New Releases by Martin Waddell

“There aren’t many ‘baby books’ that convey this kind of emotional richness supported by a perfect artistic form.” — Washington Post Book World When three baby owls awake one night to find their mother gone, they can't help but wonder where she is. Beautifully nuanced illustrations capture the anxious owls as they worry about their mother: What is she doing? When will she be back? Not surprisingly, a joyous flapping and dancing and bouncing greets her return, ending this comforting tale with a sense of celebration.

When a kind and hardworking duck nearly collapses from overwork, while taking care of a farm because the owner is too lazy to do so, the rest of the animals get together and chase the farmer out of town.

Originally published in English as: Owl babies. Great Britain: Walter Books, 1992.

An engaging workbook for children who are using the Big Cat series. 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.

When three baby owls awake one night alone in a dark forest to find their mother gone, they can't help but wonder where she is and when shell return. Stunning illustrations from unique and striking perspectives capture the spooky forest and reflect the many emotions that beset these endearing owls as they worry about their mother: What is she doing? When will she be back? What scary things move all around them? Not surprisingly, a joyous flapping and dancing and bouncing greets her return, lending a celebratory tone to the ending of this comforting tale. Never has the plight of young ones who miss their mother been so simply told or so beautifully rendered.

Tum-tum-te-tum! Diddle-diddle-dum! Ratta-tat-tat! BOOM! Listen, deep in the heart of Dickon Wood, Harry and his band are making happy music.

Some of Shakespeare's best-loved plays simply retold by Martin Waddell, one of today's best-loved storytellers.

Some of Shakespeare's best-loved plays simply retold by Martin Waddell, one of today's best-loved storytellers.

Shakespeare.

Little Bear finds a cave that is just the right size for him, but at bedtime he starts thinking about Big Bear, all alone in their big Bear Cave. Suggested level: junior, primary.

There once was a duck who had the bad luck to live with a lazy farmer. While the duck worked, the farmer lay in bed - until one day the other animals decided to take action!

Two tales, each packed with atmosphere and a twist of gentle humour. The stories are illustrated throughout with James Mayhew's atmospheric line drawings.

From the winner of the 2004 Hans Christian Andersen Medal! It's time for Holly to go to bed -- but not before she and Mama play their favorite go-to-bed game. "Who do you love?" Mama asks, and Holly recalls the names of each special person in her life one by one: Grandpa and Grandma and her brother and Pa and . . . is there someone Holly is forgetting? Who does Holly need to say "I love you" to before their game is over? With expressive watercolors by Camilla Ashforth, Martin Waddell's playful story will encourage children to remember the dearest people in their lives.

Little Bear wants to go exploring. He climbs Bear Rock and bounces on the branch of the old bendy tree. Big Bear looks on, giving encouragement and when Little Bear slips and falls in the stream - Big Bear is at hand to give a comforting hug.

Webster J. Duck turns to several animals when he tries to find his mother.

Katy Mouse teaches her younger brother, Tiny, the names of some of the things they see, including a boot, a snail, and a pheasant, when they go to the wheat field to play games.

The baby owls came out of their house, and they sat on the tree and waited. A big branch for Sarah, a small branch for Percy, and an old piece of ivy for Bill. When three baby owls awake one night to find their mother gone, they can't help but wonder where she is. Stunning illustrations from unique and striking perspectives capture the owls as they worry about their mother: What is she doing? When will she be back? What scary things move all around them? Not surprisingly, a joyous flapping and dancing and bouncing greets her return, lending a celebratory tone to the ending of this comforting tale. Never has the plight of young ones who miss their mother been so simply told or so beautifully rendered.

Little Bear does a good job of climbing rocks, bouncing on a tree branch, and crossing a stream, but Big Bear is always there to lend a helping hand when needed.

While Mum puts the new baby to bed, Rosie talks about her babies, a cuddly bear and rabbit - but what she really wants is her mum's attention!

When Tom's mother brings home the new baby, so many teddy bears arrive as gifts that there is no room for Tom, but she assures him that there will always be a place for him.

Kidnapped by amateur thieves and taken to a remote shed, Suzie Quinn makes a brave effort to escape.

Little Bear helps Big Bear gather wood, fetch water, and tidy the cave so that they can play together.

Même les bébés chouettes comme Sarah, Rémi et Lou réfléchissent la nuit, quand il fait noir, qu'ils sont seuls et que leur maman chouette n'est pas encore rentrée.

Pigs don't swim, or so it's said. But on one of the hottest days of the summer, the pig on Neligan's farm sits by the pond feeling envious of the ducks and the geese floating in the cool water. Finally, when she can endure the heat no longer—splash!—this sweltering pig takes a dive, throwing the entire farm into an uproar. It isn't long, however, before the refreshing idea catches on, and the pig finds that she's got company! This spirited tale with its exuberant illustrations is sure to be a hit with all those young and old who ever wanted to take the plunge.