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Philip Ardagh was our Guest Editor in May 2010. Click here to see the books that inspired him.
Philip Ardagh, whose very first Grubtown Tale won him the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, is author of numerous books including the award-winning Eddie Dickens adventures, which have been translated into over 30 languages.
He wrote BBC Radio’s first truly interactive radio drama, collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney on his first children’s book and is a ‘regularly irregular’ reviewer of children’s books for the Guardian. Married with a son, he divides his time between Tunbridge Wells and Grubtown, where he cultivates his impressive beard.
And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com
Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for!
This cheery group of Little Adventurers will charm young readers with the fun they are having with their pets. Finnegan has brought his puppy, Licky Dog, Floss is showing off her cat Podge, Peanut’s pet is a little mouse called Pocket. Spratt, the littlest of the adventurers, has the most unusual pet of all. He has a leaf called Leafy. What on earth can a leafy do to impress Sprat’s fellow adventurers? Luckily, Leaf has plenty of surprises in store and soon the friends realise just what a special pet he can be. the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of immersive play, and will ignite the imagination of curious adventurers everywhere. ~ Julia Eccleshare
The Grunts - Mr and Mrs and adopted son Sunny - are back, and as delightfully repulsive as ever. Yes, they wash with cheese (if there’s no soap to hand), eat roadkill, and argue with one another all the time (‘Choking hazard’ ‘Fly tip’ just some of the terms of abuse hurled) but they’re strangely lovable nonetheless. This new adventure sees them on the run from a group of criminals who hold the Grunts responsible for their misfortunes and culminates in a very funny chase involving a tractor, bunny slippers, a mummy on a sack and an enormous man in a bird suit. All ends happily for the Grunts, and there’s even a surprise revelation about Sunny’s background. There are jokes to appeal to readers of all ages while the author’s asides alone are worth the cover price. Axel Scheffler’s illustrations catch the daftness of the story perfectly. ~ Andrea Reece
The Grunts - Mr and Mrs and adopted son Sunny - are back, and as delightfully repulsive as ever. Yes, they wash with cheese (if there’s no soap to hand), eat roadkill, and argue with one another all the time (‘Choking hazard’ ‘Fly tip’ just some of the terms of abuse hurled) but they’re strangely lovable nonetheless. This new adventure sees them on the run from a group of criminals who hold the Grunts responsible for their misfortunes and culminates in a very funny chase involving a tractor, bunny slippers, a mummy on a sack and an enormous man in a bird suit. All ends happily for the Grunts, and there’s even a surprise revelation about Sunny’s background. There are jokes to appeal to readers of all ages while the author’s asides alone are worth the cover price. Axel Scheffler’s illustrations catch the daftness of the story perfectly. ~ Andrea Reece
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7 Philip Ardagh is one of the funniest - and cleverest - authors around and his stories of the Green Men of Gressingham are not only laugh-out-loud funny, they do a fair bit of consciousness raising too. Peasant Squat is recruited by the outlaws specifically to help them see off the unpleasant and seemingly invincible knight Sir Jack de Zack. The way in which Squat does this is very ingenious indeed and though short, as all Barrington Stoke books are, it’s a thoroughly satisfying story. The narrative voice is particularly droll and the author’s interjections great fun. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
There are actually four stories for the price of one in this chunky little book. It brings together three of Philip Ardagh’s jolly adventures of the Green Men of Gressingham. The Green Men (brown men would be more accurate – their outfits are brown as it hides the dirt better) are a band of outlaws led by Robyn-in-the-Hat who, together with young knight-in-training Tom Dashwood, set about helping the poor and undertaking quests. The stories are perfect for young readers, packed with incident and humour, and full of appealing characters. Here they are enclosed within an extra comic story: the tale of their creation, as recounted through communications between the Author, and his hapless publisher, sent via Dotty, the Author’s assistant. It’s a clever way of breaking up the stories, though might set young readers wondering if all authors are quite so obsessed with lunch! ~ Andrea Reece ***This is the launch title of the Conkers, from Barrington Stoke, a new imprint of stories packed with brilliant extras like fun facts, quizzes and loads of gorgeous illustrations to tempt reluctant readers into longer stories.
One of our Books of the Year 2014 Award winning Philip Ardagh’s Mr and Mrs Grunt are as disgusting as ever as they trundle into this fourth adventure in their ramshackle caravan which, in a typically unusual way, is drawn by an elephant. Still up their always crafty and usually revolting tricks (and with lots of witty asides to the reader), Mr and Mrs Grunt have an encounter with a doctor who’ll find he has a lot less garden when he has treated a very swollen nose, engage in some serious skulduggery in the preserves, jams and jellies competition and even end up in prison (again). As ever, Sunny and Mimi have a lot to do just to keep the hilarious show on the road. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2013 - June 2013 Book of the Month The Grunts, a family of doubtful charm to whom extraordinary and mostly disgusting things happen, are back for a fabulous new adventure. Everything that is revolting is crammed into this hilarious new story as Mr Grunt takes on the challenge of getting a POGI – Person of Great Importance – to a certain Mrs Bayliss. But Mr Grunt, Mrs Grunt and Sunny, their stolen son, who live in a madcap caravan and live off road kill are not the most reliable people to entrust with such a task...Fans of Roald Dahl’s The Twits will love the outrageous Grunts and their topsy turvey life.
Meet the Grunts! Mr and Mrs, their cat Ginger Biscuit, two donkeys Clip and Clop and Sunny, a child Mr Grunt stole off a washing line as a present for Mrs Grunt. The Grunts roam the land in a ramshackle and unlikely looking home on wheels. Their adventures are as unsavoury, unlikely and entertaining as they are as Axel Scheffler’s illustrations wittily show; fans of Andy Stanton’s Mr Gum and Roald Dahl’s The Twits will delight in this disgusting but amiable pair their terrible antics...
September 2012 Book of the Month. Meet the Grunts! Mr and Mrs, their cat Ginger Biscuit, two donkeys Clip and Clop and Sunny, a child Mr Grunt stole off a washing line as a present for Mrs Grunt. The Grunts roam the land in a ramshackle and unlikely looking home on wheels. Their adventures are as unsavoury, unlikely and entertaining as they are as Axel Scheffler’s illustrations wittily show; fans of Andy Stanton’s Mr Gum and Roald Dahl’s The Twits will delight in this disgusting but amiable pair their terrible antics...
History as it is never taught in schools is given a stylish brush up in this witty guide to all kinds of obscure events – some with more truth than others – never heard before but important to know. Obscure facts, like how Emperor Nero sneaked poison into his brother Britannicus’ drink which gives a vivid example of his legendary cruelty, bring the past to life by revealing the characters in it. Dipping in and out of this feast of fine stories is a delight – and informative too.
Reading age 7+, Interest age 8-12. The Green Men of Gressingham return with this sequel, available for the first time as a 4u2read. Full of twists, turns and fiery surprises! The Green Men of Gressingham are struggling to find things to do now that they are no longer outlaws. But just when things are getting boring, Lord Dashwood sends them on a very unusual mission! Can the Green Men complete it without setting their bottoms on fire? A hilarious story from an award-winning and hugely popular author. With a reading age of 7, it is particularly suitable for dyslexic, reluctant and struggling readers.
The prize-winning Grubtown series is back with a new ludicrous adventure which shows exactly why its predecessor won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. This time Bunny Rabbits – far too many of them – paper aeroplanes and the Sun-Ripe Raisin Man are all involved in a delightfully daft but utterly absorbing story in a place where you can expect only the most unusual things to happen – and they do!
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 7+. The Green Men of Gressingham are medieval outlaws. When a new tax is introduced, they turn to kidnapping! A hilarious play on Robin Hood. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers. Philip Ardagh is a recent winner of the Roadl Dahl Funny Prize so not surprising then that kids will love this. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Meet Henry, an ordinary boy in an extraordinary house that’s jam-packed full of unexpected things. There's a gladiator in the basement and an arena in the garden. Step inside Henry's House and join Henry, his dog Mothball and a quirky cast of characters as they and the reader finds out everything there is to know about the ancient Romans. Fact-packed, fun-packed, get packed ... and head for Henry's House! To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize for the hilarious adventures in Grubtown, Philip Ardagh, or Beardy Ardagh as his fans know him, has added a fifth title to the series. Life in Grubtown continues on its crazy way. The mayor has just finished knitting his own home and declares a celebration for its opening. And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for!
Grubtown continues to be full of oddballs and a ragbag of bungling buffoons. The town mascot PIJ pelican snatches a famous film star’s dog as she’s in Grubtown for the world premiere of her latest movie. As with every Grubtown Tale, the pace is fast and furious and full of hilarity so be ready when you burst out of your clothes as laughter won’t be something you can control. And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for! And here is a special message from the author Beardy Ardagh: 'If you want to grow up to be a healthy, happy person with lots of friends, it’s very important that you read all the Grubtown Tales...'
Follow Henry as he tells you all about life in a castle. Learn how to make a bow and arrow, why did knights have coats of arms?, what life was like in the Great Hall as well as life down in the servants’ quarters and in the kitchens. Find out about suits of armour and jousting and what goes on at a banquet. Both the words and pictures in graphic cartoon style, take readers on a great journey into the past. To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Henry’s house is full of very unexpected things. This time, the house is packed with all things Roman. There are gladiators, citizens, slaves and schoolboys. Find out all the details of how Romans lived their lives in this witty part fiction, part non fiction guide to the very different way of life of our very influential ancestors. Both the words and pictures in graphic cartoon style, take readers on a great journey into the past. To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Fantastically and outrageously good fun, this is the latest story set in Grubtown, a very, VERY unusual place. Grubtown is not on a map and if anyone does stumble across it by mistake they’d come away shocked by the grubbiness of the place and by the beardiness of its inhabitants… Readers, however, can enter freely and will be entranced by the hilarious stories about why the lighthouse has gone dark and the great Grubtown jailbreak. And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for!
Go back in time with Henry, his dog Mothball and his friend Jaggers. Together the three of them find out all they can about how the Egyptians lived. They meet the Pharaoh, learn about the Egyptian gods and goddesses and explore the Valley of the Kings and the tomb of the famous Tutankhamen. Both words and pictures take readers on a great journey into the past. To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here, or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
A great introduction for 5+ year olds to the well-known, and sometimes not so well- known, facts about dinosaurs. There are masses of facts about dinosaurs crammed into this attractively produced and entertainingly written information book. Henry, his dog Mothball and his friend Jaggers find out all about dinosaurs with the longest necks, dinosaurs with feathers and wings and dinosaurs with terrible claws. To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Masses of fascinating information is contained within this entertainingly written introduction (5+ year olds will love it) to how the body works. Henry is quite an ordinary little boy who likes finding things out. Helped by his dog Mothball and his friend Jaggers the caretaker, Henry explores the human body in his own particular way. Follow Henry through this hugely informative exploration of all aspects of how the human body works. To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Fact finding Henry, Mothball the dog and Jaggers the caretaker are back for some more exploration in this introduction to every kind of bug from big hairy spiders to delicate silk-spinning silk worms. Entertainingly presented, there are loads of facts packed into both the words and pictures. Not to be missed for any eager 5+ year old. To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Winner of the 7 - 14 yr old category of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009. You cannot fail to find the town of Grubtown and its inhabitants hysterically funny. What goes on defies belief but if you've read books by Phillip Ardagh before then you'll know what we mean. In addition to getting a belly-full of laughs readers must be aware that the disgusting habits of most of the inhabitants could well rub off on the reader if they're not careful! And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for!
From Public Enemies to St Paul’s Cathedral, every one’s fascination with lists will be satisfied once they’ve digested the 366 included in this attractive, chunky book.
From Public Enemies to St Paul’s Cathedral, every one’s fascination with lists will be satisfied once they’ve digested the 366 included in this attractive, chunky book.
Meet the family! Part One of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy, introduces Eddie’s new home – Awful End – where he is sent to live after the death of his parents from a disease which turns them yellow and make them smell like old hot water bottles. At Awful End he finds Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud and enjoys some unusual, unexpected and hilarious adventures.
If you're brave, honest, helpful, good to your planet and kind to animals (even ones that don't do much ... like worms) then you, too, can be a Little Adventurer. From the award-winning Philip Ardagh, and illustrator Elissa Elwick, comes the third installment in the Little Adventurers trilogy! Meet the Little Adventurers - Finnegan, Sprat, Floss and Peanut. Each week they meet in their top-secret shed HQ, ready to share their fun with you! This week it's hot, hot, hot, so their mission is to ... cool down, at the BEACH! The four friends pack their snazzy swimsuits and hop into Finnegan's daddy's car. They're going to make sand sculptures, lick ice cream cones and, best of all, see what teeny-tiny rockpool creatures they can find... With an activity idea and an information page at the back of every story, the Little Adventurers will encourage hours of immersive play, and will ignite the imagination of curious explorers everywhere.
In this hilarious sequel to the hugely popular Barking Up the Wrong Tree, Sally Stick and her shaggy best friend Fetch discover plenty more mysteries to solve. Like, Is there a beaver loose in the town? Who is the handbag thief? And, most importantly, Why does Uncle Bob's house always smell of biscuits? Somehow, despite the accidents, misunderstandings and general confusion that dog the hapless pair wherever they go, they always get results. And they have a lot of fun along the way!
Fact meets fiction in this thrilling story of 18th century smuggling and intrigue! Kitty Cask is a smuggler's daughter. In the Cornish coastal village of Minnock, Kitty and her family make their living as free traders - secretly bringing contraband goods into the country while evading the corrupt Redcoats who work for the King. Kitty isn't supposed to be involved in any of her father's schemes... but she's very good at creeping out at night, and before too long she is caught in the thick of the action - salvaging shipwrecks, staging prison-breaks, and staying one step ahead of the tyrannical excisemen! With an exciting story and brilliant illustrations, and filled with amazing facts and historical trivia, you won't be able to put this SECRET DIARY down! Read the other books in the series: The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight in Training The Secret Diary of Jane Pinny, Victorian House Maid (and Accidental Detective) The Secret Diary of Thomas Snoop, Tudor Boy Spy
Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. Doctor Dolittle is one of the most delightful and fascinating characters in children's literature. This Macmillan Collector's Library edition of The Story of Doctor Dolittle is illustrated with Hugh Lofting's own drawings, and includes updated material and an afterword by author Philip Ardagh. Doctor Dolittle's house in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh is full to the brim with eccentric characters, from Polynesia the parrot to Gub-Gub the pig. After learning the languages of all his animals, the gracious and kind-hearted doctor hears that the monkeys in Africa have become inflicted with a terrible disease. So with a team of trusty creatures by his side, the doctor sets sail on an action-packed adventure to save them.
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. The Exagger-tron is in Turquoise Book Band, Oxford Level 7, and supports Letters and Sounds Phase 6. In this story, the Head tells Axel that he has a special task for him in Corridor B12 a corridor that is usually forbidden to pupils What exciting mission awaits him? 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.
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. Silver Shadow is in Purple Book Band, Oxford Level 8, and supports Letters and Sounds Phase 6. In this story, Slink, the school cat, goes missing from Hero Academy, and Ben has to race against the clock to find him before the tracker in his collar stops working. Will Ben manage to rescue Slink in time? 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.
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. Attack of the Chomping Nibblers is in Turquoise Book Band, Oxford Level 7, and supports Letters and Sounds Phase 6. In this story, Nisha and Axel investigate reports of biting plants in Lexis City Central Park. Who would grow an army of 'Chomping Nibblers' and why? 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.
Interest Age 5-8 | Norman the Norman from Normandy is rapidly becoming my favourite Philip Ardagh character (and there’s a great line up to choose from). Small and accident prone but with a remarkable knack for being in the right place at exactly the right time, Norman is always at the centre of the action and his adventures are very funny indeed. In this story he’s invited to accompany William of Normandy on his ‘conquest thingy’, as the Duke’s wife calls it. Tempted to the Duke’s castle by the thought of its tea-room, Norman’s not actually that keen on the invasion idea and ends up going home to his mum instead. The words and the full-colour pictures will both have readers laughing, and there are some great long-running jokes about the Bayeux Tapestry. Perfect reading for anyone who appreciates the silliness of existence.
The Archaeologist's Handbook tells you all you need to know about archaeology: from discovering artefacts or exploring archaeological sites to the identification, dating, preservation, restoration and understanding of what has been found. It covers everything from the most basic techniques to some of the latest technological advances.
Impress your friends! Please the Pharoahs! Appease the gods! Forget the Rosetta Stone, if you want to decipher hieroglyphs, this is the book for you. Accessible and achievable chapters are packed with facts about Egypt and the pharaohs as well as easy-to-follow language-learning instructions. With simple and clear illustrations throughout, this book is ptotally pterrific.
'...Out glides a limo, as sleek as a plane, With big gleaming hubcaps as bright as champagne'. The first in a comic 'What's in the?' picture book series, children will delight in this silly tale of a dog prince in his truck with a very special delivery ...With each page turn a new vehicle pops out of the last. This book has all the ingredients to charm and enthrall first readers and parents alike.
Meet Sally Stick and her dog (and best friend) Fetch. Together, they're Stick and Fetch: Detectives. A girl. A dog. A detective agency. Sally loves nothing more than investigating a good mystery - and her shaggy canine companion Fetch loves nothing more than to be at her side when she does. There's just one small problem: they always gets the wrong end of the stick! The hapless pair remain undeterred, however, dashing from one crime scene to another on their bicycle, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake ... yet always emerging blissfully unaware. A fun, madcap trio of stories featuring two lovable heroes with a LOT of hair.
THOMAS SNOOP is in training to become a SPY. Entrusted with a TOP SECRET mission by the mysterious Lord Severn, right-hand man to the Tudor king, Thomas must travel to the magnificent Goldenhilt Hall - in the guise of a servant - in order to uncover traitors plotting against the crown. It will take all Thomas's wits and cunning to uncover the traitors lurking at Goldenhilt Hall - and he must do so without being discovered himself... Filled with amazing facts and historical trivia, you won't be able to put this SECRET DIARY down!
With an activity idea and an information page with every story in the series, the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of immersive play, and will ignite the imagination of curious explorers everywhere.
Jane Pinny has moved to the very grand Lytton House to be a Maid Of All Work. And being a Maid Of All Work means that she has to do... well, ALL the work, obviously! Cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, washing - there's SO much to do in a Victorian country house. But when a priceless jade necklace belonging to the lady of the house disappears, Jane turns accidental detective (with the help of her best friend, a pigeon called Plump...) - can she solve the mystery of the missing jewels before it's too late?
If you're brave, helpful, honest, good to your planet and kind to animals (even ones that don't do much ... like boring worms) then you, too, can be a Little Adventurer. From the award-winning Philip Ardagh, and rising illustration talent Elissa Elwick, comes the second instalment in a brand-new picture book series! Meet the Little Adventurers - Finnegan, Sprat, Floss and Peanut. Each week they meet in their top-secret shed HQ, ready to share their fun with you! This week, their mission is to spot animals - creepy-crawly, furry or fishy! But animal-spotting day is not without its challenges for such an imaginative troop of friends... Even with Sprat's homemade binoculars on-hand, hosepipes can be mistaken for snakes, dad's broom for a prickly hedgehog, and - eek! - can that really be a grizzly bear lurking behind that bush? With an activity idea and an information page with every story in the series, the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of immersive play, and will ignite the imagination of curious explorers everywhere.
Interest Age 5-8 | In a nutshell: lots of funny fighting in Philip Ardagh’s inimitable style When Norman the Norman from Normandy’s dad, Great Big Norman, is killed in a fight (with ten Bretons from Brittany), Norman swears to visit every one of this dad’s three graves (long story) to pay his respects. He sets off with this dad’s HUGE sword on his not-very-wild boar Truffle and, without meaning to, indeed often without even noticing, avenges his father’s death. If that sounds quite bloodthirsty, it sort of is, but more than that, in the hands of this gifted comedy partnership, it’s just very, very funny. Part of Barrington Stoke’s excellent Little Gems series, this packs more laughs and entertainment into its short extent than books three times the length. ~ Andrea Reece High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
In a nutshell: historical adventures full of facts and fun Not since Horrible Histories has the past been brought to life for young readers so accurately and with so much humour. Written in partnership with the National Trust in the form of the diary of a young boy, page to a knight at Widemoat Castle, the story recounts an exciting episode in his life culminating in an attack on the castle by the rebellious Welsh. Young John Drawbridge and Widemoat are fictional but everything else in the book is real and it’s full of interesting historical detail, giving a complete view of life in a medieval castle. You can always rely on Philip Ardagh to add humour and this rollicking story has some very good jokes as well as appealing characters. ~ Andrea Reece The Editor at Nosy Crow says: “This is the perfect book for Philip: it takes advantage of his incredible mix of talents as an author - hilarious writing, brilliant characters and voice, and lots of fascinating factual detail. Jamie’s brilliant artwork is the perfect complement - it’s lively, funny, full of rich detail and expression, and hugely child-friendly. A winning combination!”
This cheery group of Little Adventurers will charm young readers with the fun they are having with their pets. Finnegan has brought his puppy, Licky Dog, Floss is showing off her cat Podge, Peanut’s pet is a little mouse called Pocket. Spratt, the littlest of the adventurers, has the most unusual pet of all. He has a leaf called Leafy. What on earth can a leafy do to impress Sprat’s fellow adventurers? Luckily, Leaf has plenty of surprises in store and soon the friends realise just what a special pet he can be. the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of immersive play, and will ignite the imagination of curious adventurers everywhere. ~ Julia Eccleshare
The Grunts - Mr and Mrs and adopted son Sunny - are back, and as delightfully repulsive as ever. Yes, they wash with cheese (if there’s no soap to hand), eat roadkill, and argue with one another all the time (‘Choking hazard’ ‘Fly tip’ just some of the terms of abuse hurled) but they’re strangely lovable nonetheless. This new adventure sees them on the run from a group of criminals who hold the Grunts responsible for their misfortunes and culminates in a very funny chase involving a tractor, bunny slippers, a mummy on a sack and an enormous man in a bird suit. All ends happily for the Grunts, and there’s even a surprise revelation about Sunny’s background. There are jokes to appeal to readers of all ages while the author’s asides alone are worth the cover price. Axel Scheffler’s illustrations catch the daftness of the story perfectly. ~ Andrea Reece
If you're brave, helpful, honest, good to your planet and kind to animals (even ones that don't do much ... like boring worms) then you, too, can be a LITTLE ADVENTURER. From the award-winning Philip Ardagh, and rising illustration talent Elissa Elwick, comes a brand-new picture book series! Meet the Little Adventurers - Finnegan, Sprat, Floss and Peanut. Each week they meet in their top-secret shed HQ, ready to share their fun with you! This week, Sprat can't seem to find his cat, Shadow, anywhere. And he absolutely has to have a pet - it's bring in a pet day! So, instead, he finds a leaf, draws a little face on it and... Ta-Da! Sprat has a pet: Leafy! But can you really have a leaf as a pet? With an activity idea and an information page with every story in the series, the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of immersive play, and will ignite the imagination of curious adventurers everywhere.
The Grunts - Mr and Mrs and adopted son Sunny - are back, and as delightfully repulsive as ever. Yes, they wash with cheese (if there’s no soap to hand), eat roadkill, and argue with one another all the time (‘Choking hazard’ ‘Fly tip’ just some of the terms of abuse hurled) but they’re strangely lovable nonetheless. This new adventure sees them on the run from a group of criminals who hold the Grunts responsible for their misfortunes and culminates in a very funny chase involving a tractor, bunny slippers, a mummy on a sack and an enormous man in a bird suit. All ends happily for the Grunts, and there’s even a surprise revelation about Sunny’s background. There are jokes to appeal to readers of all ages while the author’s asides alone are worth the cover price. Axel Scheffler’s illustrations catch the daftness of the story perfectly. ~ Andrea Reece
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7 Philip Ardagh is one of the funniest - and cleverest - authors around and his stories of the Green Men of Gressingham are not only laugh-out-loud funny, they do a fair bit of consciousness raising too. Peasant Squat is recruited by the outlaws specifically to help them see off the unpleasant and seemingly invincible knight Sir Jack de Zack. The way in which Squat does this is very ingenious indeed and though short, as all Barrington Stoke books are, it’s a thoroughly satisfying story. The narrative voice is particularly droll and the author’s interjections great fun. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Award winning Philip Ardagh’s Mr and Mrs Grunt are as disgusting as ever as they trundle into this fourth adventure in their ramshackle caravan which, in a typically unusual way, is drawn by an elephant. Still up their always crafty and usually revolting tricks (and with lots of witty asides to the reader), Mr and Mrs Grunt have an encounter with a doctor who’ll find he has a lot less garden when he has treated a very swollen nose, engage in some serious skulduggery in the preserves, jams and jellies competition and even end up in prison (again). As ever, Sunny and Mimi have a lot to do just to keep the hilarious show on the road. ~ Julia Eccleshare
There are actually four stories for the price of one in this chunky little book. It brings together three of Philip Ardagh’s jolly adventures of the Green Men of Gressingham. The Green Men (brown men would be more accurate – their outfits are brown as it hides the dirt better) are a band of outlaws led by Robyn-in-the-Hat who, together with young knight-in-training Tom Dashwood, set about helping the poor and undertaking quests. The stories are perfect for young readers, packed with incident and humour, and full of appealing characters. Here they are enclosed within an extra comic story: the tale of their creation, as recounted through communications between the Author, and his hapless publisher, sent via Dotty, the Author’s assistant. It’s a clever way of breaking up the stories, though might set young readers wondering if all authors are quite so obsessed with lunch! ~ Andrea Reece ***This is the launch title of the Conkers, from Barrington Stoke, a new imprint of stories packed with brilliant extras like fun facts, quizzes and loads of gorgeous illustrations to tempt reluctant readers into longer stories.
One of our Books of the Year 2014 Award winning Philip Ardagh’s Mr and Mrs Grunt are as disgusting as ever as they trundle into this fourth adventure in their ramshackle caravan which, in a typically unusual way, is drawn by an elephant. Still up their always crafty and usually revolting tricks (and with lots of witty asides to the reader), Mr and Mrs Grunt have an encounter with a doctor who’ll find he has a lot less garden when he has treated a very swollen nose, engage in some serious skulduggery in the preserves, jams and jellies competition and even end up in prison (again). As ever, Sunny and Mimi have a lot to do just to keep the hilarious show on the road. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Eddie Dickens finds himself far from home in the heathery highlands of Scotland for some Further Adventures embracing a whole host of new characters and firm favourites such as Malcolm the stuffed stoat. Including Dubious Deeds, Horrendous Habits and The Final Curtain, fans of Philip Ardagh will gobble up this great gift edition.
Mr Grunt's a man with a mission. He has to get a Person of Great Importance (or POGI) to someone called Mrs Bayliss by the twenty-fifth. Alive and well. And he can't tell anyone more than that, not even his lovely wife, Mrs Grunt, because there will be people trying to snatch the POGI and so the POGI must be transported in secret. It's an exciting adventure, but what interests Mr Grunt most are the silver coins he's been promised at the end of it. The Grunts' stolen son, Sunny, has a few questions. Who is the big-earringed cyclist? Why does the POGI have to wear a barrel all the time? Is Rodders Lasenby a lovely person or simply the rudest man on the planet? And how long will it be before they find themselves All At Sea?
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2013 - June 2013 Book of the Month The Grunts, a family of doubtful charm to whom extraordinary and mostly disgusting things happen, are back for a fabulous new adventure. Everything that is revolting is crammed into this hilarious new story as Mr Grunt takes on the challenge of getting a POGI – Person of Great Importance – to a certain Mrs Bayliss. But Mr Grunt, Mrs Grunt and Sunny, their stolen son, who live in a madcap caravan and live off road kill are not the most reliable people to entrust with such a task...Fans of Roald Dahl’s The Twits will love the outrageous Grunts and their topsy turvey life.
Meet the Grunts! Mr and Mrs, their cat Ginger Biscuit, two donkeys Clip and Clop and Sunny, a child Mr Grunt stole off a washing line as a present for Mrs Grunt. The Grunts roam the land in a ramshackle and unlikely looking home on wheels. Their adventures are as unsavoury, unlikely and entertaining as they are as Axel Scheffler’s illustrations wittily show; fans of Andy Stanton’s Mr Gum and Roald Dahl’s The Twits will delight in this disgusting but amiable pair their terrible antics...
September 2012 Book of the Month. Meet the Grunts! Mr and Mrs, their cat Ginger Biscuit, two donkeys Clip and Clop and Sunny, a child Mr Grunt stole off a washing line as a present for Mrs Grunt. The Grunts roam the land in a ramshackle and unlikely looking home on wheels. Their adventures are as unsavoury, unlikely and entertaining as they are as Axel Scheffler’s illustrations wittily show; fans of Andy Stanton’s Mr Gum and Roald Dahl’s The Twits will delight in this disgusting but amiable pair their terrible antics...
Reading age 7+, Interest age 8-12. The Green Men of Gressingham return with this sequel, available for the first time as a 4u2read. Full of twists, turns and fiery surprises! The Green Men of Gressingham are struggling to find things to do now that they are no longer outlaws. But just when things are getting boring, Lord Dashwood sends them on a very unusual mission! Can the Green Men complete it without setting their bottoms on fire? A hilarious story from an award-winning and hugely popular author. With a reading age of 7, it is particularly suitable for dyslexic, reluctant and struggling readers.
AWFUL END When both of Eddie Dickens's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly round the edges and smell of hot water bottles, it's agreed he should go and stay with relatives at their house Awful End. Unfortunately for Eddie, those relatives are Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud, and it doesn't look as if the three of them are ever going to reach their destination ... DREADFUL ACTS Eddie Dickens narrowly avoids an explosion, a hot-air balloon and arrest, only to find himself falling head-over heels for a girl with a face like a camel's, and into the hands of a murderous gang of escaped convicts who have 'one little job for him to do'. TERRIBLE TIMES Eddie had been given the task of travelling to America to look after his family's interests there. But his life is never that simple; especially with a potential stowaway in his trunk, and Lady Constance Bustle at his side. She's a professional 'travelling companion', whose previous employers seem to have died under the most remarkable and unfortunate circumstances ...
The prize-winning Grubtown series is back with a new ludicrous adventure which shows exactly why its predecessor won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. This time Bunny Rabbits – far too many of them – paper aeroplanes and the Sun-Ripe Raisin Man are all involved in a delightfully daft but utterly absorbing story in a place where you can expect only the most unusual things to happen – and they do!
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 7+. The Green Men of Gressingham are medieval outlaws. When a new tax is introduced, they turn to kidnapping! A hilarious play on Robin Hood. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers. Philip Ardagh is a recent winner of the Roadl Dahl Funny Prize so not surprising then that kids will love this. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
News just in from Beardy Ardagh: When a yachting trip turns to disaster and the shipwrecked crew, including Mango Claptrap, ends up using the impressively large Flabby Gomez as a man-made floating island, they need help. Who better to rescue them than the exceedingly useless lifeboat crew over at Limp, assisted by Grubtown's very own chief of police Grabby Hanson? But they have problems of their own. Can Jilly Cheeter save the day? And what about those hungry sharks . .? Praise for Grubtown Tales: 'Philip Ardagh has invented his own style of storytelling.' Michael Rosen, Children's Laureate 'Frenetic, high energy humour and more fun than cleaning the underside of a garden snail with your tongue.' Daily Mail on Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky 'Lovers of the absurd and disgusting will delight in Ardagh's new series.' The Guardian on Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky 'Philip Ardagh writes funny like he can't help it . . . Silly, silly, silly. Young readers will love them.' Independent on Sunday 'This hilarious book will have you splitting your sides with laughter and wanting to read more, more more!' Blue Peter Book Club on The Year that it Rained Cows
Meet Henry, an ordinary boy in an extraordinary house that’s jam-packed full of unexpected things. There's a gladiator in the basement and an arena in the garden. Step inside Henry's House and join Henry, his dog Mothball and a quirky cast of characters as they and the reader finds out everything there is to know about the ancient Romans. Fact-packed, fun-packed, get packed ... and head for Henry's House! To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize for the hilarious adventures in Grubtown, Philip Ardagh, or Beardy Ardagh as his fans know him, has added a fifth title to the series. Life in Grubtown continues on its crazy way. The mayor has just finished knitting his own home and declares a celebration for its opening. And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for!
Grubtown continues to be full of oddballs and a ragbag of bungling buffoons. The town mascot PIJ pelican snatches a famous film star’s dog as she’s in Grubtown for the world premiere of her latest movie. As with every Grubtown Tale, the pace is fast and furious and full of hilarity so be ready when you burst out of your clothes as laughter won’t be something you can control. And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for! And here is a special message from the author Beardy Ardagh: 'If you want to grow up to be a healthy, happy person with lots of friends, it’s very important that you read all the Grubtown Tales...'
Fantastically and outrageously good fun, this is the latest story set in Grubtown, a very, VERY unusual place. Grubtown is not on a map and if anyone does stumble across it by mistake they’d come away shocked by the grubbiness of the place and by the beardiness of its inhabitants… Readers, however, can enter freely and will be entranced by the hilarious stories about why the lighthouse has gone dark and the great Grubtown jailbreak. And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for!
A startled cow falling out of nowhere onto Limbo Goulash while he's riding Marley Gripe's bicycle marks the start of a chain of events strange even by Grubtown's standards. Soon damaged property includes Purple Outing's Music Shack and Minty Glibb's attempt at the world's largest (strawberry) jelly-trifle. With Mayor Flabby Gomez throwing a wobbly, all chief of police, Grabby Hanson, can do is have the cow-fearing townsfolk watch the skies. Underground, meanwhile, there lies another big surprise...
Winner of the 7 - 14 yr old category of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009. You cannot fail to find the town of Grubtown and its inhabitants hysterically funny. What goes on defies belief but if you've read books by Phillip Ardagh before then you'll know what we mean. In addition to getting a belly-full of laughs readers must be aware that the disgusting habits of most of the inhabitants could well rub off on the reader if they're not careful! And if your children love Grubtown then do get them to go to www.visitgrubtown.com Drawing on the weird and wonderful characters and settings from the Grubtown books, visitgrubtown.com features six distinct Grubtown locations – including the Daily Herald newspaper office, the Duckhouse/Museum and Smoky’s cinema. From April 29 until June 3, a new location unlocks each week, treating users to a special Grubtown story, delivered in instalments. Readers are encouraged to interact with characters and objects, and can discover exclusive downloads. The site incorporates fun audio and video - what more could you ask for!
When both Eddie's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly around the edges, and smell of old hot-water bottles, it's agreed he should go and stay with relatives at their house, Awful End. Unfortunately for Eddie, those relatives are Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud.
In this eagerly awaited sequel to A House Called Awful End, Eddie Dickens narrowly avoids being blown up, trampled by horses, hit by a hot-air balloon, and arrestedonly to find himself falling head over heels for a girl with a face like a camel's and into the hands of a murderous gang of escaped convicts, up on the misty moors, who have a "e;little job"e; for him to do.All the old favorites are hereincluding Mad Uncle Jack and Malcolm (or is it Sally?) the stuffed stoatalong with some worrying-looking new ones. Beware!
In the third installment of the Eddie Dickens saga, Eddie, our steadfast hero, finds himself en route to North America aboard the sailing ship Pompous Pig along with a cargo hold full of left shoes, the world-famous Dog's Bone Diamond, and some of the most disreputable traveling companions anyone might have the misfortune to share a berth with. A mysterious stowaway and some familiar faces from Eddie's past only complicate matters, as does being tied up and set adrift in a leaky rowboat. Will Eddie ever reach America?
The green men of Gressingham are on a quest to find a dragon! The hilarious follow up to The Green Men of Gressingham. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
From Public Enemies to St Paul’s Cathedral, every one’s fascination with lists will be satisfied once they’ve digested the 366 included in this attractive, chunky book.
From Public Enemies to St Paul’s Cathedral, every one’s fascination with lists will be satisfied once they’ve digested the 366 included in this attractive, chunky book.
Philip Ardagh'sUnlikely Exploitschart the extraordinary changes in fortune of the downtrodden McNally family beginning with The Fall of Fergal. The setting is an unidentified country suffering from an unexpected breakout of large holes. The McNally children find themselves in The Dell Hotel, the venue for the final of the Tap 'n' Type typing competition, surrounded by a strange assortment of characters ranging from Twinkle-Toes Tweedy, the house detective, to Mr. Peach, a ventriloquist with a very large moustache. With young Fergal McNally falling to his death at the very beginning, the only way for the McNallys is up.
Have you ever wondered: Who St. Valentine really was? Why wedding rings are worn on that particular finger? Why a dozen red roses are considered so romantic? Where some of those weird and wonderful love rituals originally came from? The answer to these and many other love-related questions are packed within the covers of this little book. Have you ever wondered: Why the heart is the symbol of love? Who St Valentine really was? Why Cupid wears a blindfold? Why a bride throws her bouquet? Why diamonds are a girl's best friend? Why we give red roses? Why we wear wedding rings on the fourth finger of our left hand? How numerology can predict who your perfect partner will be? The answer to these and many other love-related questions are packed within the covers of this gorgeous book.
The Green Men of Gressingham are medieval outlaws. When a new tax is introduced, they turn to kidnapping! This is a hilarious play on Robin Hood. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
In the third instalment of the Eddie Dickens saga, our hero finds himself en route to North America with some of the most disreputable prospectors anyone might have the misfortune to share a berth with . . . only to come face to face with some familiar faces (stuffed animal and human) from his past, and with the Great Gretcha who suffers from serious bouts of sleeping sickness.
From the creator of the best-selling Eddie Dickens trilogy comes Book One of his darkly hilarious new trilogy, charting the extraordinary changes in fortunes of the down-trodden McNally family. The setting is an unidentified country, suffering from an unexpected outbreak of very large holes. The McNally children find themselves in The Dell hotel surrounded by a strange assortment of ridiculous characters ranging from Charlie 'Twinkle Toes' Tweedy, the house detective, to Mr Peach, a ventriloquist with a conveniently large moustache. With young Fergal McNally falling to his death on page one, the only way for the McNallys is up...Expect the unexpected with Philip Ardagh pulling out all the stops that make his fiction so unique and so absurd.
The Archaeologists' Handbook takes a look at the role of archaeologists from the discovery of an artefact or archaeological site to the identification, dating, preservation, restoration, and understanding of what has been found. This book looks at everything from the most basic archaeological techniques to the latest technological advances used to assist the modern archaeologist; all explained in Ardagh's inimitable and amusing style. The various branches of archaeology are explained, and it is shown how archaeologists with different skills and expertise work together with experts from other fields - including geologists, biologists and those all-important historians - to help create a better understanding of our ancestors, whatever part of the world they might have lived in. With a glossary of terms in the back, and a section on the stories behind the most famous discoveries, this is a must for amateur archaeologists, young and old.
Philip Ardagh has a passion for history. During his numerous children's events over the years, he has been asked just about every conceivable question about castles and life in medieval times. Here he answers his favourite (printable) ones, in a similar style that made his book Did Dinosaurs Snore? a monster hit with pre-history fans. Everything from alchemy to the Crusades are covered in this entertaining and informative book, from 'Who built castles?','Where did everyone sleep?' and 'What's a lady's favour?' to the more obscure 'Did they have baths?' and 'Did they have toilet paper?'. There are black and white illustrations throughout as well as fascinating fact boxes and quick quizzes to test what you have learned. The reference section includes timelines, and a glossary and index. If the answer doesn't lie somewhere between these covers, then it probably isn't a castle question worth asking.
Eddie Dickens continues his hilarious adventures in the second book in this best-selling trilogy, hailed by the Guardian as 'a scrumptious cross between Dickens and Monty Python.' Eddie Dickens narrowly avoids an explosion, a hot-air balloon and arrest, only to find himself falling head-over-heels for a girl with a face like a camel's, and into the hands of a murderous gang of escaped convicts who have 'one little job for him to do'.
Meet the family! Part One of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy, introduces Eddie’s new home – Awful End – where he is sent to live after the death of his parents from a disease which turns them yellow and make them smell like old hot water bottles. At Awful End he finds Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud and enjoys some unusual, unexpected and hilarious adventures.
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