New Releases by Vivian French

An enchanting collection of seven original fairy tales to bewitch and enthral by master storyteller, Vivian French, complemented by gorgeous, full-colour, contemporary artwork by debut children''s illustrator, Amy Grimes. Bibi doesn''t believe in fairies. But when she meets her fairy godmother, the tiniest of hopes flickers in her mind. Seven quests to seven lands that will open a magic box and grant her a wish.... could it, just possibly, be true? Whisked away with her trusty companion, Sylvestro the cat, Bibi quests with giants, dragons, princes and princesses, wizards, witches, water sprites and sea elves, unicorns, trolls and gnomes... Can Bibi earn the keys to open the box.... and unlock her belief in fairy magic?

"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!"--

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.

“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.

A brand new young fiction series by much-loved children''s author, Vivian French and illustrated by Nathan Reed. Meet werewolf extraordinaire... Lottie Luna. Beautiful black and white illustrations throughout. Lottie Luna is a werewolf. She''s super-fast, super-strong and has X-ray vision. Lottie doesn''t really like to use her skills, though - she just wants to be like everyone else. But when Lottie''s school holds its yearly talent competition, she finds that she might just have to use them... if she''s going to help her friends save the day and win first prize...

Book Band: Lime - Ideal for ages 7+ A quirky school comedy from Vivian French. Perfect for fans of Wigglesbottom Primary and Kes Grey''s Daisy books. When Dan gets into trouble at school for being untidy, he teams up with his best friend Billy to find out who''s throwing his lunchbox on the floor. With chalk fingerprints and missing sardine sandwiches as clues, Detective Dan is on the case! This humorous mystery from award-winning author Vivian French has appealing black-and-white illustrations by Daniel Duncan and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with brilliant books to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2, with book-banded stories by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence covering a wide range of genres and topics. With charming illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for reading both in the classroom and at home. For more information visit www.bloomsburyreaders.com. ''Patrice Lawrence, Tony Bradman, Margaret Mahy, Joan Aiken, Andrew Fusek Peters, Michaela Morgan, Geraldine McCaughrean and Narinder Dhami: any list that brings together such a quality line up of authors is going to be welcomed.'' - Books for Keeps on the Bloomsbury Readers series

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?

Alfie Onion has just set off on a great adventure ... but only to carry his brother''s luggage. It''s his elder brother, Magnifico Onion, who''s destined to win their family a Happily Ever After. But when it turns out Magnifico isn''t half the hero he''s cracked up to be, it falls to Alfie to save the day - with a little help from his loyal dog, a talking horse and a couple of meddling magpies.

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 ...?

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 ...?

When a king and a queen promise to marry their daughter Lucia to the man who can show them the most wonderful thing in the world, suitors descend on the palace bearing gifts. Roses, jewels and exotic birds; dancing girls, wind machines and mythical beasts - but nothing feels quite right. As the last suitor leaves, his weapons of mass destruction rejected, the king and queen are exhausted. But when a shy, young man, who isn''t a suitor at all, steps forward, they finally understand what the most wonderful thing in the world really is.

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...

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. Basma has been wondering a lot about love. What is it like? Does it have a shape or a colour or a taste? Is it like a coat or a jumper or a shawl? Or is it like a warm woolly hat? This charming new Early Reader story from the United Arab Emirates will be enjoyed by everyone, parents and children alike - and in particular fans of GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU.

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.

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?

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

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

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. Down in the Jungle it''s time for bed, but Monkey wants a story, and he sets off to find one in this charming, funny story, perfect for early readers.

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?

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

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.

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.

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. Jason and his little sister Daisy B go shopping, help wash the car, and splash about in the bath.

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. Jason and his little sister Daisy B help Mum and Dad with the shopping, the gardening and eating cakes!

Take a trip to the dinosaur exhibition with a young boy and his granddad and learn about the greatest carnosaur of all - tyrannosaurus rex. Find out what we know about T-Rex and what we can only wonder about.

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.

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?

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.

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?

"The text does an excellent job of describing the metamorphosis of a swallowtail butterfly, and the closeup, vibrant drawings of each developmental stage are outstanding." — School Library Journal The best way to learn about a caterpillar is to watch one close up. With love and care, a grandfather shows his granddaughter the tiny dome-shaped eggs, explains how caterpillars shed their skins as they grow bigger and bigger, and watches with her as one special caterpillar emerges from its pupa transformed into a beautiful butterfly.