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.

"A stylish, sweet retelling" - Guardian A stunning reimagining of the classic tale, The Frog Prince that proves anyone can have their happily ever after! Inspired by a picture he sees in a book, a lonely frog decides to go in search of a kiss. But will he ever find a princess who will make his heart skip a beat? Or does this frog's fairy-tale ending involve someone unexpected...? With a powerful underlying message about believing in love - even as it surprises! Brought to life with stunning illustrations by husband duo James Mayhew and Toto - this book is their debut working as a picture-book team! Perfect for fans of NEN AND THE LONELY FISHERMAN and JULIAN IS A MERMAID.

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

Everyone's favourite little dancer, Ella Bella Ballerina, steps into an enchanted toyshop in this magical ballet adventure. Discover a world of fairytale toymakers and dancing dolls in in this beautiful introduction to classic ballet, La Boutique Fantasque.

Discover London's National Gallery with Katie, the star of James Mayhew's Katie books, in this fun-filled sticker activity book. With over 150 stickers inside! Art adventurer Katie has been capturing the hearts and imaginations of children for over 25 years. Featuring paintings from the National Gallery's world famous collection (alongside mazes, drawing challenges, sticker puzzles and more!) this sticker activity book will keep little Katie fans entertained for hours, whilst introducing them to the wonderful world of art. All you need to do is follow the ever-curious Katie . . . Look out for more Katie National Gallery books: Get Colouring with Katie Learn to Draw with Katie And discover more adventures with Katie in James Mayhew's original picture books: Katie's Picture Show Katie in London Katie and the Mona Lisa Katie and the Bathers Katie and the British Artists Katie and the Dinosaurs Katie and the Impressionists Katie and the Spanish Princess Katie and the Starry Night Katie and the Sunflowers Katie and the Waterlily Pond Katie in Scotland Katie's London Christmas

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.

Everyone's favourite little dancer, Ella Bella Ballerina, steps out of fairytales and into the world of Shakespeare as she goes on a magical adventure in Fairyland, with Puck, King Oberon and Queen Titania. Who will the queen fall in love with when under the king's spell? And what will become of the hapless actor Bottom, transformed into a donkey? Beautifully illustrated and perfectly pitched for a young audience and all would-be prima ballerinas, and a wonderful very first introduction to the stories of the ballet and Shakespeare. From James Mayhew, the creator of the Katie series of books - featuring the hugely engaging Katie and making art an adventure for every child.

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

Katie explores five of Monet's masterpieces and discovers just why he is one of the world’s most-loved artists Bringing classic art to life for children yet again, this newest installment in the hugely successful Katie series has the leading lady focusing on the fascinating works of Monet. Katie is desperate to win an art competition at the gallery, but the judging is at three o'clock--surely she can paint a terrific picture before the deadline, can't she? She must try. Featuring the most iconic paintings by one of the world's most loved artists, the masterpieces visited in the book include Bathers at La Grenouillere, Blanche Monet Painting; Path through the Poppies; The Rue Montorgueil, Paris; and The Waterlily Pond.

Come on a magical dinosaur adventure with Katie in this classic picture book. When Katie visits the Natural History Museum with Grandma, she finds a mysterious door... and steps back in time to the world of the dinosaurs! Katie helps a baby dinosaur find his family, rides on the back of a Brontosaurus, and has a picnic with a Triceratops. But just what will she feed a very hungry and fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex? Katie has been delighting children for over 25 years!

Discover the magic of London at Christmas time with this classic Katie picture book. When Katie and Jack are woken up late on Christmas Eve by a loud sneeze, little do they realise that they are about to embark on the most amazing evening! Soon they are flying high across London, over snow-dusted landmarks, through the star-scattered sky with the one and only Father Christmas, in his sleigh, with his magical reindeer! But can they help Father Christmas to deliver all his presents and be back in time for Christmas morning? 'Wonderful ... magical ... the foiled cover and magical illustrations of London in all her festive glory make this book the perfect Christmas gift' - Parents in Touch.

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.

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. Miranda wins a balloon ride - but the rope snaps and away she goes, over seas, mountains and deserts. She touches down at the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids, flies over the Great Wall of China, visits Japan, almost falls into a river full of crocodiles in Australia, makes some new friends at the Leaning Tower of Pisa - and much more.

Sail away to dreamland! Follow a small boy and his dog as they navigate the land of dreams in a paper boat. As you journey through the night, you will see all kinds of curious and magical creatures. Ages: 2-6 AUTHOR: James Mayhew is an author and artist.. He starts his art workshops for children by telling them a story then asking them to illustrate the story, guiding them on the style of dress and architecture of the period. James has illustrated Shakespeare's Storybook and Stories from the Opera for Barefoot Books. Jackie Morris has illustrated several books for Barefoot, including The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems. SELLING POINTS: * Award-winning artist Jackie Morris's dreamy, fanciful illustrations pair perfectly with the lyrical text to create a handsome gift board book. * Text builds on familiar "Star light, star bright" refrain for soothing bedtime reading. * Includes instructions for making and decorating your own paper boat REVIEW: "At bedtime a young child reading the 'star light, star bright' nursery rhyme with his mother drifts off to sleep and floats in a paper boat to a charming dreamland populated with welcoming playmates and a vast array of alluring fantasy creatures . . . . "Although fantasy icons galore inhabit the dream (a pirate ship, unicorn, juggler, castles, hot-air balloons, and much more), the figures are small and either peek from the horizon or drift in and out of the action, so neither the ethereal watercolour illustrations nor the story told in a short, rhyming text feel overstuffed" -- Booklist ILLUSTRATIONS: Colour illustrations

Poor little Dragon just can't get to sleep, no matter how hard he tries. Instead, what he'd really like to do is dance through the moonlight and play games in the starlit sky with the fairies . . . but will they let him? This book will be perfect at bedtimes for settling sleepyheads down for the night. Another beautifully written, velvety verse from James Mayhew with beautiful illustrations from Lindsey Gardiner who won the Richard and Judy prize with her Poppy and Max characters.

Another sumptuous story featuring the delightful Ella Bella Ballerina in the most famous ballet of all, Swan Lake!

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?

While her grandmother rests during a visit to the museum, Katie has adventures with the characters in five paintings by famous British artists.

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.

Where is Little Bear? In this charming look-and-find book, highlighted by Jackie Morris's gorgeous animal fantasies, very young children explore theatrical and circus settings as they attempt to find the missing cub. The concepts of opposites, colors, and contrasts are introduced in the read-aloud nursery verse, and simple clues and vivid word images help children discover Little Bear, whether he's trying on a hat, standing on his head, or floating in a balloon. Gradually Little Bear moves into a more familiar landscape of tea and bath -- a cue for little bears' bedtimes everywhere.

A vain knight takes a long time getting ready, with help from his squire, to save the princess from a dragon.

After encountering a variety of animals in his search for a warm place, a boy living in prehistoric times returns to the warmth of his parents' cave.

After laying her eggs, Hattie waits until three little chicks emerge from their shells.