Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

PublicationStatus

Brand

Format

AgeRange

Series

Imprint

CategoryLabel

Quentin Blake

An exuberant and artistic adventure from the nation's favourite illustrator, Quentin Blake! 
 
Corky and Loopy are two perfectly normal girls. They like chocolate biscuits, fizzy drinks, screaming at each other and drawing. But they are also a little bit special . . . because they are angels. One day they visit Sid, a pavement artist. Sid is sad because he wants to take part in the big drawing competition but can't work out how the judges will ever get to see his work. Corky and Loopy decide to help and give him a very special pencil from their collection. So begins a bright and colourful adventure. 
 
"Blake is beyond brilliant . . . I've never met a child who doesn't love Quentin Blake" - Daily Telegraph 
 
Quentin Blake is one of Britain's best-loved and most successful author-illustrators, and was made the first Children's Laureate in 1999. He has won the Whitbread Award, the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, and the Kate Greenaway Medal. among others.

Angel Pavement

Part of the BBC’s Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures

John Burningham

A classic story celebrating the power of babies... and avocados! 
 
The Hargraves family want their new baby to grow up big and strong. But the puny mite will hardly eat a thing... until Mrs Hargraves finds an avocado in the fruit bowl and the baby gobbles it up. Soon, the baby gets incredible strength, and the strangest things start to happen! 
 
This classic story from the bestselling author and illustrator John Burningham has been delighting families for over 40 years. 
 
“Amusing for adults, impressive for toddlers, good for greengrocers” The Observer 
 
“John Burningham is one of the most outstanding author-illustrators of children’s books today . . .” Twentieth-Century Children’s Writers 
 
John Burningham is the much-loved creator of Mr Gumpy's Outing and Would You Rather.

Avocado Baby

Colin Thompson

Colin Thompson's books are mystical and complex, they will appeal to children and adults alike and demand to be returned to as there is always a new image to see . . . something more to catch the eye. Peter and his family live among the Quinces in the cookery section of a mystical library, and at night, when the library comes to life, Peter ventures out of his home to find a missing volume: How To Live Forever

How To Live Forever

Ian Whybrow

Ladybird

When Harry finds a bucketful of dinosaurs in the attic, they soon become inseparable. But when the dinosaurs get lost, how will Harry get them back? 
 
Read it yourself with Ladybird is one of Ladybird's best-selling series. For over thirty five years it has helped young children who are learning to read develop and improve their reading skills. Now, for the first time, each title is also available as an ebook with synched audio. 
 
Each Read it yourself book is very carefully written to include many key, high-frequency words that are vital for learning to read, as well as a limited number of story words that are introduced and practised throughout. Simple sentences and frequently repeated words help to build the confidence of beginner readers and the four different levels of books support children all the way from very first reading practice through to independent, fluent reading. 
 
Each book has been carefully checked by educational consultants and can be read independently at home or used in a guided reading session at school. 
 
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs is a Level 3 Read it yourself title, suitable for children who are developing reading confidence and stamina, and are eager to start reading longer stories with a wider vocabulary.

Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs - Read it yourself with Ladybird

Level 3

Georgie has got a new bed, but it's not like other beds. For each night, Georgie says the magic word and it whisks him away on a fantastic adventure. He loves his bed, but one day he and his family go on holiday, and when they come back, Granny has a big surprise for Georgie . . .

The Magic Bed

Mini Grey

When Horace bakes a biscuit in the shape of a bear, little does he know that his edible treat is going to turn into Biscuit Bear! For in the middle of the night, when all is quiet, that is exactly what happens, and Biscuit Bear decides that it is time he made some friends of his own. So, with flour, sugar and butter he does just that. In fact, he makes a whole circus of friends and the fun begins . . .

Biscuit Bear

Watch Quentin Blake's Clown, a major new TV animation narrated by Helena Bonham-Carter, this Christmas on Channel 4. 
 
The perfect gift for sharing with friends and family all year long. 
 
When a box of toys is thrown away, a determined clown sets out to find a new loving home for himself and his friends. 
 
Told entirely through pictures, this award-winning and heart-warming adventure starring one of Sir Quentin Blake's own favourite characters is filled with hope, joy and friendship. 
 
Sir Quentin Blake is one of Britain's best-loved and most successful author-illustrators, and was made the Children's Laureate in 1999. He has won the Whitbread Award, the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, and the Kate Greenaway Medal among others. 
 
Praise for Clown: 
"I was gripped all the way through to the happy ending" Daily Telegraph 
"Quentin Blake, a master of graphic eloquence..." Guardian 
"An astonishing tour de force" Margaret Clark in Books for Keeps

Clown

On a day trip to the seaside Mum and Dad settle down in their deckchairs to snooze the day away while for Shirley it is a chance to set sail for uncharted seas, adventure and buried treasure. But not before her Mum has warned her off the dangers of tar, stray dogs and cold water. . . . With the alternative pictures giving both sides of the story, children and adults alike will appreciate the humour and observations from this well known children's author.

Come Away From The Water, Shirley

Rosemary Davidson

Sarah Vine

All girls know that there's more to them than just make-up and gossiping - although they're not averse to a bit of both. Boys aren't the only ones to like a little danger and adventure and they certainly aren't the only ones who know how to seize fun wherever they can find it. 
 
Great Big Glorious Book for Girls covers every element of girlhood, from the luxurious pampering of a home-made spa to hands-on skills, challenges and hobbies in the great outdoors. If you've never quite mastered the perfect French plait, if you are need a dastardly trick to keep your pesky brother in line, or if you're searching for the perfect friendship bracelet design for your best friend, delve into this bible of girlhood and discover all the other treats waiting inside. This glorious book will provide inspiration, come rain or shine, to girls of all ages.

The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls

In this fantastical world there are castles in space, floating castles, castles in the sky and castles made of glass. Each one hides a royal family and there are all the usual mazes, puzzles tricks and messages waiting to be discovered. Colin Thompson's wonderfully detailed artwork reaches new heights of ingenuity and invention in this brilliant new book.

Castles

Get ready for the new Warner Bros movie WONKA with the whipple-scrumptious Charlie and the Chocolate Factory sticker activity book! This fun collection of activities includes full colour stickers and classic Quentin Blake artwork. 
 
Head inside Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, where Charlie Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt and the rest await! 
 
In this fun collection of puzzles, you can complete the Oompa-Loompa's favourite songs, help lead Violet Beauregarde to the juicing room, and find all of Mr Wonka's finest products.

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Whipple-Scrumptious Sticker Activity Book

Steven is sent out for groceries on to the mean street of the city with only a shopping basket for protection. There are several shady characters about who are offering to lighten the load of the basket by helping themselves to his provisions! Stephen's having none of it and with the help of some of the city's less attractive sights he outsmarts all of them and makes it home in time for tea. With the pictures telling as much of the story as the text, children and adults alike will appreciate the humour and observations from this well known children's author.

The Shopping Basket

A tale of imagination and friendship, from the nation's favourite illustrator, Quentin Blake! 
 
When two bold adventurers climb over the wall to explore the overgrown garden next door, the discover a ship made of bushes, with tall, thin trees for masts. They also meet marvellous Mrs Tredegar, who turns them into a fully trained crew, and with their imaginations at the ready, they embark on a series of glorious voyages. 
 
"Blake is beyond brilliant . . . I've never met a child who doesn't love Quentin Blake" - Daily Telegraph 
 
Quentin Blake is one of Britain's best-loved and most successful author-illustrators, and was made the first Children's Laureate in 1999. He has won the Whitbread Award, the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, and the Kate Greenaway Medal. among others.

The Green Ship

It's time to get out of the bath but Shirley's not listening. She's floated away to a secret watery land beyond the plughole - to where knights ride white horses, and kings and queens float in moats around their castles. . .

Time To Get Out Of The Bath, Shirley

The Paperbag Prince is an old man living in a railway carriage on a rubbish dump. But he knows that even rubbish can sometimes contain treasure, and that if he stays long enough, gentle nature will heal the countryside and make the green come again. 
 
'Thompson's finely drawn, intricately bordered pages are as crammed with detail and small treasures as the dump itself.' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 
 
'The pictures are astonishing' - THE TIMES 
 
'This is a book to be read in ten minutes and lost in for hours' - TES

The Paperbag Prince

Piñata Smashlings

Enter the Piñataverse and search for your favourite Piñata Smashlings characters! 
 
Find wise Piñatas, scheming Meañatas, bitter Bashlings and there's LOTS of adorable, cheeky Smashlings for you to spot. Search the magical Rainbow River and the dark and dingy Swamplands in this jam-packed search-and-find activity book. 
 
With over 140 things to spot, this book is perfect for keeping the biggest Piñata Smashlings fans busy. 
 
Don't miss these other Piñata Smashlings books: 
Piñata Smashlings: Smashlings Collector's Guide 
Piñata Smashlings: The Official 2025 Annual 
Piñata Smashlings: Super Stickers

Piñata Smashlings Where’s that Smashling?: A Search-and-Find Book

Anthony Browne

"It was Beauty that killed the Beast" 
 
King Kong is a giant gorilla, a massive monster of an ape who lives on a remote island. The mighty beast falls for a beautiful girl, Ann Darrow, and desperate to have her he finds himself lured into captivity. He is brought to civilisation and put on show, but when he sees Ann he breaks his heavy chains and begins to wreak havoc on the streets of New York . . . 
 
The enthralling story of King Kong involves battles with dinosaurs, daring rescues and incredible escapes - endless thrills lead up to one of the most famous climaxes of all time!

King Kong

biblio.categories.code

biblio.publicationStatus

biblio.brand

biblio.workEditions.format

biblio.ageRange

biblio.series.seriesName

biblio.imprint.description

biblio.type

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Best-Jane-Austen-quotes_Online-Desktop_Penguin

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Malorie Blackman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

Search Results

The Fall of the West

Hunt the Villain

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight (Book 21)

The Mortons

Watch a trailer for The Spook's Blood

A photograph of Ben Barnes in character for Shadow and Bone Netflix series.

Interviews

Shadow and Bone’s Ben Barnes on tear-jerking books and what he’s reading

An image showing a selection of adventure stories for 9-12 year olds on a bright yellow background with orange doodles that include a hashtag, flag, danger sign and speech bubble

Children's reading lists

16 books for 9 to 12-year-olds that love adventures

An image of a selection of books for 9-12s on a blue background with a large splodge and striped print

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

A picture of several different children's books on a pink to blue ombre background; each book has a bright yellow shadow

Showing results for: ‘joseph delaney’

Filters

Category

Age

Publication Date

Format

Series

Imprint

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter