Best Selling Books by Sarah Courtauld

For budding aficionados of art, children will learn about the most popular works of art and their artists as they go thanks to this amazing picture book. Each frame and painting is accompanied by a plaque of fascinating facts about the piece and its creator. Each charmingly illustrated double spread is based upon a simple theme such as painting outdoors, colour and everyday life. Also available in paperback, with stickers - 9781409522881.

This funny fairy-tale adventure from debut author Sarah Courtald is the story of two very different sisters-Eliza, who longs to ride into battle against villains and dragons, and Lavender, who would give anything to be a pampered princess. Before the end of the story both of them have had a chance to fulfill their dreams, though not quite in the way they intended... Accompanied by their depressed goat, Gertrude, with their granny''s warnings about the Black Death ringing in their ears, they head out into the forest and come face to face with an evil count who definitely does not have their best interests at heart. Buckle and Squash: The Perilous Princess Plot was the winner of the Sainsbury''s Children''s Book Award for Fiction Ages 5-9

Intrepid explorer Professor Liedenbrock leads a dramatic expedition to an Icelandic volcano, where a secret tunnel leads to the very centre of the Earth.

A jolly picture book following a crew of not-so-scary pirates across the high seas. Children will love following the story as the swashbuckling pirates sail through a swirling storm, sing sea shanties and tally up their twinkling treasure! This is a highly illustrated ebook that can only be read on the Kindle Fire or other tablet.

Once upon a time, on the Old Tumbledown Farm, in The Middle of Nowhere, in the Forgotten Corner of the Kingdom, two sisters are still arguing over their destinies. Sadly, neither of their plans are really working. Eliza''s archery skills are dangerous to everything but the target, and her trusty steed is merely their goat, Gertrude. Meanwhile, a sudden rash of royal weddings has sabotaged Lavender''s plan to marry a prince. Obviously, magic is the only answer. One rash Thumbelina-inspired wish on a magical snail later, and the Old Tumbledown Farm is suddenly a giant''s birthday present-and this giant is not willing to let go of her new toys. Can Eliza and Lavender actually work together to come up with a cunning escape plan or will Lavender be too distracted by the sudden appearance of a handsome prince? Hold on to your socks (or Gertrude will eat them!) as author Sarah Courtauld delivers everything fans of fractured fairytales could want from magic and princes to battling giants and cantankerous goats in Buckle and Squash!

Did you know that there are only eight different kinds of bears in the world? Find out where they live, what they eat and how baby bears spend their first day in the outside world. Simply written in lively, flowing text Usborne First Reading books are designed to capture the imagination and build the confidence of beginner readers. This book includes audio, simple comprehension puzzles and downloadable worksheets and teacher''s notes. "For every parent, child and teacher weary of the monotony of the average reading scheme, Usborne''s First Reading series will offer rays of sunlight. The books are carefully levelled and offer a huge variety of accessible and fun, fiction and non-fiction." - Tamara Linke (Proprietor, Tales on Moon Lane Bookshop)

WINNER OF THE 2014 SAINSBURY''S CHILDREN''S BOOK AWARD Here begins a tale of two sisters - Eliza, who dreams of becoming a swashbuckling hero, and Lavender, whose greatest wish is to be a pampered princess. When Lavender gets kidnapped in the Forest of Toothy, Vicious and Flatulent Dragons, the sisters must face a host of deadly enemies. Hairy-faced villains. Ominous turnips. A witch called Boris. And a moat-dragon who is just a little bit peckish for a tasty child-sized snack. Will Eliza and Lavender ever escape? Why is their goat, Gertrude, so depressed? Whose side is Bonnet, the smallest giant in the world really on? And what day is it today? This book will answer some, but not all, of these questions . . . Buckle and Squash and the Monstrous Moat-Dragon by Sarah Courtauld is a brilliantly funny debut for fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Mr Gum.

Aimed at children who are beginning to read. It combines factual information with simple text to inspire any beginner reader. 5 yrs+

It''s the Middle Ages, and an ill-matched band of strangers is setting off on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. To amuse themselves along the way, they hold a storytelling competition. But the tales soon turn from ripping yarns to slanging matches... With a cast of unforgettable characters, from the blue-blooded Knight and the merry Wife of Bath to the shifty Pardoner, the story is as much about the riotous pilgirims as the weird and wonderful tales they tell. Clearly written in a modern, approachable style to introduce young readers to this much-loved classic story.

The sequel to Buckle and Squash and the Monstrous Moat-Dragon by Sarah Courtauld - winner of the 2014 Sainsbury''s Children''s Book Award. A funny quest adventure featuring two very different sisters, a magical snail and a giant who loves to play with dolls'' houses . . . Here begins a tale of Eliza, who wants to become a swashbuckling hero, and Lavender, who dreams of being a fairy-tale princess. When Lavender casts a spell to make herself tiny, becoming a giant''s birthday present was never part of her plan. Unfortunately, this giant loves dolls'' houses and isn''t letting her new toys out of her sight. Can Eliza and Lavender come up with a cunning plan to escape? Where have all the gentle giants gone? Is the Holy Snail really magical? How many socks can their goat, Gertrude, actually eat? And what''s for dinner? This book might answer these questions, but then again it might not . . . A brilliantly funny quirky story for fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Mr Gum.

Developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, who is a senior lecturer in education and an early reading specialist from Roehampton University. There are over 250 Young Reading titles; view them at our website: www.usborne.com.

When Rudolf Rassendyll, a young Victorian gentleman travels to Ruritania, all he expects is a pleasant summer holiday. But when the King is kidnapped, he soon gets involved in a plot to rescue him.

A fascinating glimpse into the secret world of owls, following a baby owl as it grows up and learns to fly. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton, specially written for children just starting to read alone. This book includes audio and internet links to find out more. "Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme." - Julia Eccleshare

A set of cards providing facts and figures about famous paintings.

This book describes the history of slavery, from the slaves of ancient Egypt to today''s illegal slavery all over the world.

This book is full of pictures based on famous works of art for you to color.

An introduction to the amazing flora and fauna to be found on the seashore, packed with facts and clues to look for to discover the secrets of seashore life. It includes practical instructions for gently picking up crabs, making a rock pool viewer and much more.

Swing into the amazing world of monkeys with this charmingly illustrated book. See monkeys leap from tree to ttree and eath up crunchy bugs. Then watch as grown-up monkeys fall asleep and their abies start to play.

Presents the life and accomplishments of the English seaman and explorer, from his childhood in the house of his seafaring uncle, through his career as a privateer and explorer for Queen Elizabeth I, to his death at sea.

This is the story of two very different sisters - Eliza, who longs to ride into battle against villains and dragons, and Lavender, who would give anything to be a pampered princess. Before the end of the story both of them have had a chance to fulfil their dreams, though not quite in the way they intended ... Accompanied by their depressed goat, Gertrude, with their granny''s warnings about the Black Death ringing in their ears, they head out into the forest and come face to face with an evil count who definitely does not have their best interests at heart ... For fans of Cressida Cowell and Andy Stanton.

A look into the world of bugs, and how they grow, feed and make their homes; Combines information with flowing text to excite and inspire beginner readers; Includes short glossary, index and internet links to selected websites; Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

Here begins a tale of Eliza, who wants to become a swashbuckling hero, and Lavender, who dreams of being a fairy-tale princess. When Lavender casts a spell to make herself tiny, becoming a giant''s birthday present was never part of her plan. Unfortunately, this giant loves dolls'' houses and isn''t letting her new toys out of her sight. Can Eliza and Lavender come up with a cunning plan to escape? Where have all the gentle giants gone? Is Lavender really magical? How many socks can their goat, Gertrude, actually eat? And what''s for dinner? This book might answer these questions, but then again it might not . . . A brilliantly funny quirky story for fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Mr Gum.

Almost Naked Animals is a high-energy CITV series featuring a cast of pants-wearing animals. Now get a look behind the scenes at the Banana Cabana and see what Howie and his friends are up to ... Running a busy hotel is a tough job, particularly when you''re as bad at it as Howie is, but it helps when you have friends. Joining Howie are a gang of bottom-covered misfits including Octo, Bunny, Narwhal, Duck and Piggy ... and in a rival hotel nearby lurks Howie''s evil sister Poodle, who''s obsessed with taking over the Banana Cabana and shutting it down for ever! Howie has an urge to do Dog Stuff, but with no other dogs around but his evil sister, he''s out of luck. And Poodle has a Cunning Plan. Will Howie discover who his real friends are, before it''s too late? The author translating the Almost Naked Animals from TV to book form is a BAFTA-honoured comedy writer, and these books are in full colour throughout - with bonus stickers!

These cards tell you all about some of the world''s best loved Impressionists paintings. Discover the stories behind the pictures and find out about the artist''s lives.

This charmingly illustrated book is packed with stickers from over 100 of the best-loved paintings in the National Gallery''s collection. Learn about the lives of the artists and the stories behind the paintings.

A beautiful introduction to the story of western painting, with over 100 stickers. From cave paintings to modern masterpieces, each double page includes fascinating facts and stories about the pictures and artists, plus internet links to specially selected websites to find out more. Published in association with The National Gallery, London. Illustrations: Full colour throughout