Ajay Chowdhury, the inaugural winner of the Harvill Secker-Bloody Scotland prize, is a tech entrepreneur and theatre director. His children’s book – Ayesha and the Firefish, was published in 2016 and adapted into a musical which premiered in San Francisco. 
 
 
The Waiter (Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month), was published in 2021, and is the first in his critically-acclaimed crime series about Detective Kamil Rahman, an ex-policeman from Kolkata who has moved to Brick Lane in London. It is being adapted for television by Moonage Pictures.The Cook (Guardian Top Crime Books of the Year) was published in May 2022 to excellent reviews and deals with the issue of homelessness. The third book in the series – The Detective (Sunday Times Top Crime Books of the Year) – is about government surveillance and AI. The Spy (Longlisted Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing), the fourth book, sees Kamil infiltrate a terrorist cell. The Shadow (A Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month) is the latest book in the series.

Ajay Chowdhury

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Narinder Dhami

When Sanjay gets a bump on his head from the school bully, he wakes up to find that everyone in the playground has turned into an animal! The headmaster's a polar bear and Sanjay's best friend is a sheepdog. Even the ambulance that comes to take him to hospital is driven by a gorilla and the paramedic is a penguin... 
 
Seeing his schoolmates in a new light gives Sanjay a clever idea about how to defeat the bully... Will Sanjay's wily plan work, or has the whole world gone animal crackers?

Animal Crackers

Rob Childs

The big freeze is wrecking the team's soccer season - they haven't played a proper match for two months and the novelty of playing indoors has long worn off. 
 
But then Jamie's father books them in for sessions on the all-weather pitches at the new sports centre, and they find themselves taking part in an exciting triangular tournament. But will Pud be able to keep his feet on the unfamiliar surface? And will the big-headed Carl Diamond keep them out of the Final?

The Big Freeze

It's the beginning of the season and Chris Weston, captain of Danebridge School football team, knows that his team needs goalscorers - players to put the ball in the back of the net. 
 
Two younger boys show promise - nimble Jamie, who can dribble round any opponent, and moody, overweight David (known as Pud), whose cannonball shots are unstoppable. But can Jamie learn to play as part of a team? And can Pud manage to control his temper? When both boys are picked to play for the team in a vital match - the first round of the county cup competition - Chris knows it is up to him, as captain, to help both boys make the most of their big chance...

The Big Chance

It's September, and Andrew Weston can hardly wait to get back to school. For this year he is to play in the school football team, and Andrew is sure that his skills in defence will help Danebridge win every match. 
 
But Andrew and his younger brother Chris - a promising goalkeeper - are in action even sooner when they take part in an annual six-a-side football tournament. When a young winger for the Selworth team gives Andrew a few bad moments, Andrew suspects that his debut match for the school team won't be easy at all. For their first opponents are to be...Selworth!

The Big Game

Helen Dunwoodie

Daisy and Robina are desperate for a  dog. They've tried everything and in desperation they sneak a book about magic out of their older sister's room and try to cast a spell.  Later that day, to their great amazement and delight, a dog appears in their house.  The curious-looking mutt resembles a cross between a poodle and an afghan hound and the girls love their 'afoodle' on sight.  Dad, however, has a more prosaic explanation for the dog's appearance, and what it's doing in their house.  But all the girls want to know is, can he stay?

Dogspell

Andrew Weston is overjoyed when he wins a SPOT THE BALL competition and gets the chance to form a five-a-side football team and take part in a special weekend tournament. Naming his team the Vikings, Andrew is determined to play well - especially since talent scouts from his favourite club, United, will be watching the matches. 
 
But the opposition is tough. Especially Dean's Demons, who play their football hard with bruising tackles and unfair fouls. Now Andrew and his team don't only want to win the Cup - they want to beat the Demons and show them how football should REALLY be played!

The Big Goal

Goalkeeper Chris Weston is stunned when he is asked to captain the Danebridge School football team. But the season gets off to a disastrous start and no-one, especially bullying Luke Bradshaw, can forget the good old days when Chris's brother Andrew and his friends led the team to victory. 
 
There's only one way for Chris to prove himself and his team. Somehow they must beat Andrew and the other Danebridge Old Boys in a very special challenge match. But as the big day draws near, Chris knows that he is facing a vital test...

The Big Kick

Catherine Robinson

Noah is pretty happy at school - he's in a friendly class, he's got a best mate, Jack, and he's one of the youngest to be picked for the school football team. Then a broken leg keeps him off school for several weeks and on his return there's been a mysterious change of atmosphere. 
 
A new boy, Basil, has joined the class and everyone is fascinated by him. The only person who seems to be immune to Basil's charms is class-joke, Bertie, known as Pigface. Try as he might, Noah just can't slip back into his normal place - it seems to have been usurped by Basil. His only choice of partner in class, at lunch, in Games and at break is Pigface. 
 
Forced to sample life as an outsider, Noah has a choice - make a desperate effort to get back into the 'inner circle' or get to see life from Pigface's alternative viewpoint.

Pigface

Off! Off! Off! 
Danebridge school football team - captained by goalie Chris Weston - have had a shaky season in the League, but a good Cup run. Now they face a crucial semi-final replay - a match they must win if they are to meet their arch-rivals, Shenby, in the Final. Will Chris lift the Cup? Find out what happens in this new action-packed story in the bestselling BIG soccer series - everything from a nerve-jangling penalty shootout to a shock sending-off!

The Big Send-Off

Everything seems to be going great for Chris Weston. First he wins the prize of being chosen to be the mascot for the local football league club for their next F.A. Cup match. Then he is picked to play in goal for his school team on the morning of the same day. 
 
But then disaster strikes and Chris can hardly walk, let alone run on to a pitch. Has his luck suddenly changed for the worse? And will he miss his chance of being a mascot?

The Big Prize

Dick King-Smith

Peter is a young boy, living on a farm. One day, whilst out doing chores for his father, he comes across a strange white stick floating in the stream. He reaches out and catches it - and finds an exciting new friend in the process. Ninnyhammer is the local village simpleton, but Peter knows there's more to him than that - he's a magician and the white stick is his magic wand. Ninnyhammer is so grateful that he starts to help Peter and his family with their struggling farm - making the sow have more piglets, helping the corn to grow faster and the hens to lay twice as many eggs. But Peter wants to do something for Ninnyhammer in return. Can it really be right that his friend has to bed down in a hole with foxcubs? And can Peter persuade his dad to help...?

Ninnyhammer

Janey Louise Jones

A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages! 
 
Poppy and Honey are going on holiday to France to stay with Honey's parents in an enormous castle called Chateau Lafayette. They can't wait. It is the first time Poppy has ever been on an aeroplane and it is also the first time she has ever stayed in a castle. It is all so exciting! 
 
But when they arrive everything is not quite as it seems - there are locked doors, their things are mysteriously moved, a swing in the grounds is swinging with no one on it, they find a map of secret passages and they're sure they've seen a ghost in the woods. 
 
Join Poppy and Honey on their spooky French adventure and find out who is haunting their holiday!

Princess Poppy: The Haunted Holiday

Jamie Rix

When a young boy called Phelan Whelan is taken to the zoo by his mum on a hot summer's day, the last thing he expects is for a small hot penguin to stow away in his rucksack. Phelan soon realizes that Whistler the penguin can't live in his house, and together they plan to find a new home for him. Preferably an island somewhere near the South Pole...

One Hot Penguin

Hezekiah is a very hairy camel. He lives a quiet life in his enclosure at the zoo and seems to be the only animal without a friend. So Hezekiah decides to escape from the zoo and go on the run - crashing through hedges, hiding in toilets and breaking into a safari park! There he meets another hairy character - and finally makes a friend . . .

Hairy Hezekiah

Alison Prince

Boojer is sick of being stuck in a hutch with no company and an owner who hardly ever remembers to feed him. Encouraged by some cheerful mice, he manages to escape. Boojer is only in search of juicy carrots and a friend, but he gets far more than he bargained for...

Boojer

Muriel lives alone with lots and lots and lots of cats. But Muriel's cats are no ordinary cats - they were once people she knew, now reincarnated in feline form! Muriel shares her house with various (deceased!) members of her family, and one rather special cat - the late Queen Victoria! An unusual tale of animal madness!

The Catlady

When Chris Weston tries out for the Area soccer squad, he sees some great football skills . . . and some dreadful showing off. 
 
Carl Diamond, nephew of the famous international star Dazzler Diamond, seems to think he's good enough to play in the World Cup and, to be fair, his performance on the pitch is pretty stunning. But although he scores goal after goal, big-headed Carl knows all too well how good a player he is, and gets angry when other players don't meet his standard. Someone's going to have to put him in his place . . . but who?

The Big Star

John Dougherty

Jack Slater is an official Monster Investigator - licensed to hunt out monsters who turn up under beds and terrorize small children (and his parents!). Armed with a high-power torch (monsters hate the light), a pocketful of spare batteries and a much-loved teddy (there is nothing monsters hate more than a favourite childhood toy), he sets off down to Monster Underworld when news reaches his ears that the monsters are on the march. They're getting organized and no-one, not even the Prime Minister in Downing Street, is safe any more...

Jack Slater, Monster Investigator

Samantha Chaffey

A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages! 
 
Poppy and her grown-up cousin Saffron are in New York for Fashion Week. While they're in town, they'll be hooking up with Bryony Snow, the Editor of Buttons &amp; Bows Magazine as part of their prize for Saffron's Sewing Shop being chosen as the best boutique by the magazine. (read all about them winning this prize in The Big Mix-Up) 
 
They've got an action-packed itinerary including glamorous runway shows, a tour of the city and lots more surprises in store. But when Poppy and her new friends find the supermodel, Tallulah Melage, sobbing in a corner after a row with a world famous fashion designer she realizes that fashion is not all fun and games . . . 
 
Join Poppy and Saffron on their adventure in the Big Apple and find out whether their homespun values and fabulous fashion sense triumph stateside.

Princess Poppy: The Fashion Princess

Captain, Ladybird and Herbert - two Shire horses and a Suffolk Punch - are not pleased when Jenny, a retired seaside donkey, arrives at the Old Horses' Home. It's supposed to be a home for horses, and they don't want to share their field with a common little donkey. 
 
Then rustlers are spotted in the area: thieves who like nothing better than to steal horses and ship them abroad - to be made into horse pie! Can Jenny and her friends save the huge heavy horses?

Horse Pie

Paul May

Eddie's little brother Billy is terrified of everything! Snakes, the dark, toilets, orange peel, moustaches and even soggy toast. When they move to the seaside, Billy find a new thing to be scared of - seagulls! They swoop down in the playground and pick at leftover crisp packets - and Billy thinks they are the scariest thing he has ever seen. Can Eddie and his stepfather try to work out ways to help Billy get over his fears?

Billy And The Seagulls

Berlie Doherty

At first, Tam isn't at all keen on his baby sister, Blue. All she seems to do is cry. But with a little inventive persuasion from Great-grandpa Tam changes his mind and even goes as far as to admit he might quite like her. But then one terrible night, Blue is stolen and an ugly fairy changeling is left in her place. With his Mum and Dad wrapped up in grief, and his Great-grandpa far too old for adventures, it falls to Tam to venture to the land of Faery, return the changeling and win back Blue. But it is a hazardous journey, and Tam must keep his wits about him as he crosses the Sapphire lake, does battle with the castle nightmares and finally confronts the King and Queen of the fairies.

The Starburster

Aidan Potts

'Penalty!' bellowed the referee. 'No arguing.' 
 
The players of Danebridge football team, captained by goalkeeper Chris Weston, face an uphill struggle when they meet their local rivals, Shenby, in a cup-tie. For the referee - Shenby's new sports teacher - might as well be playing for Shenby. All his decisions go their way! 
 
Can Chris, with the help of his brother Andrew, find a way of making sure their next match against Shenby - a vital league clash - will be a fair one? Or will Danebridge's cup and league hopes be dashed because of a biased referee . . . ?

The Big Fix

Emily Smith

James's mum is a real computer whizz.  She designs computers that can launch space missions. But she's not quite so good at ordinary, boring mum stuff! James is forever turning up at school without his dinner money or permission forms for outings. Then his mum has an idea - she'll make him a mother-robot. The Robomum is certainly a brilliant machine. She shops, washes and cooks - and quickly learns all James's favourite recipes.  She tests him on his spelling, helps with his maths and makes sure he never forgets his swimming kit.  But when James gets ill, he soon realizes that a computer could never replace his mum when he really needs her.

Robomum

Spud is a scruffy dog with a big heart - and an even bigger belly. He loves scrounging in dustbins, scaring cats and, of course, scoffing as much food as he can find. But what Spud loves more than anything in the world is his owner, Mrs Piffey, and she loves him too. 
 
But one day Spud overhears Mrs Piffey talking about a mysterious 'turkey' and she suddenly starts wearing dark glasses and strange things called 'bikinis'. Then she disappears . . . 
 
Poor Spud does his best to find her - while being kept in check by Mrs Cats-Home. And of course Mrs Piffey is soon back with a tan - and big box of Turkish delight!

Spud

A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages! 
 
Poppy is really excited because she and Mum are working at Cousin Saffron's sewing shop for the day while Saffron minds Poppy's baby brother and sister, Angel and Archie. She is absolutely sure it is going to be the most brilliant day ever because the shop is so fabulously glamorous and she'll get to chat to customers all day. But things start to go wrong when Poppy gets a bit carried away with all the village gossip she hears! 
 
Find out how Poppy becomes the biggest gossip in the village and whether or not her friends will ever forgive her for spreading rumours? 
 
Join Poppy as she learns that you shouldn't believe everything you hear, and you certainly shouldn't repeat it - especially if it is just village gossip!

Princess Poppy: The Big Mix Up

Dominic Wood

Dominic is an ordinary boy with an appetite for magic and a rather extraordinary sidekick- his magical top hat, the Topper. The two of them live happily, but when Great Aunt Rowena comes to stay things begin to go awry. Rowena has plans of her own for the Topper, and she's not going to give in without a fight. 
This begins a new strand of publishing for Dominic Wood, master magician and TV star. Dominic is an endearing character and his adventures with the Topper are bound to delight young readers. And there's even a magic trick to learn at the end of the book - to keep those young magicians happy.

Dom And The Magic Topper

All Because of Jackson - Jackson is a very unusual rabbit - one who dreams of going to sea. So one day he stows away on the Atalanta and sails off in search of a new life . . . 
 
The Catlady - Muriel lives alone with lots and lots of cats. But Muriel's cats are no ordinary cats - they are people she once knew reincarnated in feline form! 
 
The Guard Dog - The story of a ragged little pup with a grand ambition - to be a guard dog. The other pups laugh at him. Could such a small and scruffy dog really guard a home? 
 
Hairy Hezekiah - Hezekiah lives a quiet life, and seems to be the only animal in the zoo without a friend. So he decides to escape and go on the run! 
 
Horse Pie - Jenny the donkey finds herself unwelcome at the Old Horses' Home, but when rustlers start looking for horses to make into pies, it's up to Jenny to save the day.

Animal Tales

Follow Tam on three exciting adventures to the land of Faery - where he'll battle castle nightmares, evil creatures and mischevious fairies! 
 
THE STARBURSTER 
At first, Tam isn't at all keen on his baby sister, Blue. But with a little inventive persuasion from Great-grandpa, Tam changes his mind. One terrible night, Blue is stolen - and an ugly fairy changeling is left in her place! It falls to Tam to journey to the magical land of Faery, return the changeling and win back Blue... 
 
THE HUMMING MACHINE 
Great-grandpa Toby is making so much NOISE! And if Tam can hear the clamour coming from his humming machine, the fairies will too. Soon enough, on the night of a blue moon, Great-grandpa vanishes. Tam must venture to Faery Land once more - but what will he find when he gets there? 
 
THE WINDSPINNER 
First the fairies took Tam's little sister, Blue. Then they took his Great-grandpa Toby. Now Tam has to keep a great secret - not only is Great-grandpa still in Faery as King, but the old King of the fairies, Oban, is now in Tam's world disguised as a boy Tam's age! 
 
At first, it's lots of fun having Oban and his magic around. He manages to charm everybody - even Tam's teacher at school. But then things start to go wrong . . . 
 
 
Three enchanting stories from much-loved, Carnegie Award-winning author Berlie Doherty. 
 
 
Young Corgi books are perfect for building reading confidence

The Starburster Stories

A brand-new story in the best-selling Princess Poppy series with gorgeous coloured pages! 
 
Poppy is very excited because she is hosting her first ever sleepover. Honey, Sweetpea, Mimosa and Abigail are all coming to stay and there are lots of treats in store, including beauty treatments, dance routines, midnight feasts and a nature walk in Wildspice Woods the next morning. 
 
Much to the girls excitement, heavy snow falls during the night and when they wake up, everything is covered by a deep layer of sparkling snow. But they soon realize that the snowstorm isn't just fun and games. Things start to really get serious when Aunt Marigold's General Store runs out of food supplies, the log man can't get through because all the roads are blocked and Honey injures herself. Some of the villagers are even without electricity and phone lines. 
 
Will the Villagers manage to stay warm and fed and will the community spirit of the Honeypot Hill residents shine through and help everyone pull together until the storm is over? And will Poppy save the day? Find out in this brilliant new Princess Poppy adventure.

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