Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		The Bad-Tempered Ladybird Eric Carle A classic picture book in a robust board book format. The bad-tempered ladybird is too mean to share. Instead, it picks a fight with every creature it meets – even if it is a big as a rhinoceros! The journey, … Download free opening extract
2		The Great Sheep Shenanigans Peter Bently A catchy rhyming text propels this entertaining story of how the wily sheep manage to see off the predatory but foolish wolf. Lou Pine thinks he’s one cool and clever wolf but all his well-made plans go badly wrong – … Download free opening extract
3		Matilda’s Cat Emily Gravett Award-winning Emily Gravett has come up with another witty gem. Specialising in simplicity and relying on readers taking their cues from her characters, here Matilda’s cat makes it plain that she does NOT like all the things Matilda wants her … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		My Granny is a Pirate Val McDermid Hugely successful, internationally bestselling and multi award-winning author Val McDermid writes her first picture book for children.  This wonderfully cuddly granny started life as a cabin girl and now sails the seven seas as a redoubtable pirate seeing off her … Download free opening extract
2		Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat Sue Hendra July 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling Sue Hendra tells how Keith the cat creates some magic of his own in this entertaining story about Keith who is suddenly able to do some clever tricks after an ice cream cone … Download free opening extract
3		Winnie the Witch: 25th Anniversary signed hardback Valerie Thomas STOP PRESS: SIGNED LIMITED EDITION HARDBACK Winnie the Witch is a modern classic in the world of picture books so why not celebrate 25 years of Winnie and her cat Wilbur with this special 25th anniversary limited edition hardback signed by … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		The Big Sticky Bun (Early Reader) Vivian French Three short stories will delight early readers as they capture incidents from Jason and Daisy’s childhood which will strike a familiar chord.  Jason’s good behaviour earns him the bun he wants while his attempts to get Daisy to grow by … Download free opening extract
2		Horrid Henry’s Sports Day (Early Reader) Francesca Simon Sports day and Horrid Henry are a deadly combination! Henry hates sports day because he always looses and Perfect Pete always wins! But this year, Henry is determined that things will be different! How Henry sabotages everything he can and … Download free opening extract
3		The BFG 30th Anniversary Edition Roald Dahl This is a delightful, funny and exciting story about a special friendship between two people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows how trust and love develops between them. It also shows … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Best of Pippi Longstocking Astrid Lindgren Pippi Longstocking is as popular as ever, with dedicated fans all over the world. She’s funny, feisty and incredibly strong and has the most amazing adventures! Here’s a chance to read three books about Pippi in one volume – Pippi … Download free opening extract
2		Little Manfred Michael Morpurgo June 2012 Book of the Month. Award-winning author and illustrator duo Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman have created a touching story about the way lives become entangled during conflict and how, unexpectedly, those ties can lead to enduring friendship. When Alex … Download free opening extract
3		The Famous Adventures of Jack Berlie Doherty Berlie Doherty, with her fantastic flare for storytelling, puts a different slant on a familiar fairytale. With beautiful line-drawn chapterheads by illustrator Steven Wood, this quirky set of stories within a story are perfect for children reading on their own, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Elf Girl and Raven Boy : Fright Forest Marcus Sedgwick July 2012 Book of the Month.  Humour, magic and the altogether unexpected are woven together engagingly to create a delightfully original adventure. Elf Girl and Raven Boy meet by chance and soon become firm friends after Raven Boy crashes out … Download free opening extract
2		The Mystery of Wickworth Manor Elen Caldecott Two children thrown together on a residential week in Wickworth Manor find a mystery at the heart of the handsome stately home that provides a gripping diversion! Bouncy Paige and the reserved Curtis make an unlikely pair but their determination … Download free opening extract
3		Willard Price: Leopard Adventure Anthony McGowan July 2012 Book of the Month. The classic animal tales of Willard Price are given a power conservation theme and a new look in this thrilling modern adventure. Twelve year Amazon and her cousin Frazer are recruited by TRACKS, an … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Ghosting Home Julia Jones July 2012 Book of the Month. This thrilling conclusion to the Strong Winds trilogy is an action-packed adventure set in and around the east coast of England and the North Sea in which 14 year old Donny, the protagonist in each … Download free opening extract
2		Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian : Book 8 Eoin Colfer July 2012 Book of the Month. This is bestselling master storyteller Eoin Colfer, who set readers alight with his first title about Artemis Fowl, a young criminal mastermind who was more than a bit mixed up with the fairy world. … Download free opening extract
3		A Midsummer Tights Dream Louise Rennison July 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling Louise Rennison is as howlingly funny as ever as she sticks with a drama theme in this hilarious follow-up to Withering Tights. Tallulah Casey is back for a second summer at Dother Hall, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Apothecary Maile Meloy July 2012 Debut of the Month. Spies, secrets and spells lie at the heart of this thrilling mystery adventure set in the 1950s. Newly arrived in England after her parents’ hurried flight from Los Angeles, Janie finds it hard to adjust. … Download free opening extract
2		Between the Lines Jodi Picoult, Samantha Van Leer July 2012 Debut of the Month. Bestselling Jodi Picoult, co-writing with her daughter who came up with the idea, tells a brilliantly romantic story of love across a divide in this entertaining and also thought-provoking story about stories, characters and readers. … Download free opening extract
3		Sister, Missing Sophie Mckenzie Bestselling Sophie Mackenzie follows up Girl, Missing with a nail-bitingly tense and action-packed thriller as Lauren, still reeling from her own kidnapping, loses her little sister Madison in the blink of an eye on a crowded beach. Surely this can’t … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		The Bad-Tempered Ladybird Eric Carle A classic picture book in a robust board book format. The bad-tempered ladybird is too mean to share. Instead, it picks a fight with every creature it meets – even if it is a big as a rhinoceros! The journey, … Download free opening extract
2		Archie Domenica More Gordon June 2012 Debut of the Month. From an important and exciting new author/illustrator – a hugely original new talent – comes a riot of canine fun, bound to attract appreciative tail-wagging from dog fans! Featuring a royal guest star at the end it’s … Download free opening extract
3		The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom Steve Smallman What better than a cheeky monkey to enthuse a young child to love books in this bestselling picture book.  This edition comes complete with a CD read by CBBC’s Justin Fletcher.  The reading is a great aid to improving reading skills, perfect for bedtime, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		My Granny is a Pirate Val McDermid Hugely successful, internationally bestselling and multi award-winning author Val McDermid writes her first picture book for children.  This wonderfully cuddly granny started life as a cabin girl and now sails the seven seas as a redoubtable pirate seeing off her … Download free opening extract
2		The Lorax Dr. Seuss The Lorax is a hilarious story with typical zany humour and silly rhymes, that packs a punch with its ecological message without feeling heavy-handed or worthy. … Download free opening extract
3		Winnie the Witch: 25th Anniversary signed hardback Valerie Thomas STOP PRESS: SIGNED LIMITED EDITION HARDBACK Winnie the Witch is a modern classic in the world of picture books so why not celebrate 25 years of Winnie and her cat Wilbur with this special 25th anniversary limited edition hardback signed by … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		The Big Sticky Bun (Early Reader) Vivian French Three short stories will delight early readers as they capture incidents from Jason and Daisy’s childhood which will strike a familiar chord.  Jason’s good behaviour earns him the bun he wants while his attempts to get Daisy to grow by … Download free opening extract
2		Horrid Henry’s Sports Day (Early Reader) Francesca Simon Sports day and Horrid Henry are a deadly combination! Henry hates sports day because he always looses and Perfect Pete always wins! But this year, Henry is determined that things will be different! How Henry sabotages everything he can and … Download free opening extract
3		Cudweed in Outer Space (Early Reader) Marcus Sedgwick Hilarious and madcap space adventures happen to Cudweed after he builds a spaceship from a kit and sets off into the unknown with only his pet monkey Fellah for company. What happens when he hurtles off into the unknown and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Little Manfred Michael Morpurgo June 2012 Book of the Month. Award-winning author and illustrator duo Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman have created a touching story about the way lives become entangled during conflict and how, unexpectedly, those ties can lead to enduring friendship. When Alex … Download free opening extract
2		The Best of Pippi Longstocking Astrid Lindgren Pippi Longstocking is as popular as ever, with dedicated fans all over the world. She’s funny, feisty and incredibly strong and has the most amazing adventures! Here’s a chance to read three books about Pippi in one volume – Pippi … Download free opening extract
3		Make Your Mark The Drawing Book for Children Sarah Richardson Unlike so many practical art books, which tend to be dreary and poorly designed, Make Your Mark is as visually stimulating as it is thought-provoking and fun to use. Drawing on her extensive experience of teaching art to both adults … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Elf Girl and Raven Boy : Fright Forest Marcus Sedgwick July 2012 Book of the Month.  Humour, magic and the altogether unexpected are woven together engagingly to create a delightfully original adventure. Elf Girl and Raven Boy meet by chance and soon become firm friends after Raven Boy crashes out … Download free opening extract
2		Codename Quicksilver 1: In the Zone Allan Frewin Jones July 2012 Book of the Month. The first in this gripping new series, perfect for young fans of 24 and Alex Rider. Zac Archer’s on a new mission but now he has a price on his head. Having witnessed a … Download free opening extract
3		The Mystery of Wickworth Manor Elen Caldecott Two children thrown together on a residential week in Wickworth Manor find a mystery at the heart of the handsome stately home that provides a gripping diversion! Bouncy Paige and the reserved Curtis make an unlikely pair but their determination … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		A Midsummer Tights Dream Louise Rennison July 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling Louise Rennison is as howlingly funny as ever as she sticks with a drama theme in this hilarious follow-up to Withering Tights. Tallulah Casey is back for a second summer at Dother Hall, … Download free opening extract
2		The Case of the Deadly Desperados Caroline Lawrence July 2012 Book of the Month. Fast, furious and funny, meet 12 year old P K Pinkerton who believes he can be a Wild West Private Eye and a good one too.  With the help of his newly found friends … Download free opening extract
3		Ghosting Home Julia Jones July 2012 Book of the Month. This thrilling conclusion to the Strong Winds trilogy is an action-packed adventure set in and around the east coast of England and the North Sea in which 14 year old Donny, the protagonist in each … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Anna Dressed in Blood Kendare Blake July 2012 Debut of the Month. A best-selling young adult novel from the US, this is a story that will spook the faint hearted! Cas looks and behaves like an average teenager but he has a very unusual mission to complete. … Download free opening extract
2		The Apothecary Maile Meloy July 2012 Debut of the Month. Spies, secrets and spells lie at the heart of this thrilling mystery adventure set in the 1950s. Newly arrived in England after her parents’ hurried flight from Los Angeles, Janie finds it hard to adjust. … Download free opening extract
3		Between the Lines Jodi Picoult, Samantha Van Leer July 2012 Debut of the Month. Bestselling Jodi Picoult, co-writing with her daughter who came up with the idea, tells a brilliantly romantic story of love across a divide in this entertaining and also thought-provoking story about stories, characters and readers. … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Cat on the Mat and Friends Brian Wildsmith A bumper picture book made up of four best-selling classic stories by this award winning illustrator. The simplicity of Brian Wildsmith’s illustrations and the jokes that both the pictures and the stories tell make this a delight for young readers…. … Download free opening extract
2		The Perfect Hug Joanna Walsh A gem of a book! How the panda finds the perfect hug is told in sparkling rhyming couplets which describe hugs of all sorts including ‘hugs for wrigglers and hugs for gigglers,/ Hugs that are tickly and hugs that are … Download free opening extract
3		I Like Toys (Petit Collage) Lorena Siminovich Irresistible ‘touch and feel’ books, these two chunky board books – I Like Peas and I like Toys – offer a wonderfully tactile experience to the very youngest readers while also imparting useful information. I Like Toys brings the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Wolf Won’t Bite! Emily Gravett Award winning Emily Gravett gives the wolf a chance in this visually bold and entertaining inversion of the story of three little pigs. Three brave little pigs tease the big scary wolf making him the butt of every circus trick. … Download free opening extract
2		Lonely Beast Chris Judge How the Beast overcomes his loneliness is a touching story about friendship of all kinds. Despite his name, the Beast, and all other Beasts, are gentle creatures who love gardening and cake baking. The Beast travels across the world to … Download free opening extract
3		Zou and the Box of Kisses Michel Gay A truly special picture book.  It’s the story of Zou the Zebra as he spends his first night away from his parents. Both endearing and reassuring for both and child this is a wonderful book to read aloud.  Zou disovers … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Little Old Ladies Franziska Kalch Just what do a group of old ladies do when they get together?  Well they have a whole load of fun, tell tales and share ideas.  Here the author and illustrator brings these exhuberant old ladies to life in this … Download free opening extract
2		My Brother Bernadette Jacqueline Wilson Fabulous reissue of an absolute gem of a book by on of the bestselling authors of all time but this is one of the very few titles by Jacqueline Wilson suitable for newly fluent readers. Still with colour illustrations on … Download free opening extract
3		How the World Works Christiane Dorion Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award 2011: Best Book with Facts*. A fully interactive guide to different aspects of the workings of the world. The story of the water cycle pops up in the most exciting and unusual way. The … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Muncle Trogg Janet Foxley Winner of The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2010, Muncle Trogg is the charming upside down fairytale about a tiny giant who saves the day. It’s a debut novel and the first in a series of adventures featuring Muncle, the … Download free opening extract
2		Spider Stampede (S.W.I.T.C.H. 1) Ali Sparkes Boy or insect? Twins Josh and Danny survive a series of thrilling adventures after they have been transformed into bug life by the crazy scientist Petty Potts who injects them with a most unusual serum. How insect-loving Josh and insect-hating … Download free opening extract
3		Letters from an Alien Schoolboy Ros Asquith This is the first in a terrific new series for 7+ year olds – both boys and girls.  Packed with some hilarious illustrations and the story itself is a real page-turner.  It features an alien who comes to spy on … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Little Darlings Jacqueline Wilson Jacqueline Wilson takes a look into the lives of celebrities in this touching story of two girls, two families and one father. Destiny and Sunset’s lives seem miles apart; one lives in a council flat, the other in a posh … Download free opening extract
2		The Pasta Detectives Andreas Steinhofel Shortlisted for the 2011 Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation. This is a funny and original mystery starring two unlikely boy detectives, the mildly autistic Rico and the brainy but anxiety-ridden Oscar.  The story of The Pasta Detectives explores the … Download free opening extract
3		Will Farts Destroy the Planet? Glenn Murphy Packed full of fascinating and vital information this is in part a story and in part a rich source of facts which, taken together, make it a brilliant introduction to how our world will be affected by climate change. How … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Twilight Robbery Frances Hardinge Award winning Frances Hardinge’s first novel Fly By Night starred Mosca Mye and Eponymous Clent. Now they are back for a thrilling new adventure in the city of Toll, a magical place which no one can enter or leave without … Download free opening extract
2		Buried Thunder Tim Bowler A tense and haunting thriller in which the power of the forest looks set to destroy all around it. Drawn to the forest around the house, Maya witnesses strange and unnatural events. Even when in the safety of her new … Download free opening extract
3		Street Heroes: Runaways Joe Layburn Street Heroes: Runaways is a fast-paced thriller that deals with important issues while keeping readers gripped from start to finish. By the aclaimed author of Ghostscape and Street Heroes it is in a nutshell ‘Heroes’ for children.  The Street Heroes … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		I am Number Four film tie-in edition Pittacus Lore Read the book before seeing the film. John Smith is not your average teenager. He regularly moves from small town to small town. He changes his name and identity. He does not put down roots. He cannot tell anyone who … Download free opening extract
2		Dancing Jax Robin Jarvis There’s a dark power lurking in the empty house set down a long, lonely track. When a group of teenagers break in, they find a box of children’s books. Not any old books. There is something special about one book. … Download free opening extract
3		Withering Tights Louise Rennison Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2010 (Funniest Book for Children aged Seven to Fourteen). Laugh out loud at this launch title of a brilliant new series by Queen of Teen author Louise Rennison. Tallulah Casey, cousin of the … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		When I Dream of ABC Henry Fisher Wonderfully dreamy and fantastical illustrations – opera singing mermaids, shy dragons and even chocolate drinking vampires – combine with simple text to encourage children to learn their ABC.  Perfect as a bedtime read as after the parent has gone it’s … Download free opening extract
2		Christmas Time Alison Jay Come on a journey through Alison Jay’s magical festive world! Discover all the things that make Christmas the most special time of the year and see if you can spot two lucky children who are on their own Christmas Eve … Download free opening extract
3		The Story of the Little Mole – The Sound Book Werner Holzwarth The best-selling Little Mole has been delighting or displeasing readers according to their taste in toilet humour for a couple of decades. All young children will adore this sound version which adds an important dimension to the story of Little … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Dog Loves Books Louise Yates Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2010 (Funniest Book for Children aged Six and Under). Shortlisted for the Independent Booksellers’ Book Prize 2010. The magic of books and reading is perfectly illustrated in this joyful picture book. Dog loves books … Download free opening extract
2		Goodnight Tiptoe Polly Dunbar As with all Walker Books titles this doesn’t just have a fabulous story to it but it’s beautifully printed and bound in paperback on quality paper – it really makes a wonderfully affordable gift for babies and toddlers. Goodnight Tiptoe … Download free opening extract
3		The Ice Bear Jackie Morris Stunning illustrations capture the warm emotions of this magical story and juxtaposes them perfectly with  the winter landscape of the white bears and the hunters who live in it.  When Raven steals a white bear cub and delivers him to … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Farther Grahame Baker-Smith Graham Baker-Smith’s debut Leon and the Place Between was shortlisted for the prestigious Greenaway Medal in 2010. Farther is the first book that he’s written and illustrated himself and it’s utterly captivating.  The text is so beautifully placed and inextricably … Download free opening extract
2		Quentin Blake’s Magical Tales John Yeoman, Quentin Blake Beautifully told, the fourteen folk stories in this collection are taken from around the world giving a slice of different kinds of magic from different times. In all there are elements of enchantment, transformation and trickery as the kind and … Download free opening extract
3		Grow Your Own Monsters Nicola Davies, Simon Hickmott, Clive Boursnell A practical guide to growing all kinds of unusual plants – not the ordinary, good looking ones that most people choose to grow! Voodoo Lilies, Venus Fly Traps, Squirting Cucumbers and Abyssinian Bananas are just some of the exotic and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		A Boy Called M.O.U.S.E. Penny Dolan An evocative and thrilling tale, set in a richly colourful Dickensian world, featuring a small boy, Mouse, whose parents are lost at sea, and whose life is threatened by the claims of his money-grabbing and debt-ridden Uncle and he is … Download free opening extract
2		Bink & Gollie Kate DiCamillo, Alison McGhee With deliciously spare text and delightful cartoons, the way friends Bink and Gollie, two very different girls both with very strong views(!), manage to be supportive of each other and also to give each other space to do their own … Download free opening extract
3		Lost Dogs Garrett Carr Ballydog may well be a weird, weird town (in Ireland as it happens) with weird  characters, and monsters giving it that supernatural touch but this is a great read.  The author is a terrific storyteller and has clearly had a … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Billionaire Boy David Walliams Hugely entertaining, this captivating story is also thought provoking about the perils of having way too much money. Joe Spud is the richest twelve-year-old in the world; he has everything his heart desires – except happiness. As one disaster follows … Download free opening extract
2		Alien Storm A.G. Taylor A gripping science-fiction adventure pits a group of kids with super powers against a mysterious Russian billionaire. Infected by an extraordinary virus from a meteor storm, Sarah, Robert and the younger children in their charge are now at risk from … Download free opening extract
3		The Iron Man Ted Hughes A stunning new version of a much-loved children’s classic with stunning and unusual illustations from Laura Carlin. Part modern fairy tale, part science fiction myth, The Iron Man describes the unexpected arrival in England of a mysterious giant “metal man” … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Unhooking the Moon Gregory Hughes Winner of the BookTrust Teenage Book Prize 2010 and shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2010. One absolutely, indisputably MEGA story! This highly recommended title is a beautifully written, utterly original, funny and bittersweet tale about two newly orphaned kids … Download free opening extract
2		Withering Tights Louise Rennison Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2010 (Funniest Book for Children aged Seven to Fourteen). Laugh out loud at this launch title of a brilliant new series by Queen of Teen author Louise Rennison. Tallulah Casey, cousin of the … Download free opening extract
3		My Name is Mina David Almond For everyone who loved David Almond’s Skellig, My Name is Mina is its prequel written over 10 years after Skellig was published to such acclaim.  Skellig remains one of THE bestselling and well known novels of the last decade. So here, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Matched Ally Condie Introducing a rare new talent and almost certainly one of the biggest Young Adult debuts of the year this is the first in an utterly compelling, visionary and imaginative series that is set to be a sensation. The book is … Download free opening extract
2		The Truth About Leo David Yelland Shortlisted for the Young Minds Book Award 2010 Full of insight, this is a deeply moving story about how a child handles a parent with a serious problem. Leo’s life with his father is a mess but there is no way … Download free opening extract
3		You Against Me Jenny Downham Prize-winning Jenny Downham’s debut novel Before I Die was the profoundly moving story of the death of a teenager. Told with immense insight and compassion it showed Jenny’s talent for understanding the energetic positivity of teenagers; how, for them, the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		A Michael Recycle Adventure: Litterbug Doug Ellie Bethel A campaigning picture book that will encourage all to recycle. Litterbug Doug hates recycling; instead he creates a heap of litter all around his home. When green-hero Michael appears Litterbug Doug refuses to listen to the recycling message and does … Download free opening extract
2		Dogs Emily Gravett Prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett delights with another wonderful new book. Apparently a celebration of dogs of all kind, this is also a book with a witty twist at the end. Gorgeous pictures of big dogs and small dogs, hairy dogs … Download free opening extract
3		Gilbert in Deep (book & CD – read by Dervla Kirwan) Jane Clarke Witty writing with lots of shark-infested humour.  Gilbert is a shark with a softer side. He has had Raymond, his pet friend Remora, since he was just a tiny pup. They have swum through the seaweed together and played finball, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness Giles Andreae Madcap adventures with huge naughty boy appeal featuring Billy and his family, and wittily illustrated by Nick Sharratt. At school there’s the great sports day fiasco, then there’s the Bonkers’ unfortunate holiday on the shores of Loch Ness and finally … Download free opening extract
2		Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed Margaret Ryan Weird Street is a terrific little four book series that will get 6-9 year old boys (in particular) and girls really reading and enjoying it.  Weird Street is on Johnny’s paper round, a bizarre, scary and extremely unusual paper round, where he … Download free opening extract
3		101 Ways To Get Your Child To Read Patience Thomson For parents: There are many different reasons why children find learning to read difficult. Calmly and with loads of different tips, this book helps to guide parents to understand the myriad problems which may be causing the difficulty and gives … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Foul Play Tom Palmer On the Blue Peter Award Shortlist – Football mad boys and girls will devour this all-action adventure novel, virtually in a sitting. Hopefully, even the most reluctant reader, just like the author himself was at school, will devour it too. … Download free opening extract
2		Charles Darwin Alan Gibbons Discover the world of Darwin through the diary of a ship’s boy.  Combining non-fiction and fiction but factually absolutely accurate, this book is published to coincide with Darwin’s 200th birthday.  It begins with a diary, told from the point of view of … Download free opening extract
3		An Awfully Beastly Business: Bang Goes A Troll! Beastly Boys For fans of dragons, giants and werewolves, this new series entitled An Awfully Beastly Business has proved to be a sure-fire hit with even the most reluctant reader. This is the third title in the series.    Short snappy sentences with pages … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Running On The Cracks Julia Donaldson A thrilling corkscrew of a novel that twists and turns weaving several strands of story into one compelling narrative, and the first novel from an established and bestselling picture book author for younger readers. Orphaned after the death of her … Download free opening extract
2		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney Take a peek into Greg’s diary and find out the story of his life – and especially about his relationship with his older brother Roderick. Wittily told in words and pictures, this diary charts the trials and tribulations of a … Download free opening extract
3		Flood And Fang: Raven Mysteries Book One Marcus Sedgwick Told from the bird’s eye view of a resident raven, this is a deliciously topsy-turvy comedy full of unusual details. The Otherhand family are far from normal and life in Otherhand Castle is distinctly strange. Edgar the raven cares little … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Malice Chris Wooding Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story … Download free opening extract
2		The Princess Plot Kirsten Boie A thrilling debut adventure combining the glamour of the world of movies with a sharply drawn political background. Jenna never expects to land the part of the princess when she goes for an audition. But when she does, she finds … Download free opening extract
3		Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble Sarah Webb Sarah Webb is a debut children’s author but an established chick-lit novelist and her wonderful 13 year old character creation in Amy Green, teen agony aunt extraordinaire, is set to be the new best friend for every pre-teen girl.  Full of humour … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Everything Beautiful Simmone Howell This novel is so tuned in to the teenage psyche – sharp, full of humour and a touch subversive – that it’s hard to believe it’s not written by one.  In fact it comes from the pen of Simmone Howell … Download free opening extract
2		Auslander Paul Dowswell A chilling, powerful and thought-provoking thriller about a Polish orphan’s subversion of Nazi ideals.  Meticulously researched and incredibly imagined it will at times almost take your breath away. Perceived as the perfect Aryan specimen by the German family who adopt Peter … Download free opening extract
3		Stop in the Name of Pants! Louise Rennison You can’t stop laughing at and with Georgia Nicolson. Now she’s back with a new diary in which, as ever, she charts the ups and downs of her intense – sometimes imaginary – sex-kitten life as it ricochets from the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Dogs Emily Gravett Prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett delights with another wonderful new book. Apparently a celebration of dogs of all kind, this is also a book with a witty twist at the end. Gorgeous pictures of big dogs and small dogs, hairy dogs … Download free opening extract
2		Litterbug Doug: In the Missions of Michael Recycle Ellie Bethel A campaigning picture book that will encourage all to recycle. Litterbug Doug hates recycling; instead he creates a heap of litter all around his home. When green-hero Michael appears Litterbug Doug refuses to listen to the recycling message and does … Download free opening extract
3		Matty Takes Off! Miriam Moss A delightful pair of bear siblings, Matty and Milly make a delightful duo. Matty likes everything to be just-so. He is as neat and tidy as his sister Milly is not. In Matty’s house, everything has its own place but, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness Giles Andreae Madcap adventures with huge naughty boy appeal featuring Billy and his family, and wittily illustrated by Nick Sharratt. At school there’s the great sports day fiasco, then there’s the Bonkers’ unfortunate holiday on the shores of Loch Ness and finally … Download free opening extract
2		101 Ways To Get Your Child To Read Patience Thomson For parents: There are many different reasons why children find learning to read difficult. Calmly and with loads of different tips, this book helps to guide parents to understand the myriad problems which may be causing the difficulty and gives … Download free opening extract
3		Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed Margaret Ryan Weird Street is a terrific little four book series that will get 6-9 year old boys (in particular) and girls really reading and enjoying it.  Weird Street is on Johnny’s paper round, a bizarre, scary and extremely unusual paper round, where he … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Brilliant Billy Does His Bit Simon Hutton An entertaining story about how one boy gets so absorbed in the effect of the Second World War on ordinary people’s lives that he begins to do things in the same way. When the teacher describes how people managed by … Download free opening extract
2		Charles Darwin Alan Gibbons Discover the world of Darwin through the diary of a ship’s boy.  Combining non-fiction and fiction but factually absolutely accurate, this book is published to coincide with Darwin’s 200th birthday.  It begins with a diary, told from the point of view of … Download free opening extract
3		Foul Play Tom Palmer On the Blue Peter Award Shortlist – Football mad boys and girls will devour this all-action adventure novel, virtually in a sitting. Hopefully, even the most reluctant reader, just like the author himself was at school, will devour it too. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney Take a peek into Greg’s diary and find out the story of his life – and especially about his relationship with his older brother Roderick. Wittily told in words and pictures, this diary charts the trials and tribulations of a … Download free opening extract
2		Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure Amanda Wood This lavish account of Darwin’s life and of the voyage of the Beagle from 1831 to 1836 provides the most detailed but accessible account for children about Darwin, his discoveries and a part of his life that was so important … Download free opening extract
3		The Sandfather Linda Newbery This is a gripping, fast-paced and at times heart-stopping read about a 13 year old boy’s search for identity by the winner of the 2006 Costa Children’s Book Award. Hal’s exclusion from school leads him to a period of discovery … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble Sarah Webb Sarah Webb is a debut children’s author but an established chick-lit novelist and her wonderful 13 year old character creation in Amy Green, teen agony aunt extraordinaire, is set to be the new best friend for every pre-teen girl.  Full of humour … Download free opening extract
2		Malice Chris Wooding Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story … Download free opening extract
3		Bog Child Siobhan Dowd   New and challenging book full of mystery and shadows from recently deceased author Siobhan Dowd. Both terrifying and fascinating from the start, Bog Child is a must-read for 2009. The plot follows Fergus a boy who finds the body of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less than 14 years old. If you knew you were going to die what would … Download free opening extract
2		Stop in the Name of Pants! Louise Rennison You can’t stop laughing at and with Georgia Nicolson. Now she’s back with a new diary in which, as ever, she charts the ups and downs of her intense – sometimes imaginary – sex-kitten life as it ricochets from the … Download free opening extract
3		The One And Only Sophie Mckenzie From the author of the Richard and Judy Children’s Books winner, Girl, Missing comes the final instalment in a terrific teenage love story trilogy, which captures the ups, downs and at times almost unbearable emotions of being in love. To … Download free opening extract

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Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		The Great Paper Caper Oliver Jeffers Touching and funny, this is also a visually sophisticated picture book which lightly carries an important message about the use – and misuse – of resources. All is not well in the forest: branches of the trees keep disappearing and … Download free opening extract
2		Stick Man Julia Donaldson Creators of The Gruffalo, best selling author/ illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are back with another bestseller on their hands. “Stick Man lives in the family tree/ with Stick Lady love/ And his children three”. But one day Stick … Download free opening extract
3		Aliens Love Underpants! (Book and CD edition) Claire Freedman     Joint winner of the Richard and Judy “Early” 5+ Category. Terrific illustrations capture the flood of jokes about pants that underlie this rhyming story now brilliantly brought to even greater life by the addition of a CD to accompany the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Oliver Moon And The Spider Spell Sue Mongredien More magical mayhem from the junior wizard who is always getting himself into big trouble. Here it is no exception for when he tries a Grow-bigger spell on the cauldron he finds himself in very BIG trouble indeed. Great … Download free opening extract
2		Traction Man Is Here Mini Grey Hurrah for Traction Man, the toy hero who, with his faithful side kick Scrubbing Brush, is up for adventures anytime and anyplace. They’ll tackle any challenge and bravely fight their way through to success. But, when Traction Man is given … Download free opening extract
3		The Ship’s Kitten Matilda Webb A wonderfully heart-warming and funny story about a little kitten who is desperate to be a ship’s cat. Try as she might she’s ejected from boat after boat by other cats until that is, she finds herself on the biggest … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Kaspar Michael Morpurgo A wonderfully emotional but heart-warming tale from the pen of one of the foremost writers for children.  Brilliantly interwoven in historical fact at the time of the sinking of the Titanic is the story of Kaspar the Savoy cat, who … Download free opening extract
2		Cosmo and the Secret Spell Gwyneth Rees Brilliant spooky fun with plenty of giggles for both parent and child to enjoy as well as a fair dose of frightening goings on.  What more do you need at halloween? … Download free opening extract
3		Storlax: The Power of the Deep Robert Jackson, Bubbi Morthens This is an epic children’s story, told with great humour, optimism and warmth.  It will grip the reader not just because of the loveable fishy characters and exciting adventures but almost more so because it subtly shows us the impact … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The 39 Clues 1: The Maze Of Bones Rick Riordan Want to get your kids reading, well here’s a spellbinding adventure that we think kids of 8 upwards will really pick up on for it’s something more than a book as it integrates books, games, a website, cards and prizes … Download free opening extract
2		Allie Finkle’s Rules For Girls: The New Girl Meg Cabot Allie is a brilliant heroine who 7+ year old girls will love and really look up to. She’s full of adventure, quite precocious and at times her army of family and friends despair of her. At times it’s … Download free opening extract
3		Reavers’ Ransom Emily Diamand Winner of The Times Children’s Fiction Competition, this original post-apocalyptic fantasy is an action packed debut novel. Determined to find the Prime Minister’s daughter who has been captured by bloodthirsty reavers, Lilly sails off carrying with her a talking jewel. Lilly … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Blade: Closing In Tim Bowler The second in the Blade series, this is another short, very accessible novel for teens. Pacy, gripping and packed with action, and a central character that’s incredibly engaging, even the most reluctant reader will devour it. Blade is on … Download free opening extract
2		Uncle Montague’s Tales Of Terror Chris Priestley Chris Priestley in his first book with Bloomsbury has written a book that is impossible to put down. Be warned however! The content is scary, no doubt about it. The book contains a series of short fast-paced horror stories, climaxing … Download free opening extract
3		The Knife of Never Letting Go Patrick Ness Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008. The electrifying and unflinching young adult debut novel about the impossible choices of growing up by award-winning fiction writer Patrick Ness. This title is part of Walker Books’ ‘New Voices’ campaign which throughout … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less than 14 years old. If you knew you were going to die what would … Download free opening extract
2		Stop In The Name Of Pants Louise Rennison You can’t stop laughing at and with Georgia Nicolson. Now she’s back with a new diary in which, as ever, she charts the ups and downs of her intense – sometimes imaginary – sex-kitten life as it ricochets from the … Download free opening extract
3		The Meaning Of Life Joanna Nadin Laugh out loud funny from the first page, The Meaning of Life, will be devoured by teenagers and adults in equal measure just as the Diaries of Adrian Mole hit the spot for a different generation. A spot-on teenage voice … Download free opening extract