When the mysterious MCC Berkshire starts working in Povey's Antiques Emporium he turns Ailsa's life upside down. Ailsa's mum isn't very good at running a shop - in fact she manages to talk her customers out of buying anything at all. MCC is very different. He can sell the ricketiest old piece of furniture, but he does it in the strangest way possible. Every time a customer is interested in something, he tells them a wild and fantastical tale about it. These stories range from adventures on the high seas, to detective stories, to ghost stories, and more. Ailsa is fascinated, even though she knows it's just a pack of lies . . . isn't it?The strangest thing of all is MCC himself - after all, he is the only thing in the shop that doesn't seem to have a story. Who is he, and why is he even here?

From the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Geraldine McCaughrean comes an utterly immersive and unforgettable novel set during the London Blitz, inspired by her firefighter father.

With the Second World War looming, four young people sit on a train waiting to be evacuated to a safer place...but they don't want to go. They climb out of the carriage and head back home to Greenwich, forming an unlikely friendship.

They spend their days trying to be useful. Laurence is building a secret machine. Gemmy searches bombed-out homes for things of value - only to find an adorable mutt she can't even give away. Franklin wants to join the Fire Service, although it means lying about his age. Olive looks after her father, who is broken by the deaths of his fellow firefighters. And together, the four roam the streets of London, discovering their resilience amongst the secrets of the city.

But as the Blitz unleashes a barrage of bombs on London, turning the sky ragged with flame, can the friends keep each other safe and survive?

A favourite bedtime classic, beautifully retold by bestselling and award-winning author, Geraldine Mccaughrean This beloved childhood classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett is now available in a sumptuous gift book edition with dazzling new art. When Mary Lennox is sent from India to live with her uncle at gloomy Misselthwaite Manor, she is the most spoiled and contrary child you could ever meet. But she is also extremely lonely. Until one day, she discovers a walled garden that has been kept secret for years. With the help of a little robin, Mary unearths the key and unlocks the wonder that lies beyond the garden walls - and finds that making friends can be every bit life-changing as a magical garden. A captivating picture book retelling for young children by acclaimed author Geraldine McCaughrean, who has won, among many others, the Carnegie Medal twice, the Whitbread Children's Book Award and the Smarties Bronze Award. Discover more beautiful gift books in the Nosy Crow Classic range including Heidi, The Velveteen Rabbit and Peter Pan A timeless keepsake gift with beautiful illustrations by Margarita Kukhtina that will be treasured by generations. With sumptuous details including cloth binding, foil cover, full colour illustrations throughout, textured paper jacket, ribbon marker and head and tail bands.

Part of the Bug Club whole school reading programme for Reception, KS1 and KS2 that transforms young readers into life-long readers. Children are instantly engaged by the characters they know and love and want to read more and more.

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: Lime Phonics phase: 6 Ideal for home learning Owner Wanted: A cute, well-behaved child who will take good care of a friendly dog. Must not bite!

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 10-11 (Year 6) Book band: Red Ideal for home learning Play 1: Bored, Zeus creates servants to worship him. But he is unhappy with the gold, silver and bronze people he makes. Finally, Prometheus creates humans. Play 2: The sphinx controls the road to Thebes. The queen declares that she will marry whoever answers the Riddle of the Sphinx. Many men try and fail until a limping traveller succeeds.

Two kingdoms, two dragons - which side will win, or will peace prevail? The kingdoms of Arbor with its lush forests, and Pomosa rich with farmland, have no love between them, and the children have taken to sneaking across the borders to thieve. If only they would share their produce. But the Kings decide to fight, instead... with dragons. But what kind of future will that bring? Written by multi-award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean and with illustrations by renowned artist Peter Malone, this picture book with a classic feel is a perfect reflection of contemporary strife and conflict around the world. "This stunning picture book is one for every child... eloquent and lyrical" Sunday Times "A powerful message about sharing and cooperation underpins this colourful, old-fashioned fable" Daily Mail "A gently satirical and gorgeously illustrated fable" New Statesman "McCaughrean is one of the greatest living children's authors." The Bookseller

Vainglory begins in France in 1429, the year of the Siege of Orleans, as Victoire de Gloriole regains possession of the family castle from the English following the Battle of Agincourt. Having consolidated his position by marrying a beautiful Englishwoman, Victoire sets out to rebuild a dynasty and a castle. However some years on, he finds himself without a legitimate heir, and at war with a family of scheming cousins. From Joan of Arc and the 15th century wars with the English through to Catherine de Medici and the slaughter of the Huguenots, Vainglory tells the story of a power-hungry family who will let nothing and no one get in their way. Cleverly plotted and beautifully written, it is a historical novel of rare class. Geraldine McCaughrean has written 167 books and plays for both adults and children. The books include Peter Pan in Scarlet, one of the most talked about and successful children's titles of 2006. She has won the Carnegie Medal, the Whitbread Children's Book Award (three times), the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Smarties Bronze Award (four times), the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and the Blue Peter Special Book to Keep Forever Award. She has also had more titles short-listed (six, including one winner and one Highly Commended) for the Carnegie Medal, than any other author, the latest being The Death Defying Pepper Roux."

Genre: traditional tale Learning Objectives: Language Comprehension Strand 7: Explore how particular words are used, including words and expressions with similar meanings. Writing Opportunities Strand 9: Sustain form in narrative, including use of person and time (e.g. writing about story characters).

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: Lime Phonics phase: 6 Ideal for home learning POLICE TRAFFIC WARNING: Drive slowly. Stay in your car and do not open any windows. Danger ahead!

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: White Phonics phase: 6 Ideal for home learning The princess is trying to escape the wicked wizard's clutches! Can she get away with the help of her friends?

A beautiful and classic anthology of frosty, magical short stories from acclaimed children's writers. The Dreamsnatcher's Abi Elphinstone heads up this gorgeous collection of wintery stories, featuring snow queens, frost fairs, snow dragons and pied pipers . . . from classic children's writers Michelle Magorian, Geraldine McCaughrean, Jamila Gavin, Berlie Doherty, Katherine Woodfine, Piers Torday, Lauren St John, Amy Alward, Michelle Harrison and Emma Carroll. 'Captures all the excitement of the season' The Guardian An unmissable, enchanting treat of a collection that will be enjoyed for years to come, by readers of all ages. Also by Abi Elphinstone: The Dreamsnatcher The Shadow Keeper The Night Spinner Sky Song Everdark (World Book Day) Rumblestar Jungledrop The Crackledawn Dragon Everdark

This selection of 16 Greek myths provides tales of adventure, courage and mystery. Geraldine McCaughrean's re-telling makes them accessible for Key Stage 3 pupils.

'McCaughrean is one of the greatest living children's authors.' (The Bookseller) Brilliant historical fiction from double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean. From ships that sail in a sea in the sky and children who witness the deadly effects of a scientific experiment, to a magic carpet that brings about a day of judgement and a year where eleven days are lost and never to be found, this short-story collection will have you on the edge of your seat! This collection of gripping historical short stories from award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean has beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Ian McCaughrean and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Guided Reading 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+

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Three spooky tales from three peerless storytellers, perfect for telling around the fire on a dark, windy night. Read of Flynn, who battled with three skeletons; of Tom, who saw something so weird in the moonlight that it changed his life for ever; and of the terrifying thirteen crows who brought death wherever they went... Diamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view. A selection of newspaper articles about Fearless Flynn give children the opportunity to explore other ways of presenting information and other points of view. Text type: Three fantasy stories. Curriculum links: Music: Stars, hide your fires - Performing together. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

One spring day 30 pilgrims set off from an inn in Southwark for a shrine in Canterbury. The inn keeper offers a free dinner, on their return, to the person who can tell the best story. So begins an assortment of tales from such varied characters as the Knight, the Wife of Bath and the Miller.

In Lovesong, three-time Whitbread Prize winner Geraldine McCaughrean has written what Philippa Gregory called "Probably the best historical novel I have ever read." At the centre of the story is a talented troubadour, Peter Oriole, and his daughter, `Princess' Ouallada. The opening sections of the book trace Oriole's journey from France to the Holy Land in the service of two very different crusader Knights, one a saintly aesthete, the other a cynical opportunist. The twelfth century was a time when men and women were inventing - or perhaps reinventing - the nature of love itself, and it was the troubadour's task to express that love in song - their fate either glory or scandalous ruin. What does love mean to Oriole? As he discovers both romance and passion in his own life we are introduced to an extraordinary cast of characters - rogues, mountebanks, villains, heroes, damsels both in and out of distress, soldiers and holy men, all working out their own destiny, each compellingly and convincingly drawn. This is the story of one man's wreck on the sea of passion - and his daughter's stormy voyage in his wake. With strikingly detailed imagery and characterisation that is totally convincing and compassionate, Geraldine McCaughrean has written a novel of ideas which is also storytelling at full pelt. "McCaughrean is well on her way to becoming one of the few great novelists to adorn our age." MAIL ON SUNDAY

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level At the dawn of time, the Maker is having problems with the animals he makes. His beaver and his ants are too big, his moose is the same size as a mouse and his elephant can hide behind a blade of grass! Maker is forced to think again about the original plans for the animals, adjusting their size to the way they are today. Lime/Band 11 books have longer sentence structures and a greater use of literary language. Text type - A story by a significant author. An illustrated diagram on pages 30 and 31 reminds the reader of how the animals looked before and after the maker finished creating them, an ideal cue for children to retell the story in their own words. Curriculum links - Citizenship: Choices; Science: Plants and animals in the local environment, variation. This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Discover the drama and thrill of sixteen classic Ancient Greek myths in this glorious story collection. Featuring all of the best-known stories, including Theseus & the Minotaur, Heracles, Daedalus & Icarus, The Wooden Horse and Pandora's Box. Retold by master storyteller, Geraldine McCaughrean, with full colour artwork throughout, this is an essential for every child's bookshelf. "These powerful stories are brought to a young modern audience with a verve and simplicity that makes them shine in our minds" - Michael Rosen Stories included: Theseus and the Minotaur Pandora's Box Perseus and Medusa Jason and the Golden Fleece Daedalus and Icarus Orpheus and Eurydice Arachne The Wooden Horse of Troy King Midas Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds Echo and Narcissus The Twelve Labours of Heracles Odysseus Apollo and Daphne Atalanta's Race Freedom for Prometheus

A completely original version of the Arabian Nights Stories by award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean. In order to delay her inevitable execution, Queen Shaharazad tells her murdering husband, King Shahryar, a wonderfully exciting story every night. The King is used to a new wife every day, only to put her to death the following day, but finds himself so intrigued in the magical stories Shaharazad tells, he can't bring himself to kill her. Night after night she tells her wonderful stories until the King starts to relaise that he won't be able to live without them...

Ten of Shakespeare's greatest plays, retold for children by multi-award winning author Geraldine McCaughrean. From love, jealousy, greed and betrayal to mad kings, magic and murder, Geraldine McCaughrean retells some of Shakespeare's best-known stories, including Romeo and Juliet, Henry the Fifth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and The Tempest. With easy to follow prose punctuated with well-known quotations and featuring a cast list for each play, this accessible collection will delight and entertain readers of all ages.

The Oxford Reading Tree Traditional Tales series includes 40 of the best known stories from all over the world, which have been passed down for generations. They are a perfect introduction to different cultures, traditions and morals. All the stories are carefully levelled to Oxford Reading Tree levels and matched to the phonic progression in Letters and Sounds, enabling your children to read the stories independently. There are four Traditional Tales titles available at Level 8: Finn MacCool and the Giant's Causeway How Anansi Got His Stories The Tale of Little Red Riding Hood Twelve Dancing Princesses The Oxford Reading Tree Traditional Tales series includes 40 of the best known stories from all over the world, which have been passed down for generations. They are a perfect introduction to different cultures, traditions and morals. All the stories are carefully levelled to Oxford Reading Tree levels and matched to the phonic progression in Letters and Sounds enabling your children to read the stories independently. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with childrens reading development is also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. Each Mixed Pack includes one of each of the Level 8 titles listed above. The Class Packs include six of each of the Level 8 titles listed above.

Hans Christian Andersen's classic story of The Snow Queen has enchanted children for over 150 years.

Join Gerda on her journey to rescue her best friend Kai from the Snow Queen's icy palace in this magical retelling from award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean, with stunning silhouette illustrations by Laura Barrett.

The amazing story of Haoyou, strapped to a kite and sent to fly among the clouds and the spirits of the dead, this highly acclaimed novel is full of the sights, sounds and smells of Ancient China. After witnessing his father's death, Haoyou becomes a kite-rider. Strapped to a man-sized kite, he is able to ride the incredible heights, searching for sign of his father's spirit among the clouds. But Haoyou knows it is a dangerous pursuit, where the slightest mistake could bring him plummeting back to Earth.