Michael Symmons Roberts’s fourth book of poetry, Corpus, was the winner of the 2004 Whitbread Poetry Award, and was shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize, the Forward Prize, and the Griffin International Prize. His sixth collection, Drysalter, was the winner of both the Forward Prize and the Costa Poetry Prize in 2013. He collaborated with Paul Farley on Edgelands (Cape/Vintage) and will do so again in The Deaths of the Poets (Cape, 2017). He has also worked many times with the composer James MacMillan. He has published two novels, and is Professor of Poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Michael Symmons Roberts

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Janet Ahlberg

Allan Ahlberg

This is the first book in the FUNNYBONES series and introduces the skeletons - a big skeleton, a little skeleton and a dog skeleton. They live in a dark dark cellar of a dark dark house on a dark dark hill and so the word repetition continues through this lighthearted story for early readers. The skeletons venture out of their cellar one night to find someone to scare, but everyone is in bed so they amuse themselves by scaring each other and playing with the skeleton animals that live in the zoo.

Funnybones

(Book & CD) The laugh-out-loud Halloween classic

Babette Cole

Prince Cinders leads a very hard life. Bullied by his three hairy brothers about his less-than-perfect looks, he spends all his time cleaning and tidying up after them. One Saturday night Prince Cinders' luck changes as a small, dirty fairy falls down the chimney and promises that his wishes shall come true. Not all the fairy's spells turn out as planned in this zany twist of a traditional story.

Prince Cinders

B. J. Novak

“I absolutely love this book. It's silly and funny, made to be read aloud and shared with small people and bigger kids alike!” - 5 star reader review 
 
You might think a book with no pictures would be boring and serious. 
Except . . . here's how this book works: 
 
Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say BLORK. Or BLUURF. 
 
And even if they have to say things like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and MY HEAD IS MADE OF BLUEBERRY PIZZA! 
 
That's the rule. That's the deal. 
 
Comic writer and actor, B. J. Novak's brilliantly irreverent and very, very silly The Book With No Pictures will delight kids and grownups alike!

The Book With No Pictures

Sue Heap

Nick Sharratt

A is for apple, B is for bat, C is for crocodile, camel and cat . . . Here is a unique and special alphabet book. This very simple text is about two friends, Sue and Nick, who like very different things but are still best friends. They take us through all their favourite things from ABC all the way to XYZ . . . X can mean kiss, Y is for yoghurt and yum and yuk too, Z is for zoom, goodbye, Nick and Sue!

Alphabet Ice Cream

A fantastic fun-filled ABC

Rachel Morrisroe

Steven Lenton

A rollicking, rhyming read-aloud treat from wordsmith extraordinaire, debut author Rachel Morrisroe, and the ridiculously talented, bestselling Steven Lenton 
 
Welcome to Mr Pottifer's Parlour of Plants: a magical shop with the most surprising plants you'll ever see! 
 
Sarah thinks she's discovered the perfect gift for her garden-loving grandma, but before you can say GARDEN FULL OF UNICORNS, things grow wildly out-of-hand! 
 
Live your own hilarious unicorn fantasy in this rip-roaring, rhyming delight from a terrifically talented new picture book author, with illustrations from the brilliant, bestselling illustrator Steven Lenton - illustrator of Shifty McGifty and The Hundred and One Dalmatians picture book.

How to Grow a Unicorn

A unique look at colours and friendship, now available in paperback. 
 
This very simple text is about two friends, Sue and Nick, who like different colours but are still good friends. The artwork is stunning with each artist contributing alternate pages in their own inimitable style. The deceptively simple text is perfect for children learning to read.

Red Rockets and Rainbow Jelly

Kathryn Cave

Chris Riddell

A simple story, about a small creature who does his best to join in with the others. But he's different. No matter how he tries, he just doesn't belong. 
 
Then Something turns up and wants to be friends. But Something Else isn't sure he's like him at all... 
 
Kathryn Cave's poignantly simple story is brought to life by Chris Riddell in this enchantingly original picture book - now reissued with a new cover look.

Something Else

Andre Amstutz

In a dark dark street 
There is a dark dark house 
And in the dark dark house . . . 
 
In this FUNNYBONES story, the big skeleton and the little skeleton go - "CLONK!" - bump in the night and have to send for Dr Bones to be put back together again!

Funnybones: Bumps in the Night

Emma Chichester Clark

A lyrical and epic story about a baby and a trio of toys, and their adventure on the high seas. Beautifully told by master storyteller Allan Ahlberg and stunningly illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark in their first standalone picture-book collaboration.

Baby on Board

Ed Vere

You don't have to ROAR to be heard... 
 
Meet Leonard - a lion like no other. 
 
Leonard's best friend is Marianne, a duck. But lions chomp ducks, don't they? 
 
What will the pair do when their way of life is threatened? 
 
From the New York Times-bestselling author of Max the Brave comes a powerful story celebrating daydreamers, individuality and the quiet courage to be yourself. 
 
"Positive role models showing boys how to be a whole person are few and far between these days. This marvelous book triumphs in that essential job." Kirkus 
 
"Children will feel empowered after reading such a deliberate story of unyielding strength and self-awareness. Thoughtful and provocative words to live by." School Library Journal 
 
"gently reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh" BookTrust 
 
"Framed by a glowing palette of burnt yellows and oranges, and infused with humour and warmth, this thought provoking fable celebrates courage, individuality and the power of words." The Bookseller 
 
"A philosophical tale so, so full of heart, celebrating the quietest and gentlest among us." Library Mice 
 
"A gentle read with an overwhelming power. How to be a Lion by Ed Vere italicises the need to speak up for yourself and those less strong than yourself. With his signature bold artwork this is another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator " Picture Books Blogger

How to be a Lion

The story of a baby who is sad and sets off one day in search of a mummy. He meets a cat, a teddy, a clockwork hen and an uncle who all refuse to be his mummy but offer to help him in his search. They find a lady who has no baby and she agrees to bethe baby's mummy. They all have tea together and uncle reads a story about a baby who had no daddy and this leads to another search until finally a daddy is found too!

Bye Bye Baby

A Sad Story with a Happy Ending

Tove Jansson

If you haven't met a Moomin yet, you're missing the most magical fun... 
 
Join Moomintroll and his friends in this brand-new picture book based on the original stories by Tove Jansson. 
 
Spring has come to Moominvalley. And to Moomin's delight, it has brought his best friend Snufkin home from his winter wanderings with plenty of exciting tales of far-away lands. 
 
When Snufkin takes Moomin on a surprise adventure - filled with unfamiliar and exciting sights, sounds, and smells - Moomin feels just like a real pioneer! But will he discover that some of the greatest adventures can be found on his very own doorstep? 
 
A gorgeous, brightly illustrated story about the joy of seeking adventure. 
 
Discover more beautiful Moomin books: 
Moomin: Little My and the Wild Wind 
Moomin and the Midsummer Mystery 
Moomin and the Wishing Star 
Moomin and the Ice Festival 
My First Moomin: Goodnight, Moomin 
My First Moomin: Best Friends 
My First Moomin: Be Brave, Moomin

Moomin and Snufkin’s Quest for Adventure

If you haven't met a Moomin yet, you're missing the most magical fun . . . 
 
It's a long, lazy midsummer afternoon in Moominvalley and the whole family are relaxing outdoors. But suddenly Moominpappa's precious notebook and fountain pen vanish, and the garden starts to feel unseasonably cold. Can Moomintroll and his friends follow the clues and solve this curious mystery?

Moomin and the Midsummer Mystery

In a dark dark street 
There is a dark dark house . . . 
 
In this FUNNYBONES story, the skeletons go sledging - WHEE! - and crashing - BANG! 
 
They can't see their bones in the white snow but they can see a black cat . . . until she slips into their dark, dark cellar . . .

Funnybones: The Black Cat

Once more the Jolly Postman rides - and flies - and shrinks! 
 
This brilliant book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is the third adventure for the Jolly Postman, originally published in 1995 and now back in print! The Jolly Postman's morning is set off course when he suffers a bump to the head before he shrinks to the size of a postage stamp . . . and it just gets curiouser and curiouser! 
 
Featuring a whole host of familiar characters, pull-out letters and a magnifying glass.

The Jolly Pocket Postman

The interactive pocket-sized adventure

Freddy McConnell

Rosalind  Beardshaw

A lyrical picture book that celebrates the special bond between parent and child. 
 
Join Papa and Little one on a very ordinary day, as they explore Little One's extraordinary question: "What do we need?" 
Together, they decide they need lots of things - clean water, friends, a home - but, above all, they need each other.

Little Seahorse and the Big Question

Abie Longstaff

Eve Coy

Find out who is going to bed in this soothing bedtime tale from the bestselling author of the Fairytale Hairdresser series. Meet a cheeky baby who IS NOT sleepy and wreaks havoc among the tired animals, pirates and royalty of a magical fairy-tale land. Will anybody get any rest - and what will happen when they meet a very sleepy baby dragon? 
 
Stunning, atmospheric nighttime scenes from Eve Coy bring a sleepy magic to this dreamy rhythmic story - the perfect read just before bed!

Who's Going to Bed?

A wonderful and unique look at counting and friendship. 
This very simple picture book is about two friends, Sue and Nick, who like very different things but are still best friends. They introduce us to all their favourite things from one boy called Nick and one girl called Sue to ten cakes for tea, and then all the way back down to one yellow moon shining in the night sky. The artwork is stunning with each artist contributing alternate pages in their own inimitable style. The deceptively simple text is perfect for children learning to read.

One to Ten and Back Again

Tom Fletcher

A brand-new series of novelty board books from bestselling author Tom Fletcher! 
 
MEOW! MEOW! Oh look - there's a tired little Kitten in your book! 
Shall we get him ready for bed? 
 
Tap, slide, and jiggle the pages to help Little Kitten put away his toys, brush his fur, and pick a story for bedtime. Can you help him drift off to sleep? 
 
Toddlers will love this interactive board book, full of fun novelties that encourage curiosity and exploration and a gentle narrative that is perfect to read aloud whilst winding down before bed. 
 
More Who's in Your Book interactive board books: 
 
There's a Little Chick in Your Book 
There's a Little Snowman in Your Book 
There's a Little Puppy in Your Book 
There's a Little Ghost in Your Book

There’s a Little Kitten in Your Book

Lynley Dodd

Slinky Malinki steals anything from a clothes peg, to a slipper, to a string of sausages, to a clock! Our hero is a BAD cat! The story is told in wonderful rhyme and through pictures full of life and movement.

Slinky Malinki

Anthony Browne

This story is all about a very clever white bear and his magic pencil. Everything Bear draws becomes real! He draws a circle and it becomes a hole through which he can escape. He even draws a rope that he can swing on. And when two bear hunters are after him, his magic pencil comes in very handy!

Bear Hunt

Eric Carle

In this festive lift-the-flap story, set on a silent, snowy Christmas Eve, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is hoping for a very special visitor. 
 
Lift-the-flap on every page to discover who's at home. Could it be Father Christmas?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Christmas Eve

Christopher Wormell

'Far, far away in the high, high mountains in a deep, deep valley in a dark, dark cave - there lived a mighty dragon.' 
 
He was an awesome and frightening creature, terrorising whole armies, destroying castles, demolishing forests and kidnapping princesses. But this mighty dragon had a deep, dark secret. . . . 
 
Uncover a charming tale of adventure, a dragon, and an unlikely hero. Told with gentle humour and mesmerising illustrations, this is a picture book to enchant and delight. 
 
This stunning new edition is perfect for new readers, as well as fans of George, the Dragon and the Princess. This much-loved classic tale comes from the exceptional storyteller and illustrator, Chris Wormell.

George and the Dragon

Raymond Briggs

One night a great big, white polar comes to stay with Tilly. The bear's got black hooked claws and huge yellow teeth; but his white furry coat is warm and soft and Tilly decides he's the cuddliest thing in the whole world. Tilly soon finds out that a big bear can cause big problems - he takes a LOT of looking after! But when she describes the bear's latest antics to her parents they think he's a figment of her imagination - but is he? 
 
From the creator of The Snowman, Father Christmas and Fungus the Bogeyman - now a live theatre show!

The Bear

A classic tale about the magic of friendship from Raymond Briggs

In a dark dark street 
There is a dark dark house 
And in the dark dark house . . . 
 
In this FUNNYBONES story, the Big Skeleton and the LIttle Skeleton are being chased by dinosaurs . . . in their dreams!

Funnybones: Dinosaur Dreams

Virginia Kroll

Nancy Carpenter

A little girl learns about the Masai tribe at school and daydreams about what her life would have been like if she had been born into the tall, proud East African tribe. Comparing her life and theirs, she celebrates both the differences and the similarities and she learns that she has her own spiritual and even physical kinship with them. 
 
&lsquo;The text and pictures achieve a perfect harmony &hellip; The comparisons are always positive &hellip; A joy of a book&rsquo; Junior Education.

Masai and I

Edward Lear

Charlotte Voake

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea 
In a beautiful pea-green boat... 
 
Edward Lear's classic poem has delighted readers of all ages for generations and is given new life by Charlotte Voake's exquisite illustrations in this beautiful new edition. Introduced by a foreword from world-renowned children's author and Lear devotee, Julia Donaldson, this is a book to be treasured by Lear fans both old and young.

The Owl and the Pussy-cat

Kaye Umansky

This is the way we stomp our feet, Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! This is the way we like to eat, Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Stomp! Chomp! Big Roars, Here come the dinosaurs! 
A brilliant third action rhymes book from the perfect duo of Kaye Umansky and Nick Sharratt. Following on from Tickle my Nose and Wiggle My Toes, this book focusses on the perennial favourites, dinosaurs, and boasts a whole host of brand new interactive fun rhymes about all sorts of things. Illustrated with Nick Sharratt's superbly vibrant and fantastic dinosaur characters, this will soon become a most popular book.

Stomp, Chomp, Big Roars! Here Come the Dinosaurs!

Getting what you want can be tricky, especially if you don't ask in quite the right way. Follow one little monkey's journey through many emotions as he tries every trick in the book to get hold of his friend's banana, until he finally hits on the magic word - please! 
 
Using only two words, this is a fantastic introduction to the value of manners and compromise for young children. Packed with humour, colour and exuberance, this is a brilliant observation of toddler behaviour.

Banana

Ducks growing out of bananas? 
A mouse catching a cat? 
What's wrong with this book? 
 
Yes, there's something strange, something funny and even downright preposterous on every page of this book (and even the cover!). But it's not a mistake - it's nonsense! And it's also surrealism. Nonsense lies at the heart of many beloved nursery rhymes. Children readily accept odd statements like "the cow jumped over the moon" and "the dish ran away with the spoon." This fanciful bending of reality is also basic to surrealism. 
 
In this book, nonsense and surrealism combine to spark creativity and imagination. What's true? What's impossible? What's absolutely absurd? From Eric Carle, creator of the classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, comes a book to make children laugh and think, preparing them for a lifetime of loving both words and art.

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