"Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the Lennon and McCartney of children's publishing" Sunday TimesThis fabulous picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a riot of slapstick fun and silliness.The Baddies are the meanest, nastiest ghost, witch and troll in the land.They just adore being bad, and fight over who is the worst.When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can't wait to scare her out of her wits.But the little girl quickly shows them that you don't have to be big to be brave, and baddies don't always win.A brilliant paperback edition for new and old fans alikePerfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spotJulia and Axel are the team that have created picture book favourites such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Zog and The Smeds and The Smoos - all of which have been made into animated films premiering on BBC1 Christmas DayThe animated film of Tiddler stars voice artists including Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as the narrator, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts) as Miss Skate and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip).Look out for Jonty Gentoo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in 2024.More praise for The Baddies:'[The Baddies] is every bit as charming and wonderful and funny as you'd imagine' Nihal Arthanyake, BBC Radio 5 Live'A mean ghost, witch and troll try, yet hilariously fail, to frighten a girl in this brilliant new tale from the superstar picture book duo' The Bookseller'Keeps little ones grinning and guffawing from the first colour-soaked page to the last hilarious line of this fresh, funny and exuberant rhyming story ... With Donaldson's heartwarming, inspirational messages about being brave and standing up to bullies, a wise and enchanting story in a rhyme perfectly created for reading aloud, and Scheffler's stunning and richly detailed illustrations providing lots to spot on every page, this is a creative partnership made in children's reading heaven!' Lancashire Evening Post Read more

The magical and exciting picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Zog and Stick Man. 'Madam Dragon ran a school, many moons ago. She taught young dragons all the things that dragons need to know. Zog, the biggest dragon, was the keenest one by far. He tried his hardest every day to win a golden star.' Zog is the keenest dragon in school. He's also the most accident-prone, flying into trees and even setting his own wing on fire.Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by and patches up his bumps and bruises.But will she be able to help him with his toughest test: capturing a princess?Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlersA magical picture book about dragons, knights and princesses from the UK's number one picture book author and illustrator Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spotThe perfect story for children starting school with bravery, kindness, friendship and perseverance at the heartZog has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from Sir Lenny Henry (Narrator), Hugh Skinner (Zog), Tracy Ullman (Madame Dragon) and Kit Harrington (Sir Gadabout). The animated film of Tiddler stars voice artists including Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as the narrator, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts) as Miss Skate and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip). Look out for Jonty Gentoo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in 2024.Winner of the Galaxy National Book Award 2010 Praise for Zog: 'Heartwarming and hilarious. A book to make your heart soar and 'zigzag through the blue' Daily Mail 'Humour, heart and a worthy heroine earn this story its own star' New York Times 'A delightful bedtime read with Donaldson's witty versification and Scheffler's usual assortment of lushly coloured, winsomely boggle-eyed characters' FT Read more

Celebrate the joy of books with the entertaining Charlie Cook's Favourite Book, from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. Charlie Cook is reading a book about a pirate captain, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading about a knight, who is reading about a frog . . .From kings and queens to aliens and ghosts, there's something for everyone in Charlie's amazing book of adventure! This edition features the classic story with a stunning, redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!Also available with redesigned covers are: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, and The Snail and the Whale. Read more

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood.A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good.Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake . . . and a hungry Gruffalo!Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's The Gruffalo is an undisputed modern classic and has become a best-selling phenomenon across the world with over 13.5 million copies sold. This award-winning rhyming story of a mouse and a monster has found its way into the hearts and bedtimes of an entire generation of children and will undoubtedly continue to enchant children for years and years to come. No home should be without The Gruffalo!This edition features the classic story with a stunning redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!Also available with redesigned covers are The Gruffalo's Child, Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, The Smartest Giant in Town, Monkey Puzzle, Charlie Cook's Favourite Book, and A Squash and a Squeeze. Read more

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood. A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good.Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake . . . and a hungry Gruffalo!Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's The Gruffalo is an undisputed modern classic and has become a bestselling phenomenon across the world with over 13.5 million copies sold. This award-winning rhyming story of a mouse and a monster has found its way into the hearts and bedtimes of an entire generation of children and will undoubtedly continue to enchant children for years and years to come. No home should be without The Gruffalo! This handy board book format is perfect for younger readers. It features the classic story with a stunning redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have for even the smallest Donaldson and Scheffler fans! Also available in board book format and with striking redesigned covers are: The Gruffalo's Child, Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, The Smartest Giant in Town, Monkey Puzzle, Charlie Cook's Favourite Book, and A Squash and a Squeeze. Read more

Everyone's favourite dragon, Zog, returns in this magical adventurous picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Smeds and the Smoos and Stick Man.'Meet the Flying Doctors - a dragon, knight and girl.Their names are Gadabout the Great, and Zog, and Princess Pearl.'Princess Pearl, Sir Gadabout and their trusty 'air ambulance', Zog the dragon fly around tending a sunburnt mermaid, a distressed unicorn and a sneezy lion.But should princesses really be doctors?Pearl's uncle, the King, doesn't think so - until he himself falls ill, and only Pearl knows how to cure him.Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlersA fabulous picture book about dragons, knights and princesses from the UK's number one picture book author and illustratorThe sequel to the much-loved Zog is also a stand-alone storyPerfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spotBravery, kindness, friendship and perseverance are at the heart of this heartwarming storyZog and the Flying Doctors has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from Sir Lenny Henry (Narrator), Hugh Skinner (Zog), Patsy Ferran (Princess Pearl) and Rob Brydon (The King).The animated film of Tiddler stars voice artists including Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as the narrator, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts) as Miss Skate and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip). Look out for Jonty Gentoo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in 2024.'Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the Lennon and McCartney of children's publishing' Sunday Times Read more

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2019LONGLISTED FOR THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS 2019'Irresistible ... a modern classic' GUARDIAN'A warm-hearted debut ... lovely, expressive, characterful' SUNDAY TIMESWhen Tomas discovers a strange old tree at the bottom of his grandad's garden, he doesn't think much of it. But he takes the funny fruit from the tree back into the house - and gets the shock and delight of his life when a tiny dragon hatches! The tree is a dragonfruit tree, and Tomas has got his very own dragon, Flicker ...Tomas soon finds out that life with Flicker is great fun, but also very ... unpredictable. Yes, dragons are wonderful, but they also set fire to your toothbruth and leave your pants hanging from the TV aerial. Tomas has to learn how to look after Flicker - and quickly. And then something extraordinary happens - more dragonfruits appear on the tree. Tomas is officially growing dragons ...The first book in a sparky and utterly enchanting new series. Read more

Spark Your Child's Imagination with this Delightful Colouring Book for Ages 4-10Does your child love rainbows, unicorns, ballet, and princess stories? Then this magical colouring book is perfect for them!Unleash your child’s creativity with 50 beautifully illustrated, single-sided pages, featuring a wide range of pictures from flowers and rainbows to mermaids and ponies. The thoughtfully designed images will appeal to children who enjoy fairytales, friendship, and exploring their creativity.50 Delightful Hand-Drawn Illustrations: Filled with 50 charmingly illustrated, single-sided pages featuring flowers, rainbows, mermaids, and ponies.Single-Sided Pages: Each page is single-sided, allowing your child to freely experiment with colours without worrying about bleed-through, creating unique and vibrant masterpieces.Entertain for Hours: With so many enchanting pictures to colour, your child will be happily immersed in creative play for hours.Age-Appropriate Adventures: Tailored for imaginative children aged 4 to 10, this book invites them to explore a variety of magical realms and characters they'll love.Premium Quality Paper: Printed on high-quality paper, ensuring crisp, clear illustrations and preventing smudging for a satisfying colouring experience.Help nurture your child’s creativity and sense of wonder with this delightful colouring book. With its variety of magical pictures and convenient single-sided pages, it promises endless hours of entertainment for solo playtime. Get your copy today! Read more

The hilariously anarchic and bestselling picture book about a dragon who has lost his flame – but may just find fire elsewhere . . . Perfect for fans of The Dinosaur That Pooped series.   Sir Wayne’s dragon has lost his flame. Are his teeth TOO clean? Is his tongue TOO pink? Perhaps his diet is to blame. Not to worry – Sir Wayne has a meal plan of EPIC proportions, including a big lump of lava, one burning bush, some sparklers and fireworks – the ones that go ‘WHOOOOSH’. Oh, and one VERY mouldy old piece of cheese – almost as green as the snot from a sneeze . . . What could possibly go wrong?! Check out the brilliantly naughty Big Bad Dragon Club and look out for more fart-tastic fun in The Knight with the Blazing Bottom and The Princess with the Blazing Bottom and the brand-new festive picture book The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom at Christmas!      Read more

Join Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit in Bluey's Little Library!Follow along with your favourite Bluey characters on a brand new-adventure. Perfect for younger readers, each chunky book will keep little hands occupied at home, or on the move.And, once you're done reading (and re-reading), the four books come together to create a Bluey jigsaw.Jam-packed with colourful illustrations, the Little Library is the perfect read for fans of Bluey.Also available:Bluey: The BeachBluey: Meet Bluey! Sticker Activity BookBluey: Goodnight Fruit BatBluey: Fun and Games Colouring Book: Official Colouring Book Read more

Join the naughtiest unicorn for friendship, magic and mayhem in this hilarious series for 5 year-old, 6 year-old and 7 year-old and fans of Pamela Butchart, The Magic Unicorn Society, The Worst Witch and all things UNICORNS!The best unicorn book and funniest story you'll read this year!Mira CAN’T WAIT to start Unicorn School. (Her big sister goes and won’t stop going on about it). But when Mira arrives on her first day all the unicorns are gone … except Dave!Dave isn’t quite the sparkly magical unicorn Mira was expecting to find at the end of the rainbow – he’s more grumpy than glittery, more interested in lunch than magical quests and he always runs off when Mira tries to ride him – but Mira’s not going to let that get her down. Along with her new friends and their (much more glittery) unicorns, she is determined to be the best at Quests and protect the special unicorn world!For all fans of The Worst Witch, The Magic Unicorn Society, My Little Pony, Pamela Butchart – and for anyone looking for the perfect unicorn gift for girls and boys!Pip Bird is a children’s author living in London. When she’s not writing magical stories, she dreams of going to Unicorn School and having her own Unicorn Best Friend.The Naughtiest Unicorn series:The Naughtiest UnicornThe Naughtiest Unicorn at Sports DayThe Naughtiest Unicorn and the School Disco Read more

The magical bestseller: perfect for readers of all ages Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017Winner of the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year 2017Shortlisted for the Branford Boase AwardShortlisted for the Jhalak PrizeBeautiful, thrilling and magical, Sunday Times bestselling-author Kiran Millwood Hargrave's critically-acclaimed first novel is a modern classic.'Absolutely loved it from start to finish' TOM FLETCHER'I read it, I loved it' MALORIE BLACKMAN'Kiran Millwood Hargrave creates a spellbinding world of magic, myth and adventure' EMMA CARROLLForbidden to leave her island, Isabella dreams of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped.When her friend disappears, she volunteers to guide the search. The world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland – and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a fire demon is stirring from its sleep.Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.A beautifully written, multi award-winning story of friendship, discovery, myths and magic for any age – perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Frances Hardinge or Katherine RundellFrom the author of Julia and the Shark and The Mercies, chosen for the Richard & Judy Book ClubSet in an extensive and stunningly-imagined parallel world imbued with magical realismA gorgeous gift with intricate star-chart illustrations throughout - a present for young and old, which will stay with you long after reading'One of those timeless stories that feels like a real myth' SAMANTHA SHANNON'FANTASTIC!' CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER'Absolutely stunning' CATHERINE DOYLE'So beautiful and magical' PIERS TORDAY Read more

Turn the page, share the adventure in the enchanting family fairytale from million-copy selling author Ben Miller.'A magical adventure' Sunday Express 'Great for reading aloud' The Week Junior Lana loves stories. Especially the ones she and her brother, Harrison, share in their make-believe games. But when Harrison decides he’s too grown-up to play with Lana she finds herself feeling lonely. Until something magical happens . . .   Hidden in the strange new supermarket in town, Lana discovers a portal to a fairytale world! But these aren’t the happy-ever-after fairytales that Lana knows, they are darker and more dangerous, and the characters need Lana’s help to defeat an evil witch. But she can’t do it alone. Can she convince Harrison to believe in stories again and journey to the world with her . . . before it’s too late? Fall into this bestselling classic adventure about the power of stories, with beautiful illustrations throughout from Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini.*Have you ever wondered what your favourite fairytale characters are thinking? Once upon was only the start in the hilarious Diary of a Puss in Boots. OUT NOW!* Read more

** OVER 2 MILLION YOU CHOOSE BOOKS SOLD **Make up your very own fairy tale adventure where YOU CHOOSE what happens next! Which fairy tale hero would you like to be today? Where will you go on your fairy tale quest? And what fairy tale baddy would you least like to meet?The possibilities are infinite in this captivating creative toolkit which will inspire children from three up to make their own stories again and again.A magical sequel to YOU CHOOSE, YOU CHOOSE YOUR DREAMS and YOU CHOOSE IN SPACE - it's spell-binding! Read more

The Hobbit is the unforgettable story of Bilbo, a peace-loving hobbit, who embarks on a strange and magical adventure.A timeless classic.Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home; then one day the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services – as a burglar – on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo’s life is never to be the same again.Seldom has any book been so widely read and loved as J. R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale, ‘The Hobbit’. Since its first publication in 1937 it has remained in print to delight each new generation of readers all over the world, and its hero, Bilbo Baggins, has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals of fiction.J.R.R. Tolkien's book 'The Fall of Númenor' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2022-11-07. Read more

First in a series of magical unicorn adventures for fans of Isadora Moon.Welcome to Unicornia: the most wonderful place in the world, full of unicorns, glitter and magic. Join Claudia on her first day at the School of Advanced Magic, where she'll be taking potion lessons and a unicorn flying test. Read more

The epic Anglo-Saxon legend is brilliantly recreated by an award-winning author/illustrator team.In fifth-century Denmark, a murderous monster stalks the night, and only the great prince of the Geats has the strength and courage to defeat him. Beowulf's terrifying quest to destroy Grendel, the foul fiend, a hideous sea-hag and a monstrous fire-dragon is the oldest surviving epic in British literature. Artfully retold and magnificently illustrated, this companion volume to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is made instantly accessible to children by a formidable children's book partnership. Read more

Snuggle up together and enjoy this collection of charming and engaging stories written by Gabby Dawnay and selected especially for four-year-olds by literacy experts. Meet a host of colourful characters and join them on their adventures in this fantastic collection of stories, tailored to suit four-year-old readers. From the garden hijinks in the Slug Olympics, to the delicious story of The Yummiest Cake in the Whole Wide World, to the touching rhyming story The Boy and His Teddy Bear, these stories, some original, some adapted from fairytales around the world, will enchant and enthral in equal measure. This beautiful book contains original, inclusive and fun stories about animals, dragons, pirates, nature, vehicles, music and much more, so there will be something for every young reader in this rich collection. The stories in A Treasury of Tales for Four-Year-Olds are arranged in order of complexity so that the child listening or reading will increase their confidence as they make their way through the book.   Most children may not be able to read independently by the age of four, but they can start to prepare for this by building a foundation of literacy skills. For example, many can recognise letters, understand that print carries a message and know that sentences are read from left to right. Some may even be attempting to read. The luxurious package with sparkling foil and ribbon marker will make this a must-have gift for the birthday of any four-year-old and Heidi Griffiths' charming and engaging illustrations will mean that the child will cherish this book even as they grow older.   Read more

Included in the best new picture books and novels round-up in The Guardian, 2025.Whether you are a vampire or a ghost, a werewolf or a yeti, a bedtime routine is absolutely essential for a good night's sleep. ? Adults and children will fall in love with Blob and the whole cast of monsters as they brush their teeth, put on their pyjamas, and get tucked up in bed.Warm, loving and slimy, this hilarious rhyming picture book is the perfect addition to bedtime reading, ending with a kiss and sweet dreams for all."All creatures grim and evil,under the tired sun, are settlingdown - and so must you, myhorrible little one."“This rhyming bedtime picture book is a witty, tender mix of the adorable and the appalling.” - The Guardian“Huw Aaron takes the traditional bedtime story and flips it on its head with this lovely rhyming tale that understands you're never too young for a bit of gentle irony. A perfect bedtime story for the disgusting blob in your life.” - The Times Read more

Discover the spellbinding magic of Swan Lake in this musical retelling of the ballet – push the button on each beautiful scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Tchaikovsky’s score.This tale of a prince, a beautiful swan princess and an evil sorcerer begins in a woodland clearing far, far away. It is Prince Siegfried’s 21st birthday. He is playing games with his friends when his mother, the Queen, arrives to tell him he needs to stop having fun and start looking after the kingdom. Prince Siegfried dreams of running away.He follows an enchanting flock of swans to a clearing by a lake, where four of the little cygnets begin to dance. The most beautiful swan transforms into the Princess Odette, who tells him that she has been cursed to turn into a swan by day and return to her natural form at night by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart. As the prince and Odette dance, they begin to fall in love.The story follows Prince Siegfried as he attends his birthday party, is tricked into proposing to Von Rothbart’s daughter Odile and returns to the lake to battle the evil sorcerer. Will the prince be reunited with his swan princess?As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes, you will press the buttons to hear 10 excerpts from the ballet’s music. Readers should press firmly on the pages to activate the sounds, encouraging interactive learning and introducing children to this beautiful piece of music.At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with details about his composition of Swan Lake. Next to this, you can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read a discussion of the instruments, rhythms and musical techniques that make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms.The Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for children through gorgeously illustrated retellings of classic ballet, opera and program music stories paired with 10-second sound clips of orchestras playing from their musical scores. With The Story Orchestra keyboard sound books, children can play the famous melodies themselves with the sound of a real grand piano.Also available from the Story Orchestra series: The Magic Flute, I Can Play (vol 1), Carnival of the Animals, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Four Seasons in One Day.Manufacturer’s note: please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.The perfect primer to introduce children to classical music. Read more