Abie Longstaff is the eldest of six children and grew up in Australia, Hong Kong and France. She knows all about squabbling, chaos and bossing younger sisters around. So she logically began her career as a barrister. She started writing when her children were born. Her favourite childhood books were Hating Alison Ashley, A Little Princess, Maura's Angel and The Black Stallion and she sneakily reads them again sometimes. Abie lives in Hove with her family.

Abie Longstaff

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Roald Dahl

Quentin Blake

Mr Hoppy really loves his neighbour Mrs Silver, and Mrs Silver really loves her tortoise, Alfie. 
Oh, if only Mr Hoppy could perform some great feat that would make him a hero in her eyes! 
Then one day an amazing idea rushes into his head. 
 With the help of a magical spell, some cabbage leaves and one hundred and forty tortoises, can shy Mr Hoppy win Mrs Silver's heart?

Esio Trot

Dick King-Smith

Jo Davies

Dumpling wishes she was long and sausage-shaped like her two brothers and other dachshunds, instead of being short and stumpy. One day she goes to the woods and meets a witch's cat who grants Dumpling her wish, but the spell goes wrong and Dumpling gets longer and longer! She's very happy to return to her own shape again.

Dumpling

Allan Ahlberg

Penguin presents Happy Families: The Audio Collection by Allan Ahlberg, read by Alexander Armstrong. 
Families come in all shapes and sizes, big ones, small ones, funny ones and even silly ones. In this first ever audio collection you can discover the story of Mrs Wobble the Waitress, Mr Biff the Boxer, Miss Dirt the Dustman's Daughter and many more of Allan Ahlberg's beloved Happy Families. 
 
This audio collection features 11 classic tales brought to life with original music and dazzling sound effects, all read in Alexander Armstrong's unique style. 
 
'Happy Families are the best thing to happen to beginner readers since Dr Seuss' - Children's Rights Workshop.

Happy Families: The Audio Collection

Jeremy Strong

Ian Cunliffe

A very funny story about the children at Pirate School. Fourth in the series within Colour Young Puffins. The children are planning to raid Patagonia Clatterbottom's food store - but grown-up pirates, the Woppagobs, are trying to steal the goodies as well. But the children outwit them all, particularly when Ziggy brings out his bun gun - a cannon that fires sticky buns and doughnuts.

Pirate School: The Bun Gun

Barack Obama

An inspirational picture book for young readers from former President of the United States, Barack Obama. 
 
In this tender, beautiful letter to his daughters, former President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to the ideals that have shaped his nation and thirteen groundbreaking Americans, including: 
 
The artistry of Georgia O'Keefe 
The courage of Jackie Robinson 
The patriotism of George Washington 
 
Barack Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children and within all children. 
 
Evocative illustrations by the award-winning artist Loren Long at once capture the personalities and achievements of these great Americans, and the innocence and promise of childhood. 
 
This book celebrates the potential within all of us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths.

Of Thee I Sing

Every Saturday morning the Gregg family goes off to shoot animals and birds. But the girl who lives next door hates hunting. 
Now it's made her so angry she's PUT THE MAGIC FINGER ON THEM ALL. And very strange things have begun to happen . . .

The Magic Finger

Every Saturday morning the Greg family goes off to shoot animals and birds. But the girl who lives next door hates hunting. 
Now it's made her so angry she's PUT THE MAGIC FINGER ON THEM ALL. And very strange things have begun to happen . . .

(Colour Edition)

Mcnaughton Colin

Mr and Mrs Brick are builders, just like their mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers. But their new baby doesn't seem to be following in their footsteps. Instead of building things up, she keeps knocking things down! 
 
Based on the classic 'Happy Families' card game, this highly entertaining series is ideal for reading and sharing at home or at school. It is guided by the Education Adviser, Brian Thompson, and written by the award-winning author, Allan Ahlberg. 
 
'The best thing to happen to beginner readers since Dr Seuss' Children's Rights Workshop.

Miss Brick the Builders' Baby

Mr Twit is a foul and smelly man with bits of cornflake and sardine in his beard. 
Mrs Twit is a horrible old hag with a glass eye. 
Together they make the nastiest couple you could ever hope not to meet. 
Down in their garden, the Twits keep Muggle-Wump the monkey and his family locked in a cage. But not for much longer, because the monkeys are planning to trick the terrible Twits, once and for all . . .

The Twits (Colour Edition)

Eoin Colfer

Will has four brothers and it's chaos in his house! If he's not being teased by his big brother Marty, he has to deal with the terrible, three-headed bundle of cuteness that is his three younger brothers. Even worse, his mother has the brilliant idea of packing Will and Marty off to the library during the holidays. She just doesn't understand! Not only is the library no fun, it's also the habitat of the legendary librarian Spud Murphy. If you put a foot wrong, it's rumoured she will use her dreaded gas-powered spud gun and you don't want that - just ask Ugly Frank how he got his nickname! Eventually Will and Marty discover a love of books and that Mrs Murphy isn't so bad after all!

The Legend of Spud Murphy

Richard Curtis

Rebecca Cobb

It's Christmas Eve and there's one very important question on everyone's mind - have YOU been good this year? 
 
For twins Sam and Charlie this is a big worry. Charlie has been especially naughty and everyone is sure that she won't get any presents AT ALL. But when Santa makes a mistake, it's up to naughty Charlie to put things right. Will her last-minute secret act of kindness be enough to redeem her after all? 
 
A brilliantly funny and heartwarming story for Christmas Eve from acclaimed scriptwriter Richard Curtis and award-winning illustrator Rebecca Cobb

The Empty Stocking

It's the first day at PIRATE SCHOOL for Ziggy, Smudge, Carkella and Flo and they have lots of new things to contend with.  Their headteacher is the scary Patagonia Clasterbotton and they have to take lessons include walking the plank and hand-to-hand fighting.  When out on the pirate ship a storm blows up, resulting in the children having to rescue Patagonia when she's swept overboard, and they learn that really  Patagonia is not so scary after all!

Pirate School: Just a Bit of Wind

Linda Chapman

Unicorn School is all abuzz with the news that there is going to be a school production of Sleeping Beauty. Willow is very excited by the news and dreams of playing the leading role. Her best friend Sapphire shyly confesses that she would like to try for the main part, too. Willow faces a big disappointment, but also learns a valuable lesson when Sapphire finds the courage to go on stage.

Unicorn School: The School Play

Electra is very excited. Two of the older mermaids, Keri and Marina, have asked her if she would like to go camping with them on Craggy Island. What an adventure! 
 
But the adventure comes to an abrupt end when Electra's mum tells her that she is too young and won't let her go. 
 
How will Electra have any fun now?

Not Quite a Mermaid: Mermaid Rescue

Mary Pope Osborne

Jenny Laird

Kelly Matthews

Nichole Matthews

Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Pirates!! 
 
Sail back in time with Jack and Annie in this full-colour graphic novel adaptation of a children’s classic, perfect for readers aged 5–7. 
 
Be careful what you wish for in the magic tree house – it might just come true! This time, Jack and Annie have been whisked away to a beautiful beach. It’s paradise! That is, until the pirates arrive . . . 
 
The dreaded Cap’n Bones is looking for buried treasure, but he can’t solve the treasure map’s riddle. He thinks Jack and Annie know where his treasure is, and he’s not letting them go until they find it! Join Jack and Annie as they sail the high seas of history and try to solve the treasure map mystery – and meet a magical, mysterious new friend! 
 
This adventure-filled series of graphic novel adaptations teaches kids about the past and helps them develop reading confidence, all while solving exciting magical mysteries alongside Jack and Annie. Perfect for young readers aged 5–7.

Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon

(A Graphic Novel)

Jess Brallier

Jack Keely

Meet Tina and Tuck - two unlikely friends ready for adventure! The first in a fun, full-colour series for 6+ children, ideal for readers moving from picture books to chapter stories. 
 
Tina lives at Boone Elementary and LOVES listening in to Ms Pigeon’s lessons and seeing all the kids having fun with their friends. She just wishes she had a real friend of her own.Then Ms Pigeon announces that a new class pet is arriving and Tina wonders if her wish might come true.Tuck is a ball of energy with a knack for causing chaos and the opposite of who Tina expected. She’s sure he’s going to be nothing but TROUBLE!Then Boone Elementary is faced with closure and Tina and Tuck decide to work together to find an ancient treasure that’s rumoured to be hidden somewhere in the school – can these two unlikely allies save the school before it’s too late?! 
 
'Heartwarming and hilarious!' Jeff Kinney, bestselling author of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Tuck and Tina and the Lost Fortune

Shirley Hughes

Down by the railway a white face looks out of a spooky old house, and Jim and Arthur hardly dare investigate.

It's Too Frightening for Me!

It's the first day of term at Unicorn School and little Willow is feeling rather nervous and excited, but she soon settles in and makes new friends. Life at school is full of fun and adventure, but one day an older unicorn plays a mean trick on Storm and lands him in big trouble. Willow is determined to help her friend, even if it means putting herself in danger &ndash; after all, isn't that what friends are for?

Unicorn School: First Class Friends

George Kranky's Grandma is a miserable grouch. George really hates that horrid old witchy woman. 
One Saturday morning, George is in charge of giving Grandma her medicine. 
So-ho! Ah-ha! Ho-hum! George knows exactly what to do. 
A magic medicine* it will be. One that will either cure her completely . . . or blow off the top of her head. 
 
*WARNING: Do not try to make George's Marvellous Medicine yourselves at home. It could be dangerous.

George's Marvellous Medicine (Colour Edn)

Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Mummies!! 
 
Visit ancient Egypt with Jack and Annie in this full-colour graphic novel adaptation of a children’s classic, perfect for readers aged 5–7. 
 
Be careful what you wish for in the magic tree house – it might just come true! This time, Jack and Annie have been whisked away to ancient Egypt. 
 
After getting lost inside a pyramid, the siblings meet a real-life mummy who needs their help solving a centuries-old riddle. Join Jack and Annie as they learn about the past and try to solve the ancient mystery – if only they can find their way through the pyramid’s maze! 
 
This adventure-filled series of graphic novel adaptations teaches kids about the past and helps them develop reading confidence, all while solving exciting magical mysteries alongside Jack and Annie. Perfect for young readers aged 5–7

Magic Tree House: Mummies in the Morning

Linda Elovitz Marshall

Ilaria Urbinati

Beatrix Potter created one of the world's most enduring characters, Peter Rabbit, and found inspiration in the world of nature. From her childhood she would sketch the world around her and wanted to make sure the nature she loved was there for everyone to enjoy for years to come. 
 
 
A pioneering author and illustrator, her work is a celebration of British nature and countryside. Her global success allowed her to protect and conserve her beloved Lake District home for generations to enjoy and celebrate. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of Beatrix's life and the countryside she cherished.

Beatrix Potter's Countryside

Sue Bentley

Never in Lily's or Beth's wildest dreams had they imagined having a magic puppy for a friend! 
 
When sandy golden retriever, Storm, magically appears, Lily can't believe it. A New Beginning awaits them! 
 
AND... 
 
...in Muddy Paws, Storm appears as a black-and-white collie pup. Everything changes as a brilliant new friendship begins...

Magic Puppy: A New Beginning and Muddy Paws

When Electra hears of hidden treasure in the caves near Mermaid Island she is very excited. 
 
She and her mer-friends decide to form a treasure hunters club but their first hunt is abandoned when everyone gets stung by purple jellyfish! On the way home Electra finds a tiny rare dwarf seahorse surrounded by the same jellyfish. She swims in and saves him before he gratefully swims off to his secret seahorse lair. 
 
No one wants to explore very far after being stung and Electra gets very frustrated - in fact she and Sasha have a big fight about it. Sasha is so upset that she swims off - in the wrong direction! Electra swims after her but before they realise it they're both lost. Luckily the tiny seahorse appears again to lead them back to safety and on the way he leads them to a secret cave with a very special surprise!

Not Quite a Mermaid: Mermaid Treasure

Mrs Lather is getting quite worked up in her laundry. She hates washing socks, she hates washing vests, she really doesn't much like washing trousers or dresses either. But her job gets rather more difficult when her customers start bringing in more unusual washing loads ... 
 
The 'Happy Families' series is designed for use at home or at school. It is guided by the Education Adviser, Brian Thompson, and written by the award-winning author, Allan Ahlberg. 
 
'The best thing to happen to beginner readers since Dr Seuss' Children's Rights Workshop.

Mrs Lather's Laundry

Vivian French

Chris Fisher

Hector and Hattie and Harry and Hester set off to find a nice juicy hamburger. But Fox doesn&rsquo;t want a hamburger, and neither does Badger. What they want are four nice fat juicy hedgehogs for their tea! 
 
Two funny stories about four friendly hedgehogs, perfect for beginner readers.

Hedgehogs Don't Eat Hamburgers

Natalia O’Hara

Lauren O'Hara

"O Bandit Queen!" the bandits cried. 
"Little horror! Poison weed! 
We'll give you everything a queen could ever need..." 
 
The bandits give their queen treasure, tigers, mischief and mayhem. But sometimes a little girl needs something more... 
 
A book about finding family in unexpected places, from the creators of Hortense and the Shadow.

The Bandit Queen

The third very funny story about the children at pirate school. The children hide a stray dog on board, while Patagonia Clatterbottom, the head teacher, is plagued by school inspectors, who are not impressed by the lessons. So, the children decide to sail the school away. The inspectors give chase, but the children fire on their boat and take it over - full marks for the lessons they have learnt about being pirates. And they're allowed to keep the dog!

Pirate School: Where's That Dog?

Puffin Books

A lively collection of nineteen five-minute stories, ideally suited to the audiobook format. Here are stories old and new, from Perrault's LITTLE RED-RIDING HOOD and the traditional tale of THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF to Margaret Mahy's HORRENDOUS HULLABALOO and Dick King-Smith's BLESSU. There are stories about animals, magic and mermaids, in this fascinating audiobook anthology.

Puffin Book of Five-minute Stories

Fritz Wegner

Bertie Bun was born to be a baker. His mum is a baker. His dad is a baker. Even his grandparents were bakers. But Bertie has a big problem - he's bored of bread! He wants to be a butcher's boy, or a bus-driver's boy or even a balloonist's boy - and his wishes are going to land him in lots of trouble ... 
 
Based on the classic 'Happy Families' card game, this highly entertaining series is ideal for reading and sharing at home or at school. It is guided by the Education Adviser, Brian Thompson, and written by the award-winning author, Allan Ahlberg. 
 
'The best thing to happen to beginner readers since Dr Seuss' Children's Rights Workshop.

Master Bun the Bakers' Boy

Meet Tina and Tuck - two unlikely friends ready for adventure! A fun, full-colour series for 6+ children, ideal for readers moving from picture books to chapter stories.Strange bumps! Spooky Shadows! Odd noises! No wonder Tina and Tuck think that Boone School is haunted! 
But when the two mice spot burglars prowling in the school corridors, they wonder if maybe the school “ghost” might not be so bad after all. And that perhaps the Boone School spook can even help them scare off the crooks . . .? 
 
Praise for the Tuck and Tina series: 
'Heartwarming and hilarious!' Jeff Kinney, bestselling author of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Tuck and Tina and the Haunted School

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