This is the story of a cat, a broomstick and an ordinary schoolgirl called Rosemary. She bought them both in the market, quite cheaply. Of course, neither the cat nor the broomstick were just what they seemed, but between the two, Rosemary picked up some useful spells and magic, and the adventures that they brought about turned a dull holiday into one long to be remembered.
CHOPSTICKS
by Jon Berkeley
In a busy harbor, in the faraway island of Hong Kong, there is a floating restaurant, home to a little gray mouse. This enchanting story tells of his adventures when, one New Year's night, he magics a carved wooden dragon into life and together they share a high-flying adventure through midnight skies. Jon Berkeley’s beautifully exotic illustrations will delight both parent and child.
COLLECTED POEMS FOR CHILDREN
by Ted Hughes & Raymond Briggs
This collection brings together the poems Ted Hughes wrote throughout his life for children. Hughes’ poems reveal his instinctive grasp of a child's insatiable curiosity, humour and invention, and his own incomparable understanding of the natural world. Raymond Briggs’ delightful drawings capture the wit, gentleness and humanity of these poems.
THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA
by Lauren Child
Lauren Child has paired up with photographer, Polly Borland, to create this magical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale. In an intriguing departure in style, delightful authentic dolls' house sets are juxtaposed with Lauren's own hand-drawn characters. The world of the princess recreated in miniature in one of the most unique picture books of the year.
WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING
by Alexis Deacon
Every day the bedside toys sit as still as stone but at night the bedside team come to life; scaring away bad dreams, squishing the bed bugs flat and even checking for monsters. Acclaimed author-illustrator Alexis Deacon has produced another beautiful, haunting picture book full of warmth and gentle humour.
LLAMA, LLAMA RED PAJAMA
by Anna Dewdney
In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn't come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right.
INGO
by Helen Dunmore
Sapphire and her brother Conor live on the Cornish coast in a cottage on the cliff-tops. One day their lives change for ever when their father disappears while out in his boat. Everyone thinks he has drowned, but they believe he is still alive. Through their quest for their father Sapphire and Conor discover that they have the power to enter the mysterious and exciting undersea world of Ingo.
WOLVES
by Emily Gravett
Rabbit borrows a book about wolves from the library. But what if a book should come alive? It's not long before a sinister figure with sharp claws and a bushy tail starts to creep up on Rabbit...Full of both drama and wit, the brilliant book-within-a-book concept is carried through in wonderful detail. Amazing artwork, two surprise endings, plus fun novelty elements - one of the most exciting picture books of the year.
I, CORIANDER
by Sally Gardner
This story is told by Coriander, daughter of a silk merchant in 1650s London. When Coriander’s mother dies and her father goes away, she is left with her stepmother, a widow who is in cahoots with a fundamentalist Puritan preacher. She is shut away in a chest and left to die, but emerges into the fairy world from which her mother came, and where time has no meaning. When she returns, charged with a task that will transform her life, she is seventeen.
ORANGE, PEAR, APPLE, BEAR
by Emily Gravett
The utter simplicity of this highly original, and funny picture book is breathtaking. By rearranging just four words, Emily Gravett creates a series of playful images to entertain very young children and adults alike. The loose energy of the pencil and watercolour pictures is irresistible.
LITTLE MOUSE'S BIG BOOK OF FEARS
by Emily Gravett
Typically British nonsense characterized by an especially nervous mouse, who sees goblins and ghosties at every turn. Every bit as funny as its predecessors.
DOGS
by EMILY GRAVETT
Dogs this time. The irrepressible Emily Gravett, whose credentials include "Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears" and "The Odd Egg" returns with a book devoted to canines large and small. She clearly knows them well. This is a delightful concoction, depicting hounds of every size and description, with minimal text and a typical punchline at the finish. Warmly recommended for 3-year-olds and up.
January 2009
Rabbit Pie
by Penny Ives
This is a charming story that works on two levels - the text reads like a recipe (for example - ingredients list, "find six small rabbits, cover with warm soapy water and gently scrub" etc), while the pictures play out the familiar routine of getting ready for bed, in this case with six naughty little rabbits.
LOST AND FOUND
by Oliver Jeffers
One day a penguin arrives on a boy's door step. The boy decides the sad penguin must be lost and tries to return him. But no one seems to be missing a penguin. So the boy decides to take the penguin home, and they set out on an exciting journey to the South Pole. But all is not as it seems. A delightful and affecting story about loneliness and the importance of friendship, with a charming twist at the end.
HIT THE BALL DUCK
by Jez Alborough
A hilarious new adventure featuring the inimitable Duck and his long-suffering friends, Sheep, Goat and Frog. Duck and friends go out one day with a bat, a ball and a glove to play. Duck hits the ball - but where does it fall? On a branch in the tree, now they can't play at all. Frog has an idea, Duck lends a hand but nothing turns out quite as planned.
FUGITIVE FROM CORINTH
by Caroline Lawrence
The latest in Caroline Lawrence's captivating series of adventure stories set in Ancient Rome. May AD 80. Flavia and her three friends are in Cenchrea, the eastern harbour of Corinth, the hometown of Aristo, their tutor. But Aristo tells them he is not coming back with them this time. Later, there is a commotion, and the children find a blood-soaked Aristo crouched over Flavia's father, who has been stabbed. The children set off for Delphi in pursuit of Aristo.
HOW TO CATCH A STAR
by Oliver Jeffers
An inspirational story of a boy who loved the stars so much, he decided to catch one of his very own. This beautifully illustrated debut picture book from highly talented, Oliver Jeffers is a magical tale about reaching for dreams.
KING'S TASTER
by Kenneth Oppel
Kenneth Oppel for the younger crowd. A hilarious tale of a hound with taste (royal taste, at that) and his passion for grub in all its forms. Great fun from start to finish.
May 2009
THE SCARECROW AND HIS SERVANT
by Philip Pullman
A wonderful tale of two friends: a scarecrow made of straw and turnip, and his servant, a clever little boy named Jack. Their journey of discovery takes them into hilarious situations and terrifying dangers, but Jack's common sense always saves the day. A brilliantly funny and moving story of friendship from the multi-award winning Philip Pullman.
ALL IN A DAY
by CYNTHIA RYLANT
CHARLIE COOK'S FAVOURITE BOOK
by Alex Scheffler & Julia Donaldson
From the award-winning team behind The Gruffalo, comes a picture book about reading and the pleasure of reading. Nine stories slot inside each other, until the last one, about a boy who is reading his favourite book. From pirates to aliens to ghosts, there's something for everyone as Charlie discovers the hidden worlds in everyone's favourite book.
HERE BE MONSTERS
by Alan Snow
Arthur has fallen foul of the appalling Snatcher and is trapped alone in Ratbridge, with no way home. Meanwhile Snatcher and his men are working tirelessly in secret, on a fiendish and dastardly plan to take over Ratbridge - and the world. With the help of Willbury Nibble QC, some friendly boxtrolls and cabbage-heads, and Marjorie the frustrated inventor, can Arthur thwart Snatcher's evil plans - and find his way home?
ASTERIX AND THE FALLING SKY
by Albert Uderzo
The Gauls have only one fear: that the sky may fall on their heads tomorrow. But tomorrow never comes, says Chief Vitalstatistix. Or does it? It looks as if it's come at last for Asterix, Obelix and the other villagers. And some surprising new characters fall along with the sky. Our friends soon find themselves in the middle of a space race. A brilliant and hilarious tale of misunderstandings, this is the first new Asterix story in four years.
