Take on the role of the Monster Hunter in this fully interactive, flick-through-the pages, choose-your-own-destiny adventure story.

YOU are the Monster Hunter, protector of the living, and nightmare of the paranormal. Aliens have landed and your specialist services are urgently required...

Written by the award-winning duo Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore

Age appropriate for 8+. Also suitable for reluctant readers and less confident older readers. Printed using a font approved by the British Dyslexia Association.

This lively storybook presents ten fantastic tales about the adventures and mishaps of witches, wizards and magicians. It's hard to explain everything that we see around us but just maybe we live in a world full of magic, where witches, wizards and magicians make extraordinary things happen. The book is perfect for reading aloud to young children or for confident readers to enjoy by themselves.

A quirky school comedy from Vivian French. Perfect for fans of Wigglesbottom Primary and Kes Grey's Daisy books. When Dan gets into trouble at school for being untidy, he teams up with his best friend Billy to find out who's throwing his lunchbox on the floor. With chalk fingerprints and missing sardine sandwiches as clues, Detective Dan is on the case! This humorous mystery from award-winning author Vivian French has appealing black-and-white illustrations by Daniel Duncan and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with brilliant books to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2, with book-banded stories by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence covering a wide range of genres and topics. With charming illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for reading both in the classroom and at home. For more information visit www.bloomsburyguidedreading.com. Book Band: Lime Ideal for ages 7+ Quizzed for Accelerated Reader

Leave it to the heroes to save the world--villains just want to rule the world. In this unique YA anthology, thirteen acclaimed, bestselling authors team up with thirteen influential BookTubers to reimagine fairy tales from the oft-misunderstood villains' points of view. These fractured, unconventional spins on classics like "Medusa," Sherlock Holmes, and "Jack and the Beanstalk" provide a behind-the-curtain look at villains' acts of vengeance, defiance, and rage--and the pain, heartbreak, and sorrow that spurned them on. No fairy tale will ever seem quite the same again! Featuring writing from . . . Authors: Renee Ahdieh, Ameriie, Soman Chainani, Susan Dennard, Sarah Enni, Marissa Meyer, Cindy Pon, Victoria Schwab, Samantha Shannon, Adam Silvera, Andrew Smith, April Genevieve Tucholke, and Nicola Yoon BookTubers: Benjamin Alderson (Benjaminoftomes), Sasha Alsberg (abookutopia), Whitney Atkinson (WhittyNovels), Tina Burke (ChristinaReadsYA blog and TheLushables), Catriona Feeney (LittleBookOwl), Jesse George (JessetheReader), Zoe Herdt (readbyzoe), Samantha Lane (Thoughts on Tomes), Sophia Lee (thebookbasement), Raeleen Lemay (padfootandprongs07), Regan Perusse (PeruseProject), Christine Riccio (polandbananasBOOKS), and Steph Sinclair & Kat Kennedy (Cuddlebuggery blog and channel).

YOU are Robin Hood, outlaw of Sherwood Forest. The Sheriff of Nottingham has captured Maid Marian. You'll need all your skills to rescue her, and stay out of prison ... This is a choose-your-own-destiny adventure where YOU are the hero. This is a title in the interactive I HERO Legends series - where the reader plays the part of a legendary hero! In each adventure the reader makes a choice that affects how the story progresses - it really is 'decide-your-own-destiny! Written by the award-winning duo Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore (more commonly known as the 2Steves), and illustrated by Andrew "2Hands" Tunney. Age appropriate for 6 to 8 year olds and more sensitive readers. Also suitable for reluctant readers and less confident older readers. Printed using a font approved by the British Dyslexia Association.

Moomintroll and all his family and friends are back in Return to Moominvalley, based on the stunning award-winning 3D animation. Join the Moomins as they journey to a mysterious island, meet the Hobgoblin and his extraordinary hat, and encounter a magical mural. Meanwhile, Snufkin, Mrs Fillyjonk, Mymble and the others gather in the Moominhouse to wait for the family to come back to Moominvalley . . . Illustrated throughout with gorgeous full-colour art from the acclaimed animation, Return to Moominvalley is the third storybook in the collection, based on episodes from Moominvalley series 2. The eight stories introduce beloved characters including Thingumy & Bob, Toffle, and the Lighthouse Keeper, and retell some of Tove Jansson's most popular Moomin tales including Finn Family Moomintroll, Moominpappa at Sea and the masterfully poignant Moominvalley in November. Bursting with adventure and full of the Moomins' trademark humour, kindness and tolerance, this beautiful collection of stories captures all the wit and whimsy of Tove Jansson's original Moomin stories and is sure to be treasured by Moomin fans old and new.

A tour-de-force collection of stories about the black experience, by award-winning, bestselling, and emerging African American YA authors. Black is...two sisters navigating their relationship at summer camp in Portland, Oregon, as written by Renee Watson. Black is...Jason Reynolds writing about three guys walking back from the community pool talking about nothing and everything. Black is...Nic Stone's bougie debutante dating a boy her momma would never approve of. Black is...two girls kissing in Justina Ireland's story set in Maryland. Black is urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants, and more-because there are countless ways to be black enough. Edited by National Book Award finalist Ibi Zoboi, this is an essential collection of captivating stories about what it's like to be young and black in America.

Follow the Road is the second collections of children’s short stories to be published by Short Story Day Africa. Collected from their 2014 children’s creative writing competition, here are twenty-seven refreshing takes on the science fiction and fantasy genres from minds wide open to possibility. From time travelling parents to sparkly dragons in the Drakensberg mountains, these are African stories from Africa’s children. This is science fiction that will challenge the perception of what children are capable of thinking and creating.

Irish fairytales portray a rich and unpredictable world of enchantment and adventure. Witches and shape-changers, beautiful princesses and noble heroes, giants with untold strength and little people who play tricks wherever they go - these are some of the characters in the traditional stories of Ireland. This delightful volume contains some of the best stories from the rich fund of Irish myth and legend. Read about the cunning defeat of the giant Cucullin by Fin M'Coul, of how King Whiskers tricked the haughty princess into marriage to rid her of her terrible pride, and of the two farmers Hudden and Dudden who lost their cattle through their silly jealousy of a poor old man. With its beguiling stories and beautiful illustrations this charming anthology offers a delight to young and old alike.

Seven clever stories answer one simple question: what's in the box?
Funny, fantastic, spooky, and suspenseful, each of these unique and beautifully illustrated short graphic works revolves around a central theme: a mysterious box and the marvels--or mayhem--inside. Artists include middle school favorites Kazu Kibuishi, Raina Telgemeier ("Smile"), and Dave Roman ("Astronaut Academy"), as well as Jason Caffoe, Stuart Livingston, Johane Matte, Rad Sechrist (all contributors to the groundbreaking comics anthology series "Flight"), and upcoming artist Emily Carroll.
Praise for "Explorer: Mystery Boxes"
STARRED REVIEW
"An outstanding out-of-the box anthology from renowned comics veteran Kibuishi. With eye-popping full-color art and palettes ranging from candy-colored to ethereal earth tones, this is both a visual feast for the eyes and a healthy helping of thought for the soul. Superb."
-"Kirkus Reviews," starred review
STARRED REVIEW
"Coherent for all its variety, there will be something here for most readers."
-"School Library Journal," starred review
"This standout anthology will leave its audience with a fresh appetite for more from both the series and the individual contributors."
-"The Horn Book"
"Award-winning comics creator and editor of the celebrated Flight anthologies, Kibuishi offers yet another great anthology geared toward middle-school readers. Always clever and never boring, these diverse stories run the gamut from creepy to sarcastic to witty to cute to Zen to wacky to thoughtful. While the pieces feature different artists and styles, each one is complete and so well composed that the transitions from one to another do not seem jarring or out of place. A great introductory title for young or struggling middleschool readers starting to explore the world of graphic novels."
-"Booklist"

Here's a book with something new - you read to me! I'll read to you! We'll read each page to one another - you'll read one side, I the other. A unique book 'in two voices' that uses traditional reading teaching techniques (alliteration, rhyme, repetition, short sentences) to invite young children to read along with an adult. Each of the twelve short stories fit on one spread and features childlike themes - family, friendship, pets and seasons. With clear, colour-coded typography and amusing illustrations, this collection is sure to entertain.

"Did Amma really steal a bicycle, and is it even possible to wrestle your shadow?" Did you ever wonder how your parents were as kids? Were they up to mischief? Did they get into trouble a lot? Then read these stories about a mother who tells her child about her strange and exciting adventures growing up in a village in South India. Look carefully at the beautiful illustrations... and imagine yourself in this fantastic world of midnight feasts, roving hyenas, shrieking peacocks, buzzing insects and stolen bicycles...does it sound unbelievable? And yet...could it all be true?

The universal and archetypal theme of how the world began has been explored by tribes and civilizations from the earliest times. These creation myths from many different cultures range from tales of the Titans and Olympian gods of ancient Greece to the Dreamtime of the Aboriginal peoples. This beautifully illustrated anthology allows the reader to compare and contrast the varied and wonderful stories of how the world was made, from every continent. Some of the classic creation tales include Marduk and the Tablets of Destiny, Five Aztec Worlds, Obtalala and the Hen, and The Cosmic Coconut. Background information to the stories is also included to provide a superb context for young students to understand the subject further. It is a perfect introduction to tales of long ago, and is ideal for project work, school libraries or home study.

"Fairyland" was familiar territory to young Louisa May Alcott and her sisters, for they had often romped there and explored its secrets under the guidance of family friend, Henry David Thoreau. Fifteen years her elder, Thoreau led the Alcott girls and their friends on berry-picking expeditions in the wooded land around Walden Pond, which he fancifully called "fairyland." It was on a piece of this land, owned by neighbor Ralph Waldo Emerson, that the girls' father, Amos Bronson Alcott, helped Thoreau build the now-famous cabin where he lived "deliberately" and wrote Walden. I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. The remarkable convergence of 19th century writers in Concord, Massachusetts may be glimpsed in this collection of stories inspired during visits to Walden Woods. The Alcott family often visited Thoreau to swim in the cove near his cabin or explore the changing seasons in this tranquil spot. I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society. When visitors came in larger and unexpected numbers there was but the third chair for them all, but they generally economized the room by standing up. It is surprising how many great men and women a small house will contain. I have had twenty-five or thirty souls, with their bodies, at once under my roof, and yet we often parted without being aware that we had come very near to one another. With Thoreau as a guide, Louisa and the other children learned much about nature, but Louisa in particular delighted in another aspect ofThoreau's point of view. The very fact that he called the woods "Fairyland" opened up a new way of thinking in the young writer's mind. Whether he pointed out a new animal track, made a perfect bird call or discovered a bit of a cobweb and called it a fairy's handkerchief, it was all magic to Louisa and fodder for her lively imagination. On many of her walks around Walden, Louisa shared original fairy stories with her sisters, Thoreau, and friends. One of these young friends was Ellen, the daughter of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Six years her junior, Ellen looked up to Louisa the way Louisa looked up to Thoreau. Ellen was so captivated by the fairy stories that Louisa eventually wrote them down as a present for her. The entire Emerson family noticed and delighted in their young neighbor's generous gift, and shared their pleasure with Louisa's father. Mr. Alcott was equally impressed with his daughter's stories. He was a complex and unusual man -- a genius, according to Emerson. He was a remarkable father, if an uncertain provider. He believed in encouraging children - even girls -- to follow their dreams. The norm of the day was not to allow young ladies to tax themselves with such "brain work" as writing. The rest of Boston society might have considered writing an improper occupation for a lady, but Mr. Alcott was proud and excited by his daughter's talent. He carried her fairy stories to George W. Briggs, a new publisher on Washington Street in Boston. Briggs decided to take a chance and agreed to publish Louisa's fairy stories under the title Flower Fables. Advance copies came out in time for Louisa to give them as gifts for the Christmas of 1854. How thrilled Ellen Emerson must have beento read the dedication in her friend's first published book: To Ellen Emerson, for whom they were fancied, these flower fables are inscribed, by her friend, The Author Boston, Dec. 9, 1854. Louisa also provided Ellen with her own copy and this Christmas note: Dear Ellen, Hoping that age has not lessened your love for the Fairy folk I have ventured to place your name in my little book, for your interest in their sayings and doings, first called forth these "Flower Fables," most of which were fancied long ago in Concord woods and fields. The pictures are not what I hoped they would be and it is very evident that the designer is not as well acquainted with fairy forms and faces as you and I are, so we must each imagine to suit ourselves and I hope if the fairies tell me any more stories, they will let an Elfin artist illustrate them. So dear Ellen will you accept the accompanying book, with many wishes for a merry "Christmas, and a happy New Year," from your friend, Louisa M. Alcott. Louisa took special pride in giving her mother a copy of the book. Mrs. Alcott was called "Marmee" by her daughters as was Mrs. March in the highly autobiographical Little Women. She read the following inscription in her copy of Flower Fables: 20 Pinckney Street, Boston, Dec. 25, 1854. Dear Mother, -- Into your Christmas stocking I have put my "first born," knowing that you will accept it with all its faults (for grandmothers are always kind), and look upon it merely as an earnest of what I may yet do, for, with so much to cheer me on, I hope to pass in time from fairies and fables to men and realities. Whatever beauty or poetry is to be found in my little book is owing to your interest in and encouragement ofall my efforts from the first to the last, and if ever I do anything to be proud of, my greatest happiness will be that I can thank you for that, as I may do for all the good there is in me; and I shall be content to write if it gives you pleasure. Jo is fussing about, My lamp is going out. To dear mother, with many kind wishes for a happy New Year and merry Christmas. I am your ever loving daughter Louy. Long before Louisa wrote Little Women or her now public "blood and thunder" tales, the publication of these fairy stories confirmed the hopes of this fledgling author that she might, indeed, succeed. The woodland sprites and struggling human children who encounter them evoke those idyllic walks with Thoreau and the tom-boyish prototype of Jo March, "Louy Alcott," who struggled with her conscience every bit as much as her character "Annie" in "Little Annie's Dream: or The Fairy Flower." ." . . now, dear Annie," said the Fairy, bending nearer, "tell me why I found no sunshine on your face. . ." "Ah, you will not love me any more if I should tell you all," said Annie, while the tears began to fall again; "I am not happy, for I am not good; how shall I learn to be a patient, gentle child? Good little Fairy, will you teach me how?" These stories provide a fresh look at a complex author. Due to the success of Little Women and subsequent children's books, Louisa was well known as "The Children's Friend." She was less known as "Nurse Tribulation Periwinkle" in Hospital Sketches, written after she served as a nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. She was completely unknown in her own life time as "A. M. Barnard," a prolific author of provocative thrillers. Today, many readers delight in those thrillers, but know nothing of her first published book, Flower Fables. Orchard House is proud to offer this commemorative edition of Flower Fables on the 150th anniversary of its publication. All proceeds from the sale of this edition will benefit the home where Louisa wrote and set Little Women, Orchard House in Concord Massachusetts. Known as "Apple Slump" to Louisa and her mother, this 1690's farmhouse has come to require a great deal of tender -- and costly -- care in order to save it from collapse. Thanks to initial funding from "Save America's Treasures," the first phase of its preservation is complete and includes a foundation where none existed before. There is much more to do in order to stabilize interior walls and preserve such artifacts as the drawings that the youngest Alcott sister placed on the walls. Many dedicated individuals are committed to continuing preservation work on the home until the "Little Women House," as it is often known, is secure for future generations of readers. Please log onto www.louisamayalcott.org, if you would like to support this effort.. Many visitors comment that they enjoy Orchard House because they feel as if they are "walking through the book." Their enjoyment increases when they discover the complexity, talent, bravery, integrity and love of the real family that inspired Little Women. We at Orchard House hope that Flower Fables will be part of that discovery for you. Happy reading! Jan Turnquist Executive Director, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House Concord, Massachusetts Christmas 2004

How does a goddess become a witch? Why do the 9 o'clock horses roam the streets of Leicester? Where can you find a bleeding gravestone? And should you be afraid of the shag-dog? Everywhere has a story to tell. Every building, road, forest and field. Some are true, some are not. These stories have been passed down through the ages so that we don't forget them, and now they are being passed on to you. They will open your eyes to the wonders of what lies just around the corner. You will become the keeper of these local tales. Leicestershire Folk Tales for Children is a book to read on your own, together or out loud. Bring our folk tales to life and let them leap off the page.

What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn't take kindly to intruders? How exactly are Leo, Piper, and Jason supposed to find a runaway table, dodge a band of party-loving Maenads" ("who just might be a little psychotic), and stave off a massive explosion...all in one hour or less?
With his trademark wit and creativity, Rick Riordan answers these questions and more in three never-before-seen short stories that provide vital back-story to the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson books, with a bonus fourth story marking the publishing debut of Haley Riordan, the inspiration for Percy Jackson. Original art, enlightening character interviews and portraits, puzzles, and a quiz add to the fun in this action-packed collection.

Love is in the air in this is a collection of stories inspired by romantic tropes and edited by #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Gilded, Marissa Meyer. The secret admirer. The fake relationship. The matchmaker. From stories of first love, unrequited love, love that surprises, love that's been there all along, ten of the brightest and award-winning authors writing YA have taken on some of your favourite romantic tropes, embracing them and turning them on their heads. Readers will swoon for this collection of stories that celebrate love at its most humorous, inclusive, heart-expanding and serendipitous. Contributors include Elise Bryant, Elizabeth Eulberg, Leah Johnson, Anna-Marie McLemore, Marissa Meyer, Sandhya Menon, Julie Murphy, Caleb Roehrig, Sarah Winifred Searle and Abigail Hing Wen.

An exciting adventure set in revolutionary France which tells the true story of a swashbuckling hero Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, whose mother was an enslaved African woman and whose father was a French noble. Alex is happy living with his brothers and sister on his father's farm on Haiti but his father wants to go back to France and can't afford to take his mixed-race children with him. Soon, Alex must fight for his freedom... and that of France. From a slave on the streets of Port au Prince to a general in the French army, the dramatic true story of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas' life (the inspiration for his son's book The Three Musketeers) is brought to life by award-winning author, Catherine Johnson. Featuring exciting black-and-white illustrations by TBC, this book is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with brilliant books to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2, with book-banded stories by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence, covering a wide range of genres and topics. With charming illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for reading both in the classroom and at home. For more information visit www.bloomsburyguidedreading.com. Book Band: Dark Red Ideal for ages 10+

Anyone can master the art of storytelling with the right advice and plenty of practice! Storytelling allows you to lift a story from the page and bring it to life. Without a book you're free -- to personalise stories, make gestures, use props or give a hug or a tickle! But most importantly you have eye contact -- creating a greater connection between you and your child and allowing you to guage their reactions -- are they excited? Frightened? Engaged? This inspiring collection of tales, suitable for children aged from about three to seven years old, includes advice on how to become a confident storyteller. Collected by age interest, each of the classic stories are easy to memorise, adapt and enhance using simple storytelling know-how. You'll find many are old favourites that are regularly told in kindergartens, nurseries and schools -- tales about magical creatures and exotic animals as well as stories from everyday life. Stories include: The Little Jug, The Mitten (Any Room for Me?), The Tomten, The Star Child, How the Zebra Got its Stripes, King Grizzly Beard and Hans in Luck.