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Vivian French is a highly acclaimed children's author who has written more than 250 books during the course of her career, including Caterpillar, Butterfly, The Tales from the Five Kingdoms series and Yucky Worms. Her recent work includes the critically acclaimed picture book The Most Wonderful Thing in the World. Vivian teaches on the illustration course at Edinburgh School of Art, and helped to found the mentoring scheme Picture Hooks for aspiring young illustrators. She lives in Edinburgh. Read further information about Vivian French here.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month July 2019 | Cleverly blending story and information and beautifully illustrated, Hello, Horse captures the best qualities of a horse called Shannon and describes how a very special bond between and animal and a child can be made. Vivian French brief text provides the perfect introduction to the different features of a horse and to details about how a horse should be approached by a child. She explains how to touch and feed a horse and also how to ride one! Catherine Rayner’s illustrations capture the gloss of Shannon’s coat, the sinews of her body and, above all, her characterful expressions which bring her to life perfectly.
Viv French is a wonderful storyteller and her new tale of a family theatre company struggling to put on a show in the provinces is a delight from start to finish. Times are hard for the Pringles, but Pa Pringle, Mr Micawber style, is certain ‘something will come up’ and decides to take the family via train to Uncaster to dazzle its residents with his Lear. Meanwhile, in Uncaster the recently widowed Lady Poskett has money troubles too, a mountain of debts to pay off. When indefatigable scullery maid Edie suggests they take in lodgers the two storylines combine. Both sets of protagonists face more challenges in the shape of unscrupulous fellow theatricals Little Baby Bubbles and his manager mother, and Olio Sleevery crooked landlord, but when the curtains come down the good have ended happily. It’s a bravura performance – irresistible characters, a plot full of drama and a wonderful sense of community and companionship. Encore, encore!
As ambassadors for their school Leroy Jones and Amy Strundle are getting to spend three days helping the infants with their production of Noah's Flood. It should be fun for Leroy if only his partner wasn't Amy: she's really got it in for him and when she finds out what his real name is (what was his mum thinking) she makes his life a misery. Can he find a way to get his own back? The fact that Amy's comeuppance is entirely at her own hands is perfectly in keeping with the tone of this book. Even if it's ostensibly about revenge, the emphasis is kept lightly on friendship and community. It makes entertaining reading, and Korky Paul has lots of fun with the illustrations (who knew there were so many mermaids in the Ark?)
Cleverly blending story and information and beautifully illustrated, Hello, Horse captures the best qualities of a horse called Shannon and describes how a very special bond between and animal and a child can be made. Vivian French brief text provides the perfect introduction to the different features of a horse and to details about how a horse should be approached by a child. She explains how to touch and feed a horse and also how to ride one! Catherine Rayner’s illustrations capture the gloss of Shannon’s coat, the sinews of her body and, above all, her characterful expressions which bring her to life perfectly.
A Dyslexia Friendly Picture Book for Parent and Child | | Whisper it, but not everyone automatically loves reading. Some people think they’re too busy to read, or that reading is just for school, or even say that reading is rubbish. This book points out just how wrong they are, countering each anti-book statement page by page in lively, funny text and illustrations. It’s an irrefutable argument, especially when presented with so much wit and invention. The book also poses some interesting questions for authors and publishers about those people we don’t see in our books and challenges them to think again too. A book to read, and a book to share.
In a nutshell: magic, spells and a healthy dose of princess power | Princess Peony lives a pretty privileged life as the youngest of the king’s seven daughters, though there’s lots she’s not allowed to do, like cook, or visit the library. But as an argument with her father leads to her spending a night in the dungeon, she realises that things might not be as good for her father’s subjects as they are for her, and determines to make him a more enlightened ruler. When she saves the castle and its inhabitants from a wicked fairy, the king is forced to acknowledge her bravery and cleverness and takes her advice, resulting in a fairer, happy ending for all. A typically lively and original story from one of our most inventive storytellers! ~ Andrea Reece
Venice provides the background for this delightful fairy-tale. Its king and queen realise that their daughter needs a husband to be king when she’s queen. But how to choose one? Find the young man who can show you the most wonderful thing in the world, advises the wisest man they know. As suitor after suitor arrives at the palace, the princess is out exploring the city with a charming young man. He it is who finally shows her parents the most wonderful thing in the world. It’s a satisfying story, cleverly told and Angela Barrett has great fun with the fabulous array of marvels presented by the suitors. The ending will leave everyone happy. ~ Andrea Reece
If you love fairytales – and who couldn’t? – you’ll love this brand new adventure written by one of our most inventive and entertaining children’s authors. Magnifico Onion might be the seventh son of a seventh son but he’s been spoiled rotten all his life and is no hero, despite what his mum thinks. His little brother Alife however has all the qualities that make the youngest son a fairytale favourite. Together they head off in search of adventure and fortune. To find out which one gets to marry the princess and which one settles down with an ogress, you’ll have to read the book – and a real treat it is. A sparkling story that will leave everyone happy! ~ Andrea Reece Readers who like this will also enjoy Kaye Umansky’s Pongwiffy series.
Venice provides the background for this delightful fairy-tale. Its king and queen realise that their daughter needs a husband to be king when she’s queen. But how to choose one? Find the young man who can show you the most wonderful thing in the world, advises the wisest man they know. As suitor after suitor arrives at the palace, the princess is out exploring the city with a charming young man. He it is who finally shows her parents the most wonderful thing in the world. It’s a satisfying story, cleverly told and Angela Barrett has great fun with the fabulous array of marvels presented by the suitors. The ending will leave everyone happy. ~ Andrea Reece
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 Fun adventure from this top author of the acclaimed Tiara Club Series. Princess Ellie sets out to make a wish and change her life forever. But when she meets a snobby Sea Monster, things take a turn she never could have expected. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+.
Where do fairy godmothers learn their magic? Everyone knows that Fairy Godmothers grant wishes but now you can find out how their modern counterparts learn how to do good in the world through their spells. Lily, Madison, Sophie, Ava, Emma and Olivia are working to collect their stars in this lively story sprinkled with fairy dust.
From the author of the hugely successful Tiara Club comes a new series set in girls magic school featuring popular themes of friendship and magic accompanied by fresh, lively and funny line drawings by Joanne Davies.
From the author of the hugely successful Tiara Club comes a new series set in a magic school for girls. Featuring popular themes of friendship and magic within in a school setting accompanied by fresh, lively and funny line drawings by Joanne Davies.
From the author of the hugely successful Tiara Club comes a new series set in girls magic school featuring popular themes of friendship and magic accompanied by fresh, lively and funny line drawings by Joanne Davies.
From the author of the hugely successful Tiara Club comes a new series set in girls' magic school, featuring popular themes of friendship and magic accompanied by fresh, lively and funny line drawings by Joanne Davies.
From the author of the hugely successful Tiara Club comes a new series set in girls' magic school, featuring popular themes of friendship and magic accompanied by fresh, lively and funny line drawings by Joanne Davies.
Beginning readers will enjoy these two easy-to-read stories which make exciting stories out of a shopping trip with a difference and Hunter the dog’s search for his lost bone. Selina Young’s illustrations match the text perfectly.
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 watering her as if she were a flower are less successful! And Jason and Daisy both have their hands full when they set about cleaning the car with an unusual ingredient and some surprising results!
Bees, butterflies, slugs and snails – the little creatures in the garden are vividly brought to life in this charming story about stories. Two badly behaved bees fail to bring back enough honey to satisfy their Queen but they bring something else to sweeten her – a couple of stories about a nasty butterfly and a brave moth. The stories make the Queen laugh but will they be enough to get the young bees fed?
A delightful animal story, perfect for early readers. There’s nearly a pet shop disaster when a noisy puppy won’t stay quiet at night time. How will the other animals ever get to sleep? Maybe telling stories will do the trick? All the animals appear in the story – except for the guinea pig who tells it. Can the puppy tell a story about a guinea pig? You bet he can!
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 and for reading aloud and sharing with less confident children. These Early Reader chapter books have a terrific story and their bright, funny pictures and lively design makes them hugely appealing. They’re perfect for children from 5-7. ...
A heart-warming story perfect for early readers about a lost kitten searching for somewhere to call home. There are lots of Early Reader titles to choose from that are great for sharing with your youngsters and for kids just starting out on the reading journey to read alone. Check out the extracts on the site as some of the titles are slightly more advanced than others - for example the Francesca Simon animal story titles set at Potters Barn are great to get started on whereas the Sally Gardner, Georgie Adams and Vivian French titles have a bit more text to each page. Each and every one of them though has full colour illustrations on every page.
This is a fantastically funny, perfectly pink picture book about a little girl called Polly and her beloved pink pyjamas. You're in the right place if you want some gorgeous activity sheet packs for this title (click here to download) or to celebrate your own Picture Book Picnic with friends and family.
Meet four teeny-tiny dragons in some wonderfully endearing adventures as they leave their home in the attic and go out into the great outdoors. Girls and boys everywhere will delight in their antics, as well as their friends and foes. Other titles in this series include Draglins in Danger! Draglins and the Fire! Draglins to the Rescue! Draglins Escape! Draglins and the Bully!
Meet four teeny-tiny dragons in some wonderfully endearing adventures as they leave their home in the attic and go out into the great outdoors. Girls and boys everywhere will delight in their antics, as well as their friends and foes. Other titles in this series include Draglins in Danger! Draglins Lost! Draglins to the Rescue! Draglins Escape! Draglins and the Bully!
Meet four teeny-tiny dragons in some wonderfully endearing adventures as they leave their home in the attic and go out into the great outdoors. Girls and boys everywhere will delight in their antics, as well as their friends and foes. Other titles in this series include Draglins in Danger! Draglins Lost! Draglins and the Fire! Draglins to the Rescue! Draglins Escape!
Meet four teeny-tiny dragons in some wonderfully endearing adventures as they leave their home in the attic and go out into the great outdoors. Girls and boys everywhere will delight in their antics, as well as their friends and foes. Other titles in this series include Draglins in Danger! Draglins Lost! Draglins and the Fire! Draglins Escape! Draglins and the Bully!
Meet four teeny-tiny dragons in some wonderfully endearing adventures as they leave their home in the attic and go out into the great outdoors. Girls and boys everywhere will delight in their antics, as well as their friends and foes. Other titles in this series include Draglins in Danger! Draglins Lost! Draglins and the Fire! Draglins to the Rescue! Draglins and the Bully!
Meet four teeny-tiny dragons in some wonderfully endearing adventures as they leave their home in the attic and go out into the great outdoors. Girls and boys everywhere will delight in their antics, as well as their friends and foes. Other titles in this series include Draglins Lost! Draglins and the Fire! Draglins to the Rescue! Draglins Escape! Draglins and the Bully!
Little girls will absolutely love the world of Silver Towers where six girls are learning how to become perfect princesses. To celebrate the publication of the second Tiara Club series, The Tiara Club at Silver Towers, we’ve got 3 sets of six signed books to give away, courtesy of Orchard Books. The other five books in the series are:Princess Daisy and the Magical Merry-Go-Round Princess Alice and the Crystal Slipper Princess Sophia and the Prince's PartyPrincess Emily and the Wishing StarPrincess Charlotte and the Enchanted RoseFor even more princess fun, you could check out the Tiara Club website at www.tiaraclub.co.uk
Little girls will absolutely love the world of Silver Towers where six girls are learning how to become perfect princesses. To celebrate the publication of the second Tiara Club series, The Tiara Club at Silver Towers, we’ve got 3 sets of six signed books to give away, courtesy of Orchard Books. The other five books in the series are:Princess Katie and the Dancing BroomPrincess Daisy and the Magical Merry-Go-Round Princess Alice and the Crystal Slipper Princess Sophia and the Prince's PartyPrincess Emily and the Wishing StarFor even more princess fun, you could check out the Tiara Club website at www.tiaraclub.co.uk
Little girls will absolutely love the world of Silver Towers where six girls are learning how to become perfect princesses. To celebrate the publication of the second Tiara Club series, The Tiara Club at Silver Towers, we’ve got 3 sets of six signed books to give away, courtesy of Orchard Books. The other five books in the series are:Princess Katie and the Dancing BroomPrincess Daisy and the Magical Merry-Go-Round Princess Sophia and the Prince's PartyPrincess Emily and the Wishing StarPrincess Charlotte and the Enchanted RoseFor even more princess fun, you could check out the Tiara Club website at www.tiaraclub.co.uk
Little girls will absolutely love the world of Silver Towers where six girls are learning how to become perfect princesses. To celebrate the publication of the second Tiara Club series, The Tiara Club at Silver Towers, we’ve got 3 sets of six signed books to give away, courtesy of Orchard Books. The other five books in the series are:Princess Katie and the Dancing BroomPrincess Alice and the Crystal Slipper Princess Sophia and the Prince's PartyPrincess Emily and the Wishing StarPrincess Charlotte and the Enchanted RoseFor even more princess fun, you could check out the Tiara Club website at www.tiaraclub.co.uk
Little girls will absolutely love the world of Silver Towers where six girls are learning how to become perfect princesses. To celebrate the publication of the second Tiara Club series, The Tiara Club at Silver Towers, we’ve got 3 sets of six signed books to give away, courtesy of Orchard Books. The other five books in the series are:Princess Katie and the Dancing BroomPrincess Daisy and the Magical Merry-Go-Round Princess Alice and the Crystal Slipper Princess Emily and the Wishing StarPrincess Charlotte and the Enchanted RoseFor even more princess fun, you could check out the Tiara Club website at www.tiaraclub.co.uk
Little girls will absolutely love the world of Silver Towers where six girls are learning how to become perfect princesses. To celebrate the publication of the second Tiara Club series, The Tiara Club at Silver Towers, we’ve got 3 sets of six signed books to give away, courtesy of Orchard Books. The other five books in the series are:Princess Katie and the Dancing BroomPrincess Daisy and the Magical Merry-Go-Round Princess Alice and the Crystal Slipper Princess Sophia and the Prince's PartyPrincess Charlotte and the Enchanted RoseFor even more princess fun, you could check out the Tiara Club website at www.tiaraclub.co.uk
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month July 2019 | Cleverly blending story and information and beautifully illustrated, Hello, Horse captures the best qualities of a horse called Shannon and describes how a very special bond between and animal and a child can be made. Vivian French brief text provides the perfect introduction to the different features of a horse and to details about how a horse should be approached by a child. She explains how to touch and feed a horse and also how to ride one! Catherine Rayner’s illustrations capture the gloss of Shannon’s coat, the sinews of her body and, above all, her characterful expressions which bring her to life perfectly.
Project X Hero Academy is a fully decodable and finely levelled reading series set in a school for superheroes, designed to captivate and motivate all young readers and turn them into reading superheroes. Monster Sprouts is in Green Book Band, Oxford Level 5, and supports Letters and Sounds Phase 5. In this story, Mrs Butterworth, the cook, accidentally squirts too much vitamin mix on the sprouts, causing them to turn into monsters! How will the heroes defeat the monster sprouts? Each book can be used for independent reading, but also contains inside cover notes that include help on developing vocabulary and prompt questions that can be used for guided reading and one-to-one sessions. Full guided reading notes are provided in the corresponding handbook. There are also a range of follow-up activities to support reading for pleasure.
A high octane, high drama romp, following the adventures of Victorian laundry maid Minnie O'Sullivan and her unforgettable band of friends. After a series of misfortunes, Minnie O'Sullivan is whisked away to Haddington Hall: a nightmarish home for wayward girls. Bad becomes worse when the hall's ruthless founder, Mrs Haddington, takes an instant dislike to brave, determined Minnie, and she's in danger of losing everything... But Minnie has never backed down from a fight in her life, and she's not about to start now! Irresistible characters and a compulsive plot with twists aplenty; Vivian French conjures up the very spirit of Dickensian England in a wonderful new novel for middle-grade readers. Vivian French is a writer of tremendous charm. Literary Review Delightful ... with its edge-of-your-seat pace, it deserves applause. Sunday Times (Children's Book of the Week) on The Steam Whistle Theatre Company Storytelling at its best ... a classic in the making. The Scotsman on The Steam Whistle Theatre Company
A rollicking fairy-tale adventure from the makers of The Adventures of Alfie Onion, Tom & Tallulah and the Witches' Feast and The Dragon's Breakfast. French is a skilled storyteller ... she reminds us how fresh a fairy tale can feel in the right hands. - The New York Times Prince Max is on a mission. The royal family are down to their very last penny, so the king and queen have sent him away to the valley of the giants - with only a grumpy old donkey for company. According to legend, the giants are rich beyond all imagining: they live in gold palaces, drink from gold goblets and brush their teeth with gold toothpaste. But are the legends true and, even if they are, will the giants be willing to share their treasure? With the help of his donkey companion and Caromel, the talking cat, Max is about to find out. And he must keep his wits about him ... there are worse dangers than giants, lurking in the shadows! French is a writer of tremendous charm, her world at once comedic and believable. - Literary Review
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...
Find out all there is to know about chocolate in this mouth-watering book full of fascinating facts - and some shocking truths! Everyone loves chocolate! But there's far more to it than we thought... Did you know that English pirates originally thought the Spanish imported sheep's droppings? Or that a chocolate drink was a perfect way to poison your enemy? Describing the historical progress of the miraculous bean - from the Aztecs to Nestle - with a mixture of facts, speculation, personal recollections and recipes, Vivian French and illustrator Paul Howard take us on a wide-ranging journey that gives us chocolate in all its glory.
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