The stars are the limit for a little girl who acts out her wish to be an astronaut – inspired by a very special person.

Astrid has loved the stars and space for as long as she can remember. ‘I want to be an astronaut!’ she says to everyone who will listen. While her mama is away, Astrid and her papa have fun acting out the challenges an astronaut faces on a space mission – like being in zero gravity (‘I can do that all day long!’ she says), eating food from a kind of tube, and doing science experiments with the help of cookie sheets. When at last it’s time to meet Mama at the air base, Astrid wears her favourite space T-shirt to greet her. But where exactly has Mama been?

Channelling a sense of childlike delight, Ken Wilson-Max brings space travel up close for young readers and offers an inspiring ending.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Zebra has stripes! Once upon a time, Zebra was white all over. Until he went HEAD-TO-HEAD with a big, angry baboon and became the stripy zebra we know today! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Toby Newsome. Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Giraffe and Once Upon a Hippo.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Giraffe has a long neck. Once upon a time, Giraffe's neck was quite short. Until the hartebeests wouldn't share their lunch, so Giraffe had to STRETCH to reach the juiciest leaves! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Tumi Steyn. Other titles in the African Stories series: Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon an Elephant and Once Upon a Hippo.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Hippo has no fur! Once upon a time, Hippo had lots and lots of hair. Until, one very hot day, a SPARK from the campfire catches the end of her hairy tail! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Zinelda McDonald. Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Giraffe and Once Upon a Zebra.

Drive the big red fire engine and help put out the fire. A great interactive finger tab book, with fun facts on every spread. Back by popular demand! Ken Wilson-Max's popular and innovative novelty transport books are packed full of tabs to pull, flaps to lift and pop-ups to pop. An utter delight for children (and parents!). The bell rings in the fire house, there is a fire somewhere! Someone needs help. Open the doors and drive the big red fire engine across town. Put up the big ladder and aim the water hose at the flames to put them out. Well done! You have saved the day. AGES: 0 to 5 AUTHOR: Ken Wilson-Max is the author of over 30 illustrated books for children including the interactive vehicle books and the Max series. He lives in north London with his wife, Manya Stoic author/illustrator of Rain and his daughter Luba. SELLING POINTS: . Masses of wonderfully fun interactive elements . Learn about all kinds of transport, which is always a popular topic for children . Bright, bold illustrations

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY lion roars! Did you ever wish to be an animal, running or swinging or climbing free? Imagine being in the wild bush at night with the stars up above. How peaceful! Not always. There is one sound everyone fears - Shamba, the lion's mighty ... ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! A colourful animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the mutli award-winning Chantelle and Burgen Thorne. Also available in the Storytime Africa series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon a Giraffe and Once Upon a Hippo.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Elephant has a long trunk! Once upon a time, Elephant had a short stumpy nose. Until he had a TUG-OF-WAR with a hungry crocodile that lasted for hours and hours! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Subi Bosa. Also available in African Stories series: Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Giraffe and Once Upon a Hippo.

Lenny and Wilbur the dog are the best of friends. They do everything together! Lenny makes sure that Wilbur has enough to eat and drink. He also brushes Wilbur's golden fur to keep it clean. Wilbur just makes Lenny giggle and laugh! They are the happiest of friends.

Kiona and Mummy are playing catch! She keeps trying to catch things but has no joy. Luckily, mummy knows there is a very special something Kiona can catch... she can catch a kiss! This joyful picturebook captures the very special moments between parent and child. A critically acclaimed and heart-warming story brought to life by Ken Wilson-Max’s bright and bold illustrations.

Age range 2 to 6 Lenny and Daddy prepare and eat lunch while Mummy's away in this charming book that every child will remember and recognise. They play games and sing songs and work up an appetite while Daddy makes the food. What better way to make lunchtime more enjoyable for young ones and grown-ups?

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Chameleon changes colour!

Once upon a time, Chameleon didn't change colour. She was just another grey lizard in the bush. Until she had a close encounter with some dangerous animals!

A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the mutli award-winning Zinelda McDonald.

Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon a Giraffe, Once Upon a Hippo, One Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Hyena, Once Upon a Buffalo, Once Upon a Rhino, and Once Upon a Leopard.

Astrid has always loved the stars and space. "I want to be an astronaut!" she says. While Mama is away, Papa and Astrid have fun acting out the challenges an astronaut faces on a space mission - eating food from a tube, doing science experiments, living and sleeping in near-zero gravity. Astrid can do it all! Then it's time to meet Mama at the airbase. But where has Mama been?

Home time is fun time for Lenny, Mum, Dad and Wilbur. Continuing the everyday adventures of this little boy, Lenny plays hide and seek with his dad... Is he in the cupboard? No. It's empty. Or in the sitting room? No, it's only Wilbur the dog. He's not in the kitchen either. But, what about on the stairs? Blobs of jam are a clue. At last Dad and Mum see a little giggly lump under the bedclothes in Lenny's bedroom. Here is Lenny, ready for a tickle and a hug! This book builds on the series and pick up on the importance of family play, laughter and good old-fashioned silliness for young children and their grown-ups.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Leopard has spots!

Once upon a time, Leopard didn't have a wonderfully spotty coat. Until he rescued a firebird from the flames and she left her sooty mark on his golden fur.

A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the multi award-winning Chantelle and Burgen Thorne.

Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Giraffe, Once Upon a Hippo, Once Upon a Hyena, Once Upon a Buffalo, Once Upon a Rhino, and Once Upon a Chameleon.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Hyena laughs.

Once upon a time, Hyena wasn't always full of laughter. Until she came across a row of animal bottoms at the watering hole and couldn't stop laughing!

A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the award-winning Toby Newsome.

Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon a Giraffe, Once Upon a Hippo, Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Leopard, Once Upon a Buffalo, Once Upon a Rhino, and Once Upon a Chameleon.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Buffalo has horns!

Once upon a time, Buffalo didn't have big, curly horns! He had wild, fuzzy hair. Until the other animals got fed up of him charging at anything and everything and decided to teach him a lesson!

A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the mutli award-winning Chantelle and Burgen Thorne.

Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon a Giraffe, Once Upon a Hippo, Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Hyena, Once Upon a Leopard, Once Upon a Rhino, and Once Upon a Chameleon.

Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Rhino has a horn!

Once upon a time, Rhino didn't have a horn until his lies got out of control and his horn grew longer ... and longer... and longer!

A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by up-and-coming Zinelda McDonald.

Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Zebra, Once Upon a Giraffe, Once Upon a Hippo, Once Upon a Hyena, Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Buffalo, Once Upon a Leopard, and Once Upon a Chameleon.

"Can you love and care for your Baobab tree so it grows big and healthy like Dad's tree?" asks Grandma. And Eve says, "YES, I CAN!" Eve loves all the trees in the forest near her home. She feels their magic, but her favourite is the Baobab tree. If only she could talk to the trees! Then, on a birthday visit to Grandma, deep in the forest, Eve gets a magical surprise. What could it be? It's something that Eve must take care of, something that will connect her for ever with the forest she loves. Happy birthday, Eco Girl! An inspirational and heart-warming book for younger children that shows the importance of looking after the trees in our world.

Farai and Chenziri live deep in the African bush in Zimbabwe. One day their dad surprises them with a trip to the capital city, Harare. After a long train journey, they arrive in the buzz of the city. Find out what they see there in this enchanting rhyming story. Elephant Grass is part of the Galaxy range of books from Rising Stars Reading Planet. Galaxy provides captivating fiction and non-fiction for Pink A to White band. The rich collection of highly decodable books immerses children in a range of cross-curricular topics and genres. Reading Planet books have been carefully levelled to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers. Each book features useful notes and activities to support reading at home as well as comprehension questions to check understanding. Reading age: 5-6 years

Lenny and Wilbur the dog are the best of friends. They do everything together! Lenny makes sure that Wilbur has enough to eat and drink. He also brushes Wilbur's golden fur to keep it clean. Wilbur just makes Lenny giggle and laugh! They are the happiest of friends.

I travelled once around the world On stars with flaming tails, And touched the colours of my dreams Along some silver trails. Look out for best friends, pancakes, and Grandad singing; discover a river dolphin, a poison dart frog and the most dangerous animal in the world; imagine a talking nose, meet the Zimbats of Zingley Dell and find the colour of your dreams.