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Two outcasts find themselves at the centre of world-altering change in Sword Catcher, the start of a riveting epic fantasy series from the internationally bestselling author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles. In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, a young orphan named Kel is stolen from his old life to enter a new one of luxury and peril. He's to become Prince Conor Aurelian's body-double, shielding the Prince from all dangers. As his 'Sword Catcher,' he and Conor become close as brothers - yet Kel lives for one purpose: to die for Conor. Lin Caster is an Ashkar physician, part of a community ostracised for its rare magical abilities. But events pull her and Kel together and into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King who rules Castellane's criminal underworld. Together, they'll discover an extraordinary conspiracy. But can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war and the world into chaos? Lose yourself in a vibrant world of power, intrigue and magic in this spellbinding epic from an internationally bestselling sensation. Great for Ages 15+ -
The second thrilling and unputdownable mystery starring a new generation of the Detective Society, from the million-copy-bestselling author of Murder Most Unladylike: Robin Stevens. March 1941. Britain is at war, and a secret agency called the Ministry of Unladylike Activity is training up children as spies - because grown-ups always underestimate them. Enter May, Eric and Nuala: courageous, smart, and the Ministry's newest recruits. May's big sister Hazel has arranged for them to stay on a quiet street close to the Ministry, home to an unlikely collection of people thrown together by the war. And it is in the basement of the bombed-out house at the end of that street that they discover something mysterious. Something that was not there when the Blitz wreckage was first combed through. Something that has been placed there recently. A body... Could this be the missing Ministry spy that Daisy Wells is on a dangerous mission in France to find? Or could it be someone else - someone a resident of the street wanted silenced . . . Great for Ages 9-12. -
Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after. Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She's married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she's paid for this fairytale. She doesn't know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out... but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in A Curse for True Love, the breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy. Great for Ages 15+. -
The second out-of-this-world adventure from YouTube sensation and TV presenter Adam B. Thirteen-year-old Adam has made a lot of mistakes in his life, but this has to be the biggest. Thanks to a MASSIVE fight with his little brother Callum, the mysterious and magical computer algorithm Popularis Incrementum has exploded - and accidentally transported them both to a completely different world! No, not just a different world. A different dimension: one where Adam and Callum were never born and the internet doesn't exist, and neither does any of the technology they rely on to make their epic YouTube videos! Will the brothers survive in this strange Altiverse where everything is ALMOST like home but ISN'T? And how do you stop an evil villain from sabotaging your dad's world-changing technology when in this universe your dad doesn't even know who you are?But for now there's only one question in Adam's mind: how do they get back home? Great for Ages 8-11. -
Do you ever wonder where the stuff around you all came from? No, not from the shops. I mean, who had the amazing idea of making video games or the annoying idea of building a school? In the latest laugh-out-loud book from the record-breaking and extremely handsome Adam Kay and Henry Paker, you'll learn about everything ever invented, from the daft to the disgusting to the downright dangerous. You'll discover all about: - The queen who pooed on the first ever toilet - How velcro was invented by a dog - Why the Ancient Greeks wiped their bums on dinner plates As well as 48,762,851,208 other facts. (Approximately...) Great for Ages 8-12. -
Susie Dent, bestselling author, broadcaster and word expert, is on a mission to find light in the deepest, darkest corners of our language. It takes just a short browse through the dictionary to spot how it is filled with negative words. But Susie has searched far and wide to unearth happy and uplifting words and phrases that, in some cases, are long forgotten, while others have only just been discovered. Paired with beautiful illustrations, this is the perfect book to lift you out of your mubble fubbles (a slightly sad mood), make you grin like a gigglemug (someone who never stops smiling), and have you feeling forblissed (extremely happy) in no time. This joyous collection of 100 positive words and their origins will show readers young and old just how wonderful language can be - and how you can use your words to make the world a happier place. Great for Ages 7+. -
Lottie Brooks is 11 3/4 and her life is ALREADY officially over. Not only is she about to start high school without any friends or glamorous swooshy hair, she's just discovered she's too flat-chested to wear A BRA!She might as well give up now and go into hibernation with her hamsters Sir Barnaby Squeakington and Fuzzball the Third. Lottie navigates the perils of growing up in this fantastically funny new illustrated series for pre-teens filled with friendship, embarrassing moments and, of course, KitKat Chunkys. Great for Ages 9-12. -
THINGS THAT ARE RUBBISH IN MY LIFE:* Have the most disgusting little brother in the entire world* Have to get braces when am on the brink of having my first kiss* Mum is making cottage pie for dinner. VOM. Finally summer has arrived and Lottie has BIG plans - scrolling through Instagram, dreaming about MEGA-crush Daniel and sunbathing by the pool on their family holiday to France. Then Lottie meets new CRUSH Antoine. The language is a tiny bit of a barrier but does it matter when he's THAT good looking? Readers LOVE Lottie Brooks: My daughter couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days. Read at breakfast, walking downstairs, tea time, in the bath. My 9-year-old daughter devoured it in two nights, and all I could hear from her was giggling and the occasional "Mum! Listen to this! This is SO me!". My 12 year old reluctant reader took this book, read 100 pages in one night and proclaimed it 'the best book ever' Katie has managed to capture the essence of what this group think and feel in a positive, life-affirming fashion. Great for Ages 9-12. -
From hilarious bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a brand-new Lottie Brooks story. This time it's CHRISTMAS!!! Dear Santa,For Christmas this year, I would like: Two hundred KitKat chunkies (full-size not multipack). Baby Bella to stop shouting 'BUM' in public spaces. A new brother who doesn't fart on me and call it a 'tasty air biscuit'. Antoine or Daniel (I can't decide!) to surprise me on Christmas Day with a grand romantic gesture. Cash (lots of it!). A new diary (I'm really getting through them!) Lots of love,Lottie xxx PS. Please could you put a chocolate orange instead of a real orange in my stocking this year? Lottie Brooks LOVES Christmas - there's presents, all the KitKat Chunkys you can eat AND no school for two weeks! But this year, Christmas might be a bit more chaotic than usual. The whole Brooks family are visiting for the festive break (along with some surprise visitors...), there's a Secret Santa to organise, and the hammies won't stop attacking Gavin, the Elf on the Shelf! Will Lottie survive the festivities intact or will she have to hide in the fort of shame until it's all over? Great for Ages 9-12. -
Experience Skulduggery Pleasant as never before - in this fully original graphic novel brought vibrantly to life in full colour. A small town in the middle of Ireland, a string of unexplained deaths and a monster on the loose. Better call in the experts. When Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain drive into Termoncara, they discover a town with a dark past and a people haunted by their own secrets. There is a creature stalking the streets - a creature who delights in cruelty, who feeds off the little hatreds, who grows stronger with every drop of blood spilled. Horror and mystery collide in an original graphic novel by Derek Landy, P. J. Holden, Matt Soffe, Rob Jones and Pye Parr. -
Ancient stories that challenge modern notions of what it means to be a hero. The ancient gods of Ireland were once worshipped throughout the land. Powerful and brave, they were unafraid to show their vulnerability, reject violence, or lean on others for support. Sadly, their stories - passed down by our ancestors - are all but forgotten. Gods Don't Cry reawakens these gods, whose ancient tales redefine modern ideas of what it means to be a hero. From Mannanan, who uses his neurodiversity to discover the Otherworld, to Meiche, who finds the courage to accept his illness, Fer Maisse, a monster slayer who gives up glory to become a healer, and Cnu Deroil, who overcomes bullies with his musical talent. Hurlers and warriors, academics, and activists - these are gods of many abilities, sizes, and skin shades, from every corner of Ireland. Follow their adventures as they perform magic, battle demons, overcome struggles and find the courage to be true to themselves. You might even see yourself in their stories and discover, that you too, are a hero. Illustrated by Conor Merriman Great for Ages 9-14. -
While all the wolves in the valley are busy preparing for the for the big Howling Ceremony, Little Wolf is afraid to use his voice. Little Wolf thinks he'll never find his howl - but then some wise words from Big Wolf remind him that even the smallest voice can make the sweetest sound. An inspiring, heartfelt tale for little pups everywhere about having the courage to find your own voice - even if it makes you stand out from the pack. From NUMBER ONE bestselling author-illustrator, Peter Donnelly. Great for Ages 1-6. -
The best-selling collection of football facts, stats and stories is back! World Football Records 2024 is packed full of facts and stats from the world of international football. Focusing on all the major world and continental tournaments, national team records, exceptional matches and the stars who made it all possible, this exhaustively researched annual tells the stories of these key moments and some of the tales behind them. * Updated stats and facts for all recent major tournaments, awards and international teams. * The latest record-breaking achievements of more than 35 featured nations from around the world, including a sidebar with key stats, as well as updates and records for most of the other 170+ FIFA members. Great for Ages 11+ -
Relive the magic of Peter and the Wolf through this extraordinary modern retelling by award-winning musicians Gavin Friday and Bono. When a wolf is found roaming the woods, Peter's grandfather warns him to stay at home. But Peter, who is mourning the loss of a parent, decides to venture into the deep, dark woods in search of this creature... This incredible retelling of the well-loved classic story, Peter and the Wolf takes children on an adventure whilst exploring themes of love and loss. With its spellbinding punk rock illustrations, this book is a beautiful reminder that there is hope after loss and those we love most are never truly gone. An enchanting story written by Gavin Friday and stunning visuals based on Bono's original illustrations - with an accompanying animated short film. In Prokofiev's original tale, Peter outsmarts the big, bad wolf, capturing him, and parading him victoriously around the town with the hunters. But this is not our ending and nothing is the way it seems... This extraordinary rendition of Peter and the Wolf echoes the message of courage that is so central to the famous classic, while gently introducing themes of loss, grief, and growing up and helping young readers to navigate them. Great for Ages 6-10. -
From All-Ireland champions to Olympic gold medallists, Grand Slam greats to golfing Major champions, join us on a tour of Irish sporting history told as never before. Which Irish soccer player has scored the most goals? Who is the most decorated Irish boxer of their generation? And who were the youngest Irish sports stars to achieve their dreams? Meet the people who put Ireland on the sporting map, brought together for the first time in charming and beautiful illustrations by Graham Corcoran. For one small island, Ireland has produced a history of sporting achievement to rival even the biggest nations. The Big Book of Irish Sporting Heroes introduces readers young and old to the men and women who achieved spectacular feats across football, GAA, horse racing, gymnastics, rugby, the Olympic games and many many more. Great for Ages 7-12. -
There's much excitement in the Dixon household as the Friendship Fairies' dad has bought his own bakery - and he's planning on opening it just in time for Christmas! The girls are busy helping him get ready, and enjoying sampling the wares as they go. But when a little elf from nearby Red Forest comes seeking their help, they down tools and jump into action,for in the magical forest, disaster looms. The elves are normally busy helping Santa prepare for Christmas, making toys and sweets for all his special deliveries. But this year, their machines have broken down, and everything has ground to a halt ... Can Emme, Holly and Jess - with some assistance from Dad - help save the (Christmas) day? Great for Ages 7-10. -
Illustrated in a sophisticated muted palette, this is a classic quest story with a modern twist from two Irish Children's Laureates. After his father's death, Prince Lir is tricked into embarking on a perilous quest to rescue a maiden from a dragon. The studious young prince is no warrior, but he uses his brains to make himself indispensable to the grumpy dragon. However, neither prince nor dragon have bargained on the dark magic which manipulates them both, and it may be left to maiden herself to save them all... Great for Ages 8-12. -
Dad and Sam are walking her dog Frank in the park after school. She tells Dad about feeling busy and a bit overwhelmed and he explains that she needs to calm her mind down. He explains that her brain is a bit like her dog, Frank: excited to explore lots of different things. Sometimes it gets too much, just like it does for Frank. When that happens, they give Frank a gentle tug on his lead to bring him back and calm him down. "That's exactly what this breathing exercise does," says Dad, "bring you back to yourself, making you stronger for another day!" Great for Ages 3-7.
