An anthology of twenty specially commissioned stories from top children's authors, each story set against the background of one of the last twenty centuries. Twenty specially commissioned stories by the best contemporary writers for children to celebrate the last 2000 years: Michael Morpurgo, Henrietta Branford, Vivian French, Jean Ure, Robert Swindells, Mary Hoffman, Annie Dalton, Melvin Burgess, Gillian Cross, Alan Durant, Theresa Bresling, Bernard Ashley, Jenny Nimmo, Geraldine McCaughrean, Pete Johnson, Jacqueline Wilson, Jeremy Strong, Adele Geras, Malorie Blackman and Margaret Mahy. Each story is fictional but set against the background of one particular time and place in one century. Settings are worldwide, and include England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, China, America and Africa. Story themes range from the Crucifixtion to Space Exploration; Romans in Britain to the Mongols in China; Irish saints to medieval monks; the Vikings, Saxons as well as elves, fairies and giants. A range of genre from humour to fantasy make this a brilliantly balanced collection with something to suit every taste. Gripping -often scintillating, sometimes uncrompromising - aimed at the 10 plus age group, by today's finest authors. Specially commissioned by Wendy Cooling, a highly respected and well-known anthologist. This collection promises to be around for years to come and will be a treasured gift for adults and children alike.

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level The Camel Fair is a non-fiction recount of a holiday in India, accompanied by spectacular, atmospheric photographs. The highlight of the visit, and the central focus of the book, is the Pushkar Camel Fair. The event is recounted in a letter format through the eyes of a child, Sarina who is visiting relatives. White/Band 10 books have more complex sentences and figurative language. Text type - A recount of a visit. A flow diagram explaining how to get onto a camel is included on pages 30 and 31 to encourage children to discuss the information. Curriculum links - Geography: Where in the World is Barnaby bear? Passport to the World; Citizenship: Living in a diverse world. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

What have Bernard Ashley, Marjorie Blackman, Berlie Doherty, Paul Jennings, Margaret Mahy, Michael Morpurgo, Jenny Nimmo, Michael Rosen, Jeremy Strong and Robert Swindells all got in common?

'They all went to school!

And they all write fantastic stories.'

Ten brand new school stories – based on their own schooldays – from ten of today's finest authors.

Find out how Jeremy Strong stopped being a 'thoroughly idle boy'; why Michael Morpurgo ran away from school and who the shyest girl in the class was. Discover what made Paul Jennings madder than mad; how a white elephant nearly got Jenny Nimmo expelled and why Marjorie Blackman hates bullies. Then learn how Bernard Ashley survived the Blitz; where Robert Swindells got close to Mount Everest and why Margaret Mahy became a witch…and much, much more! There are good days and bad days, funny days and sad days, but one thing is certain – school days can never be forgotten!

The Puffin Book of Stories for Seven-year-olds edited by Wendy Cooling is a perfect selection of loved stories for all 7 year olds!

Full of exciting stories from some of our best-loved authors, including Philippa Pearce, Rudyard Kipling, John Agard and Francesca Simon.

This brilliant collection is full of magic, mayhem and adventure! Find out how the camel got his hump, how Jimmy learnt to vanish and what Horrid Henry got up to on holiday . . .

Perfect for seven-year-olds to share or read alone.

Children will be spellbound by the amazing characters in this fabulous collection - a greedy king, a very bad giant, a fairy queen and lots more... Perfect for eight-year-olds to share or read alone.

A collection of new , specially commissioned short stories by some of the finest authors of children’s books today: Anne Fine, Berlie Doherty, Leslie Howarth, Mary Arrigan, Gaye Hicilmaz, Jeremy Strong, Malorie Blackman, Elizabeth Laird , Melvin Burgess, Celia Rees, Kate Thompson, Paul Stewart, Vivian French, Alan Durant, Annie Dalton in range of genres – humour, horror, fantasy, traditional, realism and romance.

The collection is aimed at good readers between 10 and 14, and the strength of the stories combined with the excellence of their authors will be certainly be welcomed by teachers, librarians and parents. Edited by Wendy Cooling, a well-known and highly respected figure in the world of education and children’s books and the editor of Centuries of Stories.

The Puffin Book of Stories for Five-year-olds edited by Wendy Cooling brings together stories perfectly suited for every five-year-old. A brimming collection of exciting stories, full of adventure and magic, by much-loved writers, including Margaret Mahy, Ted Hughes and Malorie Blackman. From a naughty pirate to a very lonely lion, children will love the amazing characters they meet in this timeless collection. Perfect for five-year-olds to share or read aloud. Wendy Cooling was educated in Norwich and then spent time travelling the world. On her return to England she trained as a teacher, and taught English in London for many years. She left teaching to work on the promotion of books and reading as Head of the Children's Book Foundation (now Booktrust), and later founded Bookstart, the national programme that helps to bring books to young readers.

The Puffin Book of Stories for Six-year-olds, edited by Wendy Cooling is essential reading for all six-year-olds! Brilliant stories from some of our best-loved authors, including Geraldine McCaughrean, Philippa Pearce and Penelope Lively. With a Martian in a supermarket, a monkey in trouble, and a magic pearl tree, there's something for everyone to discover in this special collection. Perfect for six-year-olds to share or read alone. Wendy Cooling was educated in Norwich and then spent time travelling the world. On her return to England she trained as a teacher, and taught English in London for many years. She left teaching to work on the promotion of books and reading as Head of the Children's Book Foundation (now Booktrust), and later founded Bookstart, the national programme that helps to bring books to young readers.

Christmas is coming! A delightful collection of stories for Yuletide by some of the finest writers for children which makes a perfect stock-filler Christmas gift.

The Puffin Book of Christmas Stories is essential Christmas-time reading including classic and contemporary stories, from traditional to real life, humour and most importantly, the magic of Christmas. Writers range from Charles Dickens to Gillian Cross, Trish Cooke, Malorie Blackman and Jacqueline Wilson.

"The Adventures of Daisy Cool" continue as Daisy tells about being a flower girl in her father's wedding. She feels shy about walking down the aisle but she's excited about being involved in the wedding. Find out what happens to Daisy and learn about her experiences as a flower girl.

"The Adventures of Daisy Cool" continue as Daisy goes on a hike with her Brownie troop. Learn about hiking safely and find out if Daisy is able to earn her Brownie Hiker Badge.

The Puffin Book of Christmas Stories is essential Christmas-time reading including classics from all eras. A new collection of Christmas stories, from traditional to real life, humour and most importantly, plenty of the magic of Christmas. Writers range from Charles Dickens to Gillian Cross and Malorie Blackman. Wendy Cooling, a former teacher and Head of the Children's Book Foundation (now Book Trust), works as a freelance book consultant, reviewer and editor. She recently put together the successful millennium collection, CENTURIES OF STORIES. Wendy livesin Hertfordshire.