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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Malorie Blackman

Maxine is a little girl full of big ideas. She loves solving problems, and can usually be found with her twin brothers in tow causing all kinds of mischief. Whether it is solving the mystery of the tooth fairy, building the biggest snowball ever or just causing trouble, they always have the best time together. This selection of fantastically funny short stories is perfect for spring boarding younger readers into the world of reading via an endearing heroine who has a lot of fun.

When Maxine has a plan, you can be sure it involves her twin brothers Anthony and Edward. You can also be sure it involves BIG TROUBLE! 
 
Nine fantastically funny short stories, perfect for building confidence in new readers, whether reading aloud or reading alone.

Girl Wonder and the Terrific Twins

From scaring Mum at Halloween to building the biggest snowball the world's ever seen - Maxine always has a super plan and needs the help of her twin brothers, Anthony and Edward. Together the super siblings make all sorts of mischief . . . Can they fix it before Mum finds out? 
 
These seven funny short stories are perfect for building confidence in new readers, whether reading alone or reading aloud.

Girl Wonder's Winter Adventures

Ann Cameron

Lauren Castillo

See the world through a dog’s eyes – and nose! 
 
Tiger loves his Human family, especially his Boy, Huey. But whenever he tries to speak to them, all they can hear is “YERF!” 
 
Poor Tiger can never get his point across – even when he has very important things to say. 
About eating Dad’s socks, 
 chasing squirrels 
 . . . or saving Fiona the Cat!

Tiger Tells All

How do you catch a zebra? 
 
Huey’s big brother, Julian, is mean. He says that Huey is too little and noisy to play with him. But Huey has a plan. 
 
With a few tools and a lot of skill, Huey teaches his brother a lesson – and makes a new friend along the way!

Huey's Tiger

Huey has a bright idea! 
 
Huey wants to surprise his mum on Mother's Day, so he invents banana spaghetti. It takes a bit of help from Dad to get it right, but Huey is determined to show everyone that he is just as clever as his big brother, Julian. 
 
And when Huey beats his fear of the dark, he proves he is just as brave too.

Banana Spaghetti

Your wildest dreams can come true! 
 
Julian and Huey want to give their dad the best birthday present ever – something he has always dreamed of. But what could that be? They watch Dad while he’s sleeping to find out. 
 
It’s hard to read someone’s thoughts, but Julian finds a way. And it seems that Dad’s biggest dream is . . . two big snakes! Or is it . . . ?

Julian, Dream Doctor

Poor Fangs, the tarantula, is terribly lonely and bored with her life in the pet-shop. So when Nathan takes her home, she's more than excited about her new life. But before Nathan can introduce his new pet to his family, he's going to need her help to convince them that spiders aren't just creepy and crawly . . . They're beautiful and brave too! 
 
This funny story from the Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman, is perfect for building confidence in young readers - whether reading aloud or reading alone.

Fangs

Julian to the rescue! 
 
Grown-ups aren’t very good at solving crimes. That’s why it’s time for Julian, Huey and Gloria to take matters into their own hands. 
 
The crime-busting kids go on a mission to track down wanted criminals. They have a special motto, a secret code and plenty of plans. All they need now is their first crook . . .

Julian, Secret Agent

Juan lives in Guatemala, in the mountains. It is a poor but beautiful place, with volcanoes rising from the shores of a blue lake, and flocks of brilliantly plumed wild parrots living in the trees. 
 
Juan is a shoe-shine boy. Although he’s only seven years old, he works hard every day to earn his keep. He has lived with his grandmother since his parents abandoned him. 
 
But Juan dreams of other things. Most of all, he longs to go to school like other children his age . . .

The Most Beautiful Place in the World

Malaika Rose Stanley

Miss Bubble is a super-cool teacher at Topley Primary School. The children in Rainbow Class have lots of fun with her. When Miss Bubble ends up in a spot of trouble, her parrot Shriek and her cat Milkshake try their best to help. But they need Rainbow Class to come to the rescue... 
 
A story in rhyme about a great teacher and her class.

Miss Bubble's Troubles

Never leave a yummy pudding lying around! 
 
Dad makes a pudding that tastes like a whole raft of lemons and a night on the sea. But then he does something really silly. He goes for a nap and leaves Julian in charge. Bad idea. 
 
Before he knows it, Julian’s in a sticky situation. And that’s just one of his many adventures, which involve catalogue cats, cave-boy teeth . . . and a new next-door neighbour!

The Julian Stories

Madhvi Ramani

Nina’s schoolfriend Lee is in trouble, so she must borrow her aunt’s travelling spice shed and head to Beijing. Now they are both on a great adventure involving a kung fu master, a yellow snake and a mysterious riddle . . .

Nina and the Kung-Fu Adventure

Did you know that Nina's aunt's spice shed is a travel machine? 
 
Well neither did Nina - and now she's head first into a great adventure involving a lost envelope, a charming street thief, a glamorous Bollywood star and a fierce tiger . . .

Nina and the Travelling Spice Shed

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