Special Collections

Tigger Comes To The Forest & Other Stories

Join Pooh and Piglet as they make a new friend, Tigger, who bounces his way into the Hundred Acre wood, performed by an amazing all-star castPerformed by incredible talent including Finty Williams, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Robert Daws, Jane Horrocks, Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench, this classic Winnie the Pooh audiobook is perfect for keeping little ones entertained.Contains the following stories:In which a house is built at Pooh Corner for EeyoreIn which Tigger comes to the forest and has breakfastIn which Tigger is unbouncedIn which Eeyore finds the Wolery and Owl moves into itIn which Christopher Robin and Pooh come to an enchanted placeFor more amazing audio books featuring Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and other favourite friends, try:Winnie the Pooh: House at Pooh CornerWinnie the Pooh: Piglet Meets a HeffalumpWinnie the Pooh: Pooh Invents a New Game and Other Stories (P) Hodder Children's Books 1999

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Noel Streatfeild's Holiday Stories

*'Classic Noel Streatfeild at her warm-hearted best. I absolutely loved it' Hilary McKay, author of THE SKYLARKS' WAR*'Such rewarding reading' Daily TelegraphThere are stories for every reader in this delightful collection - exciting crime-solving adventures; nervous young actors in the spotlight for the first time; unforgettable holidays and unlikely friendships.Featuring beautiful illustrations by PETER BAILEYStories include: The Plain One; Devon Mettle; Chicken for Supper; Flag's Circus; The Secret; Coralie; Ordinary Me; Cows Eat Flowers; Andrew's Trout; The Old Fool; Let's Go Coaching; Howard; The Quiet Holiday; Roberta; Green SilkOriginally written for annuals and magazines from the 1930s-70s, these newly discovered stories make captivating reading for Noel Streatfeild fans of all ages.

Date Added: 05/17/2022

Today I'm Strong

An uplifting and empowering audiobook about finding your inner strength when school life gets tough, from the winner of The Great British Bake Off and national treasure, Nadiya Hussain.I love to go to school. Well, most days I do.There are some days when what I really wantis to stay at home with you.A touching story about building the courage to overcome bullying, with a powerful reminder to always be kind. (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Date Added: 04/25/2022

Pooh Invents a New Game and Other Stories

Enjoy this classic Winnie the Pooh collection, voiced by an amazing all-star cast.Performed by incredible talent including Finty Williams, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Robert Daws, Jane Horrocks, Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench, this classic Winnie the Pooh audiobook is perfect for keeping little ones entertained.Contains the following stories:In which Rabbit has a busy dayIn which Pooh invents a new gameIn which it is shown that Tiggers don't climb treesIn which a search is organdizedIn which Piglet does a very grand thingFor more amazing audio books featuring Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and other favourite friends, try:Winnie the Pooh: Tigger Comes To The Forest & Other Stories Winnie the Pooh: Piglet Meets a HeffalumpWinnie the Pooh: House at Pooh Corner(P) Hodder Children's Books 1999

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Alexandra the Royal Baby Fairy

Get ready for an exciting fairy adventure with the no. 1 bestselling series for girls aged 5 and up.

The whole of Fairyland is very excited—there's going to be a new royal baby! But when Foster the stork fails to deliver the new bundle of joy on time, the Royal Baby Fairy asks friends of the fairies, Rachel Tate and Kirsty Walker, for their help. Just where can the extra-special baby be?

Date Added: 05/12/2023

Ghost Boys

A New York Times BestsellerThis was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read." - Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give'tender, timely ... surprising and hopeful' - ObserverA heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a white police officer, drawing connections with real-life, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes.ALIVETwelve-year-old Jerome doesn't get into trouble. He goes to school. He does his homework. He takes care of his little sister. Then Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat.DEADAs a ghost, watching his family trying to cope with his death, Jerome begins to notice other ghost boys. Each boy has a story and they all have something in common...Bit by bit, Jerome begins to understand what really happened - not just to him, but to all of the ghost boys.A poignant and gripping story about how children and families face the complexities of race and racism in today's world.(P)2018 Hachette Audio

Date Added: 04/21/2022

The Tree That Sang To Me

Some feelings are so big, they're hard to express ... A dyslexia-friendly verse story of friendship, family and self-discovery, perfect for listeners aged 9+, beautifully read aloud. When Kai's big sister Jenleaves the family home, Kai knows it's all his fault. His secret burns, but he tells no one, just keeps pulling at tufts of his hair. But in the broadbranches of a wasteland sycamore tree, Kai feels safe and free from his worries. Up there he feels he can be whoever he wants to be. And when a girl called Sky starts climbing Kai's tree, a friendship blossoms ... a friendship with the power to heal. Up hereit's likeI'm part of something elsethe windthe leavesthe airfree to bewhoever I want to be.

Date Added: 05/06/2024

Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire

Four new stories in which Horrid Henry terrorizes his classmates at a school sleepover in the museum; plays with Perfect Peter and tricks him into handing over all his money; gets out of writing his own story for Miss Battle-Axe by adapting one of Peter's; and meets the Nudie Foodie, a celebrity chef, who comes to the school to improve school dinners. No more burgers! No more chips!Read by Miranda Richardson(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Shannon the Ocean Fairy

It's the summer holidays and Rachel and Kirsty are visiting Kirsty's grandma, who lives by the sea. After discovering a magical shell on the beach and being whisked away to Fairyland, the girls discover that the fairies need their help. Naughty Jack Frost has stolen Fairyland's three enchanted pearls and this is causing chaos in the oceans and mixing up daytime and night-time! The girls must help Shannon the Ocean Fairy explore a magical underwater world (meeting many strange and wonderful sea-creatures along the way!), outwit Jack Frost and his goblin henchmen, and return each of the enchanted pearls to their rightful place...(P) Orchard Books 2013

Date Added: 03/30/2022

How to Train Your Dragon

THE STORY CONTINUES in the third volume of Hiccup's How to Train Your Dragon memoirs, narrated by David Tennant.Haddock III was an awesome sword-fighter, a dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking Hero who ever lived. But it wasn't always like that. Hiccup's memoirs look back to when Hiccup was just an ordinary boy, and finding it very hard to be a Hero.Climbing on to a Roman Dragon Rustling ship by mistake in your first 'Boarding an Enemy Ship' lesson is bad enough. But to then discover that Alvin the Treacherous is also on board proves to Hiccup he couldn't have been more wrong, especially when he steals his copy of How to Speak Dragonese. Can Hiccup save the dragons and the day?How to Train Your Dragon is now a major DreamWorks franchise starring Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett and Jonah Hill and the TV series, Riders of Berk, can be seen on CBeebies and Cartoon Network. Read all of Hiccup's exploits in the series: How to Train Your Dragon, How to Be a Pirate, How to Speak Dragonese, How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse, How to Twist a Dragon's Tale, A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons, How to Ride a Dragon's Storm, How to Break a Dragon's Heart, How to Steal a Dragon's Sword, How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel, How to Betray a Dragon's Hero and How to Fight a Dragon's Fury. Check out the brilliant website at www.howtotrainyourdragonbooks.com It's the place to go for games, downloads, activities and sneak peeks!(P) Hodder Children's Books 2005

Date Added: 03/30/2022

The Boy At the Back of the Class

Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it.He's nine years old (just like me), but he's very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help.That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan. . .(P) 2018 Hachette Children's Group

Date Added: 03/30/2022

The Starman and Me

E.T. meets Stig of the Dump in a page-turning adventure for fans of Frank Cottrell Boyce and David Almond'A proper adventure story for all curious middle graders ... heartily recommended' The Bookbag*Highly commended for the Branford Boase Award 2018, shortlisted for the Essex Book Awards 2018, the East Sussex Children's Book Awards 2019 and nominated for the Northern Ireland Book Award 2019*He wasn't an alien, I was sure of that. It was more like he'd walked in through an ancient door from the past ... except he was here, in my bedroom and his misty forest was somewhere real on Planet Earth.Twelve-year-old Kofi first spots the prehistoric human on a supermarket roundabout. He is small and dark and curled into a tight ball. His name is Rorty Thrutch and he has zero memory of how he ended up in the unexceptional village of Bradborough, or why he's being hunted... Kofi soon finds out that Rorty can do amazing things. He can copy, paste and delete objects, using only the power of his mind. This is the discovery of the century and mad, greedy scientists will stop at nothing to track him down.Kofi and best friend Janie are on a mission. Not only must they protect Rorty, but they have to find his missing girlfriend Pogsy Blue, too. Our prehistoric ancestors have crashed headlong into the 21st century and time is running out to save them...THE STARMAN AND ME explores where we have come from and where we are moving to - it's about the magic of DNA, the power of identity, and the importance of caring for each other.

Date Added: 03/30/2022

The Dragon Diary

The fire-breathing fiction series continues! Two young dragonologists set off on a daring, wing-borne mission — while rushing to crack an ancient Dragonish code. Fresh from recovering the Dragon's Eye, apprentice dragonologists Daniel and Beatrice Cook eagerly await the hatching of the dragon's egg in their care. But just as the shell begins to crack, their mentor, Dr. Ernest Drake, is called off to India to look for their missing parents and tend to the gravely ill naga dragons they've left behind. Meanwhile, the siblings receive a tip that the secret to curing dragons may lie in an age-old Dragon Diary, if only they could decipher it! Dragon lovers will soar breathlessly along with the plucky pair as (dragon baby in tow) they fly away on the furtive Dragon Express, traversing the globe on one dragon after another while struggling to solve the mystery of the Dragon Diary — before it's too late.

Date Added: 05/23/2022

Jayben and the Star Glass

An incredible immersive fantasy series about a boy with no memories and a world that only he can save. Perfect for fans of Francesca Gibbons and The Land of Roar.Jayben has realised his destiny as the Ninth Great Dreamer; he is the only one with the power to defeat Null, the villain who has been making everyone in the elf world forget.A year has gone by since Jayben took half of Null's powerful crystals using the Golden Torch, but now the torch has been stolen. Without it, Jayben must find another way to harness his power.When Jayben finds a golden gemstone, he struggles to recall its significance. But a wise captain on board a great ship tells him that when the full moon shines on the stone a magical light will appear. If Jayben controls the light , he will become more powerful than Null; he will defeat his wickedness once and for all.But Null is on his way to Fellooz ... to a sweltering desert where there is an ancient tomb covered in crystals. He need only touch one of the precious crystals and he'll be three times more powerful.Can Jayben reach the tomb ahead of Null... and will he find the full moon before it's too late?

Date Added: 05/06/2024

Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now

A witty and insightful book about worries, starring Clarice Bean. Created by Children's Laureate Lauren Child and read by Claire Skinner, star of the BBC's 'Outnumbered'.It's the worry you hadn't even thought to worry about that should worry you the most. At least that's how it looks to Clarice Bean, who has been writing her worries in a notebook - things like Worry no. 1: infinity, or Worry no. 3: change. And now that her worst never-imagined worry has happened - her utterly best friend is moving away forever - Clarice doesn't even care about her tickets to the Ruby Redfort, girl detective, film premiere. That is, unless something happens to change things again... Lauren Child's trademark wit combines with spot-on insight in this hugely engaging story about childhood worries, unwanted changes and finding friendships in the most surprising places.'A comic and poignant journey' - The Sunday Times(P) Orchard Books 2013

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Horrid Henry's Haunted House

These are the stories of Horrid Henry, the child that every teacher has nightmares about. This download inlcudes four unabridged stories with really horrid music and effects:-Horrid Henry and the Comfy Black ChairHorrid Henry's Haunted HouseHorrid Henry's New Teacher Horrid Henry Minds his MannersRead by Miranda Richardson(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Playtime Rhymes

37 familiar rhymes, songs and games, ranging from the traditional Ring-a-ring o' Roses to Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear from the original book Playtime Rhymes.(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Don't Cook Cinderella

It's just an ordinary day at Mother Goose's Academy. There's Miss Good Fairy teaching the Three Little Pigs, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood to read and write, while Miss Bad Fairy is inciting the Ugly Sisters, the Big Bad Wolf, Troll, Wicked Stepmother, Wicked Witch and Jealous Queen to gobble them all up. The result? Chaos!Witty, fast-paced and anarchic, this is a complete story with ten short chapters ('C.A.T. Spells Dog', 'What Troll Learned', 'Snakes and Snails for Lunch') that take us through the school day. This is a wonderful romp that Horrid Henry fans will revel in.'[Simon Russell Beale's] Big Bad Wolf is growlier than Marlon Brando, and his Jealous Queen more languorous than a casting-couch seductress. Inviting mimicry , too, are the snorts of the three little pigs and the lip-smacking 'yumyumyum' of the nasty but dim Troll' Daily Telegraph(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Stories for Kids Who Dare to be Different

"In our evermore hectic and overwhelming world, Stories for Kids Who Dare to be Different is refreshing proof that dreams do come true and that it is ok to be different. An inspiring read for any young person, particularly those struggling to find their place in the world." Megan Hine_______Björk, Dr Seuss, Whoopi Goldberg, Andy Warhol, Ellen MacArthur, Greta Gerwig, Andrea Bocelli, Hua Mulan ... these are men and women who all dared to be different. Boys will be boys and girls will be girls - or so the meaningless saying goes. Because what if you're a girl and you like cage fighting? Or you're a boy and you love ballet? And what if you've always dreamed of being a scientist but you can't see anyone who looks or sounds like you, and who has left a legacy - in the form of microscopes and Bunsen burners - for you to follow? This is the book for children who want to know about the lives of those heroes who have led the way, changing the world for the better as they go. Following the runaway success of Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different, parents asked for a celebration of role models of both genders for boys and girls within the same book. Stories for Kids Who Dare to Be Different is the answer. These are the extraordinary stories of 100 famous and not-so-famous men and women, every single one of them an inspiring pioneer and creative genius in their own way, who broke the mould and made their dreams come true. Like Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different, this is a beautifully illustrated, evocative and inspirational book of amazing stories of amazing people, that will delight sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, and give them the courage to be themselves.*For tales of even more brilliant people who have dared to be different, STORIES FOR BOYS WHO DARE TO BE DIFFERENT 2 is out now!*

Date Added: 05/26/2022

Where Magic Grows

From Onjali Q. Raúf, author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes a collection of seven unique fables, filled with humour, heart and messages of hope.Have you heard the story about the bird that turned to stone? Did your parents warn you about the extra-specially-super-deliciously-fantastically naughty boy who got a frog stuck in his throat? No? Well, never fear: Onjali Q Raúf is here to entertain you with her sparkling collection of fables for kids who want to make the world a better place!Written with Onjali's trademark heart and humour, this is the perfect gift that will entertain while also gently conveying messages of hope and the power of love and compassion.Stories include: The Bird That Turned to Stone, The Extra-Specially-Super-Deliciously-Fantastically Naughty Boy (& the Secret Frog in his Throat), Francesca's Feet and the Old Man's Shoes, The Axe that Married a Tree and others.(P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Date Added: 05/06/2024

The Impossible Boy

Believe in the impossible this Christmas - a magical story celebrating the power of imagination, from the bestselling author of STORIES FOR BOYS WHO DARE TO BE DIFFERENT.Oleg and Emma entered their den to find a cardboard spaceship standing exactly where they usually sat. Slowly, the front door opened and out stepped a boy.'My name's Sebastian Cole,' he said. 'But you already know that.'When Oleg and Emma invent a new classmate called Sebastian, they are amazed when he appears - very much real - in their secret den.Sebastian isn't like the rest of their classmates. He's never eaten pizza, he's not sure what goose bumps are, and he has a satchel that seems to hold an endless supply of hot ice cream. But as the three friends begin their adventures, more impossible things keep happening, from a runaway goat at school to a sighting of some snowwomen on the move. They are soon pursued by the mysterious Institute of Unreality, who want to capture and erase Sebastian, to restore order to the world.With the help of a cowboy gardener, an imprisoned scientist, and the rest of their class, can Emma and Oleg protect their new friend and keep the magic of the impossible alive, just in time for Christmas?After inspiring countless young readers with tales of extraordinary people in the world around them, Ben Brooks' first children's novel is a magical adventure that celebrates friendship, the power of imagination, and ice cream.

Date Added: 06/06/2022

Barack Obama

With every page bursting with facts and photos, read about Barack Obama's childhood days, his rise to the top job in the world and how he plans to change America, and the world, for good. In celebration of the great man, HOPE FOR THE WORLD provides an easy to follow history of America and how a new day dawned with Barack's election to the White House.With global peace, climate change and our futures on top of his to-do list HOPE FOR THE WORLD will fascinate, entertain and educate knowledge-hungry fans. It will inspire and inform and be a must have for every bookshelf in the world.(p) 2009 Orion Publishing Group

Date Added: 04/28/2022

Do You Speak English Moon

A little boy getting ready for bed looks up at the moon and wonders whether it can speak English as it shines all over the world. He tells the moon about his day - it's not lonely falling asleep when you share your day's adventures with the moon.(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 03/30/2022

The Lion Above the Door

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning and best-selling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes an incredible story about missing histories and the concept of a universal family, told with humour and heart.Leo and his best friend Sangeetha are the odd ones out in their school. In fact, they seem to be the odd ones out no matter where they go in their small town. But as Leo's dad is always telling him, it's only because he's extra-special, and Sangeetha is extra-extra-special. Only thing is, if they're so special, how come Leo never sees anyone who likes him in the history books he loves to read?But on a special class trip to a nearby cathedral one day, Leo's attention is drawn to a large marble slab high above the doors of the hall, featuring a short list of names. Because right there, bang in the middle of the list, Leo finds himself staring at his own name...Hungry to understand how a name like his could feature on a slab commemorating fallen war heroes, Leo and Sangeetha begin a search, and in doing so, uncover a missing story which changed the course of history, one which needs to be put right back into its missing pages.Touching on themes of historical racism, The Lion Above the Door shines a light on the stories our history books have yet to contain and the power of friendships that can last through generations. (P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Date Added: 04/21/2022

The Amazing Mr Blunden

A CHRISTMAS SKY ORIGINAL FILM, STARRING MARK GATISS, SIMON CALLOW AND TAMSIN GREIGAN ENTHRALLING GHOST STORY WITH A TIME-TRAVELLING TWIST'When you come to the house, you will hear strange tales. They will tell you in the village that it is haunted, but you must not be afraid. When the time comes ... you will know what to do.'Mr Blunden's words echoed through Lucy's ears as she explored the house. It was such an old house that it seemed to Lucy as if all the past was gathered up inside it as if in a great box; as though it had a life of its own that continued to exist just beyond the reach of her eyes and ears. Did Mr Blunden, who went out of his way to offer their mother the job as caretaker, mean to help or hurt them? Could she and her brother Jamie really help those troubled ghosts from another age?'Charming, magical and life-affirming, Antonia Barber's clever and moving tale has become a much-loved favourite. The Wheel of Time spins - and off we go into an unforgettable adventure!' MARK GATISS

Date Added: 05/17/2022