New Releases by Vivian French

What better way to spend a sunny day than a visit to Grandpa’s chickens—and a peek at some baby chicks just as they hatch? When Julie and her little brother Bob visit Grandpa on a beautiful day, they’re in for a treat: a yard full of chickens! Grandpa introduces them—a white, fluffy Puffball called Lulu, a tan-colored Orpington called Lola, a strutting rooster named Marvin, even Lottie, who’s sitting on eggs just about hatch into adorable yellow chicks. In a simple, inviting narrative, acclaimed author Vivian French ushers children into a perennially popular barnyard sight, while smaller text offers details about different types of chickens, their various features, what kind of environment they like best, what they eat, how they lay their eggs, and more. Clear, cozy illustrations by Nanette Regan add to the charm, making Grandpa’s house a place young readers will be eager to visit again.

Anna’s friend Zane is coming to tea soon – but when is “soon”, exactly? While Anna waits, Grandpa teaches her how to tell the time for herself! Find out how to read a clock, and about different lengths of time, with Anna and Grandpa!

A little boy isn't sure if he likes horses, but his friend Catherine assures him that her horse will like him. Shannon is very big, but she's beautiful, with dark eyes that look at him as if she knows everything there is to know. Catherine patiently teaches the boy how to talk to a horse quietly, how to feed her carrots, how to lead her across a field, even how to blow at her softly to show that he likes her. But is he ready to climb up on Shannon's back and take a ride? Facts about horses are sprinkled throughout to satisfy inquisitive readers.

Book Band: Lime - Ideal for ages 7+ A quirky school comedy from Vivian French. Perfect for fans of Wigglesbottom Primary and Kes Grey's Daisy books. When Dan gets into trouble at school for being untidy, he teams up with his best friend Billy to find out who's throwing his lunchbox on the floor. With chalk fingerprints and missing sardine sandwiches as clues, Detective Dan is on the case! This humorous mystery from award-winning author Vivian French has appealing black-and-white illustrations by Daniel Duncan and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with brilliant books to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2, with book-banded stories by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence covering a wide range of genres and topics. With charming illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for reading both in the classroom and at home. For more information visit www.bloomsburyreaders.com. 'Patrice Lawrence, Tony Bradman, Margaret Mahy, Joan Aiken, Andrew Fusek Peters, Michaela Morgan, Geraldine McCaughrean and Narinder Dhami: any list that brings together such a quality line up of authors is going to be welcomed.' - Books for Keeps on the Bloomsbury Readers series

Do you like chips Oliver does, in fact, he won't eat anything else - until he plays a game with his grandpa.Whatever vegetable Oliver finds in the garden, he must eat. On Monday, he pulls up carrots, on Tuesday, it is spinach . . .This is an excellent book for parents with slightly fussy children and it introduces the days of the week. Other titles in this series:Oliver's Fruit SaladOliver's Milkshake

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he's been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his uncle, aunt and cousin Prune. But Sam's about to discover a magical scroll listing the six quests he must complete to become a knight ... and with Prune's help, he's already managed three of them! Now he has to earn his very own knightly shield. Prune knows where to go for armour: Puddlewink Castle! But before they can cross the drawbridge they're stopped by a terrifying creature. Will Sam's knightly dreams end here?

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he's been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt, uncle and cousin Prune while his parents are away. But Sam's discovered a magical scroll listing the six quests to be completed to become a knight, and with his True Companion Prune's help, he's already managed two! Now Sam must find a goodly sword, but he keeps getting distracted by noble deeds that need doing. Helping a grumpy dwarf, a dunderheaded bear and an island of tiny elves might mean he'll never find his sword, but isn't that what a Very Noble Knight would do ...?

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he's been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt, uncle and annoying cousin Prune while his parents are away. But Sam's discovered an ancient scroll listing the six quests to be completed in order to become a knight, and he's already completed the first one! Now he's found his True Companion (Prune), next on the list is to track down a Snow White Steed. But when Aunt Egg orders Sam and Prune to journey to Weasel's Hill to deliver Horace the warthog back to his owner, it looks like the young knight-in-training looks will have to put his quest on hold. Or will he ...?

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he's been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt and uncle while his parents are away. Not only does he have to put up with his annoying cousin Prune, there are also the weird creatures his aunt looks after in her Luxury Accommodation for Dragons, Griffins and other Regal Beasts to contend with! But when Godfrey the dragon gets stuck down a well, Sam and Prune have to work together to come to the rescue. Inside the well they make an incredible discovery - a scroll giving instructions on the six quests to be completed in order to become the perfect knight! Sam's ambition seems close at hand - if only Prune would stop getting in the way...

Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. Hank can't work out where all his customers have gone. They usually queue for miles for a taste of his rats' tail pizza and special guts pie with blood sauce. And when he finds them all at a newly opened cake shop, sitting at tables and sipping tea, he can't believe it! He's got to find a way to win his customers back. But how?

Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. Down in the Jungle it's time for bed, but Monkey wants a story, and he sets off to find one in this charming, funny story, perfect for early readers.

Morris is a lovable, greedy fat ginger kitten. In this story he is afraid of the new cat flat, but how will he get his food which is inside the house, when he is outside! A Roaring Good Read for new readers

Morris is ginger and very fat. He’s a cat who loves snoozing and eating... but that won’t catch him a mouse. Another lively story for beginner readers about this lovable puss.

The third book about Morris, the lovable fat ginger kitten whose main interest in life is food! A Roaring Good Read for children who are just able to read on their own.

A Workbook enabling children to practise the language points presented in the Reader. These workbooks accompany the popular Collins Big Cat series. They enable children to practise and reinforce the target vocabulary and language structures presented in each corresponding Collins Big Cat reader through enjoyable puzzles, games and activities, as well as through more traditional comprehension exercises. Tracing, copying and eventually free-writing tasks build and develop children's writing skills as they progress through the Bands, Pink A to Lime. A fun quiz to test understanding, and a reward certificate at the back of each Workbook, enable children to feel a sense of progress as they learn to read more confidently in English.

Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. Jason and his little sister Daisy B help Mum and Dad with the shopping, the gardening and eating cakes!

"A romp filled with language play and just plain nonsense. . . . Everyone gets his, her, or its due; goodness is rewarded; and evil punished oh-so-wickedly."– The Horn Book High above the mountain village of Fracture, trouble is brewing. The sorceress Lady Lamorna wants a skull-studded gown of deep black velvet, but her treasure chest is empty of gold. That doesn’t stop her, however, from kidnapping, blackmailing, and using more than a little magic to get what she needs. Will her plans be foiled by the heroic Gracie Gillypot, two chatty bats, a gallant (if scruffy) prince, the wickedest stepsister ever, a troll with a grudge, and some very ancient crones?

Gracie Gillypott and Prince Marcus embark on a dwarf-watching outing, not knowing that the dwarves are working frantically making crowns for a royal wedding and that they have enlisted some unreliable trolls to help them, thus putting the humans' expedition in peril.

After putting a spell on the good witches of Wadington, Truda Hangnail is determined to return with her evil Deep Magic to seize Queen Bluebell's throne for herself in order to have total rule over the whole of the Five Kingdoms.

Presents a conversation between a grandfather and his grandson during a visit to the Tyrannosaurus Rex exhibit at the museum.

An accident with a bottle of magic forgetting dust helps Princess Amy overcome her nervousness about the upcoming dance competition.

Princess Lauren falls in love with a beautiful necklace at the Annual Exhibition of Dazzling Diamonds. But she gets into terrible trouble over it. Can Fairy G's magic help?

Princess Olivia is chosen to demonstrate the best way to cross a puddle by stepping on a prince's cape—with a real, live prince. But the jealous Diamonde isn't going to let Olivia outshine her. . . .

The Princess Academy is having a Friendship Festival! Princess Jessica wants to make something special for her friends in the Poppy Room, but will Princess Diamonde spoil everything?

Princess Chloe can't wait to wear her primrose petticoats to the Ruby Mansions ball. But she's forgotten her invitation! And when Princess Gruella wants to borrow her favorite dress, things get even worse.

Princess Emily and her friends at the Royal Academy receive their silver sashes after Emily helps horrible twins, Gruella and Diamonde, make up following a fight.

Princess Sophia encourages a shy prince to dance with her at the Princes' Academy ball.

During a field trip to the Museum of Royal Life, Princess Alice is blamed for breaking the case that holds Cinderella's glass slipper.

Princess Katie and her classmates go on an outing to a witch's house, where they learn about more than just making magic potions.

As Princess Sophia and her friends design and create their own ball gowns for the Princess Academy Surprise, a group of snobs led by Princess Perfecta plots to ruin them.