An enchanting collection of seven original fairy tales to bewitch and enthral by master storyteller, Vivian French, complemented by gorgeous, full-colour, contemporary artwork by debut children's illustrator, Amy Grimes. Bibi doesn't believe in fairies. But when she meets her fairy godmother, the tiniest of hopes flickers in her mind. Seven quests to seven lands that will open a magic box and grant her a wish.... could it, just possibly, be true? Whisked away with her trusy companion, Sylvestro the cat, Bibi quests with giants, dragons, princes and princesses, wizards, witches, water sprites and sea elves, unicorns, trolls and gnomes... Can Bibi earn the keys to open the box.... and unlock her belief in fairy magic?

A book of beautiful, lively retellings of classic ballet stories From Swan Lake to The Firebird, and The Nutcracker to Coppelia, Vivian French breathes new life into seven ballet favourites in her timeless, gloriously-immersive retellings. Her words are perfectly complemented by Lauren O'Hara's characterful illustrations, which strike the perfect balance between classic and contemporary, and the result is a treasury which shimmers with the magic of the ballet ... certain to leave readers of all ages spellbound!

Award-winning children's author Vivian French teams up again with illustrator Hannah Foley for the second book in the Billy Hippo series. This vibrant, colourful tale is about Billy the hippo who is keen to find a very special gift for his dad's birthday. This is a gentle and humorous tale for two- to five-year-olds.

A beautifully illustrated picture book telling the tale of Billy Hippo. Billy hates water. It's too cold! Too scary! Too wet! And swimming? No thanks. He doesn't want to try - not even when his whole family do their best to persuade him that it's fun. It takes two cheeky frogs and a big surprise to change Billy's mind...

Perfect for enjoying in school or at home, Bug Club is proud to present a series of plays to get kids reading, sharing and interacting at KS1. Presented by celebrated children's author Julia Donaldson, each play features engaging stories, beautiful artwork and memorable characters that help kids really catch the reading bug by truly involving them in the story! Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence Suitable for children age 5-6 (Year 1) Book band: Blue Phonics phase: 5 Ideal for home learning All the animals are out to impress at the Animal Talent Show. Tune in to find out who will win!

Do you like chips? Oliver does. In fact, he won't eat anything else - until he plays a game with his grandpa. Whatever vegetable Oliver finds in the garden, he must eat. On Monday, he pulls up carrots, on Tuesday, it is spinach . . . An excellent book for parents with slightly fussy children, which also introduces the days of the week. Other titles in this series: Oliver's Fruit Salad Oliver's Milkshake

A whimsical story about learning to use maps, perfect for very young children. One day, Anna's friend Zane sends her an invitation: Come to tea tomorrow! This is the way to my home. Love, Zane. Inside the envelope, there's a MAP. Anna soon decides to make a map of her own, too ... and before long, Dad and even Whiskers the cat are in on the fun. From routes to symbols, point of view and scale, join Anna and her dad as they explore the wonderful world of maps - with words by Vivian French, storyteller extraordinaire, and delightful pictures by rising star Ya-Ling Huang.

A brand new young fiction series by much-loved children's author, Vivian French and illustrated by Nathan Reed. Meet werewolf extraordinaire... Lottie Luna. Lottie Luna is a werewolf. She's super-fast, super-strong and has X-ray vision. Lottie doesn't really like to use her skills, though - she just wants to be like everyone else. But when it's her friend Marjory's birthday, Lottie sees a way she can use her special powers to get her the biggest surprise ever...

Perfect for enjoying in school or at home, Bug Club is proud to present a series of plays to get kids reading, sharing and interacting at KS1. Presented by celebrated children's author Julia Donaldson, each play features engaging stories, beautiful artwork and memorable characters that help kids really catch the reading bug by truly involving them in the story! Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence Suitable for children age 5-6 (Year 1) Book band: Blue Phonics phase: 5 Ideal for home learning Oh no! Dot has a lot of spots! Will Doctor Woof be able to help?

What can Gran do to get rid of the mouse in her house? Gran has got a little problem--there's a mouse in her house and it is eating her cheese. How is Gran going to get rid of the mouse? With a black and white cat? Or with a big, spotty dog? What Gran really needs is a dear little flea!

Perfect for enjoying in school or at home, Bug Club is proud to present a series of plays to get kids reading, sharing and interacting at KS1. Presented by celebrated children's author Julia Donaldson, each play features engaging stories, beautiful artwork and memorable characters that help kids really catch the reading bug by truly involving them in the story! Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence Suitable for children age 5-6 (Year 1) Book band: Green Phonics phase: 5 Ideal for home learning Larry's friends are late for the market! Will Larry help them out?

Perfect for enjoying in school or at home, Bug Club is proud to present a series of plays to get kids reading, sharing and interacting at KS1. Presented by celebrated children's author Julia Donaldson, each play features engaging stories, beautiful artwork and memorable characters that help kids really catch the reading bug by truly involving them in the story! Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence Suitable for children age 6-7 (Year 2) Book band: Turquoise Phonics phase: 6 Ideal for home learning Mrs Brown's shop is shut and no one knows where she is! Can her customers get by without her?

A high octane, high drama romp, following the adventures of Victorian laundry maid Minnie O'Sullivan and her unforgettable band of friends. After a series of misfortunes, Minnie O'Sullivan is whisked away to Haddington Hall: a nightmarish home for wayward girls. Bad becomes worse when the hall's ruthless founder, Mrs Haddington, takes an instant dislike to brave, determined Minnie, and she's in danger of losing everything... But Minnie has never backed down from a fight in her life, and she's not about to start now! Irresistible characters and a compulsive plot with twists aplenty; Vivian French conjures up the very spirit of Dickensian England in a wonderful new novel for middle-grade readers. "Vivian French is a writer of tremendous charm." Literary Review "Delightful ... with its edge-of-your-seat pace, it deserves applause." Sunday Times (Children's Book of the Week) on The Steam Whistle Theatre Company "Storytelling at its best ... a classic in the making." The Scotsman on The Steam Whistle Theatre Company

Morris wants to eat his kitty biscuits, but his mother sends him off to play hide and seek instead. When it's Morris's turn to hide, he finds the perfect place: the food cupboard, where the kitty biscuits are kept! Orange/ Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. Text type - A story with a familiar setting. A storyboard on pages 22 and 23 offers and opportunity for children to retell the story in their own words. Curriculum links - Citizenship: Taking part. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Oliver, star of Oliver's Vegetables, is back from his healthy week eating vegetables at his grandpa's house. Suddenly, the fruit at home doesn't seem quite good enough for Oliver. What is his mum to do? Other titles in this series: Oliver's Fruit Salad Oliver's Milkshake

“Delightful … with its edge-of-your-seat pace, it deserves applause.” Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week

“Storytelling at its best … a classic in the making.” The Scotsman

To avoid financial ruin, the Pringle family’s theatre-troupe has left London behind, travelling to the north of England by train. With new audiences to play to, and less competition, they hope to make enough money to pay off their debts back home. But will their plans be foiled by the odious Olio Sleevery? It’s time for young actors Rosie and Charlie to save the day – and, with the help of their new friend Edie Boiler, ensure the thunderous success of the company’s first performance.

A wonderful gallery of eccentric characters and an exuberant plot with a twist at the end ... this is storytelling at its theatrical best!

“French is a writer of tremendous charm… Children of nine and upwards will want to jump aboard.” The Literary Review

“Vivian French is a sublime storyteller.” Sunday Telegraph

Worms ... they're yucky, aren't they? Not according to this enjoyable new book which reveals just how amazing the wriggly creatures really are! Worms - fun, fascinating and wriggly worms! The humble earthworm plays a significant role in the environment, as all farmers and gardeners know: it aerates the soil, composts dead matter into rich humus in which seeds can germinate and plants can grow. Children love them too - especially for their wriggliness!

When a hungry boy wishes for an egg he gets a surprise - a magic egg that makes everything he wishes for come true with hilarious consequences. But in the end does he ever really get what he wants? This traditional tale is beautifully illustrated by Karen Donnelly to set the scene and encourage discussion. This is a Red A/Band 2A book in the Collins Big Cat reading programme which offers predictable text with familiar objects and actions, combined with simple story development for early readers. This story has a predictable structure and patterned language. A circular story map on pages 14-15 shows the boys journey and the consequence of each of his wishes, providing a wealth of speaking and listening opportunities. This book would link well with personal, social and emotional development curriculum topics. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader. The Magic Egg is one of the top 10 books found to be 'easiest' to read - most accessible and appropriate for the reading level - in the 2019 What Kids are Reading report from Renaissance Learning. Other top 10 'easiest' books to read from the report include Bad Bat (9780007412891), No, Sid, No! (9780007421923), Sam and the Nut (9780007334995), Best Bird (9780007412853), Cat and Dog in a Mess (9780007235827), Get Fit (9780007421961) and Got It! (9780007421930).

Inspired by the tale of the Princess and the Pea, well-known children's author Vivian French tells the story of Princess Sue who seeks a prince using a royal parsnip test! Inspired by the tale of the Princess and the Pea, well-known children's author Vivian French tells the story of Princess Sue who seeks a prince using a royal parsnip test! Blue/Band 4 books offer longer, repeated patterns with sequential events and integrated literary and natural language. Children can recap the stages that Sue had to go through to find her prince using the story map on pages 14-15. Text type: A retelling of a traditional tale Curriculum links: Literacy

A rollicking fairy-tale adventure full of magical mayhem, from the makers of The Adventures of Alfie Onion, The Cherry Pie Princess and Tom & Tallulah and the Witches' Feast. Pippin Potts is a helpful boy, which is exactly what forgetful wizard Abacus Peridot is looking for in an assistant who can help him get to the Wizards' Centenary Banquet, so that he can be the hundredth wizard to arrive and win the golden cup. On their journey the pair soon bump into evil wizard Boldways Grime and mischievous elf Kitty Scarper who are secretly plotting against them. But Pippin is determined. With help from the magical Ms Latterly Pot and trusty crow Mavis, can Pippin guide Master Abacus through the Nine Hen Hills, cross the Rumbling Rocks and pass the Neverending Forest in time to win the golden cup? Vivian French's funny and uplifting story is brought to life by Marta Kissi's warm illustrations - the result is a charming book that's not to be missed!

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level In Selim-Hassan the Seventh, a teenager is determined not to follow in his father's footsteps (but his great-great-great-great grandfather has other ideas). In The Wall, a young nomadic girl is determined to return her grandmother to the land of her birth, across the Great Wall of China. Diamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view. Two alternative career paths for Selim-Hasan on pages 54 and 55 help children to discuss the options that Selim-hassan had and the decisions he made. Text type: Two stories from other cultures Curriculum links: Geography: Passport to the world; Citizenship: Living in a diverse world. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

A brand new young fiction series by much-loved children’s author, Vivian French and illustrated by Nathan Reed.

Meet werewolf extraordinaire… Lottie Luna.

Beautiful black and white illustrations throughout.

Lottie Luna is a werewolf. She’s super-fast, super-strong and has X-ray vision. Lottie doesn’t really like to use her skills, though – she just wants to be like everyone else. But when someone keeps destroying the school bloom garden it’s only Lottie who can come to the rescue…

Here's to nature's recyclers! Kids will burrow right into this book about the industrious -- and danger-filled -- life of the delightfully yucky earthworm.
Who would want to be friends with a wiggly, slimy worm? You can't even tell which end is which! But there's more to these lowly creatures than meets the eye. Kids are invited to find out where worms live, see how they move, and understand why gardeners consider them friends with the help of this humorous and informative look at an unappreciated -- and fascinating -- creature.

"From the Hardcover edition."