Best Selling Books by Vivian French

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins'' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he''s been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt and uncle while his parents are away. Not only does he have to put up with his annoying cousin Prune, there are also the weird creatures his aunt looks after in her Luxury Accommodation for Dragons, Griffins and other Regal Beasts to contend with! But when Godfrey the dragon gets stuck down a well, Sam and Prune have to work together to come to the rescue. Inside the well they make an incredible discovery - a scroll giving instructions on the six quests to be completed in order to become the perfect knight! Sam''s ambition seems close at hand - if only Prune would stop getting in the way...

A new series of short fiction for newly independent readers. Each story is between 300 and 500 words long, and together the books offer a range of genres, from humor to adventure, and from mystery to fantasy.

Billy plays detective to find out who keeps knocking his best friend Dan''s lunchbox off the shelf at school and getting Dan into trouble, but it is Dan who finally solves the mystery.

“Vivian French tells a gardening adventure and offers underground facts, including helpful hints on how to become a ‘wormologist.’ “ — USA Today Who would want to be friends with a wiggly, slimy worm? You can’t even tell which end is which! But there’s more to these lowly creatures than meets the eye. Kids are invited to find out where worms live, see how they move, and understand why gardeners consider them friends with the help of this humorous and informative look at an unappreciated — and fascinating — creature. Back matter includes further information about worms and an index.

The madcap, macabre, and maddeningly funny Tales from the Five Kingdoms continue – with an oddly heart-warming adventure. It’s a fine day for dwarf watching! At least that’s what Gracie Gillypott and Prince Marcus innocently think as they set out, unaware that Princess Marigold has honed her sights on Marcus and plans to follow him to the ends of the earth -- fan, frilly petticoats, and all. As for the dwarves, it’s not a fine day at all: they’re overworked and underpaid, rushing to produce extra gold to make crowns for a royal wedding. The Chief of Works has no choice but to send for some trolls to deal with the problem, but they have their own agenda: finding a princess for their lonely king. Throw in the faithful Gubble, a slinking goblin, four chatty bats, and a heart of glass that will give its owner absolute power and you have a hilarious new adventure rife with mistaken identities -- and the ever-compelling search for the perfect match.

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins'' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he''s been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt, uncle and cousin Prune while his parents are away. But Sam''s discovered a magical scroll listing the six quests to be completed to become a knight, and with his True Companion Prune''s help, he''s already managed two! Now Sam must find a goodly sword, but he keeps getting distracted by noble deeds that need doing. Helping a grumpy dwarf, a dunderheaded bear and an island of tiny elves might mean he''ll never find his sword, but isn''t that what a Very Noble Knight would do ...?

While Mom and Dad do nothing but daydream at the picnic, the young boy keeps very active noticing all kinds of things going on around them.

How is Gran going to get rid of the mouse in her house? With a black and white cat? Or with a big, spotty dog? What Gran really needs is a dear little flea This series covers a range of genres to support literacy requirements.

Offering a very different storytelling experience, this ''All Join In Story Play'' is a dramatic version of a favourite picture book written for four voices. Each part is clearly marked by different colour bands so children can join in.

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins'' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he''s been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his uncle, aunt and cousin Prune. But Sam''s about to discover a magical scroll listing the six quests he must complete to become a knight ... and with Prune''s help, he''s already managed three of them! Now he has to earn his very own knightly shield. Prune knows where to go for armour: Puddlewink Castle! But before they can cross the drawbridge they''re stopped by a terrifying creature. Will Sam''s knightly dreams end here?

"One day, Anna''s friend Zane sends her an invitation to come over to play, and inside the envelope is a map. But why is Zane''s house in the middle and Anna''s on the edge? Anna decides to make her own map, and before long, Dad and even Whiskers the cat are in on the fun. From routes to scale, symbols, and points of view, join Anna and her dad as they explore the wonderful world of maps!"--

Henny Penny and her barnyard friends are on their way to tell the king that the sky is falling when they meet a hungry fox, but Henney Penny''s quick thinking saves the day.

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. It''s all quiet at the pet shop at the end of the day, but the animals want to have some fun - who wants a story?

"A romp filled with language play and just plain nonsense. . . . Everyone gets his, her, or its due; goodness is rewarded; and evil punished oh-so-wickedly."– The Horn Book High above the mountain village of Fracture, trouble is brewing. The sorceress Lady Lamorna wants a skull-studded gown of deep black velvet, but her treasure chest is empty of gold. That doesn’t stop her, however, from kidnapping, blackmailing, and using more than a little magic to get what she needs. Will her plans be foiled by the heroic Gracie Gillypot, two chatty bats, a gallant (if scruffy) prince, the wickedest stepsister ever, a troll with a grudge, and some very ancient crones?

When Cat asks Goat to ride in his boat, Goat does not realise Cat has something sneaky planned. Suggested level: junior.

Hold on to your head for the funny and fast-paced second Tale from the Five Kingdoms, a follow-up to THE ROBE OF SKULLS. (Age 8 and up) When the quill writes GO GO GO frantically on the wall, and the House of the Ancient Crones heaves Gracie Gillypot outside onto the path, it can mean only one thing: there’s Trouble in the Five Kingdoms. This time it’s in the form of a beady-eyed, green-tongued witch named Truda Hangnail, who with her banished Deep Magic has vowed to succeed Queen Bluebell on the throne. Now that her horrible spell has shrunk the good witches of Wadington to the size of, well, rats, can anything stop her? Will the strengths, smarts, and charms of a spunky trueheart, a sweet-natured orphan, a scruffy prince, a substantial troll, and two squabbling bats be enough to foil her insidious plot?

The third book about Morris, the lovable fat ginger kitten whose main interest in life is food! A Roaring Good Read for children who are just able to read on their own.

A little boy isn''t sure if he likes horses, but his friend Catherine assures him that her horse will like him. Shannon is very big, but she''s beautiful, with dark eyes that look at him as if she knows everything there is to know. Catherine patiently teaches the boy how to talk to a horse quietly, how to feed her carrots, how to lead her across a field, even how to blow at her softly to show that he likes her. But is he ready to climb up on Shannon''s back and take a ride? Facts about horses are sprinkled throughout to satisfy inquisitive readers.

The web of power looks smooth and peaceful — until a new threat looms — in the fifth tale from the Five Kingdoms. Prince Albion expects a unique occasion when he starts planning Cockenzie Rood Day to celebrate his kingdom — and himself. What he doesn’t expect is boppings on the head and kidnapping, all because a zombie wants to play his fiddle in the talent contest. With a misbehaving path, a romantic bat, and a greedy butler to set them on their way, Gracie Gillypot and Prince Marcus are off on their fifth adventure. It’s up to a Trueheart, a resourceful prince, and Gubble the troll to stop the zombie before he does some giant damage to the Five Kingdoms.

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins'' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he''s been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt, uncle and annoying cousin Prune while his parents are away. But Sam''s discovered an ancient scroll listing the six quests to be completed in order to become a knight, and he''s already completed the first one! Now he''s found his True Companion (Prune), next on the list is to track down a Snow White Steed. But when Aunt Egg orders Sam and Prune to journey to Weasel''s Hill to deliver Horace the warthog back to his owner, it looks like the young knight-in-training looks will have to put his quest on hold. Or will he ...?

How long does a dragon’s egg take to hatch? Find out as this hilariously macabre series continues. (Age 8 and up) In this deadly funny fourth Tale from the Five Kingdoms, it’s Gracie Gillypot’s birthday, and Prince Marcus plans to show her a flight of dragons as a special gift. But when greedy, chocolate-hungry twins awaken the banished Old Malignant One, evil magic and Total Oblivion threaten the Five Kingdoms. Gracie must find a powerful, long-forgotten dragon’s egg before the Old Malignant One does in order to save the day. With the help of a wayward troll, two chatty bats, and the ancient crones, can Gracie foil his rotten plans? And can she overcome a spoiled princess, a malicious crow, and loads of chocolate cake to do so?

Rhyming text describes a boy who would like to be an extraterrestrial being, as well as an extraterrestrial being who would like to be a boy on earth. Suggested level: junior, primary.

Oliver, star of Oliver''s Vegetables, is back from his healthy week eating vegetables at his grandpa''s house. Suddenly, the fruit at home doesn''t seem quite good enough for Oliver. What is his mum to do? Other titles in this series: Oliver''s Fruit Salad Oliver''s Milkshake

Join your favorite Tiara Club princesses in this enchanting holiday special. In these two stories, the girls participate in the Winter Festival talent show. The prize is a trip to the fabulous Winter Wonderland theme park. In spite of nasty twins Diamonde and Gruella, will the Rose Room princesses win the competition and go to the park?

Pig Loves Piggie, and Piggie loves Pig! But..... mean old Daddy won''t let them be married! He wants her to marry a pig that can fly, and we all know pigs can''t fly. Disaster! But..... maybe Cow has an idea...... What happens next will make you laugh, cry, and eventually go Ahhhhhhhh!

A play for children based on the humorous story by Michael Rosen.

On her first day at the Princess Academy, Princess Charlotte inadvertently causes an accident that ruins the dresses of her new roommates and unless something can be done none of them will be able to attend the much anticipated Birthday Ball.

Morris is a lovable, greedy fat ginger kitten. In this story he is afraid of the new cat flat, but how will he get his food which is inside the house, when he is outside! A Roaring Good Read for new readers

Morris is ginger and very fat. He’s a cat who loves snoozing and eating... but that won’t catch him a mouse. Another lively story for beginner readers about this lovable puss.

A mother and child watch as tadpoles develop and grow into frogs.

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. Poor lost Kitten. He doesn''t have a name or a home to call his own. All he wants is to find a warm and cosy place where someone will love him. Will anyone help this little kitten?

Princess Katie and the other princesses at the Princess Academy must make one carefully chosen wish in order to win a chance to be in the Royal Parade.

Princess Charlotte''s first day at Silver Towers isn''t going as planned. She''s come to the wrong door, she can''t find her friends, and it''s starting to rain! Then Charlotte finds a magical rose lying in a puddle. . . .

Princess Emily and her friends at the Royal Academy receive their silver sashes after Emily helps horrible twins, Gruella and Diamonde, make up following a fight.

Princess Lauren falls in love with a beautiful necklace at the Annual Exhibition of Dazzling Diamonds. But she gets into terrible trouble over it. Can Fairy G''s magic help?

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. Hank can''t work out where all his customers have gone. They usually queue for miles for a taste of his rats'' tail pizza and special guts pie with blood sauce. And when he finds them all at a newly opened cake shop, sitting at tables and sipping tea, he can''t believe it! He''s got to find a way to win his customers back. But how?

Do you like chips? Oliver does. In fact, he won''t eat anything else - until he plays a game with his grandpa. Whatever vegetable Oliver finds in the garden, he must eat. On Monday, he pulls up carrots, on Tuesday, it is spinach . . . An excellent book for parents with slightly fussy children, which also introduces the days of the week. Other titles in this series: Oliver''s Fruit Salad Oliver''s Milkshake

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. When naughty Wizz Bee and Buzz Bee come home without any honey, Queen Bee is very cross. Can they cheer her up with a story?