New Releases by Mini Grey

Here we are at 4.6 billion years ago, and as we raise the curtain . . . the STORY OF LIFE is about to begin! (Yes, that's right - we're telling the story of the ENTIRE history of Planet Earth). "In the running for the greatest children's picture book about Earth . . . Grey's jokes and wild imagination elevate this far above the many non-fiction science titles for children" - THE TIMES "Mini Grey's book is a tour de force, introducing a complex topic in an accessible and engaging way." - BOOKS FOR KEEPS Take your seats for the ENTIRE history of Planet Earth, as we take a whistle-stop tour from the birth of Earth, to the age of bacteria, the era of dinosaurs . . . to the moment of people (blink and you'll miss it). Narrated by a friendly troop of insects and with mind-blowing, lively illustrations, this illustrated non-fiction book will entertain and educate, as we put on a show, the greatest show, the show of the evolution of life on Earth. From internationally bestselling creator, Mini Grey, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, this is her first non-fiction book and it's told with wit, humour and heart.

Once upon a time, Little Red set off into the woods to catch a wolf . . . But the woods aren't all they seem - and are there even any wolves left? Mini Grey re-imagines the classic Little Red Riding Hood fable in an entirely new way. Can Little Red help her new friends in need and recover the wild days of the past? This is a powerful, moving and funny picture book which will have children and adults revisiting its exquisite pages time and time again, and discussing the important message it holds. From the award-winning author/illustrator of The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon, The Pea and the Princess and Biscuit Bear.

Meet Space Dog, Astrocat, and Mousetronaut in this hilarious adventure about teamwork and unexpected friendship from the award-winning creator of Traction Man. Space Dog is zooming through Cake Space on the SS Kennel when he receives the first of many distress calls from the vast Spooniverse. Can he rescue the Cereal People, plug up the Ketchup Volcanoes, and defeat the Cheese Ants? All on his own? He might need some help. But Space Dogs, Astrocats, and Mousetronauts have always been sworn enemies! Can they put aside their differences to save the Spooniverse? This hilarious offering from the award-winning Mini Grey is a non-stop adventure, a celebration of imaginative play, and a triumphant story in which sworn enemies become . . . sworn friends!

Ratatouille meets Sherlock Holmes in this heartwarming story of mystery and adventure, acceptance and friendship, by the acclaimed creator of Traction Man and Toys in Space. Hermelin is a special little mouse. He was born in a box of cheese and lives in an attic at 33 Offley Street. He can read books and type notes on his typewriter. Most importantly, Hermelin can solve mysteries. And the people of Offley Street are in need of a detective! Again and again, Hermelin is on the case—the anonymous hero. But when his neighbors invite him to a thank-you party in his honor and find out who Hermelin really is—a MOUSE!—will he still be welcome on Offley Street?

A hilarious tale of two nursery-rhyme heroes on the run, from the award-winning creator of the Traction Man series! When the cow jumped over the moon, the dish ran away with the spoon . . . to seek fame and fortune in twentieth-century America. This is the never-before-told story of their exciting adventures out in the big world. How this famous nursery rhyme couple learns that crime doesn’t pay—and love conquers all—is a treat for the whole family! Hand this to fans of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s The True Story of the Three Little Pigs or The Stinky Cheese Man. “This inventive tale of true love will sustain many re-readings by readers of all ages.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Hey-diddle-delightful.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred

A very silly (not-too-scary) story about losing a beloved toy. That summer night, the toys were left outside. . . . For the very first time, the Wonderdoll, the helpful wind-up robot, the thoughtful green dinosaur, and the rest of their plucky gang lie in the grass, gazing up at the stars. But one star seems brighter than the rest. As it grows bigger and bigger, the toys realize it may not be a star at all! Soon they're venturing into the unknown, traveling by spaceship, where they meet a lonely alien in need of help, and some friends. From ever-inventive, award-winning author-illustrator Mini Grey comes a hilarious and heartfelt new adventure: a motley group of toys left outside in the garden become true friends and brave heroes--in space!

Now for something completely different from Mini Grey! A mother hen tells her chicks about the egg that wanted to fly. “The egg was young. It didn’t know much. We tried to tell it, but of course it didn’t listen.” The egg loves looking up at the birds (yes, it has eyes). It climbs 303 steps (yes, it has legs) to the top of a very tall tower—and jumps. It feels an enormous egg rush. “Whee!” it cries. “I am flying!” But it is not flying, it is falling. Hold your tears, dear reader—there is a sunny ending for this modern-day Humpty Dumpty. Impossible to categorize, Egg Drop is Mini Grey at her zaniest.

In this adorable Read & Listen edition, Traction Man—wearing combat boots, battle pants, and his warfare shirt—comes in a box, but very quickly finds the way into the imagination of his lucky boy owner. This superhero searches for the Lost Wreck of the Sieve as the boy makes a game of doing the dishes, and later in the bathtub, he conquers the Mysterious Toes that are stealing his pet, the brave little Scrubbing Brush. These are just a few of the action-packed adventures played out by the boy and his new toy that may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but can vanquish all manner of villains lurking around the house. Mini Grey’s story in words and pictures is an irresistible invitation to the private world of a child’s play. This ebook includes Read & Listen audio narration.

In this new and exciting Traction Man escapade, the can-do action toy and his faithful pet Scrubbing Brush are headed to the Wide Ocean. Adventure is on the horizon for our daring duo, along with new challenges—and new friends—to meet. There's a picnic to defend (a quiche to protect!), colossal waves, giant seaweed, elusive rockpool animals . . . and the lovely Beachtime Brenda. Mini Grey, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award for Traction Man Is Here!, scores another victory for imaginative play. Sure to delight existing Traction Man fans and captivate new ones.

When it comes to sorting out a Real Princess from a Fake Princess, the famous pea-under-the-mattress test is tried-and-true. But for those of you who may have wondered how anyone could feel a tiny garden-variety pea under the weight of twenty mattresses, this book will put that question to rest once and for all. This witty spoof was shortlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in the UK. It was Mini Grey's first book and a worthy predecessor to such favorites as Traction Man is Here!

Three friends, Dog, Cat, and Mouse, live happily—or so they think—in their beach hut by the sea until one night a mysterious Stranger, bearing gifts from the Winds of Change Trading Company, blows into their little world and turns it upside down. Soon Dog, Cat, and Mouse are fighting with each other. Is the foxy Stranger a troublemaker or does he mean well? And will Dog, Cat, and Mouse ever be happy again? Children will find this thought-provoking picture book of true friendship from award-winning Mini Grey, author of Traction Man Is Here! and Traction Man Meets Turbodog, deeply satisfying, a story they'll want to hear—and discuss—again and again.

Any child who loves cookies will enjoy this inventive tale of Ginger Bear, a cookie in the shape of a bear, who sets out to avoid being eaten. As she did with Traction Man Is Here! and The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon, Mini Grey has created a totally original book that is fun to read and fun to look at.

THAT SQUARE-JAWED CAN-DO action toy, Traction Man, is back in another hilarious adventure. The little boy, Traction Man, and his brave pet, Scrubbing Brush, are inseparable—until the boy’s father throws the “unhygenic” Scrubbing Brush in the trash and replaces it with a “real” toy, the battery-operated TurboDog. It bleeps, speaks, and squeaks—but is not very smart. So Traction Man, wearing his airtight Astro-suit and armed with a bottle of SuperStrong Germo, enters the trash bin and rescues Scrubbing Brush from the Evil Bin Things (pizza crusts, spaghetti, and potato peels with eyes and mouths that hiss “Stay with us”). The Battle of the Bin is not to be missed—nor is the ignominious demise of TurboDog! With this satisfying sequel, Mini Grey has scored another smashing victory for imaginative play.

When Horace bakes a biscuit in the shape of a bear, little does he know that his edible treat is going to turn into Biscuit Bear! For in the middle of the night, when all is quiet, that is exactly what happens, and Biscuit Bear decides that it is time he made some friends of his own. So, with flour, sugar and butter he does just that. In fact, he makes a whole circus of friends and the fun begins . . .

From Pod to palace - the real story of the princess and the pea....