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Timothy Knapman is a children’s writer, lyricist and playwright. His children’s books have been translated into twelve languages and include Soon, illustrated by Patrick Benson, Time Now To Dream, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, Dinosaurs Don't Have Bedtimes, illustrated by Nikki Dyson, and the bestselling Mungo and the Picture Book Pirate series. His titles have often been featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. He lives in Weybridge, Surrey. Read more about the author here.
Photo credit: Robin Farquhar-Thomson
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021 | This gorgeous gift book will take you on a world adventure via the world's greatest rivers. The Yangtze tells of dragons and dolphins, while the Rhine whispers about castles and Frankenstein. Explore pyramids, tombs and temples by the Nile, and search for lost cities and gold alongside the Amazon. And follow the Mississippi to hear of historic battles and dinosaurs.
An absolute treat to read aloud, this comic tale puts a new spin on the story of the gingerbread man. ‘Can’t catch me!’ sings Jake, ‘I’m the fastest mouse in the world’ and he can easily outrun Tom the cat, as well as the fox and the bear. But oh dear, pride comes before a fall and Tom proves that quick thinking can win the prize. Jake is a swaggering, cheeky presence in Simona Ciraolo’s vibrant illustrations and his comeuppance is gleefully celebrated in text and pictures. Great fun.
Today is a BIG day for little Train ... he's going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time! Taking its place beside the classic The Little Engine That Could, young readers will share Little Train's trepidation and excitement in this uplifting and extraordinary read-aloud adventure, and rejoice in the gorgeously atmospheric artwork of illustrator Ben Mantle.
One of our Books of the Year 2016 There’s a dreamlike quality to this beautiful picture book. Two young children, painted by Helen Oxenbury with typical sensitivity, leave the safety of their garden to explore the forest when they hear a mysterious noise coming from the trees. Taking it in turns to reassure and encourage one another, they finally discover the source of the noise is Wolf Mummy singing her babies to sleep, a vision both wild and tranquil. The children return home and they too snuggle down to sleep lulled by her lullaby. Their cosy cottage, with its bright red quilt and lamp, is a distinct contrast to the green hues of the little wolves’ home, but the forest no longer seems a frightening place. Atmospheric, magical, this fairytale story will enchant readers. ~ Andrea Reece Meet the Illustrator – In conversation with Helen Oxenbury Shelley Fallows also had the opportunity to meet with Illustrator Helen Oxenbury to find out a little more about this award winning illustrator, mother and grandmother. Click here to read more.
An absolute treat to read aloud, this comic tale puts a new spin on the story of the gingerbread man. ‘Can’t catch me!’ sings Jake, ‘I’m the fastest mouse in the world’ and he can easily outrun Tom the cat, as well as the fox and the bear. But oh dear, pride comes before a fall and Tom proves that quick thinking can win the prize. Jake is a swaggering, cheeky presence in Simona Ciraolo’s vibrant illustrations and his comeuppance is gleefully celebrated in text and pictures. Great fun. ~ Andrea Reece
One of our Books of the Year 2016 There’s a dreamlike quality to this beautiful picture book. Two young children, painted by Helen Oxenbury with typical sensitivity, leave the safety of their garden to explore the forest when they hear a mysterious noise coming from the trees. Taking it in turns to reassure and encourage one another, they finally discover the source of the noise is Wolf Mummy singing her babies to sleep, a vision both wild and tranquil. The children return home and they too snuggle down to sleep lulled by her lullaby. Their cosy cottage, with its bright red quilt and lamp, is a distinct contrast to the green hues of the little wolves’ home, but the forest no longer seems a frightening place. Atmospheric, magical, this fairytale story will enchant readers. ~ Andrea Reece Meet the Illustrator – In conversation with Helen Oxenbury Shelley Fallows also had the opportunity to meet with Illustrator Helen Oxenbury to find out a little more about this award winning illustrator, mother and grandmother. Click here to read more.
September 2016 Book of the Month Little Sir Dancealot would fit right in on Strictly! This nimble-toed young knight has a novel approach to combat – he dances his enemies into submission, waltzing or jiving with them until the words ‘disco lights’ are enough to give any passing monster the frights! Then one day a dancing dragon appears and challenges Sir Dancealot to a competition – on ice. This zany idea is perfectly executed through a jolly rhyming text and lively illustrations. Kids will love the idea of Strictly with dragons, and you’ll be glad to hear that the two combatants are dancing happily together by the end – no blood on the dancefloor here! ~ Andrea Reece
Pity the poor mum in this story who has to wrestle a very lively young dinosaur fan into bed. Her little boy knows just how dinosaurs behave, what they like (mess, rampaging), and what they don’t like (baths, pyjamas, milk); what’s more, he’s going to roar his way through the day in full dinosaur mode! It’s hard to think of a rowdier, more rollicking story and the illustrations – characters as humans on one page, as dinosaurs on the other – are full of wonderful comic detail. Amazingly too it does end with our little dinosaur tucked up in bed asleep. Simultaneously zany and true to life, this is a lovely book for mums and sons to share. ~ Andrea Reece
Patrick Benson’s superb illustrations bring to life this touching adventure for a baby elephant. Early one morning the little elephant Raju sets off with his mother. On their way they see off a snappy crocodile and then both a slithering snake and a prowling tiger Raju gets tired and longs to be going home. But Raju’s mummy has a plan… When Raju sees what it is he knows it was all worth while! ~ Julia Eccleshare
Dad might not have a superhero mask or wear his pants outside his trousers, but his super snores can be heard a thousand miles away, he tells super jokes and can even make super-scary monsters go away at bedtime.
Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month, May 2015 Patrick Benson’s superb illustrations bring to life this touching adventure for a baby elephant. Early one morning the little elephant Raju sets off with his mother. On their way they see off a snappy crocodile and then both a slithering snake and a prowling tiger Raju gets tired and longs to be going home. But Raju’s mummy has a plan… When Raju sees what it is he knows it was all worth while! ~ Julia Eccleshare .................................................................... Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for May 2015 - Spotty Lottie and Me by Richard Byrne Bomber by Paul Dowswell The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge What the Jackdaw Saw by Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt Poppy in the Field by Mary Hooper Soon by Timothy Knapman
This vibrant, humorous and warm-hearted celebration of all the incredible things a dad can do is a classic about the specialness of dad (and their superhero sons!).
A fabulously funny rhyming text with adorable illustrations. The perfect Easter treat!
April 2012 Book of the Month. My Adventure Island is a magical place where anything can happen particularly if you have a little bit of imagination. It's a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem by Timothy Knapman, author of the Mungo and the Picture Book Pirates, My Uncle Foulpest and The Great Easter Egg Scramble, perfect for any child with a sense of adventure. It is beautifully illustrated by Sarah Warburton, creator of the Rumblewick series.
Foulpest returns - our unlikely hero in the form of an ogre! Welcome back to Wally’s world - a hilarious offering of ogre uncles, evil weevils and more! My Uncle Foulpest: Dinosaur Disaster is the hilarious second instalment in the series by Timothy Knapman. Bringing more mad-cap adventures from Wally and Foulpest - an ogre with the best intentions who never quite gets it right! - young readers will giggle with glee. With adorable and hilarious illustrations by Sarah Horne, this is a surefire winner for young fans of humour, with two stories in one brilliant package.
Wally just wants to be an ordinary, normal boy living an ordinary, normal life - then his uncle Foulpest comes to look after him. Foulpest is an ogre, and he has other ideas. Foulpest means well, but he just can't help causing chaos - whether it's accidentally sending Miss Nutkin through the roof at the school parents' evening or employing some very dubious elves to clean up their house in time for a sleepover...
A Useful book about Friendship. A deliciously dark and funny tale, in which friendship comes before food. It's brilliantly and wackily illustrated by the uniquely talented Ben Cort who has of course also delivered on Aliens Love Underpants etc. Click here for an activity sheet related to this book.
More bookish adventures here when the pirates in the bedtime story Mungo loves come to life. Suddenly, armed only with a teddy bear, Mungo is the hero of the swashbuckling adventures. Bold, carton style illustrations make this a lively night time romp.
A humorous and heart-warming picture book written by bestselling author Timothy Knapman, with artwork by World Book Day illustrator Joe Berger! Dad might not have a superhero mask or wear his pants outside his trousers, but his super snores can be heard a thousand miles away, he tells super jokes and can even make super-scary monsters go away at bedtime. This read-aloud rhyming picture book is the perfect gift for Father's Day, ideal for children aged 2-6 and their superhero dads. This board book format is perfect for tiny hands!
A humorous and heart-warming picture book written by bestselling author Timothy Knapman, with artwork by World Book Day illustrator Joe Berger! Dad might not have a superhero mask or wear his pants outside his trousers, but his super snores can be heard a thousand miles away, he tells super jokes and can even make super-scary monsters go away at bedtime. This read-aloud rhyming picture book is the perfect gift for Father's Day, ideal for children aged 2-6 and their superhero dads. This board book format is perfect for tiny hands to hold!
A sweet, suspenseful story of a baby badger and his dad with rich, atmospheric illustrations from Jane McGuinness. Curious Baby Badger loves exploring. He is eager to see, and know, more of the world beyond his den. So, one night, his daddy takes him on a moonlit adventure through the still, black-and-white forest up above their underground home. And that sets Baby Badger's imagination soaring. What's daytime like? he wonders. What's next? A tender father and son story of adventure, discovery and the comforting pull of home, paired with rich, evocative illustrations from Jane McGuinness.
Victor Frankenstein's inventions aren't usually scary - they just make his friends giggle. But he's about to invent something truly terrifying! Books with short chapters are a great way for children who are reading independently to extend reading stamina and progress to the next step of their reading journey. This Read with Oxford Stage 6 book has short chapters, an engaging story and humorous colour illustrations. Tips for parents and fun after-reading activities help you to get the most out of the story. Featuring much-loved characters, great authors, engaging storylines and fun activities, Read with Oxford offers an exciting range of carefully levelled reading books to build your child's reading confidence. Find practical advice, free eBooks and fun activities to help your child progress on oxfordowl.co.uk. Let's get them flying!
ARRRRR you ready for an unmissable girl power adventure? Perfect for rebel girls with big dreams! Peg dreams of adventure and has big ambitions, but when she asks to join the pirates crew they won't let her join because she's too small and she doesn't even have a beard! But can Peg prove, against all odds, that she's the greatest pirate there ever was? Join Captain Sparklebeard as she sets sail against the seas and dares to be different! Peg's determination, ambition and courage to be herself will inspire a whole new generation of rebel girls. Perfect for fans of the chart-topping Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World and tapping into the huge demand for stories featuring strong female characters, this is a pirate story like no other. Smashing gender stereotypes and with an inclusive cast of characters, this is the must-have book to empower young children to have the courage to be themselves. Tim Knapman writes plays, musicals, songs and children's books and has been published by Simon & Schuster, Puffin, Macmillan, Scholastic, Hachette, Egmont UK and many more. His previous books include the bestselling Dinosaurs in the Supermarket, Dinosaurs Don't Have Bedtimes and Superhero Dad. His books have been translated into 20 languages and several have been read on CBeebies bedtime stories. Tim has done more than 100 events and readings in schools, colleges, bookshops, fairs, libraries and festivals. He lives in Sussex and his hobbies include swashbuckling. Sam Lloyd is the illustrator behind the bestselling Mr Pusskins series which won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Booktrust Pre-School Award and was shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Award. Her novelty books include the Richard and Judy prize-winning Calm Down, Boris and Hello Dudley. Sam's books have been translated into over 15 languages. Sam lives in Brighton with her son Ozzy and their ginormous ginger cat.
A humorous and heart-warming picture book written by bestselling author Timothy Knapman, with artwork by World Book Day illustrator Joe Berger! All mums are brilliant and the mum in this story is no exception. She doesn't wear a cape or fly to earth from outer space, but she runs for the bus so fast it feels like flying, uses her super strength to carry her daughter's boots, coat, bag AND scooter, and can make bumps and bruises better with just a kiss. This mum really does have superpowers! This read-aloud rhyming picture book is the perfect gift for Mother's Day, ideal for children aged 2-6 and their superhero mums. This board book format is perfect for tiny hands to hold!
A humorous and heart-warming picture book written by bestselling author Timothy Knapman, with artwork by World Book Day illustrator Joe Berger! All mums are brilliant and the mum in this story is no exception. She doesn't wear a cape or fly to earth from outer space, but she runs for the bus so fast it feels like flying, uses her super strength to carry her daughter's boots, coat, bag AND scooter, and can make bumps and bruises better with just a kiss. This mum really does have superpowers! This read-aloud rhyming picture book is the perfect gift for Mother's Day, ideal for children aged 2-6 and their superhero mums. This board book format is perfect for tiny hands!
A heart-warming picture book written by bestselling author Timothy Knapman, with artwork by highly acclaimed Snow Bunny illustrator, Rebecca Harry. With silver foil on every page! Fox loves to play, but his friends are worried about him. It's nearly winter, and it's time he started getting ready! Each animal knows just what Fox should do, if only he would listen to them... When winter finally comes, Fox finds himself cold, hungry and all alone. Can a Christmas wish help him set things right? The perfect bedtime story to share on cold winter's nights. This board book format is perfect for tiny hands to hold!
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