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Author & Illustrators

Dermot O'Leary Books

Fantastic Mr Fox meets World War 2!

A fun and fast-paced adventure following an unlikely partnership as they fight to save their friends and make a valid contribution to the war effort. Children who are learning about the history of WW2 will recognise some key events and details including the Dunkirk evacuation and the French Resistance in this accessible book that it brought to life through Claire Powell’s illustrations, which are full of movement.

A fun and enjoyable read.

This is the fabulous story of Linus the sparrow as he joins the Royal Bird Force during World War II.

Linus has always dreamed of joining the Peregrine Falcons of the RBF, even leading them. When the opportunity comes to join the RBF, he, along with his sister, Eva, jumps at the chance. However, on the way, tragedy strikes and Ava is lost. Bereft, Linus joins his squadron and discovers he has a lot to learn.

This story is about determination, loyalty, family and friendship. The relationships between Linus and the animals grows from being tenuous to one of friendship and respect. I love the concept of animals, particularly birds, helping to defend the country by spying, carrying messages and attacking the enemy. The motto “in poo, we trust” will amuse young readers, as are the methods they used to bring down planes! The characters are lots of fund, the storyline is action-filled and this makes a great read for KS2.

Toto is no ordinary cat. After months of keeping London safe from notorious animal bad guys, Toto the Ninja Cat is going on a well-earned holiday to the world’s most famous music festival – Catstonbury!

But a villain has a dastardly plan to hypnotise the crowd when a world-famous band is on stage, turning them into evil minions. How can Toto possibly prevent the catastrophe when everyone thinks the band is the cat’s pyjamas?

It will take all Toto’s ninja skills – and some help from a friendly otter – to save the day…

Ideal for reading aloud or for children to curl up with and read alone, the story features brilliant black-and-white illustrations throughout. With gentle themes of friendship, inclusivity and winning in the face of adversity, this is a hilarious must-read for all animal-loving kids!

Toto is no ordinary cat, and she can’t wait for you to join her on her FIFTH ninja adventure! From one of the UK’s best-loved broadcasters.

Toto’s brothers, Silver and Socks, and their best friend Catface have just been made Deputy Ninja Cats! But while celebrating, they accidentally break a boat belonging to a very important cat and find themselves heading north to a bootcamp for naughty animals.

Deep in the Scottish Highlands, they must climb mountains, paddle leaky canoes and prove that they can work as a team. But something isn’t quite right at the bootcamp, and Toto’s ninja senses are on high alert …

There is a local legend of a super-strong wildcat, destined to raise an army and take over all of Scotland. Toto knows she must find out more, but danger is lurking at every turn. Can she find the mysterious wildcat, before it’s too late?

Ideal for reading aloud or for children to curl up with and read alone, the story features brilliant black and white illustrations throughout. With themes of friendship, inclusivity and winning in the face of adversity, this is a hilarious must-read for all animal-loving kids!

Meet Toto: she’s no ordinary cat, and she can’t wait to have an adventure with you! From one of the UK’s best-loved broadcasters, purrfect for fans of The Aristocats, The Secret Life of Pets and Atticus Claw Breaks the Law.

Toto the cat and her brother Silver live footloose and fancy-free in a townhouse in London. Toto is almost totally blind, and learned to trust her senses from a ninja cat-master who taught her back in Italy where they were born. By day, Toto and Silver seem to be ordinary cats, but by night, they love to have adventures!

One evening, news reaches Toto that a king cobra has escaped from London Zoo! Together with help from a very posh cat and two hungry tigers, Toto and Silver must investigate. Can they find the giant snake, before it’s too late?

Ideal for reading aloud or for children to curl up with and read alone, the story features brilliant black and white illustrations throughout. With gentle themes of friendship, inclusivity and winning in the face of adversity, this is a hilarious must-read for all animal-loving kids!

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