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New Zealander Margaret Mahy, who sadly died in early 2012,was the first writer from outside the UK to win the prestigious Carnegie Medal. Mahy's genius with language has been demonstrated over and over again in a prolific list of titles from early picture books through to challenging teenage fiction.
The Witch Dance is a special party. Every witch brings a cloak, a hat and a cat. But not Witch Rose. She is allergic to cats! Luckily for her, Nightshade, the perfect Witch Dog is on hand to help. But can Witch Rose and Nightshade convince the other witches that a Witch Dog really can be as good as any cat?
This Best Picture Book Award book by best selling author Margaret Mahy and illustrator Polly Dunbar is available here in a big book format perfect for reading to groups of children. When little Mabel bows a big bubble she never expects it to cause so much trouble! Somehow the baby gets caught up in the bubble and soon the baby and the bubble are off on the most magnificent adventure. Margaret Mahy’s rhyming text is irresistible and is perfectly matched by Polly Dunbar’s witty illustrations.
September 2012 Book of the Month. Award-winning Margaret Mahy’s deliciously original creation cavorts across the pages of this exuberant picture book. Told in rhyming a text, the story is set in the wonderful land of Fandango where there’s dancing and partying with all kinds of surprising creatures including kangaroos, bison and bears, all lead by the enchanting man from Fandango. Polly Dunbar’s illustrations capture the merriment perfectly.
This fabulous and ridiculous bouncing story told in a rollicking rhyme charts the adventures of a baby who gets wafted away in a bubble. Over the heads of all bibble - bobbles the baby in the bubble while everyone wonders, how will we ever get him down? A huge adventure which will engage all through its witty, laugh-out-loud text and gorgeous illustrations.
This fabulous and ridiculous bouncing story told in a rollicking rhyme charts the adventures of a baby who gets wafted away in a bubble. Over the heads of all bibble - bobbles the baby in the bubble while everyone wonders, how will we ever get him down? A huge adventure which will engage all through its witty, laugh-out-loud text and gorgeous illustrations.
A work of outstanding imagination, this is a fantastic adventure set in a time not too far in the future where things are almost the same as we know them but also just a little bit different. Garland Maddigan, the 12 year old daughter of the Fantasia Circus ring master, sets off on an unusual journey which takes her through the land of the Witch-Finder. A thrilling read.
A brand-new edition of the Carnegie Medal-winning THE HAUNTING - written by internationally bestselling author, Margaret Mahy. 'Strong and terrifying . . . The novel winds up like a spring. A psychological thriller' - Times Literary Supplement Eight-year-old Barney has been haunted before. He thought it was something he'd just grow out of, like the imaginary friends his step-mother believes he has. But this time it's different. Footsteps follow him, there's a demanding voice barking orders and Barney begins to feel that sometimes his body is not his own at all . . . With the help of his sisters, Tabitha and Troy, Barney sets out to uncover the truth about their family secrets and to find out once and for all who it is who's haunting him. A thrilling ghost story about a 'mostly ordinary' family and a secret legacy.
A brand-new edition of the Carnegie Medal-winning THE CHANGEOVER - written by internationally bestselling author, Margaret Mahy. 'A gorgeous, strange, unforgettable story . . . I more than loved it' Laini Taylor - author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone 'A clammy hand pressed Laura down onto her knees beside Jacko's bed. It was the hand of terror, nothing less.' It was a warning. Laura felt it when she looked in the mirror that morning. There had been others: the day her father left home, the day she met Sorensen - the boy with the strange silver eyes. But nothing had prepared Laura for the horror of today. And now her little brother, Jacko, was fighting for his life after being sucked dry of his youth by the sinister Carmody Braque. Laura knows there is only one way to save Jacko; she must join Sorensen and use his supernatural powers to change over if there is to be any hope for her little brother. An unforgettable, supernatural romance.
A joyful jumble of poems, songs and stories. The full colour gift edition of this wonderfully witty and delightfully silly collection of stories and rhyming nonsense from all-star author and artist team, Margaret Mahy and Quentin Blake. Poems, prose and rhymes from bestselling author Margaret Mahy, and beautifully illustrated by inaugural Children's Laureate, Quentin Blake, this edition of NONSTOP NONSENSE is a perfect gift that children and adults will enjoy again and again. Published in colour for the first time.
Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. A family move into a new house. They are just a small family - a mum, a dad and a little girl called Sarah. It is a big old house full of space and echoes. And Sarah is sure there is something very magical indeed about the cupboard under the stairs... A brand-new full colour Early Reader edition of this charming story from the CARNEGIE-winning and HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN AWARD-nominee author Margaret Mahy, with illustrations by Rosie Reeve.
Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. The Witch Dance is a special party. Every witch brings a cloak, a hat and a cat. But not Witch Rose. She is allergic to cats! Luckily for her, Nightshade, the perfect Witch Dog is on hand to help. But can Witch Rose and Nightshade convince the other witches that a Witch Dog really can be as good as any cat? A brand-new full colour Early Reader edition of this charming story from the CARNEGIE-winning and HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN AWARD nominee author Margaret Mahy, with illustrations by Sam Usher.
Strange and exciting things are in store when Tom and his mum move to Prodigy Street one ordinary Thursday. There's a man with a magical name, a friendly dog with a powerful, waggy tail, and some remarkable surprises when anyone makes a wish. Includes more than 50 hilarious black and white illustrations by Tony Ross, who also illustrates Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry books and David Walliams' children's books, as well as his own picture books.
Strange and exciting things are in store when Tom and his mum move to Prodigy Street one ordinary Thursday. There's a man with a magical name, a friendly dog with a powerful, waggy tail, and some remarkable surprises when anyone makes a wish. Includes more than 50 hilarious black and white illustrations by Tony Ross, who also illustrates Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry books and David Walliams' children's books, as well as his own picture books.
A legend is born. Heriot has always known that he was different with his terrifying dreams and psychic powers. Ripped from his family farm, he is forced to serve as the King's magician in the capital city of Diamond. Isolated and lonely, his only friends are the 'mad prince' Dysart and Cayley, a mysterious wild city child. But their friendship is about to be tested to the limit when chilling violence and ambition threatens to crush Diamond and its King. Heriot's psychic abilities hide a deeper power that has the strength to bring Diamond's enemies to their knees. But will he be able to control this power without becoming a monster himself? 'Margaret Mahy is outstanding in the richness of her ideas and in her great story-telling ability. She has a fresh and vivid imagination, which speaks directly to the imagination of the child and an ability to use language to increase the force of her imagery to great effect.' Twentieth Century Children's Writers 'The queen of children's fiction...her plots are complex, her language is both rich and precise.' Independent on Sunday 'A prolific and versatile writer.' The Times 'Few writers can match Mahy in her ability to exploit the exuberant possibilities of the playfulness of words.' Irish Times 'Mahy displays a deep understanding of the emotions and conflicts of growing up.' Independent on Sunday 'Sympathetic, unsentimental, effortlessly funny.' Jan Mark, TES
In a time not far from our own, a colourful group of travellers braves the twisting, unpredictable landscape of a world trying to remake itself years after near-destruction. They are the magicians, clowns, trapeze artists and musicians of Maddigan's Fantasia, healing the injured land with wonder and laughter. Garland Maddigan, the 12-year-old daughter of the Fantasia's ringmaster, has been on many journeys before. But she soon realises that this one is going to be very different. For three mysterious children have joined the Fantasia - children with uncanny abilities and a secret past. And with them they bring powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to hunt them down. Soon Garland finds herself embroiled in a series of terrifying adventures that will take her within perilous underground tunnels, through the land of the Witch-Finder and across time itself . . .
Wild and wonderful, these stories will appeal to all readers of fine children's literature, and Blake's illustrations, full of spirit and exuberance, are the perfect accompaniment of Mahy's vigorous tales. The Great Piratical Rumbustification introduces us to Alpha, Oliver, and Omega Terrapin, alone for an evening of devilish fun and none other than Orpheus Clinker, a reformed pirate cleverly transformed into a respectable babysitter. Or has he reformed? Before you can say Yo Ho Ho the Terrapin household has become headquarters of the century's biggest pirate party. The Librarian and the Robbers is an equally tickling tale of a band of wicked robbers who one day carry off Serena Leburnum, a beautiful librarian. Follow what happens as the lovely and learned Miss L. not only outwits the robbers, turning them into outstanding citizens, but also teaches them the everlasting pleasures of the Dewey Decimal System.
Carnegie medal-winning supernatural romance from Margaret Mahy. The face in the mirror. From the moment she saw it, Laura Chant knew that something dreadful was going to happen. It wasn't the first time she'd been forewarned. But never before had anything so terrible happened. The horrifyingly evil Carmody Braque touched and branded her little brother -- and now Jacko was very ill, getting steadily worse. There was only one way to save him. Laura had to change over: had to release her supernatural powers. And that meant joining forces with the extraordinary and enigmatic Sorenson Carlisle!
When Dad loses his car keys, toddler Mary suspects that they have ended up down the back of the chair so Dad begins to search. But what an odd assortments of objects are living down the back of the chair! This lively, eccentric poem is a visual explosion of fun and imagination, featuring dragons, pirates, treasure, lions, elephants and many more. But what will a troubled father win from down the back of the chair?
Brave Tim agrees to look after Rosa's pets. He isn't afraid of vultures or wolfhounds, or even giant rabbits. But he isn't so sure about the gorilla, gargling in the kitchen! A comic story with a familiar setting, from Margaret Mahy. * Ruby/Band 14 books give increasing opportunities for children to develop their skills of inference and deduction. * Text type - Story with a familiar setting. * The reader response page consists of a story map to encourage children to retell the story in their own words. * Curriculum links - Citizenship: Animals and us; Music: Animal magic, exploring descriptive sounds. * This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.
In a time not far from our own, a colourful group of travellers brave the twisting, unpredictable landscape of a world trying to remake itself years after near-destruction. They are the magicians, clowns, trapeze artists and musicians of Maddigan's Fantasia, healing the injured land with wonder and laughter. Garland Maddigan, the twelve-year-old daughter of the Fantasia's ringmaster, has been on many journeys before. But she soon realises that this one is going to be very different. For three mysterious children have joined the Fantasia - children with uncanny abilities and a secret past. And with them they bring powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to hunt them down. Soon, Garland finds herself embroiled in a series of terrifying adventures that will take her within perilous underground tunnels, through the land of the Witch-Finder and across time itself...
The wicked Miss Taffeta, notorious cheater and blackmailer, former trapeze artist and the human cannonball, opens a select school for rich young ladies. Everything seems perfectly normal until certain happenings at the school make the girls suspicious. Is Miss Taffeta a mistress of disguise as well? Huge fun from the endlessly original pen of Margaret Mahy with witty illustrations from Margaret Chamberlain.
Margaret Mahy is renowned for creating vivid fantasy landscapes that enthral readers of all ages. In each of these five stories fantasy is at work in unusual and powerful ways. There's also a common theme of the pull that buildings have over people, whether they become houses in which characters find safety and comfort or prisons that can trap and oppress. These enchanting stories - by turns hilariously funny and unsettlingly spooky - have been taken from some of Margaret Mahy's best collections that are sadly no longer available. Their return to print will be welcomed by parents and teachers and will also be an exciting introduction to the work of a master storyteller for children themselves.
Mindblowing new novel from multi-awardwinning author, Margaret Mahy. Roland has everything a young man could wish for - good looks, enough money, a cool relationship with his mother, ready wit, intelligence, a sexy girlfriend, a perfect school record. So the fact that he committed a petty crime and that, somehow, one of his teachers knows about it is something he can hardly explain to himself, let alone anyone else. The teacher, Mr Hudson, uses this knowledge to blackmail Roland into befriending the school misfit - Jess Ferret. The reason he gives is concern for her wellbeing, but even Roland finds this rather far-fetched. And when Jess doesn't respond to his confident advances, he becomes intrigued with the girl for his own reasons. Roland discovers Jess's dark secret and also finds that he has one of his own...
Opposites attract...? Angela May and Tycho Potter couldn't be more different: she is tall and beautiful, confident and carefree; he is short and serious, plain and self-conscious. Angela is popular and sexy, with many boyfriends; Tyke prefers the company of his books and watching the skies through his telescope. Tyke has a huge crush on Angela, yet these two 18-year-olds are unlikely best friends. He loves and is mentally tortured by her in roughly equal measure. Angela acts out her burning desire to find and confront her father, whom her mother describes as having been the love affair of her life, but the truth is a very different story which shatters all her childhood imaginings. After a dramatic confrontation it is to Tycho she turns for support, and as their very different worlds collide they begin to understand the unpredictability of life as the repercussions touch everyone around them.
An exciting adventure from Margaret Mahy - blended with her trademark surreal humour and writing that makes you want to read it. Sophie Sapwood, daughter of the famous explorer, Bonniface Sapwood, discovers a whalebone pendant hidden at the back of her chest of drawers. At the same time, deep in the frozen wastes of the Antarctic, the ghost of Captain Cathcardo awakens from an ancient sleep, trapped in the Antarctic on his ship, The Riddle. His three cries for Help travel through the stratosphere to three different sets of ears - famous explorer Bonniface Sapwood, renowned naturalist Corona Wottley and oily villain Rancid Swarthy - descendant of Escher Black who was first mate on the Riddle. All three parties immediately organise trips to the Antarctic - all with the same goal in mind (solving the mystery of the Riddle) but each with very different intentions.
Reality and the supernatural intertwine in this exciting and chilling novel from an award-winning author As the Hamiltons gather at their holiday beach house, Carnival's Hide, for their Christmas celebrations, the warm, chaotic familty atomosphere is chilled by the unexpected arrival of three sinister brothers. Who are they? Where are they from? Only 17- year-old Harry, the middle daughter, is close to seeing the truth. Are these brothers her own invention, or are they truly descendants of Teddy Carnival who drowned there many years earlier? As the brothers gradually reveal their purpose, long-hidden family secrets are also unfurled. No one emerges unscathed...
Compelling drama in which 17-year-old Ellis comes to terms with the meaning of death... Ellis is an ordinary 17-year-old; someone who's planning to finish school and go to university like any other teenager. The difference is that four months ago, his best friend Simon killed himself. Still - that was four months ago. Ellis has now `got over it'. Except, of course, he hasn't. Returning to his home town, he gets drawn into a situation in which the `old' Ellis would never have become embrangled. He gatecrashes a party and persuaded to `rescue' two sisters - Ursa and Leo, driving them back to the Land of Smiles - the ex-motel where they live. From that moment on, nothing is the same again. The story is narrated hour-by-hour, as Ellis packs a life-time of experiences into the next twenty-four hours. Giving in to high spirits and booze, Ellis wakes next morning in a strange bed, with a stonking hangover and a shaven head! He learns that a child has been kidnapped, and is persuaded to help in her rescue... This is a bizarre, surreal and powerful novel in which the reader is taken on the same roller-coaster ride as Ellis.
Sam is an ordinary person who wears an ordinary suit and ordinary shoes. He works in an ordinary, neat office writing down figures all day and underlining them. But Sam's mother is definitely not an ordinary woman, Sam's mother is a pirate and she wants to sweep him away to sea...Written by a best-selling author, this is a lively and enchanting tale with wonderfully exuberant illustrations to match.
What would you do if you knew there was a lion in the meadow, but your mother wouldn't believe you and gave you a matchbox with a dragon it to scare the away the lion...and in fact the dragon was there too?
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