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stop thats not my story

Stop! That’s Not My Story!

Picturebook

A joyful, empowering call to be the hero of your OWN story!

A girl opens up a book looking for the story that’s perfect for HER and tumbles inside. But Goldilocks is not her story, and nor is Jack and the Beanstalk or Little Red Riding Hood… There’s only one thing for it: she’s going to have to write her own story – and this time, SHE will be the hero.

A celebration of the stories we ALL love and the stories we are yet to write, this vivid, irresistible picture book introduces the terrific new partnership of Smriti Halls (bestselling author of I’m Sticking with You illustrated by Steve Small and Rain Before Rainbows illustrated by David Litchfield) and Erika Meza (award-winning illustrator of My Two Border Towns written by David Bowles).

the dodo who dreamed she could fly

The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly

Picturebook

An inspiring story about the incredible things that can happen when you give something a try, from award-winning author Catherine Emmett and bestselling illustrator Claire Powell.

Delilah did not often talk of her dream, in case others laughed at how daft it might seem.
For like all those others, this small dodo knew, there never had been any dodos who flew.

Meet Delilah. She’s on a mission to be the first dodo to take flight – and she won’t let what any of the other dodos say stand in her way. This heart-warming story of perseverance, from the Oscar’s Book Prize shortlisted author of The Pet, will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever dared to dream. Brought to life with fabulous artwork from the illustrator of The Night Before the Night Before Christmas. This empowering story is perfect for fans of Rachel Bright.

skylar and the k pop headteacher

Skylar and the K-pop Headteacher

Chapter book

K-pop meets Freaky Friday in a hilarious body swap adventure for 9+ readers from a Costa-winning author, perfect for fans of Jenny Pearson and David Solomons.

When 11-year-old K-pop obsessed Skylar inexplicably switches bodies with her super strict 71-year-old headteacher, Ms Callus, she’s thrown into a hilarious world of dancing old ladies gone viral and school rules thrown out the window, as she tries to figure out how on earth to swap back! But then the chance to meet her favourite boyband AZ8 in real life changes everything, and Skylar must decide whether her K-pop dream come true is worth risking being stuck as an old lady for ever…

Singing with laugh-out-loud moments, this is a joyful and uplifting tale of friendship, fandom and chasing your dreams.

the girl who wasnt there

The Girl Who Wasn’t There

Chapter book

And we’re going to live here, happily ever after, just like a fairy tale.’

When Dad tells Luna and her little sister Aurora that they’re moving to live in a real tower, it’s almost like they’ve stepped inside a fairytale.

But everything is not as magical as it first seems. The tower needs patching up, Dad still doesn’t have a job and they’re not even allowed in the room up at the very top.

When it’s time to start at their new school, Luna quickly finds a friend, but six-year-old Aurora absolutely hates the children in her class. She prefers to spend her time with her imaginary friend Tansy. Aurora’s make-belief life causes problems for them all – and it seems like Aurora really believes Tansy exists…

Is there really a curse on the tower – and will Luna be able to break it?

A spine-tingling tale from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

this is the ship that jack built

This is the Ship that Jack Built

Picturebook

All aboard the ship that Jack built for a rollicking picture book adventure.

Jack’s ship has set sail with a precious cargo of gold in the hold, but a whole host of thieves are out to snatch it from under his nose. From the squid that opens the lid and the seal that tries to steal, to the cat and the rat and the whale with its splashy tail, Jack really has his hands full.

With a joyful, rhyming text full of super-catchy repeated lines, this cumulative tale builds and builds to an epic crescendo. Told by Peter Millett and brought to life by Sam Caldwell, bestselling illustrator of Buster Books’ popular picture book Sheldon’s New Shell, this picture book voyage is one readers will want to take again and again.

benjis emerald king

Benji’s Emerald King

Chapter book

The Woodland Explorers solve mysteries and protect the animals of Willow Wish Woods. A magical new series for 5-7 inspired by Forest School, by prize-shortlisted author Ewa Jozefkowicz, full of friendship, adventure, and learning through nature, with fun illustrations on every page.

In Willow Wish Woods stands the ancient Emerald King. It is the tallest tree in the forest and there’s something special about it. Something magic…

Benji, Shyla, Ajay, Trix, Fujiko and Eric discover its branches are damaged. Who could have hurt the tree, and why? The stream, the Tadpole Run, is full of rubbish, and there’s not a frog in sight. The friends decide to form the Woodland Explorers Club. Their mission is to solve the mystery of the Emerald King, protect the animals of Willow Wish Woods and bring the magic of the forest back to life.

someone just like you

Someone Just Like You

Chapter book

A deeply moving, vitally important picture book encouraging empathy and kindness.

Somewhere in this world, there is someone just like you,
who finds the same things funny and who laughs the way you do.

Have you ever stopped to think that there might be someone out there who is just like you? And if they needed you, would you help them?

Helen Docherty’s lyrical rhyming text is perfectly matched by David Roberts’ stunning, thoughtful illustrations, as the two combine to make a picture book that is as necessary as it is beautiful.

dave pigeon kittens

Dave Pigeon (Kittens!)

Chapter book

Dave Pigeon and his trusty sidekick, Skipper, are minding their own business in the garden shed when they see Mean Cat behaving very strangely. The arrival of some very cute kittens is disastrous news.  But then the kittens come under threat. Are Dave and Skipper coldhearted enough to leave them defenceless, especially when one looks a teeny, tiny little bit like Dave?

Packed full of funny black-and-white illustrations, perfect for emerging readers.

bee and me

Bee & Me

Picturebook

A bee flies in the window of the high-rise flat where she lives and a little girl is frightened. She traps the bee and then wonders what to do. This beautiful wordless picture book traces the growing friendship between girl and bee and introduces small children to the ecology of the natural world. Highlighting the plight of the disappearing bumble bee, it shows how some simple actions can help restore beauty and balance in our environment. With a list of bee-friendly seeds to plant and ways to protect bees at home.

when the wild calls

When the Wild Calls

Chapter book

The journey winds through me, twisted and turned, like a difficult second spine…

Having escaped their city, Juniper Green and her brother Bear have settled in Ennerdale with their dad and his family. Every day the Wild introduces them to a new wonder, but Juniper can’t stop worrying about her grandmother and best friend left behind. When she hears news that disease has entered the city, she’s determined to bring her loved ones to safety.

Trapped in a city riddled with disease and run by a ruthless leader, Etienne longs for the Wild. With the guards becoming more aggressive to counteract the growing rebellion, Etienne’s prepared to fight for his freedom. But will he be able to protect himself and keep those around him safe until Juniper returns from the Wild?

The compelling and thought-provoking sequel to the much-loved WHERE THE WORLD TURNS WILD, this ecological adventure is perfect for fans of THE LAST BEAR, RUNNING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD and THE LAST WILD.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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