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Elspeth Graham was born during a snowstorm in Northumberland, England. After university, she became passionately interested in reading to her children and understanding how children learn to read. Elspeth began to write books for children - some with her husband, and fellow author, Mal Peet. Mal’s stories became longer and longer and he went on to be an award- winning author of books for young adults. Mal and Elspeth loved writing picture books together and continued to do so until Mal’s death in 2015. The Treasure of Pirate Frank is one of the last picture books that they wrote together. Elspeth is still passionately interested in stories and the pleasure that there is in the simple act of reading. Elspeth lives in Devon with her dog Pedro.
Unusually clever and skilfully told this pirate story has echoes of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt both in the way that the narrative grows and builds from page to page and in its lovely surprise ending. A young boy is on the trail of Pirate Frank’s treasure and there are various obstacles to be overcome; seas to be sailed, mountains to be climbed, a volcano that spits out fire. When he finally reaches the spot, an encounter with the fearsome Frank has him running back the way he came. The rhyming text reads aloud perfectly, Jez Tuya’s illustrations are full of a sense of excitement and wonder, and there’s a great deal of adventure packed seemingly effortlessly into the pages. ~ Andrea Reece The Editor at Nosy Crow says: “This fabulous story, inspired by a traditional rhyme, has everything you could want from a pirate quest, with a wonderfully funny twist. Watch out for the cheeky treasuresnaffling monkeys!”
Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2014 A moving and brilliantly researched story about camels, lost princesses and the strength of wisdom and knowledge from the creators of the award-winning Cloud Tea Monkeys, Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham and, stunningly illustrated by P.J. Lynch. It is a mesmerizing and touching tale, illustrating the bond between a child and the man who brought her up like a daughter. Both deliciously exotic and yet portraying warmly familiar and universal truths. Authors' Note: This story is set in an imaginary place, but it came about because Elspeth became fascinated by that fabulous and faraway place called Timbuktu. It's an African country now called Mali, and it's where, long ago, traders bringing salt from the north met traders bringing gold from the south. We began to read and think about those traders, those travellers with their camel caravans, making those long, difficult journeys through mountains and deserts. Their lives, and their livelihoods, depended upon the guides who led them through these dangerous places. When we discovered that one of the most famous of these guides was blind it set our imaginations racing.
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2011 Based on a centuries-old legend of tea-picking monkeys, this title tells a tale full of vivid characters: a heartless Overseer, an enigmatic Royal Tea-Taster and, in a faraway land, and an Empress with a liking for tea.
Let the creators of Cloud Tea Monkeys take you back to medieval Mongolia in this captivating story gem about family, danger, banditry and kite-flying. From Owl Babies illustrator, Patrick Benson, and from the creators of the Kate Greenaway shortlisted Cloud Tea Monkeys, comes a captivating story set in medieval Mongolia - a story of family, danger, banditry and kite-flying. Set at a caravanserai along the Silk Road, Night Sky Dragons is the tale of Yazul, a young boy who spends most of his time with his grandfather in his workshop, making kites. More than anything, Yazul wants the approval of his father, the lord of the han, but his love of kite-making only ever seems to cause disappointment: Travel and trade are what matters, his father says. One day, the han becomes surrounded by a group of bandits. Everyone becomes trapped within the walls of the han and with the bandits waiting them out, food becomes scarce and spirits rapidly fall. However, Yazul has an idea... With the help of his grandfather he might just be able to scare the bandits away and save the han!
A moving and beautifully researched story about camels, lost princesses and the strength of wisdom and knowledge, stunningly illustrated by P.J. Lynch. This is the second tale in a trilogy from acclaimed storytellers Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham. This one begins with a disgruntled camel, desperately trying to protect a little baby from a violent desert storm whipping up all around him. He is rescued by Issa - the desert guide - who takes the child in, naming her Mariama. She becomes Issa's family and, as he begins to lose his sight, his eyes. Many years later, a mysterious stranger arrives at their doorstep, a stranger who will change both their lives for ever...
Do you ever wonder why we have seasons? How Winter Came into the World shows how the Greeks explain winter. It is about a god called Hades who falls in love with a beautiful goddess called Persephone Captivating versions of some of the best myths and legends from around the world. TreeTops Myths and Legends are fascinating and action-packed stories that will motivate and inspire readers. These are some of the oldest and most enduring stories in the world, retold by leading contemporary children's authors to bring out all of the action, drama, humour and depth of the original stories in a way that makes them as exciting and meaningful today as ever. The stories are beautifully illustrated in a range of styles to bring each tale to life. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.
Find out what happens when Sinbad the sailor is left stranded on an island with a giant seagull. Will he find a way to get back to his ship? This entertaining narrative is written by award-winning authors Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham. *Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 2B / Red B, which provides simple story development and a satisfying conclusion, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. *Text type: A traditional story *An illustrated map on pages 14 to 15 helps children to recap Sinbad's journey and discuss the story. *Curriculum links: Citizenship
Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2014 A moving and brilliantly researched story about camels, lost princesses and the strength of wisdom and knowledge from the creators of the award-winning Cloud Tea Monkeys, Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham and, stunningly illustrated by P.J. Lynch. It is a mesmerizing and touching tale, illustrating the bond between a child and the man who brought her up like a daughter. Both deliciously exotic and yet portraying warmly familiar and universal truths. Authors' Note: This story is set in an imaginary place, but it came about because Elspeth became fascinated by that fabulous and faraway place called Timbuktu. It's an African country now called Mali, and it's where, long ago, traders bringing salt from the north met traders bringing gold from the south. We began to read and think about those traders, those travellers with their camel caravans, making those long, difficult journeys through mountains and deserts. Their lives, and their livelihoods, depended upon the guides who led them through these dangerous places. When we discovered that one of the most famous of these guides was blind it set our imaginations racing.
Monkeys come to the rescue of a struggling family in this traditional tale from a Carnegie Medal winner. Tashi lives in a tiny village below the tea plantations where her mother earns a living. One day her mother falls ill, and Tashi must pick tea to earn the money for a doctor. But she is too small to reach the tender shoots and the cruel Overseer sends her away empty-handed. Tashi needs a miracle. Then, on the mountains high above the plantation where only monkeys live, something extraordinary happens that will change her life for ever...
Three deftly spun, emotionally resonant stories with the feel of time-honoured fables but the freshness of a contemporary voice. When Tashi's mother falls ill and is unable to work, Tashi looks to the monkeys on a Himalayan tea plantation for help... Yazul and his clan, trapped inside their desert fortress by bandits, are saved from starvation by fiercesome dragon kites... Issa, the old mountain guide, has his life turned upside down when he stumbles upon a camel sheltering a baby girl in a desert storm...
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2011 Based on a centuries-old legend of tea-picking monkeys, this title tells a tale full of vivid characters: a heartless Overseer, an enigmatic Royal Tea-Taster and, in a faraway land, and an Empress with a liking for tea.
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