The exceptionordinary, effervescent Clarice Bean is back with her trademark heart and humour in this beautifully illustrated story by former Children's Laureate Lauren Child - a delightful summer read for the entire family! Nothing ever happens except for sometimes. And only on rare-ish occasions, which is hardly ever. There are times when even I can't turn the nothing into more than it is. But there was one day in the holidays that began as a nothing day and then everything happened. Absolutely nearly everything. The unforgettable Clarice Bean finds herself escaping the danger of boredom when she meets an actual real-life DOG who will NOT scram!

Clarice Bean is back with all her trademark humour in this heartwarming story by former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child At the moment I am daydreaming about inventing something exceptionordinarily good that could change the world for the better, because of all the things, it’s the better that’s needed. And if you are thinking I'm too small to make a difference then remember the plankton – they are one of the tiniest creatures on the planet but without them where would we be? Probably living on Mars. The utterly wonderful Clarice Bean is thinking about the endangered things: the big creatures, the little creatures, the plants and the trees. But it’s not just the planet that needs help – there’s her whole family too . . .

It only takes one strike: A powerful feminist reworking of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, from bestselling and award-winning creators Emma Carroll and Lauren Child. 'Superb. About community and voices and standing up for yourself' Phil Earle, British Book Award-winning author of When the Sky Falls Bridie works hard to feed her family, selling matches on the streets of Victorian London. After an incident leaves her with only three matches left, the magical strike of each one sees her tumble into visions of a brighter future. Realizing she has the power to change her own fortune, Bridie leads the match factory workers out on strike, achieving the remarkable through their unity and courage. A defiant and empowering retelling of the classic you thought you knew, based on real-life events, this stunning collaboration brought to life in glorious spot colour introduces a bold new heroine for future generations to treasure. 'Bridie is a feminist icon, with a story that is all too relevant. There is so much power in these beautiful pages' Katya Balen, winner of the Carnegie Medal 'A defiant, elegantly illustrated story' Sunday Times Culture 'A brilliant story of collective power that champions community and kindness' Abi Elphinstone 'A powerful strike right to the heart, burning with courage, that should light a beacon of hope for young readers' Piers Torday 'A timely read that might prompt discussion' Observer '[Lauren] Child's vivid spot-colour illustrations elegantly complement the fierceness of the story' Guardian 'A masterful interweaving of fairytale and fact with social action and strong women at its heart' Smriti Halls

Join the one and only Clarice Bean and ‘Think Like an Elf’ in this irresistible and spectacularly sparkling Christmas story from the inimitable Lauren Child. Clarice Bean usually looks forward to Christmas. Except this year it is going to be a quiet-ish Christmas in her house, which doesn’t feel right because Christmas is all about noisiness and being full up and FAMILY. And without those things, she is going to have to try exceptionordinarily hard to stop the Christmas spirit completely floating away… But luckily, there is no one in the world like Clarice Bean – and she is going to THINK LIKE AN ELF, and that means everything will be A-OKAY. Won’t it? The one and only Clarice Bean is back to save her family’s Christmas in this sparkling story of joy, goodwill to all peoplekind, and some very Clarice catastrophes, perfect for sharing with all the family! Wrap yourself in the warmth and wit of former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child and be transported by the love and laughter that is Christmas with the utterly irreplaceable Clarice Bean. “We can’t get enough Clarice Bean.” The Sunday Times

This book is a collection of works that represent the recent advancements in computational and mathematical methods applied to population dynamics. It concentrates on both development of new tools as well as on innovative use of existing tools to obtain new understanding of biological systems. The volume introduces new state-of-the-art techniques for defining and solving numerically control problems in mathematical biology in which the control appears linearly. Such problems produce simpler optimal controls that can be implemented in practice. The book further develops tools for fitting multi-scale models to multi-scale data and studying the practical identifiability of the parameters from multi-scale data. Novel model of Zika with Wolbahia infection in mosquitoes suggests that the most suitable control strategy to control Zika in the absence of Wolbahia is killing mosquitoes but the most suitable strategy when mosquitoes are Wolbahia infected is the treatment of humans.A completely novel methodology of developing discrete-continuous hybrid models of multi-species interactions is also introduced together with avantgarde techniques for discrete-continuous hybrid models analysis. A mathematical model leads to new observations of the within-host virus dynamics and its interplay with the immune responses. In particular, it is observed that the parameters promoting CTL responses need to be boosted over parameters promoting antibody production to obtain a biologically relevant steady state. A novel stochastic model of COVID-19 investigates quarantine and lock down as important strategies for control and elimination of COVID-19.

A classic Charlie and Lola picture book about fussy eating. Perfect for difficult dinner times! Lola will not peas. In fact she won't eat carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, cabbage or baked beans. And she will absolutely not ever NEVER eat a tomato. But when Charlie explains that peas are actually green drops from Greenland, and carrots are really orange twiglets from Jupiter, even Lola is tempted to clear her plate... Told with true Lauren Child style, this warm and funny picture book will make dinner time fun for even the fussiest of eaters! Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal

This flagship gift edition illustrated by Lauren Child is a glorious celebratory tribute to the strongest girl in the world. Pippi Longstocking is nine years old. She has just moved into Villa Villekulla where she lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. The grown-ups in the village try to make Pippi behave in ways that they think a little girl should, but Pippi has other ideas. She would much rather spend her days arranging wild, exciting adventures to enjoy with her neighbours, Tommy and Annika, or entertaining everyone she meets with her outrageous stories. Pippi thinks nothing of wrestling a circus strongman, dancing a polka with burglars, or tugging a bull's tail. Generations of children have fallen in love with Pippi Longstocking. Just like Tommy and Annika, readers are instantly charmed by her warmth, strength and sense of fun.

Hey, buster! Normal life is a total yawn. Break out of boredom with Ruby Redfort, the super-awesome teen detective series from multi-million-copy bestseller Lauren Child... Want to know more? Of course you do, bozo. Here's the low-down on Ruby Redfort: she's a genius code-cracker, a daring detective, and a gadget-laden special agent who just happens to be a thirteen-year-old girl. She and her slick sidekick butler, Hitch, foil crimes and get into loads of scrapes with evil villains, but they're always ice-cool in a crisis. In this first book, we go right back to Ruby's beginnings as an agent. When an anonymous caller sets Ruby a challenge, it's not long before she finds her way into the HQ of the most secret of secret agencies - SPECTRUM. They need her help to crack a code but her desk job soon spirals into an all-out action adventure, as Ruby uncovers the dastardly plans of the formidable Fool's Gold Gang...

An exquisite flagship gift edition of an iconic classic, illustrated by the current Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child.

When Mary Poppins arrives at their house on a gust of the East Wind and slides up the bannister, Jane and Michael Banks’s lives are turned magically upside down.

Who better to reimagine this endearing children’s classic than today’s most instantly recognisable and best-loved artist-illustrator? Lauren Child brings the magic of Mary Poppins into the hearts and imagination of readers and fans new and old.

First published in 1964, Mary Poppins has been delighting readers ever since, both in books and on film. This stunning deluxe edition is published ahead of the release of the hotly anticipated Disney film Mary Poppins Returns.

A brilliantly quirky picture book from Children's Laureate, Lauren Child. Starring the fabulously feisty Clarice Bean! Mum and Dad are going away on Important Business, so Uncle Ted comes to stay. Before long there's a guinea pig on the loose, Grandad's gone missing and her little brother is stuck in the railings like a giant squeaking tomato! Luckily Uncle Ted's around. He'll come to the rescue . . . won't he? The second picture book in the award-winning, bestselling Clarice Bean series! Packed with quirky details and humour, this is perfect for children who are ready to start making the transition from younger picture books to independent reading.

Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent is back in this hilarious and gloriously illustrated book for ages six and up from the superstar creator of Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child.

“These stories are about the days when the Bobton-Trents had it cushy, very cushy indeed.”

The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth – socialising, doing things, buying things and generally being more than a little bit … irresponsible…

Luckily for them, their son Hubert Horatio is an exceptionally intelligent, talented and sensible child.

Unluckily for Hubert, this tends to mean that a lot of his spare time is spent steering his rather unruly set of grown-ups out of trouble.

Legendary children’s writer and Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2017-2019 Lauren Child revisits one of her most popular characters in these brand-new, laugh-out-loud stories about the rather unconventional Bobton-Trents! The perfect gift for children aged six and up.

The story of a boy who fell into a book . . . with a guest appearance from the Little Bad Wolf. From Children's Laureate Lauren Child. Now if you were going to fall into a book, a book of fairy tales would probably not be your first choice. Because in every story there is always a wicked this, an evil that or a hungry somebody. It could only happen to Herb, child star of that thrilling tale, Beware of the Storybook Wolves. Equally loved by children young and old, this brilliantly original picture book is perfect for sharing together. From the creator of the award-winning, bestselling Charlie and Lola series. Open it if you dare! 'A thrilling story to scare your socks off.' The Bookseller 'Wonderfully imaginative... Absorbing and with fantastical, zany pictures.' The Observer 'Very, very funny and definitely not to be missed!' Books for Keeps

Hey, buster! Normal life is a total yawn. So break out of boredom with multi-million-copy bestselling author Lauren Child, and meet your new favourite heroine... Ruby Redfort: detective, secret agent, thirteen-year-old kid. Everyone's favourite kid detective is back for a second mind-blowing instalment, packed with all the off-the-wall humour, action and friendship of the first book. This time, though, it's an adventure on the wide open ocean, and Ruby is all at sea... Can she crack the case of the Twinford pirates while evading the clutches of a vile sea monster as well as the evil Count von Viscount? Well, you wouldn't want to bet against her...

Ruby Redfort: supercool secret agent, code-cracker and thirteen-year-old genius The fourth book in the scarily awesome Ruby Redfort series, from former Waterstones Children's Laureate and multi-million-copy bestselling author Lauren Child. This time Ruby must pit her wits against a seemingly invisible foe. How do you set your sights on catching a light-fingered villain if you can't even see him...?

A funny, touching picture book from Children's Laureate, and Charlie and Lola creator, Lauren Child. Rat lives in dustbin Number 3, Grubby Alley. At night, when he's tucked up in his crisp packet, Rat looks up at all the cosy windows and wonders what it would be like to belong to somebody. To be an actual pet. To have a home of his own . . . Gently exploring themes of homelessness and poverty, this is the perfect way to talk about this often tricky subject with young children and encourage them to empathise with others. At least 10% of the purchase price of every copy of That Pesky Rat sold will be donated to St Mungo's Broadway, a charity providing help, support and advice to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 'Clever, rewarding and hugely enjoyable' Guardian 'Another little masterpiece from Lauren Child' Mail on Sunday Winner of the Nestle Children's Book Prize Gold Award

A classic Charlie and Lola picture book from Children's Laureate Lauren Child. Charlie and his friend Marv are in search of strange and tricky creatures. They would like to search without Charlie's little sister Lola bothering them. But Lola wants to join in. Luckily, Lola and her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, know exactly how to catch strange and tricky creatures. All they need is a tea set, a little cart and a rabbit. (And, of course, one or three drops of pink milk.) With a gentle message about learning to play together, this hilariously inventive tale will encourage children to go on their own make-believe adventures! 'A witty book that reminds us why we fell in love with Charlie and Lola.' Junior

A classic Charlie and Lola picture book about starting school worries, from Children's Laureate Lauren Child. Charlie's little sister Lola is nearly big enough to go to school. But Lola is not so sure... Lola says, "I am absolutely not BIG. I am still really quite small. I probably do not have time to go to school. I am too extremely busy doing important things at home." This classic first-day-at-school tale addresses children's fears with warmth, humour, and a lot of fun. As seen on CBeebies! 'No first-timer should start school without this book' - The Sunday Times

Three Clarice Bean novels in one box! "Clarice is quickly stepping out from behind the shadow of other witty characters such as Junie B. Jones." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Irrepressible, sassy, quirky (and sometimes frenetic), the endearing, utterly entertaining Clarice Bean is the star of three full-length adventures featuring Lauren Child's wacky wit and eccentric visual energy. Now readers can easily keep pace with this spirited middle-grader, thanks to a boxed set offering all three of her fiction titles. Included are:
UTTERLY ME, CLARICE BEAN
CLARICE BEAN SPELLS TROUBLE
CLARICE BEAN, DON'T LOOK NOW

Pippi Longstocking is one of the most popular children's characters of all time and is still much loved by millions of children today. This paperback gift edition of Pippi Longstocking Goes Aboard will introduce Pippi and her adventurous spirit to a whole new generation of readers. Nine-year-old Pippi is an unusual and unpredictable character, she lives alone with a monkey, a horse, and no rules whatsoever! Every day is a crazy adventure with Pippi, but what else would you expect from the daughter of a swashbuckling pirate captain?! In this story Pippi and her friends, Tommy and Annika have the best time together - going to the circus, buying ALL the sweets in the sweet shop and getting shipwrecked for the weekend. But when Pippi's long-lost father comes to visit, will Pippi sail away to sea with him and leave Tommy and Annika behind?

Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies is Lola's absolute favourite book ever in the whole wide world. So naturally she is distraught when it's not at the library. Someone else has borrowed it! Charlie tries everything he can think of to placate her but nothing is ever going to beat Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies. That is, until Charlie finds Chimps and Chimpanzees and then Lola has a new best book ever!

Join the one and only Clarice Bean and 'Think Like an Elf' in this irresistible and spectacularly sparkling Christmas story from the inimitable Lauren Child. Clarice Bean usually looks forward to Christmas. Except this year it is going to be a quiet-ish Christmas in her house, which doesn't feel right because Christmas is all about noisiness and being full up and FAMILY. And without those things, she is going to have to try exceptionordinarily hard to stop the Christmas spirit completely floating away... But luckily, there is no one in the world like Clarice Bean - and she is going to THINK LIKE AN ELF, and that means everything will be A-OKAY. Won't it? The one and only Clarice Bean is back to save her family's Christmas in this sparkling story of joy, goodwill to all peoplekind, and some very Clarice catastrophes, perfect for sharing with all the family! Wrap yourself in the warmth and wit of former Children's Laureate Lauren Child and be transported by the love and laughter that is Christmas with the utterly irreplaceable Clarice Bean. "We can't get enough Clarice Bean." The Sunday Times

This flagship gift edition illustrated by Lauren Child is a glorious celebratory tribute to the strongest girl in the world. Pippi Longstocking is nine years old. She has just moved into Villa Villekulla where she lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. The grown-ups in the village try to make Pippi behave in ways that they think a little girl should, but Pippi has other ideas. She would much rather spend her days arranging wild, exciting adventures to enjoy with her neighbours, Tommy and Annika, or entertaining everyone she meets with her outrageous stories. Pippi thinks nothing of wrestling a circus strongman, dancing a polka with burglars, or tugging a bull's tail. Generations of children have fallen in love with Pippi Longstocking. Just like Tommy and Annika, readers are instantly charmed by her warmth, strength and sense of fun.

Pippi Longstocking is nine years old. She has just moved into Villa Villekulla where she lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. The grown-ups in the village try to make Pippi behave in ways that they think a little girl should, but Pippi has other ideas! She would much rather spend her days arranging wild, exciting adventures to enjoy with her neighbours, Tommy and Annika, or entertaining everyone she meets with her outrageous stories. Pippi thinks nothing of wrestling a circus strongman, dancing a polka with burglars, or tugging a bull's tail. Generations of children have fallen in love with Pippi Longstocking. Just like Tommy and Annika, readers are instantly charmed by her warmth and sense of fun. Astrid Lindgren's children's classic first appeared in 1945. Astrid once commented, 'I write to amuse the child within me, and can only hope that other children may have some fun that way, too.' When she was growing up, Lauren Child loved Astrid Lindgren's books. She remembers: 'I discovered Pippi when I was about eight years old and found her completely inspiring.' Known and loved as the creator of some equally feisty little girls - notably Clarice Bean and Lola - Lauren has brought her own inimitable style to this beautifully-illustrated edition of Pippi Longstocking.

Ruby Redfort: undercover agent, code-cracker and thirteen-year-old genius - there's nothing average about her. Only this time it's an adventure in the wild, and it'll take all Ruby's got just to survive... The third book in the ice-cool Ruby Redfort series, from former Waterstones Children's Laureate and multi-million-copy bestselling author Lauren Child. This time, tigers are roaming the streets of Twinford, and it looks like someone has deliberately released some very rare and very dangerous animals. Things are going to get wild - and Ruby is going to get badly lost in the wilderness. The question is: will she ever make it out alive? Well, as always, you wouldn't want to bet against her...