.

Hamilton Squidlegger is fearless! Well, almost. During the day he can triumph over all the frackensnappers, skelecragons and bracklesneeds in the swamp but at night he quakes in terror. Will his father be able to help Hamilton remain fearless in his own mud all night?

Tippy-tippy- tippy, splash!, Candace Fleming ; illustrated by G. Brian Karas.

Fed up with the constant presence of rabbits in his house and yard, Mr. McGreely goes to the beach for some fun but the pesky pufftails will not give him a break.

Silly Dilly duckling, Claire Freedman ; illustrated by Jane Chapman.

When a gust of wind blows off one of her feathers, Dilly runs away to chase it.

Construction Kitties, Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges ; illustrated by Shari Halpern.

Wearing their hats, Construction Kitties use heavy equipment to dig, move, push, and smooth the dirt.

Hermelin : the detective mouse, Mini Grey.

Hermelin is a noticer. He is also a finder. The occupants of Offley Street are delighted when their missing items are found, but not so happy to learn that their brilliant detective is a mouse! What will happen to Hermelin? Will his talents go unrewarded?

Little owl, written by Phillip Gwynne ; illustrated by Sandy Okalyi.

When Little Owl falls from his nest and opens his eyes for the very first time he has one big question. Whooooo? Whoooo? Whoooo am I? Little Owl nibbles on a blossom with a hungry sugar glider, and struts on the ground like the cranky cockatoo. But at the end of the day, Little Owl still isn't sure who he is.

It's Monday, Mrs. Jolly Bones!, Warren Hanson ; illustrated by Tricia Tusa.

Mrs. Jolly Bones goes through the week, doing chores in her unique way.

The princess and the presents, Caryl Hart, Sarah Warburton.

Princess Ruby really is a horrid child the most spoilt princess you could ever meet. And when it's her birthday, there are so many presents, the palace literally bulges at the seams. Was there ever a more selfish princess? But when the palace and gifts finally collapse upon the poor king, the tiny tyrant realises that she has overlooked the most precious thing of all. And, luckily for Ruby, it's never too late to make amends.

The rain door, Russell Hoban & Quentin Blake.

One hot summer Thursday, Harry meets the rag-and-bone man and his horse, and follows them through the rain door to a whole other world behind the weather. When Harry hears a lion roar, he wants to get home as fast as he can but that turns out to be easier said than done.

Little answer, Tim Hopgood.

"What makes the world go round?" "Sausages!" "What makes the wind blow?" "Sausages!" "Where does everything come from?" "Sausages!" Little Answer is desperate to find his question. But there's a big problem - his answer is "Sausages"! What question could possibly have such a silly answer?

Sally at the farm, written and illustrated by Stephen Huneck.

Sally eats like a pig and works like a dog on her trip to the farm!

Sally in the sand, written and illustrated by Stephen Huneck.

Sally can hardly wait to smell the sea and dig for treasure!

Rex, Simon James.

This is a heart-warming story about being a dinosaur step-dad. Once upon 400 million years ago a terrifying tyrannosaurus roamed the earth. He spent his days raging through the jungle scaring every dinosaur he saw with his fierce roar. One night, while he is sleeping, an abandoned egg cracks open and out pops a teeny, tiny baby dinosaur who immediately thinks that the tyrannosaurus is his dad! And so begins the touching story of a little dinosaur and his search for a dad.

Weeds find a way, words by Cindy Jenson-Elliott ; pictures by Carolyn Fisher.

Describes some of the ways that weeds live and grow in the most hostile environments, such as a tangle of tree roots or a crack in the cellar of an old house, where other plants cannot thrive.

Betty Bunny loves chocolate cake, written by Michael B. Kaplan ; pictures by Stephane Jorisch.

From her first bite, young Betty Bunny likes chocolate cake so much that she claims she will marry it one day, and she has trouble learning to wait patiently until she can have her next taste.

Betty Bunny wants a goal, written by Michael B. Kaplan ; illustrated by Stephane Jorisch.

When a young rabbit quits soccer after a disappointing first game, her family encourages her to keep trying.

Mum's the word, Timothy Knapman, Jamie Littler.

A funny rhyming tale with adorable illustrations showing the importance of a mother's love. When a little dog tries to find the word that feels like a cuddle and is as warm as a goodnight kiss, he discovers that the word is 'Mum!'

I have a dog : (an inconvenient dog), Charlotte Lance.

I have a dog. An inconvenient dog. When I wake up, my dog is inconvenient. When I'm getting dressed, my dog is inconvenient. And when I'm making tunnels, my dog is super inconvenient. But sometimes, an inconvenient dog can be big and warm and cuddly. Sometimes, an inconvenient dog can be the most comforting friend in the whole wide world.

Have you seen my dragon?, Steven Light.

In the heart of the city, among the taxis and towers, a small boy travels all over the town, searching for his dragon friend. Readers will certainly spot the glorious beast, plus an array of big-city landmarks and features they can count. Is the dragon taking the bus, or breathing his fiery breath below a busy street?

A gift for Mama, Linda Ravin Lodding ; illustrated by Alison Jay.

A little boy is on a search for the perfect gift for his mother, navigating the streets of 1890s Vienna, meeting new people, and continuing to trade one gift for another.

Princesses are not just pretty, Kate Lum ; illustrated by Sue Hellard.

When Princesses Mellie, Allie, and Libby begin to argue about which princess is the prettiest, they decide to hold a contest. But of course, the girls get side-tracked helping others on their way to the contest leaving Princess Mellie as the muddiest, Princess Allie as the yuckiest, and Princess Libby as the drippiest. But due to their kindness, the princesses win in the end.

Breathe, Scott Magoon.

A young whale enjoys its first day of independence.

Max, Marc Martin.

Max and Bob are old friends. Max helps out in Bob's shop, and in the evenings they go fishing together. Until one summer, when everything changes.

Shoe Dog, story by Megan McDonald ; pictures by Katherine Tillotson.

In order to stay in the warm and cozy home he has longed for, Shoe Dog must learn to stop chewing.

Happy birthday, Hugless Douglas, David Melling.

Douglas is very excited about his birthday surprise. But when the surprise turns out to be his annoying twin cousins, Douglas is sure this will be the worst birthday ever!

The crocodile who didn't like water, Gemma Merino.

Everybody knows that crocodiles love water, but this little crocodile is different. He doesn't like water at all. In fact, he prefers climbing trees! But it can be lonely when you're the odd one out, so the little crocodile tries his best to change. But being wet isn't for everyone and a shiver soon becomes a cold and the cold becomes a sneeze, a very hot sneeze. Could it be that this little crocodile isn't a crocodile at all?

Mungo monkey has a birthday party, Lydia Monks.

Mungo Monkey has woken up very early because today is his Birthday! There are so many things to do before Mungo's birthday party starts: balloons to blow up, party hats to make and a cake to bake. Mungo needs to pick his fancy dress costume, too. What will he choose?

All I said was, Michael Morpurgo, Ross Collins.

Imagination takes wing in this cleverly-crafted story about a boy who becomes a bird! A heart-warming and thrilling read with a powerful message about the power of books and stories.

Jack and the jelly bean stalk, Rachael Mortimer ; illustrated by Liz Pichon.

Jack sells the family's cow for twenty gold coins but buys magic jelly beans with the money. His mother throws the beans outside, and they grow into an enormous stalk. When Jack meets a Giant who wants him for a snack, Jack finds a clever solution to his Giant problem!

Maple, Lori Nichols.

A nature-loving little girl's favorite playmate is her maple tree, until the day she's surprised with a baby sister.

Princess Stay Awake, written by Giles Paley-Phillips ; illustrated by Adriana J. Puglisi.

The Princess will not not go to bed. The King and Queen try everything, from a boring Jester to a more comfortable bed but nothing works. They finally turn to the one person who will be able to help Grandma Cookie!

Tom & Millie's great big treasure hunt, Guy Parker-Rees.

Tom and Millie are on a treasure hunt and, as they go from the busy beach to the crowded town to the packed playground, all their friends join in their search. There's lots to look at and to find, including different colours, numbers and shapes and every other spread invites the reader to look, too.

Monkey business, Smriti Prasadam-Halls, David Wojtowycz.

All is quiet and calm on the ark until Charlie Chatter's potty disappears! What will the poor monkey do without it? He can't sit on the toilet. That sounds much too scary!

One, two, buckle my shoe, retold by Russell Punter ; illustrated by David Semple.

A picture book version of the classic rhyme, this modern retelling has been specially extended to cover all the numbers up to thirty. Suitable to read aloud to very young children, or for older children to read for themselves.

How to babysit a grandma, Jean Reagan ; illustrated by Lee Wildish.

A little girl provides instructions for properly babysitting one's grandmother, such as taking trips to the park and singing songs.

Going places, written by Peter H. Reynolds and Paul A. Reynolds ; illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.

Rafael has looked forward to the Going Places contest and builds his go-cart from a kit in record time, but his neighbour, Maya, has a much more interesting and creative idea for her entry and Rafael decides to help.

Me and my mom!, Alison Ritchie ; illustrated by Alison Edgson.

Rhyming text describes a day of fun and adventure that a bear shares with his mother.

Sophie sleeps over, Marisabina Russo.

Sophie is nervous and excited about her first sleepover, but when she meets her best friend Olive's other best friend, Penelope, Sophie wants nothing more than to go straight home.

Nugget & Fang, Tammi Sauer, Michael Slack.

In the deep ocean tiny Nugget and big, toothy Fang get along swimmingly until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate (and hilarious) measures. But it's not until his big sharp teeth save the entire school that minnows learn this shark is no foe.

Baby's got the blues, Carol Diggory Shields ; illustrated by Lauren Tobia.

The author gives a tip of the hat to B.B. King in an ode to the blues and babyhood.

Elephantantrum!, Gillian Shields ; illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs.

Ellie has everything, but she wants more. She wants an elephant. And she won't eat or sleep or brush her hair until she gets one! But when she finally gets her wish, the elephant decides to teach Ellie a thing or two about manners.

Robot burp head smartypants!, Annette Simon.

On your mark, get set, belch! The green and purple robots from Robot Zombie Frankenstein! are back for a second round of "Top This" games! Burp to ten? Easy! Burp the alphabet? No sweat! Burp by tens while blindfolded, juggling, and skateboarding? Yikes! Reluctant readers won't even notice that they're learning as they laugh out loud at the wacky antics of these irreverent robotic pals.

Tractor pop-up peekaboo!, written by Dawn Sirett.

The latest addition to DK's "Peekaboo" series, these books feature big, bold pop-ups that jump from the pages when babies and toddlers lift the flaps. As young children explore the spreads, they'll learn to recognize, name, and describe different objects, providing a perfect early learning opportunity and fun way to build book-handling skills.

Scowl, Steve Smallman ; illustrated by Richard Watson.

Scowl the owl is grumpy all the time! A small bird offers Scowl her happy hat to wear. "Get lost!" Scowl barks at the bird. But when Scowl accidentally ruins the hat, he is not the only one who becomes grumpy. And what is that funny feeling that has suddenly come over him?

Hector and the big bad knight, Alex T. Smith.

When Hector's granny has her magic wand stolen by The Big Bad Knight, Hector, the tiniest boy in the village, decides to go after him. And when The Big Bad Knight sends a dragon after Hector, our hero knows just what to do with a little help from a bag of crisps!

Look like Luke : teaching children how to "talk dog" by learning dog's body language, written by Nadine Steele ; Illustrated by Jo Burgess.

Uses a fun story to help keep children and dogs safe by educating children in the correct way to live with dogs, through an understanding of how to "talk dog" in the home. Dog owners enjoy the benefits of dog ownership and the children learn how to be responsible and safe, while enjoying the company of dogs they share their lives with.

Betsy goes to preschool, Helen Stephens.

Betsy is excited about doing new things. Today is her first day at school. But when she arrives with Daddy and Rufus the dog, it's very noisy and she doesn't know anyone. Betsy doesn't want Daddy to go and she holds on to his buttons. But who is that little girl playing tea parties by herself in her very own pretend-cafe? A new friend for Betsy perhaps!

Betsy learns to swim!, Helen Stephens.

Betsy is excited about doing new things. Today she is going to the swimming pool for the first time. There are so many things to see! There is a big slide and Betsy's big girl friends, Holly and Poppy, are at the pool too. But they jump in and make a big splash. Betsy isn't sure she likes it. Will Betsy find the courage to go down the slide?

Here in the garden, Briony Stewart.

'The wind is raking through the falling leaves and I wish that you were here.' As the seasons change, a young boy shares the magic of his garden with a special friend. From award-winning author and illustrator Briony Stewart comes a tender picture book about loss, love and friendship.

Slam! : a tale of consequences, Adam Stower.

A heedless little boy and his dog slam the door as they run out to complete an errand, unknowingly dislodging a red ball that bounces through the neighborhood and triggers an escalating series of mishaps.

Two left feet, Adam Stower.

Everyone knows that monsters love to dance, and no monster loves to dance more than Rufus. So when an invitation arrives to attend a Grand Ball at the Glittering Palace, Rufus can barely contain his excitement. But finding a partner is going to be difficult, especially when, like Rufus, you have two left feet. Unless, that is, there is something even better (but more unconventional) than one right and one left foot

Baby animals flap book, words by Sam Taplin ; illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet.

Little children will enjoy matching the baby animals to their mummies and daddies.

Busy bunny days : in the town, on the farm & at the port, Britta Teckentrup.

The Bunny family has a busy and exciting day on a family outing in town, on a farm, and at the port.

The hole, Oyvind Torseter.

The protagonist has discovered a hole and tries to find an explanation. He seeks expert advice. But not everything can be explained. Perhaps he will just have to accept that it's there.

Here comes the Easter Cat, Deborah Underwood ; pictures by Claudia Rueda.

When Cat tries to replace the Easter Bunny, he soon learns that the job is much harder than he expected - and does not allow time for naps.

Itch scritch scratch, Eleanor Updale and Sarah Horne.

The kids have got whisper it nits! All the mummies are going mad with the nit-combs and the mayonnaise and even the hoover but these nits don't care! With a rhyming text that trips off the tongue, this laugh-out-loud picture book is perfect for all the family.

Marmaduke the very different dragon, Rachel Valentine, Ed Eaves.

Marmaduke's not like all the other dragons - his ears are too big and he never even tries to fly. He just doesn't fit in, however much he wants to, and so he feels terribly lonely. And Princess Meg? Well, she wears trainers and breaks into dance at the most inappropriate of times, which means that she sticks out like a sore thumb. She doesn't really have any friends, but then she's far too busy having fun to notice. Until one day when Marmaduke and Meg's lives collide in the most exciting, brilliant and surprising way and they both realise just how much they need each other. And, who knows, maybe a princess and a dragon will make the most perfect best friends.

Monster machines! : on the construction site, text by Agnes Vandewiele ; art by Stephane Neidhardt.

Kids who love to watch machines at work will be fascinated with this fun and informative book featuring fearsome machines used in construction. Learn all about the various vehicles and their functions from backhoes to bulldozers, including excavators, wrecking balls, pavers and more!

Mama built a little nest, Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Steve Jenkins.

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text introduce different kinds of birds' nests, from the scrapes falcons build on high, craggy ledges to the underground nests burrowing owls dig. Includes brief facts about each kind of bird.

That's not my goat, written by Fiona Watt ; illustrated by Rachel Wells.

This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness.

The pigeon needs a bath!, words and pictures by Mo Willems.

The Pigeon is dirty and he needs a bath, but he won't go willingly.

Creature numbers, Andrew Zuckerman.

Visually stunning animal photography illustrates basic concepts to appeal to design-conscious parents and inspire learners with vivid pictures of fascinating animals.

Younger Fiction

Starring Jules (super-secret spy girl), Beth Ain ; illustrated by Anne Keenan Higgins.

Second grade is over and Jules is on her way to Quebec to film a spy movie, but she misses all her friends, and with only a hockey player and a diva starlet as cast mates in a place where nobody speaks English, she is feeling lonely and her mother will not even let her go bungee-jumping.

Ghosts, words by Sonia Goldie ; pictures by Marc Boutavant ; translated from the French by Claudia Z. Bedrick.

In words and pictures, ghosts set the record straight about ghosts.

Alphabet, Alain Gree.

Suitable for ages 2-4 years, this title features vintage illustrations that leap out from every page. It helps children learn their first words with the aid of illustrations.

Exploring, Alain Gree.

In this delightful series of books Alain Gree's stunning vintage illustrations leap out from every page. With three titles, Alphabet, Transport and Nature, aimed at 2-4 years, children will love to be taught their first words with the aid of such absorbing and vibrant illustrations. Despite their simplicity there is a richness of content that children will be fascinated by, and this wealth of information will be a joy for adults to share and discuss, making the potential for learning endless.

Seaside, Alain Gree.

With three titles, Alphabet, Transport and Nature, this title is aimed at 2-4 years, children can love to be taught their first words with the aid of such absorbing and vibrant illustrations.

Seasons, Alain Gree.

Suitable for ages 2-5 years, this title includes vintage illustrations that leap out from every page.

Transport, Alain Gree.

In this delightful series of books, under GMC's exciting new imprint, Button Books, Alain Gree's stunning vintage illustrations leap out from every page. With three titles, "Alphabet", "Transport" and "Nature", aimed at 2-4 years, children will love to be taught their first words with the aid of such absorbing and vibrant illustrations. Despite their simplicity there is a richness of content that children will be fascinated by, and this wealth of information will be a joy for adults to share and discuss, making the potential for learning endless.

Jim's letters, Glyn Harper ; illustrated by Jenny Cooper.

A moving story of two brothers separated by the First World War, based on the thousands of letters sent by and to Anzac soldiers fighting at Gallipoli. Depicts life at war and on the home front with fold-out letter inserts. Includes true facts on Australian and New Zealand boy soldiers and the Gallipoli Campaign at back of book.

The big bad blackout, Megan McDonald ; illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.

As Hurricane Elmer hits, Judy, Stink, and the entire Moody clan hunker down and ride out the storm, but when the power goes out, Grandma Lou proposes some activities to pass the time in the dark.

Going green, Christine Pakkala ; pictures by Paul Hoppe.

Lola Zuckerman hates being last for everything. If only she were Lola Adams or Lola Appleby or anything but Z for Zuckerman. And she is having a particularly hard time right now. Her best friend Amanda Anderson is now her ex-best friend. Her grandparents have moved back to Texas, and her mother is launching a new career. Why is everything always changing? What would make things much, much better is if Lola were to win the Going-Green Contest at school and beat Amanda Anderson, who is determined to win first place too. How can Lola, who is always last, prove that she's not least?

Mi and Museum City, Linda Sarah.

A ridiculously wacky, hugely entertaining picture book simply jam-packed with detail, and including a pull-out "A-Z of museums" posterMi lives in Museum City. With so many museums to visit, you would think Mi would have lots to do. But he's bored and lonely; the city is full of museums about uninteresting things and the people who own those uninteresting things. But a beautiful sound leads him to Yu (a big, tall thing) and together they try to persuade the mayor to open museums about some of the more enjoyable things in life, such as The Museum of Starlit Benches Arranged at Different Heights for Pebble-Dropping and Other Fun Things. Will they succeed, and revolutionize Museum City?

The hunt for the golden book, Geronimo Stilton ; illustrations by Danilo Barozzi and Silvia Bigolin (design) and Christian Aliprandi (colour) ; based on an original idea by Elisabetta Dami ; translated by Lidia Morson Tramontozzi and Julia Heim.

The hunt for the golden book: Geronimo's laptop is stolen just as he's finishing up writing a special book! Can he and his friends hunt it down in time for his tenth-anniversary party? The lake monster: Can Geronimo figure out this creature's secret?

Best mates : three lads who went to war together, Philippa Werry and Bob Kerr.

The three young soldiers in the story are best friends from school, and they leave New Zealand together to go and fight at Gallipoli. Landing first in Egypt, they travel by ship to Anzac Cove and dig into trenches to fight the Turkish troops holding the peninsula. Conditions are tough and Joe gets sick, but his mates help him off on the hospital ship. Then Harry is fatally wounded and his burial has to take place on the cliff-top, away from the snipers. The three friends are reunited many years later, when two men fly to Gallipoli and lay poppies on Harry's grave.