Betsey's Birthday Surprise

Although Betsey may be small, she’s not going to let that hold her back. She’s determined to make the most of everything life throws at her, even if it doesn’t always quite go to plan. These collections of short stories follow Betsey as she navigates her way through some of the typical challenges that face a little girl; losing her teddy bear, dealing with annoying siblings, putting on a disappointing magic show and preparing for a hurricane….and those are just for starters!

4 stories in 1 book by the bestselling and much-loved Malorie Blackman, about the adventures of Betsey Biggalow and her Barbadian life full of family, friends and fun. Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books.

From the award-winning author of Noughts & Crosses, comes an adventure for 5-7 year olds. Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Discover FOUR stories in one book. Have no fear, Betsey Biggalow is here! In this collection of stories, Betsey has lots of big ideas for her big adventures! Join her as she:<ul><li>Surprises everyone on her birthday</li><li>Learns to be a ferocious guard dog</li><li>Moves to a new house</li><li>Becomes a TV superstar!</li></ul> 
This collection of mini adventures by the beloved Malorie Blackman is perfect to share, or for newly independent readers to read alone. 
 
"Perfect for young readers who are beginning to gain confidence in reading independently" - Book Trust 
 
Also available in the Betsey Biggalow series: 
Betsey Biggalow Is Here! 
Betsey Biggalow The Detective 
Magic Betsey 
Hurricane Betsey

Somewhere between Pippi Longstocking and Tracy Beaker, Betsey Biggalow, who stars in these short, pacey stories, is an imaginative and enquiring girl who is sometimes mischievous but always endearing

Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults, including the Noughts & Crosses series, Thief and a science-fiction thriller, Chasing the Stars. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts & Crosses. There is also a major BBC production of Noughts & Crosses, with Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s entertainment company) curating the soundtrack as executive music producer. In 2005 Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children’s books. In 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children’s literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children’s Laureate. Most recently Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts & Crosses series, Crossfire, was published by Penguin Random House Children’s in summer 2019.

Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Betsey Biggalow may be small but she's full of ideas - even about how to surprise everyone else on her own birthday! Join Betsey on four adventures as she learns you don't have to be big to have a big impact. 
 
Four of Betsey's adventures in one book, now with fabulous new illustrations by Diane Ewen.

Magic Betsey

From the award-winning author of Noughts & Crosses, comes an adventure for 5-7 year olds. Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Discover FOUR stories in one book. Have no fear, Betsey Biggalow is here! In this collection of stories, Betsey has lots of big ideas for her big adventures! Join her as:<ul><li>She puts on a magic show that doesn’t quite go to plan</li><li>Betsey learns the importance of believing in yourself</li><li>She learns that practise makes perfect</li><li>Betsey realises that some magic is real…</li></ul> 
This collection of mini adventures by the beloved Malorie Blackman is perfect to share, or for newly independent readers to read alone. 
 
"Perfect for young readers who are beginning to gain confidence in reading independently" - Book Trust 
 
Also available in the Betsey Biggalow series: 
Betsey Biggalow Is Here! 
Betsey Biggalow The Detective 
Betsey's Birthday Surprise 
Hurricane Betsey

Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Betsey Biggalow may be small but she's full of ideas - even about putting on a magic show! Join Betsey on four adventures as she learns you don't have to be big to be magical. 
 
Four of Betsey's adventures in one book, now with fabulous new illustrations by Diane Ewen.

Betsey Biggalow the Detective

From the award-winning author of Noughts & Crosses, comes another adventure for 5-7 year olds. Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Discover FOUR stories in one book. Have no fear, Betsey Biggalow is here! In this collection of stories, Betsey has lots of big ideas for her big adventures! 
 
In these stories, join her as she:<ul><li>REALLY wants to ride her big sister’s big bike</li><li>Makes her first ever kite!</li><li>Puts on the best show in the whole world</li><li>AND has to become detective to find her missing teddy</li></ul> 
This collection of mini adventures by the beloved Malorie Blackman is perfect to share, or for newly independent readers to read alone. 
 
"Perfect for young readers who are beginning to gain confidence in reading independently" - Book Trust 
 
Also available in the Betsey Biggalow series: 
Betsey Biggalow Is Here! 
Betsey's Birthday Surprise 
Magic Betsey 
Hurricane Betsey

Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Betsey Biggalow may be small, but right now she has a big mystery to solve. to crack this case, she's going to need help from Prince, the detective dog! 
 
Four of Betsey's adventures in one book, now with fabulous new illustrations by Diane Ewen.

Betsey Biggalow is Here!

From the award-winning author of Noughts & Crosses, comes an adventure for 5-7 year olds. Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
"Perfect for young readers who are beginning to gain confidence in reading independently" - Book Trust 
 
Discover FOUR stories in one book. Have no fear, Betsey Biggalow is here! In this collection of stories, Betsey has lots of big ideas for her big adventures! Join her as:<ul><li>She gets new trainers – but not ones as nice as her best friend May</li><li>Doesn’t quite have the perfect Saturday she wanted</li><li>Gets in over her head in a game of marbles</li><li>AND has to help where she didn’t expect to!</li></ul> 
This collection of mini adventures by the beloved Malorie Blackman is perfect to share, or for newly independent readers to read alone. 
 
Also available in the Betsey Biggalow series: 
Betsey Biggalow The Detective 
Betsey's Birthday Surprise 
Magic Betsey 
Hurricane Betsey

Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Betsey Biggalow may be small but she's full of ideas - even about helping the world! Join Betsey on four adventures as she learns you don't have to be big to make a big difference. 
 
Four of Betsey's adventures in one book, now with fabulous new illustrations by Diane Ewen.

Never Let a Diplodocus Draw

From the creators of Never Show a T-Rex a Book - WINNER OF THE QUEEN'S KNICKERS AWARD 
 
A laugh-out-loud 'what if . . .?' adventure... What would happen if you showed a diplodocus how to draw? One day she'd be messing around with crayons and paint - and the next she'd be a global art sensation! 
 
Full of fun - get drawing with Dippy!

Rashmi Sirdeshpande (Author) Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a lawyer turned children's author, with two young children who ask her lots of questions. Rashmi writes non-fiction picture books that ignite children's curiosity, as well as fictional stories that crackle with imagination. When she's not playing with words, you'll find her on her yoga mat twisting herself into all sort of shapes. Diane Ewen (Illustrator) Diane Ewen is a British illustrator, born in Walsall, in the West Midlands. She has always been in love with art and graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a B.A. Honours Degree in illustration. Diane likes to create illustrations that are hand-drawn in pencil before painting in watercolour and acrylics prior to embellishing them using Photoshop but she also enjoys creating designs digitally; constantly developing her style as she progresses. She likes the fact that illustrations are the first things that entice the reader to engage with a book and is inspired by the use of vibrant colour.

A celebration of the joy of art from the creators of Never Show a T-Rex a Book - WINNER OF THE QUEEN'S KNICKERS AWARD 
 
A laugh-out-loud 'what if . . .?' adventure... What would happen if you showed a diplodocus how to draw? One day she'd be messing around with crayons and paint - and the next she'd be a global art sensation! 
 
Full of fun and inspiration - get drawing with Dippy!

An empowering celebration of growing up Black

Hey You!

"It distils the fierce heartache of racist injustice as well as a passionate sense of joy and hope for the future." 
The Guardian 
 
"From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it's an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly." 
Evening Standard 
 
"A series of clever and witty illustrations matched with informative text guides the reader through a series of situations where they might encounter prejudice, and how to form strategies to overcome a situation before it becomes a problem." 
The Independent 
 
"This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from black illustrators." 
BookTrust 
 
This groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today. 
 
Remember to dream your own dreams 
Love your beautiful skin 
You always have a choice 
 
This book addresses - honestly, yet hopefully - the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It's a message that is both urgent and timeless - and offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for every child. 
 
To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo and 18 incredible Black illustrators in one beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experience.

Illustrator Dapo Adeola's debut as author, Hey You! (Puffin), is a lyrical celebration of growing up black. Featuring the work of 18 illustrators, including Diane Ewen, Onyinye Iwu and Selom Sunu - since, as Adeola states: "I'm just one person, I can't possibly hope to speak for the entire diaspora" - it distils the fierce heartache of racist injustice as well as a passionate sense of joy and hope for the future.

A beautifully realised book, helmed by illustrator Dapo Adeola and featuring a number of other excellent artists, this is a portrait of the Black experience while growing up. From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it's an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly.

A series of clever and witty illustrations matched with informative text guides the reader through a series of situations where they might encounter prejudice, and how to form strategies to overcome a situation before it becomes a problem.

This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from Black illustrators, enabling parents to look up their other books, or keep an eye out for their work in the future. Perfect for new parents and fans of Oliver Jeffers Here We Are, I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C James, and Tami Charles' and Bryan Collier's All Because You Matter.

Each double page spread, and the end papers, are all created by one of the eighteen talented Black illustrators assembled from all over the world or this book. It is a joy to see so many different yet complementary styles of illustration creating the whole. A book for every classroom and nursery in the country!

This lyrical picture book is a message to our children, to show them how much we love and cherish them. To remind them they can achieve anything and be proud of their Black heritage and stand together. Reading this with my girls, I felt incredibly emotional. This is the book I wish I'd read as a child, and I feel so grateful to be able to read it with my children now.

This ground-breaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today

This book address - honestly, yet hopefully - the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It's a message that is both urgent and timeless - and offers a rich rewarding reading experience for every child.

Dapo Adeola is an award-winning illustrator and designer who creates characters and images that challenge expectations around race and gender in a fun and upbeat way. He is the co-creator and illustrator of bestselling picture book Look Up! - winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the number 1 debut picture book of 2019. 
London born and bred but of Nigerian heritage, when he's not busy cooking up new characters and adventures you can find Dapo running illustration and character design workshops with children or organising events to help highlight the possibilities of a career in illustration to underrepresented members of the Black diaspora.

"It distils the fierce heartache of racist injustice as well as a passionate sense of joy and hope for the future." 
The Guardian 
 
"From the pain of systemic racism to the hope of the future, it's an honest but largely uplifting read, aimed at children particularly." 
Evening Standard 
 
"A series of clever and witty illustrations matched with informative text guides the reader through a series of situations where they might encounter prejudice, and how to form strategies to overcome a situation before it becomes a problem." 
The Independent 
 
"This beautiful book also serves as a brilliant directory of work from black illustrators." 
BookTrust 
 
This groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today. 
 
Remember to dream your own dreams 
Love your beautiful skin 
You always have a choice 
 
This book addresses - honestly, yet hopefully - the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It's a message that is both urgent and timeless - and offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for every child. 
 
To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo and 18 incredible Black illustrators in one beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experience.

Never Teach a Stegosaurus to Do Sums

A love letter to learning and the power of numbers from exciting talents, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diane Ewen. 
 
A laugh-out-loud 'what if . . .?' adventure that celebrates maths being fun in this riotous read. 
 
If a Stegosaurus knew how to do sums - well, what would happen? Maybe she'd learn to code, to invent, to fly to the moon! 
 
From the creators of Never Show a T-Rex a Book!

A love letter to learning and the power of numbers from exciting talents, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diane Ewen. 
 
A laugh-out-loud 'what if . . .?' adventure that celebrates maths being fun in this riotous read. 
 
If a Stegosaurus knew how to do sums - well, what would happen? Maybe she'd learn to code, to invent, to fly to the moon! 
 
From the creators of Never Show a T-Rex a Book - WINNER OF THE QUEEN'S KNICKERS AWARD and 
SHORTLISTED FOR THE LOLLIES LAUGH OUT LOUD BOOKS AWARDS 2022

Never Show A T-Rex A Book!

What would happen if you showed a T-Rex a book? 
Well, she wouldn't know what to do with it . . . would she? 
 
A madcap, super silly adventure story rooted in the transformative power of books, created by incredible new picture-book duo Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diane Ewen

Rashmi Sirdeshpande (Author) 
 Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a lawyer turned children's author, with two young children who ask her lots of questions. Rashmi writes non-fiction picture books that ignite children's curiosity, as well as fictional stories that crackle with imagination. When she's not playing with words, you'll find her on her yoga mat twisting herself into all sort of shapes. 
 
Diane Ewen (Illustrator) 
 Diane Ewen is a British illustrator, born in Walsall, in the West Midlands. She has always been in love with art and graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a B.A. Honours Degree in illustration. Diane likes to create illustrations that are hand-drawn in pencil before painting in watercolour and acrylics prior to embellishing them using Photoshop but she also enjoys creating designs digitally; constantly developing her style as she progresses. She likes the fact that illustrations are the first things that entice the reader to engage with a book and is inspired by the use of vibrant colour.

Malorie Blackman

Diane Ewen

Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books. 
 
Betsey Biggalow may be small but she's full of ideas - even about how to prepare for a hurricane! Join Betsey on four adventures as she learns you don't have to be big to have big ideas. 
 
Four of Betsey's adventures in one book, now with fabulous new illustrations by Diane Ewen.

Diane Ewen

Praise for Hurricane Betsey

Somewhere between Pippi Longstocking and Tracy Beaker, Betsey Biggalow, who stars in these short, pacey stories, is an imaginative and enquiring girl who is sometimes mischievous but always endearing

Books by Diane Ewen

Series by Diane Ewen

The Betsey Biggalow Adventures

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