New Releases by Frances Watts

"Et! Émilie, pourquoi sommes-nous sur une page blanche?" "Elle ne sera pas blanche longtemps. Nous allons être dans une HISTOIRE, Édouard!" Édouard n''a jamais fait partie d''une histoire auparavant et il n''est même pas sûr de savoir comment ça marche. Par bonheur, Édouard et son amie Émilie sont accompagnés par une voix dans la page (c''est moi, le narrateur) qui les guide à travers une fantastique aventure qui renferme une INTRIGUE étonnante, des DÉCORS spectaculaires et quelques PERSONNAGES très amusants. Donc, ouvre le livre et découvre comment on fabrique des histoires.

Fans of Mr. Willowby''s Christmas Tree and Emmet Otter''s Jug-Band Christmas will love this funny and moving holiday story about giving and sharing—and believing in Christmas miracles. "We wish you a quacky Christmas!" Samantha Duck is getting ready for Christmas. "I''m going to give presents to animals all over the world!" But tortoise pal Sebastian is not so sure: "Christmas is not for animals!" With the help of her farmyard friends, who all give something to help make and deliver the presents, this determined duck sets out to prove that Christmas is for EVERYONE—and to make sure animals all around the world have a very quacky Christmas. Families will enjoy snuggling up to read this warm and friend-filled Christmas tale of giving and sharing. It''s a joyous reminder that with a bit of faith and the love of those around you, anything is possible. . . .

Felix and Livia are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor. They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia''s brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions - and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two! Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation. Will they save Livia''s brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken''s curse? A classic adventure of friendship, fate and fortune, from the winner of the Prime Minister''s Literary Award for Children''s Fiction. ''An original and exciting epic.'' Jaclyn Moriarty, award-winning author of The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone ''Fabulous fun!'' Katrina Nannestad, award-winning author of The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome

Maxwell Mouse the photographer is trying to take school photos at South Furriest Public School. But some students just won''t stay still! And others won''t look at the camera! Can Maxwell get all of the students to SAY CHEESE?

Stories for One Year Olds is an anthology of five best-selling Little Hare stories. Beautifully illustrated by Australia''s finest illustrators, each story has been selected to engage and delight the busy toddler. Titles include, Kisses for Daddy, B is for Bedtime, Duck, The Way I Love You and Me and You.

All the birds are excited about the Big Beaky Bird Ball -- except Leonard. His warble-warble waltz with the magpies is more wobble-wobble, and his caw-caw can-can with the crows is a can''t-can''t. The seagulls are spinning, the rosellas are rocking and you should see the flamingo go-go-go! Everyone is jumping and jiving, but not Leonard. Leonard doesn''t dance. Then an unexpected encounter changes everything...

It starts with a blank page ... From the award-winning creators of Parsley Rabbit''s Book about Books comes a story about stories! ''Hey, Milly, why are we on this blank page?'' ''It won''t be blank for long. We''re going to be in a STORY, Rory!'' Rory has never been in a story before and he''s not even sure how one works. Luckily, he and his friend Milly have a helpful voice on the page (that''s me, the narrator) to guide them on an amazing adventure as they encounter an exciting plot, spectacular settings and some very funny characters. So, open the cover and discover how stories are made with the award-winning creators of Parsley Rabbit''s Book about Books. Ages 3+

Parsley Rabbit gives an exciting introduction to the world of books by sharing the ins and outs of his book. There are fun flaps to flip, questions to share and even his pesky little brother.

A Choco-pops robot + a practical joke that goes wrong + a talking rock + organic rodent pies + a face that''s stuck + a plan for revenge + an out-of-control imaginary fairy + a nit epidemic + five kids and one chimp in space = one hilarious book.

What''s in the box? A thrilling picture book from the award-winning creators of KISSES FOR DADDY -- now in paperback! Ages 4-7 At first your eyes will not believe, Such terrors they can scarce conceive, But come, look closely; you will see Horrific creatures just like me. Open the box, if you dare, But danger lies within: Beware! From the award-winning duo who brought you KISSES FOR DADDY and CAPtAIN CRABLAW''S CREW comes a fearsome, frightening, ferocious tale for the very brave of heart ... Ages 4-7

Mouse triplets Alistair, Alice, and Alex go undercover as spies in search of their parents with their friend Tibby Rose. Illustrations.

Another adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Thomasina. Pigeon goes missing, and only Tommy can find her friend and save Lady Beatrix''s birthday celebrations!

Someone''s playing naughty tricks on the residents of Flamant Castle and the blame''s fallen on Tommy! Can she find out the truth? Another adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Thomasina.

It''s Lady Beatrix''s birthday, and Sir Walter is planning a celebration at Flamant Castle. Everyone is excited, except the pigeon, who is needed for a very special job. So when the pigeon goes missing, it looks like Sir Walter''s plans will be ruined. Can Tommy find her friend and save the celebrations?

The highly acclaimed Gerander trilogy comes to its thrilling conclusion Ages: 9-12 ''So many secrets ... so many lies ...'' time is running out, as Queen Eugenia prepares to crown herself the absolute ruler of Greater Gerander. And so Alistair and tibby Rose travel deep into dangerous territory on a daring mission to stop her, while Alice and Alex risk their lives by returning to the enemy stronghold they so recently fled. they must act now to restore Zanzibar to the throne, or lose their homeland forever. But Zanzibar has a secret. And it may cost Alistair his life ... Ages:9-12

Kaum haben sich Alex, Alice, Alistair und Tibby Rose von ihrem letzten Abenteuer erholt, stecken sie schon wieder mittendrin im nächsten. Alistair hat eine Entdeckung gemacht: Der Schal, den ihm seine Mutter kurz vor ihrem Verschwinden gegeben hat, scheint ein Geheimnis zu verbergen. In seinem Muster sollen Informationen eingestrickt sein, die für die Zukunft des Landes entscheidend sind. Können die Freunde das Rätsel um den Schal lösen? Und werden sie je ihre verschwundenen Eltern wiederfinden?

Separated from their brother, Alistair, on a summer''s night, mouse siblings Alex and Alice embark on a determined rescue mission and investigate the activities of an elusive underground spy operation; while Alistair, who has encountered ginger-colored mouse Tibby Rose, tries to make sense of what has happened to him. By the award-winning Australian author of Parsley Rabbit''s Book About Books.

The first book in a fun and exciting series by award-winning author Frances Watt and Kate Greenaway Medal winner Gregory Rogers, introducing Tommy - a feisty kitchen hand who longs to be a knight. When Tommy is finally promoted to Keeper of the Blades, will a missing sword ruin everything? Tommy, a kitchen girl at Flamant Castle, dreams of becoming a knight - and when she is made the Keeper of the Blades, caring for all the swords in the castle armoury, it seems like her dream might come true. But then Sir Walter''s most valuable sword goes missing from the sword room. Will Tommy be able to find it before she is sent back to the kitchen in disgrace? Introducing a feisty new character for girls (and their parents and teachers) who love adventure and want an alternative to ''pink'' books. Created by Frances Watts, a CBCA Award Winner and author of the huge bestseller Kisses for Daddy.

The second adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Tommy. Evil plans are stirring and it''s up to Tommy to keep the peace at Flamant Castle! While on an errand to the smith in the town, Tommy overhears a plot to poison Sir Walter during a banquet and make it look like the work of a neighbouring nobleman. Tommy must foil the plot or Flamant Castle will be at war. Introducing a feisty new character for girls (and their parents and teachers) who love adventure and want an alternative to ''pink'' books. Created by Frances Watts, a CBCA Award Winner and author of the huge bestseller Kisses for Daddy.

Winner of the 2012 Prime Minister''s Literary Award for Children''s Fiction, this irresistibly charming picture book is now in paperback! Age 2+ Winner of the 2012 Prime Minister''s Literary Award for Children''s Fiction A CBCA Notable Book Kiss Dad once. Cuddle Mum twice. ''Goodnight, Mum and Dad.'' ''Goodnight, mice.'' It''s time to say goodnight - but the four cheeky mice skittering, scampering and scurrying to bed don''t seem very sleepy! this warm, affectionate story is the perfect bedtime book for the whole family to share. Ages: 2+ Praise for GOODNIGHT, MICE!: ''The perfect bedtime book ... told at a cleverly thought-out pace that should ensure a yawn before the final page ... Illustrator Judy Watson''s detailed expressions on the four mouslings are fun, funny and rewarding upon further visits'' COURIER-MAIL ''An ideal bedtime read for parents keen on winding things down for the sleepy train. Squeak!'' KIDS-BOOKREVIEW.COM ''A story filled with warmth and family love ... this is sure to become a book young children and parents will be happy to read again and again'' AUSSIEREVIEWS.COM ''Utterly flawless use of rich and poetic language ... a bedtime story to read aloud with gusto, to delight in and to savour. Very highly recommended'' SYDNEY''S CHILD ''This is a charming, funny and reassuring story for littlies to follow the going-to-bed ritual ... Recommended'' MAGPIES ''Watts knows how to break up a story''s rhythm by using a refrain, making a story which will be read again and again. Watson''s mice are individuals and the many untold stories in the pictures will be pored over by avid three and four-year-old listeners.'' WEST AUSTRALIAN ''The collaboration of writer and illustrator in this case makes for an almost perfect bedtime book. Watts''s words sing with rhyme and repetition, making them excellent linguistic tools for small children, while Watson''s impish, affectionate illustrations speak to families from every type of background.'' JUDGES'' COMMENTS, 2012 PRIME MINISTER''S LITERARY AWARDS

Ernie and Maud are thrilled to be attending the National Superheroes Conference with the other superheroes from the town of Baxter. But when the conference is disrupted by Chicken George the most terrifying and villainous chicken anyone has ever seen it will take more than just an ordinary superhero to save the day. Ernie and Maud are back for a third hilarious and fast-paced book filled with more of the same delightful characters and wild adventures that entertained readers in Extraordinary Ernie and Marvelous Maud and The Middle Sheep.

The adventures of Extraordinary Ernie and Marvelous Maud continue but who or what is making the usually cheerful and dependable Maud so grumpy? And why are she and Ernie arguing all the time? It seems to Ernie that being his sidekick just isn t important to Maud anymore. Then Valiant Vera says that if the two trainee superheroes can t work together, they will be thrown out of the Superheroes Society. Ernie and Maud must learn the value of teamwork (and how to get a sheep out of a tree) before it s too late. Ernie and Maud are back for another hilarious and fast-paced book full of the same sort of delightful characters and hilarious story that entertained readers in Extraordinary Ernie and Marvelous Maud.

When a grumbly Baby Bear refuses to give his father a goodnight kiss, their bedtime routine is transformed into a delightful game, as Daddy imagines all the different sorts of kisses that other animal babies give their dads.

Simplified Chinese edition of Kisses for Dad. A heartwarming and fuzzy picture book about the love between little bear cub and papa bear. In Simplified Chinese. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Bruce is a boisterous pup who is so bouncy that his friends run away. Is there a game they can play? Suggested level: junior.