It's not easy when you come from Somewhere Else. Especially when you smell of trains and fish. When Mr Blanket lost his job in the city and couldn't find it again,it seemed like things would never get better. 'I wish,' said Dottie, closing her eyes and trying her hardest not to wobble, 'that I lived on a bright green hilltop!' Suddenly, her wish comes true! Mr Blanket gets a new job in The Middle of Nowhere. Dottie soon finds that The Hilltop is the Middle of Somewhere as she gets to meet Winnie Crisp, Tom Tractor, Blod Evans, the Rowland twins and the Fidgets. And on the Hilltop she doesn't need wishes, because the magic happens on its own.

Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog. But when it is time to start her new school, Shadow and Mummy must stay outside. And inside is full of strangers. 'Why don't you try The Friendship Bench?' says her teacher, when Tilly is playing alone. 'It helps children find new friends to play with.' But when Tilly gets there, somebody is already on it . . .

Idris loves everything about the farm - his family home. He loves the sound of the sheep, the stretching wheat fields and especially the smell of warm bread. But when his father gets a new job in the city, Idris has to leave it all behind. Will his new house ever feel like home? Highly engaging, illustrated picture book to be read out loud to children aged 5-6 Ideal for reading aloud at home with your child Helps expose your child to rich language and curriculum-linked vocabulary Includes key terms from Geography and the topic area of human geography Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools 'These books are a great start to addressing the wider curriculum and the vocabulary issues that schools are identifying.' - Assistant Head, Primary Academy The Bug Club Shared books are highly engaging, beautifully illustrated stories designed to be read out loud to children. The programme exposes children to rich, curriculum-linked vocabulary, helping to build an understanding across school subjects and cultivate a love for reading.

Berry was frightened of everything... He didn't want to paddle in the rushing river or scramble through the Craggetty Valley with Rowan, he was too scared. To help make Berry brave, Rowan and Berry must go on a quest to find the Shadow Dweller. Following the rushing river and climbing all the way up the Murky Mountain, will Berry ever find his courage? Highly engaging, illustrated picture book to be read out loud to children aged 6-7 Ideal for reading aloud at home with your child Helps expose your child to rich language and curriculum-linked vocabulary Includes key terms from Geography and the topic area of rivers Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools 'These books are a great start to addressing the wider curriculum and the vocabulary issues that schools are identifying.' - Assistant Head, Primary Academy The Bug Club Shared books are highly engaging, beautifully illustrated stories designed to be read out loud to children. The programme exposes children to rich, curriculum-linked vocabulary, helping to build an understanding across school subjects and cultivate a love for reading.

In an unforgettable story that subtly addresses the refugee crisis, a young girl must decide if friendship means giving up the one item that gives her comfort during a time of utter uncertainty. Lubna's best friend is a pebble. She found it on the beach when they arrived in the night, then she fell asleep in Daddy's salty arms. Lubna tells Pebble everything. About home. About her brothers. About the war. Pebble always listens to her stories and smiles when she feels afraid. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna understands that he needs Pebble even more than she does . . .

Addasiad dwyieithog o The Friendship Bench, Wendy Meddour. Mae Tesni a Pero newydd symud tŷ. Ond pan fydd Tesni yn dechrau yn ei hysgol newydd, rhaid i Pero'r ci aros y tu allan, ac mae'n rhaid i Tesni chwarae ar ei phen ei hun. Mae athro Tesni yn dweud wrthi am fynd at Y Fainc Cyfeillgarwch - ond mae rhywun arall eisoes yn eistedd arni. Stori hardd am wneud cyfeillion newydd. -- Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru

Peggy is an apologetic pigeon. She always assumes she's in the wrong. Even when she's the one getting bullied. But Joan, an older female seagull, gives her the necessary skills to stand up for herself. This hilarious tale from award-winning author Wendy Meddour contains an important message about the importance of being assertive. Carmen Saldana's illustrations are full of personality and humour.

Howard thinks he's the most exceptional creature in the rainforest-that's because no other creature is as exceptionally camouflaged as him! But when he learns that the rainforest is full of other camouflaged creatures, he begins to wonder: 'Who will like me if I'm just . . . an average gecko?' Thankfully Howard meets Dolores (another average gecko) and he discovers that you don't have to be exceptional to be loved-and those that love you will never think you're average at all.

Sunny and his family have recently moved to a new country in this evocative story about adjusting to life in a new place. His dad is struggling to see their new house as home, and Sunny can tell that he is yearning for his old life, where collared doves cooed in the soft morning light and swallows swooped in the sunset. So Sunny comes up with a plan to help his dad find joy in his new home. An evocative story about belonging from the author of Lubna and Pebble.

Once there was a girl called Bess who hated being a princess...For while her brothers can do anything they want, the princess is stuck inside the palace in her dress. "Can I climb a tree?" "NOT IN THAT DRESS!" But..."Just watch me" says the princess, she skips up a mountain, dances with a wizard, flies a plane, meets wild animals - and proves to everyone that THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN'T DO IN A DRESS!

The Kingdom of Izzambard is in trouble. Big trouble. Griselda, the Master Clockmaker, has stopped time and released her mechanical birds to spread chaos and misery. They spy on anyone who might believe in the old ways of magic and laughter and the whole kingdom lives in fear. Brother and sister, Leo and Ella Leggit are clever enough and brave enough to stop Griselda and her birds - they just don't know it yet. But when a magical train puffs into their lives, driven by the mysterious Bartholomew Buckle, all that changes . . . Will Leo and Ella be able to bring magic back to Izzambard once again and get home in time for fish fingers? Hop on board The Secret Railway to find out!

With the wind in his hair, and blowing his hooter, Along came the prince on the back of a scooter. " Rapunzel, Rapunzel, please let down your hair!" Called the prince from down on the bottom stair... But Rapunzel just sat - As still as a wall; She didn' t think much of the prince at all. Rapunzel sits on the sixteenth floor of an inner city block, bored, dreaming and looking out at the rain. No one can rouse her from her apathy, not the milkman or the postman or the baker or her aunt - or even the prince. But when at last a letter is delivered, it contains news that has Rapunzel on her feet again. She has a new job at the library! And suddenly her life is busy, sparkling, exciting and stimulating. " For despite her long hair and her ravishing looks, she loved nothing better than reading good books!"

In an unforgettable story that subtly addresses the refugee crisis, a young girl must decide if friendship means giving up the one item that brings her comfort during a time of utter uncertainty. Lubna's best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he needs Pebble even more than she does. This emotionally stirring and stunningly illustrated picture book explores one girl's powerful act of friendship in the midst of an unknown situation. TIME Magazine's Top Ten Children's Books New York Public Library Best Books for Kids Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books Pennsylvania Baker's Dozen Book Award New York Three Apples nominee Indiana Read Aloud Master List Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Titles Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award nominee Kentucky Bluegrass Book Awards Master Lists Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award nominee

Cleo is a COMPLETELY FINE camel. Really, everything is just great. Honestly. A sweltering hot day? Well, Cleo has never felt better! Is she thirsty? No really she's fine. A desert sandstorm? Not a problem, because Cleo is FINE (even while buried under two feet of sand). It's only when an ostrich who tells it like it is turns up that Cleo has the courage to admit that, just maybe, she's not fine at all.

The first poem in this book is about Bertie Dragon who doesn't want to be like the other dragons. He just wants to dance and sing all day. The second poem is about a griffin who is sad because he can't fly like the other griffins but with a little help from a mouse, he soon learns how to! 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 all levels Phonics phase: 5

We all have busy lives and little Tisha and her family are no exception. With life always moving at such a pace, Tisha must 'hurry up' to get ready for school on time, 'hurry up' to finish her drawings before break time, and 'hurry up' to tidy up before she goes home. But hurrying up all the time can be exhausting. Thankfully, Tisha's Mummy knows a special game to help them all slow down when everything becomes too much . . . A beautiful story about allowing more mindfulness and stillness into children's lives.

Full steam ahead for a MAGICAL adventure! When a magnificent steam train puffs into their lives, brother and sister Leo and Ella find themselves on an incredible journey to save the Kingdom of Izzambard. Evil Griselda has sent her mechanical moles to shut down the Crystal Caves, and fairy dust production is at an all-time low. Will Leo and Ella be able to help the hobgoblins re-open the caves, and bring magic back to the kingdom? What on earth is a mechanical mole? Hop on board to find out! Enid Blyton brought bang up to date! Packed with humour, quirky illustrations, and striking typography, you won't be able to resist getting on board with The Secret Railway!

A touching intergenerational story of love and resilience. Tibble loves talking to Grandpa. But Grandpa has stopped listening. Mum says just give him time. But Tibble wants to talk to Grandpa now. . . So Tibble tries his favourite game -TOP THREES! And something amazing happens. Grandpa starts talking again . . . A moving story about love, loss, and the wonder of families.