New Releases by James Mayhew

A beautiful new collection of eight nursery tales - traditional stories for younger children, including all the favourite classics, delightfully retold and enchantingly illustrated by James Mayhew, internationally bestselling author and illustrator. Using the same technique of colourful cut-outs and collage as in his bestselling Once Upon a Tune: Stories from the Orchestra, James Mayhew has created another spectacular gift book, this time for a very young audience.

Brave princes, evil witches and beautiful maidens abound as the tales of Koshka, the wise old story-telling cat, unfold. James Mayhew has drawn inspiration from the traditional stories and art style of old Russia to re-tell five enchanting tales in this re-published edition of a children's classic.Stories include: The Tale of the Snowmaiden The Tale of Sadko the Minstrel The Tale of Iven, the Greywolf and the Firebird The Tale of Vassilisa the Fair and Baby Yaga Tsar Saltan and Koshka the Cat'I loved the constant references to stories as inherently magical and powerful, full of rare secrets that you would be justified in sailing "e;beyond thrice-nine realms and over the seven seas"e; in search of. Thankfully, readers and listeners (and lovers of illustration) only need open this magic box to be immediately transported.' Dr Nick Campbell, writer, researcher and bookseller'Every children's book deserves to be lavishly-illustrated, a task taken on by the author himself. It's herd to say which are better, the words or the pictures. But at the end of the day, it hardly matters because they complement each other perfectly in a book that captures the essence of the old-fashioned Noel of traditional story-telling.' The Bay magazine, 2019'It's the energy that shines out in the boldness, the verve, the lack of reticence that says: Look at this beautiful thing! Look again! It's the kind of work that welcomes readers (because in this book, James has written the words too!) as well as spectators. The combination is a real joy. [...] Today's children are lucky to have this version of the stories. And James Mayhew is lucky to have Graffeg realising that we need them as much as we did in 1993.' Adele Geras'Here is a fabulous collection of folk tales from Russia by James Mayhew, written in luminous language and accompanied by equally luminous artwork... Beyond the classroom, I will be recommending it to boys and girls in Year 4 who still love the accessibility of traditional fairy stories but need to develop their reading stamina and confidence with a little more challenge. I am hoping it will provide a gateway to longer novels such as The House with Chicken Legs or Harry Potter.' Books for Topics

What could be more thrilling than going on a journey to discover the centre of the Earth? Axel's eccentric uncle can't wait to get started, but Axel isn't so sure. What dangers will they meet far beneath the surface? How will they survive if one of them is injured? What will happen if they can't find their way back home? There's only one way to find out, and it begins with a long, dark descent into an Icelandic volcano... Where will the journey end? Journey to the Centre of the Earth is part of the Reading Planet range of books for Stars (Lime) to Supernova (Red+) band. Children aged 7-11 will be inspired to love reading through the gripping stories and fascinating information books created by top authors. Reading Planet books have been carefully levelled to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers. Each book features useful notes and questions to support reading at home and develop comprehension skills. Reading age: 7-8 years

"Ella's kindly ballet teacher, Madame Rosa, introduces the children to A Midsummer night's dream by Felix Mendelssohn. Ella is so inspired that she stays behind after class is over for just one more fairy dance . . .and finds herself transported into the story! ... A brief passage at the back of the book tells the story of William Shakespeare's beloved comedy and includes some interesting facts about Felix Mendelssohn's enchanting music."--Unedited summary from the original English version.

Imagine if art could come to life! That's what happens when Katie steps into some of the world's greatest Impressionist paintings. And where Katie goes, adventure is never far behind! Katie discovers the true magic of Impressionist art in this addition to James Mayhew's Katie series!Katie and her grandmother are visiting the art museum. While admiring a painting of a beautiful garden, Katie is certain she can smell the flowers. Sure enough, when she opens her eyes, she is inside the painting! Join Katie as an ordinary day at the museum turns into a special gift for her grandmother's birthday.

Full colour red Early Reader about the legendary Arthur, Merlin and the sword in the stone, written and illustrated by James Mayhew. Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books, perfect for building confidence in new readers and reluctant readers. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. Long ago, in the days of knights and castles and magic, there lived a wizard called Merlin. One night, in a churchyard in London, Merlin casts a spell on a sword. He pushes it into a stone and writes magic words, saying: He who pulls this sword out of the stone, is the true King of England. Then Merlin waits for the boy who will be king. Full colour Early Reader edition of the popular myth about the sword in the stone.

Join Katie as she steps into some of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure! The stars in Vincent van Gogh's painting are so beautiful that Katie can't resist reaching in and taking one. But what will she do when all the other stars come tumbling out of the painting, too? Will Katie be able to catch the stars before the gallery guard notices they've floated away? 'A wonderful way to engage children with art. A brilliant combination of education and storytelling' - Parents in Touch (Katie's Picture Show) This first introduction to Van Gogh features five of his most brilliant paintings: The Starry Night, Noon, Vincent's Chair, Fishing Boats on the Beach and The Olive Grove. Classic picture book character, Katie, has been delighting children for over 25 years. Why not collect all 13 titles in the series? Katie's Picture Show Katie and the Impressionists Katie and the Mona Lisa Katie and the Sunflowers Katie and the British Artists Katie and the Waterlily Pond Katie and the Spanish Princess Katie and the Bathers Katie in London Katie's London Christmas Katie in Scotland Katie and the Dinosaurs

First published in 2015 by Orchard Books, London.

Join Katie as she steps into some of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure! When Katie visits an art gallery for the first time with Grandma, she discovers that art is wonderfully exciting, especially when five famous paintings come alive for her . . . Expect a little bit of mischief, a lot of cream cakes and even a friendly tiger! 'A wonderful way to engage children with art. A brilliant combination of education and storytelling' - Parents in Touch This first introduction to art, features five great masterpieces: The Hay Wain by John Constable, Madame Moitessier Seated by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Les Parapluies by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Tropical Storm With a Tiger by Henri Rousseau and Dynamic Suprematism by Kasimir Malevich. Classic picture book character, Katie, has been delighting children for over 25 years. Why not collect all 13 titles in the series? Katie and the Impressionists Katie and the Mona Lisa Katie and the Sunflowers Katie and the British Artists Katie and the Waterlily Pond Katie and the Starry Night Katie and the Spanish Princess Katie and the Bathers Katie in London Katie's London Christmas Katie in Scotland Katie and the Dinosaurs

Katie is visiting the art gallery with her grandmother when five famous Impressionist paintings come to life. A sequel to Katie's Picture Show, this popular educational series makes art accessible to young children. It is aimed at age 4-6.

Katie's visit to the natural history museum turns into an adventure when she steps through a door and finds herself in a land of real live dinosaurs, one of whom is lost and needs her help to find his way home.

can Ella Bella help the Nutcracker to defeat his arch enemy, the wicked Mouse King? Join Ella Bella Ballerina as she twirls into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker ballet with its magical dancing snowflakes, tantalising swirling sweets and, of course, the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy. James Mayhew's richly detailed storytelling and his exquisite, retro art-style make this book perfect for all would-be prima ballerinas. The final page is devoted to ballet facts, so children can learn about the original ballet The Nutcracker.

Discover the magic of the world's most cherished ballets with the charming Ella Bella Ballerina. In this special two-book set, Ella is transported to the magical worlds of Swan Lake and Cinderella.

Who is the ugly duckling?

Discover the magic of the world's most cherished ballets with the charming Ella Bella Ballerina. In this special two-book set, Ella is transported to the magical worlds of The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.

Can Ella Bella help the swan princess to be reunited with her prince? Will she help to break the wicked sorcerer's spell? Will true love conquer all? Young ballerinas will find the answer to all these questions and delight in the sheer charm of Ella Bella's world. James Mayhew has also included a page full of ballet facts to help even the keenest budding ballerina learn the story behind Swan Lake.

Un petit drac no s'aconsegueix dormir encara que ho intenta amb totes les seves forces. En realitat ell prefereix sortir a córrer amb les fades, que sota els núvols i els lluminosos estels es bressolen en les branques i juguen amb elles. Però, deixaran les fades que el petit drac formi part del seu grup i es diverteixi amb elles? Als més petits els encantarà anar-se al llit amb aquesta dolça història en vers que omplirà els seus somnis de fades i petits dracs.

Ella Bella longs to be a beautiful ballerina, and so each week she goes to Madame Rosa's ballet class at the old theatre. As soon as Ella Bella opens Madame Rosa's magical musical box on the empty stage she's whisked off to meet Cinderella. But will Ella Bella be able to help Cinderella meet her perfect Prince Charming?

The most adorable, picture book dragon is back in this fantastic follow up to Who Wants a Dragon?

Ella Bella longs to be a beautiful ballerina, and so each week she goes to Madame Rosa's ballet class at the old theatre. As we all know, theatres are magical places where anything can happen, and sure enough, as soon as Ella Bella opens Madame Rosa's magical musical box on the empty stage, she's whisked off in a beautiful lilac light to Sleeping Beauty's palace. But will she be able to help the Lilac Fairy save Sleeping Beauty from the bad fairy's wicked spell?

Jake tries to track down his mother's hug after she gives it to his father, who gives it to the cat, who gives it to a witch, and so on.

Mum tries to give her son, Jake, a cuddle at the school gates in the morning, but he runs off. When Jake gets collected at night he is not feeling so sure of himself and asks for his cuddle. But a lot can happen to a cuddle in a day, and Mum doesn't have it any more! Jake has to ask a witch, a wizard, a princess and a very scary dragon where his cuddle has got to …

Little Ella Bella loves attending Madame Rosa's ballet class at the old theater. Most of all she loves the music that plays from Madame Rosa's special music box, the theme from "The Sleeping Beauty " ballet. One day, after ballet class has ended, Ella Bella is left alone with the music box on the theater stage. As its music begins playing, Ella is transported to the magical world where the Sleeping Beauty's story takes place. Entering the palace of Princess Aurora, the Sleeping Beauty, Ella meets all the story's characters--not only the good ones, but also the sinister bad fairy--and she sees the famous story unfold before her very eyes. Here is an unusually imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale, with illustrations that capture the story's magic and mystery. A brief postscript on the book's final page summarizes the history of ballet from its origins during the Italian Renaissance to the late nineteenth-century, when the famous Russian composer Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky wrote music for "The Sleeping Beauty " ballet.