New Releases by Jessica Souhami

"Is Gerald really a big, bold lion? Does he really brave wild beasts, aliens, hungry crocodiles and a fire-breathing dragon? Or could it be that Gerald is actually a small, day-dreaming cat ...?"--Amazon.

A beautifully told folk-tale exploring the theme of greediness.

New in paperback. Kaito is stronger than all the other boys in his village. Because no one can beat him at wrestling, he sets off to the city to compete in the world-famous Sumo wrestling tournament. But on the way he meets a girl called Hana, who is even stronger. Hana offers to train Kaito - with amazing results.

This very funny folktale tells about the princess who will not laugh. Her father says he will give her hand in marriage to the man who can make her laugh - and one boy plus a golden goose set off to the palace to try their luck. As they go along, the animals and people they meet all try to steal one of the golden goose''s feathers - and they stick fast to the goose. "Honk Honk Hold Tight!" says the boy, and the whole parade soon ends up at the palace. What will the princess do? A fabulous read-aloud, laugh-out-loud story that has its origins in Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the UK, with variants discovered in Russia and Egypt.

Foxy has a very large sack with just one bee in it. But on his travels he meets a woman with a nice fat rooster. . . "Whatever you do, don''t look in the sack!" says Foxy. But the woman does, of course, and when the bee escapes Foxy takes the rooster in exchange! He repeats the trick to acquire a lovely fat pig, and finally . . . a little boy! But the last woman Foxy meets is as clever as he is. She sets the little boy free and substitutes a large fierce dog in the sack -- who chases bad Foxy away, never to be seen again.

Hare is a cheeky rascal who prefers to have a nap while the other animals are scratching in the earth searching for water. Hare tricks Monkey and then Hyena into shutting their eyes tight while he fills his calabash with the newly-found water and scampers away. By now, the animals are angry, and decide to get their own back. They make a huge, gummy, sticky doll, set it up at the water''s edge, and wait...Along comes Hare with his empty calabash, most annoyed to find someone else by the precious water. He hits out at the sticky doll and is trapped at last in front of all the animals. But even now wily Hare finds a way to get the better of the other animals and escape puinishment! This traditional trickster tale dates back to the Uncle Remus story of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby, and can be found in different versions all over South and West Africa, North and South America - even in a Jataka tale from India. Jessica Souhami has turned a West African version into a comic, read-aloud story accompanied by stunning, brilliantly coloured collage to create a book bursting with fun for very young readers.

By opening some flaps, the reader can see the various visitors, including one from outer space, to Old MacDonald''s farm.

Li Ming looks so proud guarding his one pomegranate tree that people laugh and call him ''King Pom''. But when Li Ming catches a big red fox stealing a pomegranate and the fox makes a deal with him - "Get me out of here and I''ll make you rich!" - the laughing stops. For the smooth-tongued fox uses his craft and daring to spin tales that will bring Li Ming fine clothes, magnificent horses, a splendid palace? and the hand of a princess in marriage! This ancient, action-packed Chinese version of Puss-in-Boots, featuring a fox instead of a cat, together with an ogre and a tiger, will delight young readers.

?Be careful what you wish for!? When a poor woodcutter named John helps an elf in distress, the elf rewards him with three magic wishes. As John and Martha sit dreaming about what they could ask for, a chance remark by John prompts the appearance of some sizzling, succulent sausages! But the argument this causes between the couple leads to a very silly situation, which only their last remaining wish can put right. Jessica Souhami?s gorgeous cut-paper artwork and short, rhythmic text make this a perfect book for younger children or for sharing in a read-aloud.

The Punjabi/English dual language edition of The Leopard''s Drum. Osebo, the leopard, has a magnificent drum, but he won''t let anyone else have it - not even Nyame the Sky-God. So Nyame offers a big reward to the animal who will bring him the drum. This tale from West Africa features illustrations adapted from the author''s own shadow puppets.

The Bengali/English dual language edition of The Leopard''s Drum. Osebo, the leopard, has a magnificent drum, but he won''t let anyone else have it - not even Nyame the Sky-God. So Nyame offers a big reward to the animal who will bring him the drum. This tale from West Africa features illustrations adapted from the author''s own shadow puppets.

One of Frances Lincoln''s most enduring multicultural picture books is now reissued in dual-language format. The ancient tale from India about Prince Rama is available in Bengali, Gujurati, Punjabi and Urdu, with parallel English text. Designed for absolute clarity, the book will be an invaluable teaching resource.Ages 4-7

Joseph and his family feel squashed in their little, little house, with just a yard for the chickens and a small green patch for the goat and cow, so Joseph goes to his Aunty Bella for help. She tells him to bring the chickens into the house. Result? - chaos. But when Joseph goes back to Aunty Bella, she smiles and tells him to bring in the rooster... then the cow... then the goat, until the little, little house is a dirty, smelly barnyard bursting out of its walls! Only when Joseph follows Aunty Bella''s final piece of advice does he discover what a clever woman she is, and learns to count his blessings. Jessica Souhami''s hilarious retelling of a delightful nursery tale has bright, bold collage illustrations and a fun text, perfect for reading aloud.

Henny Penny is so bird-brained that when an acorn falls, BOP! on her head, she thinks the sky must be falling in. She sets out at once to tell the King, collecting her silly friends along the way. But Foxy Loxy is always just ahead and he is hungry...A simple retelling of the much-loved nursery tale, brought bang up-to-date with bright, bold collage illustrations and a short text perfect for reading aloud.

Osebo the leopard has a fine drum, but he won''t let anyone else have it, not even Nyame the Sky-god. So Nyame offers a big reward to the animal who will bring him the drum.

A hilarious Irish folktale with a terrific female heroine. "Long ago, there lived a giant called Cuhullin. My, but he was big and fierce and strong. And what made him so strong? He had a magic finger. And believe it or not, all his strength was in that little finger. Now Cuhullin had fought all the other giants, and squashed them flat. Well, all but one, and that was Finn McCool." But Finn doesn''t want to fight. Finn is SCARED. When he sucks his magic thumb, Finn can see Cuhullin coming to get him. So he runs straight home to his wife, Oona. Oona isn''t scared, not one bit. She just laughs . . . Will Cuhullin find Finn McCool and SQUASH HIM FLAT? Or will Oona save the day?

There''s something really spooky in the dark, dark wood. Where is it hiding? What can it be? This lively retelling of a traditional rhyme has vibrant illustrations, lift-up flaps revealing spooky creatures and a special pop-up surprise at the end.

An old woman sets off through the forest to visit her grandaughter when BOO - one by one, out jump a hungry fox, a bear and a tiger. The old woman escapes by telling them she''ll taste better on the way back, once she''s eaten her dinner. Later on, at her granddaughter''s she wonders what to do.

A collection of rhymes and chants about food.