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

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Rob Childs

A collection of three fabulous football stories from the BIG series about football-mad brothers Chris and Andrew Weston. The three titles contained are THE BIG CLASH, THE BIG DROP and THE BIG SEND-OFF. Will Danebridge win the Cup? As captain, Chris has to deal with everything from a penalty shoot-out to a shock sending-off!

Big Cup Collection Omnibus

"THIS IS WHERE WE BELONG - IN THE BIG TIME!" 
Andrew and Chris Weston have both been invited to attend a special summer coaching course at one of the country's top football clubs. The brothers are determined to give it their best shot, hoping to impress United's scouts. Another bonus is the chance to be ball boys at a World Cup qualifying match between England and Holland. But the big event turns out to be even more explosive than anyone could ever have guessed...!

The Big Time

Katie Chase

After her first adventure with Azara, the Persian Princess, Rosie is on the lookout for more Little Princesses around her Great-aunt Rosamund's Scottish castle. 
 
One morning, while she is playing hide-and-seek with her little brother, Luke, Rosie stares up at the old tapestry hanging above the fireplace in the Great Hall. And she sees a girl with long blonde hair, wearing a beautiful medieaval gown standing next to a golden dragon. It must be a Little Princess! As soon as Rosie says hello she is swept away to the kingdom of Tannelaun, where she meets Princess Isabella. Isabella is very upset because her pet dragon, Cedric keep getting hiccups and accidentally burning things with his fiery breath. The villagers have had enough and Isabella's father, the king, says Cedric must be sent away. Will Rosie be able to help Isabella to save Cedric . . .?

Little Princesses: The Fairytale Princess

Henrietta Branford

The much-loved tale of how a brother and sister seek to escape the clutches of an evil witch and her enchanted house. But the witch is hungry and she's not willing to let them go that easily . . . 
 
This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. 
 
This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

Hansel and Gretel: A Magic Beans Story

Rosie and her little brother Luke are exploring the maze in the grounds of Great-aunt Rosamund's Scottish castle and Rosie discovers a carved and painted totem pole in the centre. When she looks more closely, Rosie sees a young girl on horseback carved athe base of the post. Could this be another little princess? Rosie says hello, just like her Great-aunt told her to and suddenly a gust of wind full of the scent of pine trees surrounds her and she's off on another adventure! 
 
When Rosie opens her eyes again someone it's dark and someone drags her behind a boulder. She can see dark shadows moving through the night - monsters with ferocious jaws and lots of arms and legs. They seem to be looking for something. The person who pulled Rosie to safety is Princess Malila, who explains that the creatures are dream-shadows that hunt for people by night. Usually Malila's tribe are protected by a powerful dream-catcher made of willow hoops and feathers, but it was stolen from the camp. Rosie and Malila must get it the dream-catcher back!

Little Princesses: The Dream-Catcher Princess

Adèle Geras

When six brothers are turned into swans by an evil queen, their fate falls into the hands of their younger sister. Can she save them - and herself - before it's too late? 
 
This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. 
 
This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

The Six Swan Brothers: A Magic Beans Story

Tony Mitton

Duncan MacKinnon is an ordinary fisherman who lives in a croft by the sea. Everything is going swimmingly well for him, until one day a mysterious stranger knocks at his door . . . 
 
This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. 
 
This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

The Seal Hunter: A Magic Beans Story

Rosie can't wait to move to her Great-aunt Rosamund's castle in the Scottish Highlands. She's visited there many times but now she's going to actually live there with Mum, Dad and her little brother, Luke, while Great-aunt Rosamund is away travelling. 
 
While she's exploring the castle Rosie finds a secret note from her great-aunt. It's written in invisible ink but that night the heat from the fire in the Great Hall reveals the message: Look for the Little Princesses . . .and always remember to curtsey and say 'Hello'! And, sure enough, when Rosie says hello to the princess on the beautiful Persian rug in her bedroom, she is whisked away to ancient Persia on her first adventure! 
 
The kingdom has been overtaken by Abdul the evil genie, who has stolen Princess Azara's voice and imprisoned Azara's father in the palace dungeons. Will Rosie and the Little Princess be able to defeat the genie and restore peace to the land . . .?

Little Princesses: The Whispering Princess

Peter Bailey

When twins Toby and Tess meet a mysterious old traveller, they're fascinated by his magical tales of far-off places, strange enchantments and unbelievable miracles. Each time he visits the village he brings them a new tale and a special story-reminder from the bundle that he carries on his back. 
 
Most intriguing of all is the Map of Marvels, which shimmers and shifts and invites the children to make incredible journeys of their own.

The Storyteller's Secrets

Ruth Rendell

A charming story of a cat and a dog who live on the same street for younger readers, from bestselling author Ruth Rendell. 
 
Archie the cat and Archie the dog live next door to each other on a street full of feline friends and foes. Read about their adventures - including Archie the cat spending a scary night trapped in a neighbour's attic - in this gentle, lyrical, completely charming book for younger readers. Perfect for all animal lovers.

Archie and Archie

Susie Day

It's Pea's birthday, and all the family are gathered around to celebrate. But there's one person missing - her dad. She has never known him, but is the story Mum always told her (the one about Dad being a pirate) really true? What is this mysterious Piratical Father doing now? So begins Pea's quest to track down her dad once and for all . . .

Pea's Book of Birthdays

Jeanne Birdsall

Summer is here and it's off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine for the rest of the Penderwick girls with their old friend, Jeffrey. 
 
That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick) - a terrifying notion for all. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, but can Skye hold it together? Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion? Is Batty - contrary to all accepted wisdom - the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family? 
 
It's a rollercoaster ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

Eleven-year-old Pea and her wonderfully wacky family are back for their second adventure in this fabulously funny series. 
 
After securing herself a best friend and settling into London life, Pea is now contemplating her future and what exactly she should be when she grows up. Should she be a writer (like Mum)? An artist (like their crazy new au pair Klaudia)? A footballer? A pet therapist? Join Pea as she attempts to find out the answers - with hilarious results!

Pea's Book of Big Dreams

Sue Mongredien

Bullied at school and unsettled at home, Noni finds her dreams increasingly haunted by Thalia, her dead sister. But an unexpected ally at school finally gives Noni a feeling of kinship and helps her achieve what she's only ever dreamed of. . . . .

Flesh And Blood

Gretel Killeen

When Eppie falls into a pot hole, gets squashed to the size of a strawberry and becomes completely entangled in her brother Zeke's yo-yo, Zeke only has a day to get her back to normal. What follows is a hilarious high tale of escape, theft, bullies, brats, goody-goodies, garbage trucks, magic lamps, scabs, snot, bribery, bravery, a blind mum, a fat nurse and a boy on a bicycle covered in something very unsavoury - and that's only the beginning! This slapstick adventure, bursting with anarchic energy has enormous child-appeal for even the most reluctant reader.

My Sister's A Yo-Yo

When her little brother Luke finds a strange golden metal circle in their Great-aunt Rosamund's castle, Rosie takes a closer look and sees a little princess engraved on it. Before she knows it, she finds herself whisked away to the ancient Inca kingdom in South America, where she meets Princess Chayna. 
 
The little princess suspects that Quizo, the high priest of the Inca people is up to no good. The stone giants have woken up and are threatening the people. Quizo has said that the giants have been sent by the Sun God, Inti, to punish the Inca people. But Princess Chayna suspects that it is Quizo who has been controlling the giants all along, so he can become rich by stealing the offerings the people are making to the Sun God. 
 
Rosie and Chayna journey into the heart of the Inca temple of the sun to try and find out the truth!

Little Princesses: The Golden Princess

Jacqueline Wilson

Nick Sharratt

A brand-new story starring the unlikely best friends of The Butterfly Club, published specially for World Book Day 2017, from much-loved and bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson. 
 
Selma can't wait to go on holiday with her best friend forever, Tina. But a holiday with Tina means a holiday with her triplet sisters, too - and it's not long before Selma feels like the odd one out. Can their shared love of butterflies bring Selma and Tina together again?

Butterfly Beach

Kate Tym

Mo, Colin and Ronnie go undercover to catch a crafty blackmailer at work in the Academy. But when things go wrong, and Colin is charged with the crime, Mo and Ronnie must work together to prove his innocence and unveil the identity of the real blackmailing baddie.

Angel Academy - Angels Undercover

Unlike her little brother, Luke, Rosie doesn't believe that mermaids actually exist. But that's before she finds the stone statue of a mermaid in the middle of the fountain in the grounds of her Great-aunt Rosamund's Scottish castle. 
 
When Rosie curtseys and says hello she finds herself on a deserted beach at nighttime. She can hear beautiful singing coming from some rocks. It's Princess Marissa, the daughter of the king and queen of the mer-people. Rosie finds she can swim underwater and she explores the kingdom of Acquatica with her new friend, Carla and Carlos the dolphins and Octavius the Octopus. 
 
Then Marissa discovers that she's lost her crown, which contains the Pearl of Wisdom and she and Rosie must go and get it back from the old and frightening Sea Hag . . .!

Little Princesses: The Sea Princess

Rosie finds a mosaic in a passageway in Great-aunt Rosamund's old castle. When she sees a sad-looking girl in a toga on the mosaic, Rosie is convinced that she's found another little princess. She's right! Before she knows it, Rosie finds herself in a beautiful garden by a temple in ancient Rome and meets the daugher of the emperor of Rome - Princess Isadora. 
 
Princess Isadora is sad because the goddess Juventas has put a curse on all the young boys because Isadora's brother, Marcus, forgot to leave a gold coin as an offering to the goddess after his coming of age ceremony. Juventas has made all the young boys of Rome age, so they are now all old men and they will die soon if Isadora can't do anything to help them! 
 
Rosie and Isadora go to the forest to ask Acis the faun for advice. He tells them to ask Cupid, the god of love for help. If Cupid hits Juventas with one of his arrows, the stony heart of Juventas will melt and she will take back the curse. Can the girls get Cupid to help them before it's too late? And will they manage to escape the wrath of the Harpies who are doing their best to stop them?

Little Princesses: The Cloud Princess

THE BIG WIN 
Midfielder Mark Towers has just struck lucky: his family has won the Lottery! But Chris Weston, captain of Danebridge School football team, wants a different kind of big win - on the football pitch... 
THE BIG FIX 
Can Danebridge beat their arch-rivals, Shenby, when the referee seems to be playing against them too? 
THE BIG FREEZE 
Chris captains the team in an exciting triangular tournament - on an all-weather pitch!

The Big Football Frenzy

Susan Gates

When the King remarries, his beautiful daughter is forced to leave his castle by her mean-spirited stepfamily. Laden only with bread, cheese and kindness, the Princess seeks her fortune and finds three friendly heads in a well. When the stepsister follows, however, it is clear that the three heads may be either friend or foe . . . 
 
This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. 
 
This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

The Three Heads in the Well: A Magic Beans Story

Shirley Hughes

Charlie Moon's Auntie Jean runs a joke shop at the seaside. Charlie loves to go and stay there and try out the comic hats, masks, rubber spiders, fake flowers that squirt water, and cushions that squeak when you sit on them...even when his clever cousin Ariadne is staying, too.

Here Comes Charlie Moon

Anne Fine

The King is at his wit's end; twelve daughters and every morning their shoes are torn to ribbons! Nobody can tell him why, so he promises that whoever uncovers their secret will inherit his kingdom. The reward is huge - but the price of failure is their head. Who will risk it all for a dance with the princesses? 
 
This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. 
 
This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses: A Magic Beans Story

Janey Louise Jones

Samantha Chaffey

Poppy is thrilled because there is to be another wedding in Honeypot Hill. She adores the fairytale romance of it all but is makes her realize that her parents hardly ever do anything together. Poppy soon starts to worry that they don't love each other any more. 
 
Find out what happens and whether Poppy's plans to bring a bit of fairytale romance to her mum and dad work out . . .

Princess Poppy: Happy Ever After

LITTLE MISS NASTY Jeanie Badini is spoiled, selfish and spiteful and it's up to enterprising angels Colin, Mo and Ronnie to turn little Miss Nasty into little Miss Nice. Will the trying trio be able to make Jeanie see the error of her ways and understand the meaning of true friendship? Jeanie's looming birthday party will test the success of their work...

Angel Academy - Angels Down Below

Rosie's just had her first day at her new school in Scotland, after moving to live in her Great-aunt Rosamund's castle. Rosie's class have to put on a show about the different countries in the world and Rosie's country is Japan. That evening back at the castle, Rosie finds a painted fan and it has a little princess on it! 
 
And, sure enough, after saying hello, Rosie is whisked away to a beautiful garden in Japan where she meets Princess Hana. The little princess is very sad because Gawa the river god is angry with her father, the emperor, and has created a water sprite who looks exactly like Hana. The evil sprite is pretending to be Hana and no one at the palace can tell because the god has made Hana herself invisible. 
 
Somehow Rosie must help Hana to break the spell!

Little Princesses: The Peach Blossom Princess

Malorie Blackman

A singing ant, a silly wolf and a mighty mouse are just some of the characters in this mini collection of everyone's favourite fables. After all, it's never too late to learn a new moral or two! 
 
This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. 
 
This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

Aesop's Fables: A Magic Beans Story

Terry Pratchett

Captain the Honourable Sir Herbert Stephen Ernest Boring-Tristram-Boring (known to his friends as Bill) is very rich but very bored. 
 
When famous explorer Alfred Tence* shows up at his front door, life gets considerably more exciting. Before long, he’s speeding off in a taxi to the mountains of Chilistan in search of the hairiest, most mysterious monster ever known – an ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN! 
 
A fantastically funny short story from the collection Dragons at Crumbling Castle. 
 
[*Yes, that Alfred Tence – the same man who punted from Brighton to Bombay in the bath. It’s true.]

The Abominable Snowman

A Short Story from Dragons at Crumbling Castle

Berlie Doherty

The mischievous imps' magic mirror has frozen Kay's heart, turning him into a miserable prisoner of the Snow Queen. His best friend, Gerda, is racing barefoot across Lapland to save him - together they must find the secret of the universe and sing their way home, before Kay's heart becomes cold and black forever. 
 
This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. 
 
This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

The Snow Queen: A Magic Beans Story

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