Dance Dreams

A charming tale about ballet, friendship, and following your dreams

Malaika Rose Stanley grew up in Birmingham. She has worked as a teacher in Zambia, Uganda, Germany, Switzerland and Britain. She is now a full-time writer and the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the London College of Fashion. She also runs creativity and writing workshops for children and adults. Her publications for Tamarind include Baby Ruby Bawled, Miss Bubble's Troubles, Spike and Ali Enson and Spike in Space. 
 
Malaika enjoys travel, singing, reading, ballet and football. She lives in North London near her grown-up sons.

When she receives a call-back from the amazing Birchwood School for Dance, thirteen-year-old Keisha is over the moon. She’s one pirouette closer to becoming a superstar ballerina! 
 
But getting a place at Birchwood would mean moving schools and leaving behind her BFFs – and the swoon-worthy Joel Daley-Clarke. Until she knows the outcome, Keisha must keep the biggest news of her life a secret from her best friends. 
 
Can she hold it together, or will her dance dreams turn into a nightmare?

Baby Ruby Bawled

A warm family story about a baby that won't stop crying and an older brother who saves the day.

This is a nicely-tuned unexpected ending to the story, and the strong, painterly illustrations are quite superb.

An endearing depiction of a scenario all too familiar to many families with small babies, which is amusingly and sympathetically illustrated in Ken Wilson-Max's trademark style.

A sweet family story simply told with lovely repetition and, of course, the wonderful alliteration of the title.

A lovely story about an extended family working together, which will appeal to all those who have ever wondered what to do with a bawling baby.

A humorous and tender family story with special parent appeal.

A fun picture book with bold, bright illustrations that are truly engaging for young and old.

Malaika Rose Stanley grew up in Birmingham. She has worked as a teacher in Zambia, Uganda, Germany, Switzerland and Britain. She is now a full-time writer. She occasionally runs creativity and writing workshops for children and adults. Her publications include Man Hunt, Operation X and Dad Alert (Orchard), Getting Bigger (Nelson Thornes) and short stories for anthologies and literacy packs. 
Malaika also enjoys travel, yoga, jazz singing, reading, watching football and gardening. She lives with her family in north London.

Baby Ruby won't stop crying. Dad gives her a bath, Mum gives her a feed, Nana takes her for a drive and Grandad walks her around the garden. But Ruby keeps on bawling. At last her brother Theo has a go and sings her a special song he makes up. The whole family are so tired after all of this, they fall asleep - all except Ruby.

Malaika Rose Stanley

Big ambitions, big bullies and big problems 
 
When 13-year-old Brummie babe, Destiny enters the Bright Sparks beauty contest behind her (ex-model) mum's back, she is determined to prove she has talent and brains - and that she is not just a pretty face. 
 
Together with her cousin, Keisha and best friends, Ebyan and Bee, Destiny deals with every challenge life throws at her - including scary eyeball-to-eyeball confrontations with bully-girl Bella and secret winks from heart-throb, Joel. 
 
And then real disaster strikes...

Skin Deep

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