New Releases by Margaret Bateson

This beautiful, fresh new telling of the Nativity story, through the eyes of a young girl, brings wonderful humanity to this familiar tale. Bethlehem has never been so busy! Leah, the innkeeper''s daughter businessman off her feet. Then in the starlight miracles begin.

It''s almost time for the grand opening of the Tree House Hotel. The squirrels have been very busy putting up decorations and preparing a delicious feast and huge fireworks display! Two young guests, Kenny Kitten and Betty Bunny, are so excited about staying at the brand-new Tree House Hotel. But then Kenny goes missing! Can Betty find him before the grand feast begins? Read the story, pop up the hotel and press out the play pieces for hours of fun! A brilliant new story and pop-up play set from paper-engineer extraordinaire Maggie Bateson, with illustrations from Karen Wall - perfect for fans of Sylvanian Families!

Everyone''s favourite fairies are off to the Spectacular Spell Competition at the Three Wishes Fairy School, an amazing magical castle set high-up in the mountains. There''s an ice crystal waterfall, a balloon ride to enjoy, magic flying lessons and so many amazing rooms to explore. Read the story, press-out the characters and take them on a tour of this gloriously glittering pop-up school.

An imaginative reworking of the popular children''s rhyme.

A lift-the-flap book. Everybody knows and loves this traditional rhyme about the five intrepid ducks who head off into the hills for adventure. But what happens to them while they are away? And why have they gone? Just lift the flaps and find out in this new and endearing interpretation by the fresh and talented Roberta Angeletti!

Jump aboard the Cherryblossom Balloon and float over meadows to Blossom Orchard. This is where the Cherrytree Fairies live. With several pieces, including a twirling dancer on a stage, a miniature recipe book (with a secret recipe for Fairy Fizz!), this is a pop-up fairy treehouse.

Masha''s mother sells eggs at market, and Masha loves to paint their smooth shells. One day, deep in the forest, Masha meets the magical Firebird, guardian of the eggs of the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. The Firebird asks Masha to paint its eggs so that they blend with the elements, hiding them from the vicious witch, Baba Yaga. At first, the plan works well, but Baba Yaga finally gets her hands on the last egg, and Masha sets off on an amazing journey to find it. This original folktale blends elements of the Firebird legend and traditional European folktales in a bilingual English and Russian text, along with suggestions to inspire children to paint their own eggs.

Presented in the style of traditional folktales of India and Europe Chanda finds herself reduced to a servant in her stepmother''s house when her mother dies and her father marries again. All the lonely girl can do is seek peace walking along the near-by river and gazing into the magical mirror her mother left her as a parting gift. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

A greedy emperor demands an impossible task from Lao Lao, a peasant woman who makes beautiful shapes from paper. Includes instructions for making traditional.

Retelling of a folktale from the Lakota indians of North America in which a young girl and her grandmother make a star quilt as a celebration of their friendship, love and community. Includes brief factual information on the Lakota indians and instructions for making a star collage. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

A greedy emperor demands an impossible task from Lao Lao, a peasant woman who makes beautiful shapes from paper. Includes instructions for making traditional Chinese paper-cuts.

Offering an entire Victorian street scene with every detail recreated in intricate illustrations, a popular pop-up series continues with a Victorian village complete with four free-standing figures, food stalls, and a working Punch and Judy tent. Original.

This pop-up farm comes complete with panoramic views, pastures, fields, gates, a well preserved period farmhouse, stables, pigeon loft, stream, mill house, working waterwheel, pigsty and many other delightful details.