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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Raj Kaur Khaira

Discover the inspirational lives of fifty women from across South Asia - the perfect present for all supergirls in the making 
 
Through the fascinating, empowering life stories of 50 famous and under-celebrated women from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, South Asian girls will have a chance to dream about lives for themselves that radically differ from the limited narratives and stereotypes written for them by their culture, wider society and the mainstream media. 
 
Brigng together the stories of leading entertainers (Meera Syal, Jameela Jamil, Mindy Kaling), pioneering business leaders (indra Nooyi, Anjali Sud, Ruchi Sanghvi) and a whole host of other equally remarkable but less well known figurers - from British Muslim spy Noor Inayat Khan to fearless activist Jayaben Desai - this book seeks to redress the imbalance for young girls of colour by empowering them to break new ground for themselves and inspire others along the way. 
 
Beautifully illustrated with striking portraits by ten international South Asian female artists, this is truly a book for all ages - a gift to be treasured by parents and children alike.

Stories for South Asian Supergirls

Mini Grey

Spacedog’s lonely mission is nearly over, and it’s nearly time for him to go home. But one perilous rescue attempt later, and he finds himself with an Astrocat aboard his ship. But everyone knows Spacedogs and Astrocats are sworn enemies… aren’t they? And then they encounter a Moustronaut in peril, in this intergalactic romp by awardwinner Mini Grey.

Space Dog

Ladybird

Brought to you by Ladybird. 
 
Winner of The FutureBook of the Year Award 2019 and Week Junior Audiobook of the Year 2023. 
 
Meet our fearless adventurers Cassandra, Otto and Missy AKA the smartest raven in the universe as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! 
 
It’s an emergency! Join brave heroes as they ride fire engines, patrol in police cars, rush to save lives in ambulances, and navigate the waters in a high-speed rescue motorboat. We’ll also be out on a trek with an amazing mountain rescue team, with their loyal Bernese Mountain Dogs. 
 
These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian and writer) Sophie Alred (Dr Who) and Kristin Atherton as Missy. 
 
Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. These are special stories written exclusively for audio, so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. 
 
Have you listened to our other Audio Adventures? Predators, Ancient Greece, Explorers, Cool Constructions and Amazing Asia are available now.

Ladybird Audio Adventures: Emergency Services

Brought to you by Ladybird. 
 
Winner of The FutureBook of the Year Award 2019 and shortlisted for the Best Children's Audiobook at the New York Festival Radio Awards 2020. 
 
Meet our fearless adventurers Cassandra, Otto and Missy AKA the smartest raven in the universe as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! 
 
Get ready, set, go! On this adventure, we're going to learn about some incredible sporting heroes! Grab your trainers as we're going to meet some amazing athletes, from top tennis legends to speedy formula one racers. 
 
These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian and writer) and Kristin Atherton as Missy. 
 
Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. These are special stories written exclusively for audio, so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. 
 
Have you listened to our new Audio Adventures? Australia, The Vikings, Musical Instruments, Cities Around the World and Big Cats are available now! 
 
 
©2022 Ladybird (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Sporting Heroes

Ladybird Audio Adventures

Mairi Hedderwick

Welcome to the Island of Struay, home of one of the best-loved characters in children's books and as seen on TV - Katie Morag McColl! 
 
When the village mail gets muddled, it's up to Katie Morag to sort things out - with a little help from Grannie Island and her tractor. . .

Katie Morag Delivers the Mail

Brought to you by Ladybird. 
 
Audiobook of the Year, Week Junior Book Awards 2023. 
 
Follow our fearless adventurers Otto (and Missy, the smartest bird in the universe) as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! 
 
On this adventure we're going to travel all around the globe and learn more about the seven natural wonders of the world! 
 
Dive amongst the coral in the weird and wonderful Great Barrier Reef in sunny Australia, climb to the coldest heights of Mount Everest, and strap in for some splashingly good fun down the rapids at The Grand Canyon. There are many more natural wonders to visit and so much more to learn and discover about them all so don't miss out on this global adventure! 
 
These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian, and writer) and Sophie Aldred (best known for her role as Ace in Doctor Who). 
 
Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven-year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. Special stories written exclusively for audio so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. 
 
Have you listened to all our Ladybird Audio Adventures? 
 
Dinosaur Times 
The Human Body 
Outer Space 
Deep Sea Dive 
The Animal Kingdom 
Ancient Egypt 
Ancient Rome 
Incredible Inventors 
Lake, Lochs, and Rivers 
Volcanoes 
 
This Ladybird story was written by Sidra Ansari. 
 
(P) Penguin Audio 2022

Natural Wonders of the World

Brought to you by Ladybird. 
 
Winner of The FutureBook of the Year Award 2019 and Week Junior Audiobook of the Year 2023. 
 
Meet our fearless adventurers Cassandra, Otto and Missy AKA the smartest raven in the universe as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! 
 
Slither into a wild adventure with Ladybird Audio Adventures! Join our fearless explorers as they journey down the Nile, encountering a menagerie of reptiles. From the hiss-terical antics of snakes, the leap-tastic lizards, and the jaw-dropping crocodiles, every moment is packed with excitement. And don't forget the dino-mite dinosaurs that add a prehistoric twist to this new adventure! 
 
These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian and writer) Sophie Alred (Dr Who) and Kristin Atherton as Missy. 
 
Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. These are special stories written exclusively for audio, so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. 
 
Have you listened to our other Audio Adventures? Predators, Ancient Greece, Explorers, Cool Constructions and Amazing Asia are available now. 
 
©2026 Ladybird (P)2026 Penguin Audio

Ladybird Audio Adventures: Reptiles

Brought to you by Ladybird. 
 
Winner of The FutureBook of the Year Award 2019 and shortlisted for the Best Children's Audiobook at the New York Festival Radio Awards 2020. 
 
Meet our fearless adventurers Cassandra, Otto and Missy AKA the smartest raven in the universe as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! 
 
On this adventure, we're travelling to the arid desert where we'll learn about the different species that live in these hot climes, such as coyotes, lions and rattlesnakes! Remember to bring plenty of water on this journey as we'll be exploring the driest deserts on earth! 
 
These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian and writer) and Kristin Atherton as Missy. 
 
Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. These are special stories written exclusively for audio, so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. 
 
Have you listened to our new Audio Adventures? Australia, The Vikings, Musical Instruments, Cities Around the World and Big Cats are available now! 
 
 
©2022 Ladybird (P)2022 Penguin Audio

The Deserts

William Steig

Quentin Blake

Wizzil the witch is bored stiff and out to cause trouble at Frimp Farm. Little does she know that she will meet her match in Mr DeWitt Frimp. As the two compete in the battle of revenge, they soon realise that there's more to life . . . 
 
 
Two masters of picture books, William Steig and Quentin Blake, have collaborated to create a brilliantly funny tale about an unlikely friendship. You will not be disappointed.

Wizzil

When Horace bakes a biscuit in the shape of a bear, little does he know that his edible treat is going to turn into Biscuit Bear! For in the middle of the night, when all is quiet, that is exactly what happens, and Biscuit Bear decides that it is time he made some friends of his own. So, with flour, sugar and butter he does just that. In fact, he makes a whole circus of friends and the fun begins . . .

Biscuit Bear

Brought to you by Ladybird. 
 
Winner of The FutureBook of the Year Award 2019 and shortlisted for the Best Children's Audiobook at the New York Festival Radio Awards 2020. 
 
Meet our fearless adventurers Cassandra, Otto and Missy AKA the smartest raven in the universe as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! 
 
On this adventure, we're entering the world of performance, where we'll learn about different literary legends throughout history! We'll meet William Shakespeare at work at the Globe Theatre, and go behind the scenes of the amazing musical, Hamilton. Let's take to the stage! 
 
These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators, Sophie Aldred best known for her role as Ace in Doctor Who and Kristin Atherton as Missy. 
 
Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. These are special stories written exclusively for audio, so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. 
 
Have you listened to our new Audio Adventures? Australia, The Vikings, Musical Instruments, Cities Around the World and Big Cats are available now! 
 
©2022 Ladybird (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Playwrights and Authors

John Burningham

A classic story celebrating the power of babies... and avocados! 
 
The Hargraves family want their new baby to grow up big and strong. But the puny mite will hardly eat a thing... until Mrs Hargraves finds an avocado in the fruit bowl and the baby gobbles it up. Soon, the baby gets incredible strength, and the strangest things start to happen! 
 
This classic story from the bestselling author and illustrator John Burningham has been delighting families for over 40 years. 
 
“Amusing for adults, impressive for toddlers, good for greengrocers” The Observer 
 
“John Burningham is one of the most outstanding author-illustrators of children’s books today . . .” Twentieth-Century Children’s Writers 
 
John Burningham is the much-loved creator of Mr Gumpy's Outing and Would You Rather.

Avocado Baby

Roberto Innocenti

Ian McEwan

Rose Blanche was the name of a group of young German citizens who, at their peril, protested against the war. Like them, Rose observes all the changes going on around her which others choose to ignore. She watches as the streets of her small German town fill with soldiers. One day she sees a little boy escaping from the back of a truck, only to be captured by the mayor and shoved back into it. Rose follows the truck to a desolate place out of town, where she discovers many other children, staring hungrily from behind an electric barbed wire fence.  She starts bringing the children food, instinctively sensing the need for secrecy, even with her mother. Until the tide of the war turns and soldiers in different uniforms stream in from the East, and Rose and the imprisoned children disappear for ever . . .

Rose Blanche

Ben Rothery

in his new book, Ben Rothery sets out to inform and inspire children to look after all the animals on this precious planet – not just the big, bold, beautiful ones, but the scary, ugly and utterly alien ones as well. From misunderstood animals like snakes and sharks, to detested creatures like maggots and hyenas, and from animals with unlucky associations like magpies, to those abandoned by us like orangutans, meet the animals that need and deserve our love.

Wild Wonders

Celebrating the planet’s most misunderstood, unloved and overlooked animals

Elizabeth Singer Hunt

On the eve of the first manned mission to Mars, a madman has kidnapped the space project's chief engineer. Can Secret Agent Jack Stalwart save the day and keep his cool when he finds out who the missing engineer is?

Jack Stalwart: The Deadly Race to Space

Russia: Book 9

Angela Barrett

Paul Gallico

Philip Rhayader lives alone in an abandoned lighthouse on the desolate Great Marsh of Essex. One afternoon, a hauntingly beautiful child, Fritha, visits Rhayader, bringing with her an injured snow goose. At first Fritha is scared of Rhayader, with his sinister hump and crooked hand, but he is gentle and kind and Fritha begins to visit regularly. When the snow goose departs for home, Rhayader is left alone again. 
 
The following winter, the snow goose and Fritha return to the lighthouse. Time passes and one year Fritha is frightened to discover her feelings for Rhayader. But this is 1940 and Rhayader is setting sail for Dunkirk to help the soldiers trapped on the beaches. Fritha never sees Rhayader again. But the story of the saviour with the snow goose passes from soldier to soldier and into legend . . .

The Snow Goose

Brought to you by Ladybird. 
 
Winner of The FutureBook of the Year Award 2019 and shortlisted for the Best Children's Audiobook at the New York Festival Radio Awards 2020. 
 
Meet our fearless adventurers Cassandra, Otto and Missy AKA the smartest raven in the universe as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! 
 
On this adventure, we're taking flight with some amazing birds of prey. We will meet noctural owls, swooping eagles and soaring buzzards as we learn about how they use their long talons and beaks to hunt their prey! 
 
These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian and writer) and Kristin Atherton as Missy. 
 
Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. These are special stories written exclusively for audio, so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. 
 
Have you listened to our other Audio Adventures? Australia, The Vikings, Musical Instruments, Cities Around the World and Big Cats are available now! 
 
©2022 Ladybird (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Birds of Prey

Christopher Wormell

When Molly wakes up in the middle of the night, she hears the sound of a step on the stairs. It could be a crocodile creeping up to catch her . . . Or a giant giraffe outside on the landing . . . Or an enormous elephant turning the doorknob and opening the door . . . Or even a night monster come to gobble her up . . . 
 
But when Molly surprises the tiptoeing beast, she gets an even bigger surprise of her own! 
 
This edition is a beautiful reissue of a children's modern classic.

Molly and the Night Monster

Gillian Avery

Everyman's Children's Classics has more than 50 titles in print. It offers the finest editions currently available of the world's greatest children's books in handsome, full cloth hardcover bindings. 
 
The library brings back into print major illustrators such as Ivan Bilibin, Kate Greenaway, Arthur Rackham, Nicolas Bentley, Walter Crane, Aubrey Beardsley, Edward Ardizzone, W.Heath Robinson and Mervyn Peake.

Gillian Avery, historian of children's books and novelist whose first book THE WARDEN'S NEICE has become a modern classic of children's literature, has made a very personal selection of favourite poems. If children like them as much as she does, then (she says) they will stay in the mind long after their readers have grown out of childhood. Her taste is for the Augustan rather than the Romantic writers, but her choice of over two hundred and fifty pieces ranges widely, from ballads to Ted Hughes, from Ben Jonson to Noel Coward. The illustrations are taken from the books of natural history made by Thomas Bewick, the celebrated English wood engraver.

The Everyman Anthology Of Poetry For Children

Roald Dahl

Think of your favourite Roald Dahl moment and surely a song or verse cannot be far away... 
 
SONGS AND VERSE has seven sections bursting with rhymes about monsters, gruesome children, magical creatures, ghastly adults as well as a few unusual surprises. From the strange and scrumptious dishes enjoyed by James's Centipede to George and his marvellous medicine, and from greedy Augustus Gloop to the Giraffe and the Pelly and Me there are many classics here together with some previously unpublished treats. 
With a foreword and opening illustrations by Quentin Blake, and illustrations throughout from other award-winning artists such as Babette Cole, Lauren Child, Chris Riddell, Alel Scheffler and Tony Ross, you will find a touch of magic on every page.

Songs and Verse

Jacqueline Harvey

Clementine Rose is over the moon. Her ballet lessons have finally begun, and Clementine's class has been invited to dance at the village hall. There's lots to learn, and Clemmie is eager to get onstage and twirl with her friends! 
 
But on the day of the big ballet performance, disaster strikes! Will Clementine find a way for the show to go on?

Clementine Rose and the Ballet Break-in

Elli Woollard

Dorien Brouwers

From tiny dots of microscopic bacteria to enormous dinosaurs, through Ice Ages and the gallop of evolution, Elli Woollard's lyrical text is a pitch-perfect blend of storytelling, science and wonder. Life will fascinate and entertain the curious child, with Dorien Brouwers' immersive artwork heightening the beauty and inspiring awe in readers young and old.

Life

The beautifully illustrated natural history book for kids

Cicely Mary Barker

Relive the magic of Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies of the Winter with this beautiful new edition - the perfect gift. Since the publication of Cicely Mary Barker's first book in 1923, the Flower Fairies have been ethereal companions to readers around the world. Her charming poetry and delicate illustrations have sparked the imaginations of children for over ninety years and continue to inspire a lifelong love for fairies and all things magical.

Flower Fairies of the Winter

Relive the magic of Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies of the Autumn with this beautiful new edition - the perfect gift. Since the publication of Cicely Mary Barker's first book in 1923, the Flower Fairies have been ethereal companions to readers around the world. Her charming poetry and delicate illustrations have sparked the imaginations of children for over ninety years and continue to inspire a lifelong love for fairies and all things magical.

Flower Fairies of the Autumn

Are you mad about deadly creatures? From snakes and spiders to piranhas and porcupines, the world of claws, fangs and poison is brought to life in this informative book. It is ideal for all young animal enthusiasts. 
 
Ladybird's Mad About series is all about giving its readers all the facts they could possibly need about their favourite subjects. Get ready to impress all your friends with all your new knowledge!

Mad About Deadly Creatures

Michael Morpurgo

The polar bear is bored of his white environment and his hard life. He dreams of soaking himself in all the luminous colours of the rainbow. But when his wish is granted, he realises to his cost that his arctic camouflage no longer works and he needs the advice of others to escape his prism... 
 
A moving tale of hopes and dreams from an award-winning picture book team. The lyrical text is complemented by beautiful watercolours in which the joy and pain of the Rainbow Bear sing out.

The Rainbow Bear

Sacred Japanese treasures are being stolen, and Jack must investigate. Can he defeat the shady geisha Madame Minori and her band of ninja thieves?

Jack Stalwart: The Theft of the Samurai Sword

Japan: Book 11

Vashti Harrison

A book of black heroes, role models and everyday women who did extraordinary things. 
 
Featuring 40 trailblazing black women in the world's history, this book educates and inspires as it relates true stories of women who broke boundaries and exceeded all expectations. Debut author/illustrator Vashti Harrison pairs captivating text with stunning illustrations as she tells the stories of both iconic and lesser-known female figures of black history - from nurse Mary Seacole, to politician Diane Abbott, mathematician Katherine Johnson and singer Shirley Bassey.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Josephine Poole

How did an ordinary little girl come to live such an extraordinary life? This picture book biography tells the incredible story of Anne Frank for a younger audience. 
 
Anne Frank's diary telling the story of her years in hiding from the Nazis has affected millions of people. But what was she like as a small girl, at home with her family and friends; at play and at school? In the first half of the book we meet Anne as a small child growing up with her family in Germany. Then we follow her flight to Holland to escape the Nazis; the German invasion and the gradual isolation, then outright persecution, of the Jewish population which forces the family into hiding; the years in the Secret Annex; and her last heart-breaking journey. 
 
Told with haunting, meticulously researched illustrations, this is the ideal introduction to Anne Frank's story.

Anne Frank

Michelle Porte Davies

Jim Peacock

George Kranky created his own Marvellous Medicine to deal with his grizzly old grunion of a Grandma. You definitely can't do that at home (so don't even try!), but here's some amazing science that you can do! 
 
From concocting home-made slime to creating your own volcano, these fun experiments are all easily done, following simple step-by-step instructions and using everyday household objects. 
 
Inspired by Roald Dahl's terrific tale, this is the book for budding young scientists everywhere!

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