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A World Book Day Author 2019
The Children's Laureate
Lauren Child burst on to the children’s books scene in 1999 and has since published many bestselling and awardwinning books, including those featuring the hugely popular Charlie and Lola, and the Clarice Bean series. She has won numerous awards including the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal and the Smarties Gold Award. Her books have been made into an award-winning TV series and have sold in many languages with runaway success.
In December 2008 she was named as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, and was awarded an MBE in 2009.
Lauren Child is the 10th Waterstones Children's Laureate. Of the role she said, “I want to inspire children to believe in their own creative potential, to make their own stories and drawings and ignite in them the delight of reading for pleasure. In an increasingly fast paced world, children need the freedom to dream and imagine; to enjoy reading, drawing and telling their own stories without value judgement or restraint”.
The role of Children's Laureate is awarded every two years to an author or illustrator of children’s books to “celebrate outstanding achievement in their field and recognise the important contribution children’s literature makes to cultural life”. Child’s tenure will run until June 2019, which will mark 20 years since the post was inaurgurated by Quentin Blake and since Child published her first book.
Child revealed that that Blake was a huge inspiration to her. “When I was little, it never occurred to me to think of authors and illustrators as actual human beings," she said. "Then I saw Quentin on television live drawing on “Jackanory”, so he became a real-life illustrator to me and that made it something it was possible to become.”
Other previous post-holders include Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Michael Rosen and Malorie Blackman.
Feisty Clarice Bean is back for new adventures. A bit older and a bit wiser, she is also thinking about all the things that she should be worrying about. To help, she makes a list of all her worries like ‘change’, ‘can one live of toast alone’ and ‘having to go back to school after the holidays’. Everyone will recognise Clarice’s anxieties and enjoy her resolution of them. Stories in the Clarice Bean Series for 7+ Utterly Me, Clarice Bean Clarice Bean Spells Trouble Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now Find out more about Lauren Child, her books, characters and inspirations in our Guest Editor feature.
The multi award-winning past Children’s Laureate demonstrated, with her best-selling Charlie and Lola series, that she has an exquisite touch in depicting family dynamics, sibling relationships, how children’s minds work and how they talk to each other. In this brilliant new book, her unerring eye might even cause a little discomfort in some families and classrooms. Caregivers and teachers may recognise that they have unconsciously developed a certain narrative about certain children. Chirton Krauss is a very good child by inclination and his kind nature. His sister Myrtle is never described as good and in a self-fulfilling prophesy, continues not to be good. Her behaviour has consequences (not invited to any parties) but generally she ‘gets away’ with it so that others can have a quiet life. But the glances and body language of the siblings that Child captures so well, show us very clearly that this is not the whole story. Chirton begins to question the unfairness of this situation since he really, really does not like broccoli (I love how Child captures in many of her books the heightened significance we have given vegetables in our children’s lives). The consequences of his acting out mean that Myrtle gets a chance to be good (and attend a party for a child, new to the neighbourhood, who does not know her reputation) and in delicious irony gets given a Goody Bag! We realise that Myrtle has been unjustly compartmentalised just as much as Chirton has a reputation to live up to. This clever and amusing tale will prompt plenty of discussion about behaviour and fairness and it absolutely defends the rights of the child to be themselves and not just our vision of them, as befits a book written by a Unesco Artist for Peace. Find out more about Lauren Child, her books, characters and inspirations in our Guest Editor feature.
The irresistible Clarice Bean burst onto the world in a picture book which has now been reissued as a special 20 birthday edition and CD. Through words and picture she introduces her wonderfully characterised family capturing their foibles and kindly recognising the different stresses and strains they are under. Favourites include her older brother Kurt who, his Mum says, is “in the dark tunnel of adolescence” which means he has to be left alone to do what he likes as much as possible, grandfather who spends a lot of time asleep in a chair with the cat on his head and Mum who is always trying to find some peace and quiet in which to be calm. Clarice is a charmingly feisty character herself as well as an excellent narrator on her own life. This multi award-winning, bestselling picture book is a classic tale of family life that will have you laughing out loud.
A deliciously funny tale from Lauren Child – the superstar creator of Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola – especially for World Book Day! A deliciously funny tale from Lauren Child – the superstar creator of Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola – especially for World Book Day! Hubert Horatio is quite possibly the most responsible and clever child you will ever meet. This is the very fishy tale of how an ordinary day became the death-defying rescue of Hubert Horatio. And who did the rescuing? Why Hubert, of course…
Taking on a familiar storyline about pets with characteristic wit and thoughfulness this latest Charlie and Lola escapade is another triumph. Find out more about Lauren Child, her books, characters and inspirations in our Guest Editor feature.
In a nutshell: Nobody beats Ruby Redfort! | Blink and You Die is the very last book in Lauren Child’s superb Ruby Redfort girl detective series, and what a finale it is! Someone, someone even more dangerous and ruthless than Ruby’s arch enemy The Count, is out to get Ruby. What should she do? Stay indoors and wait for someone else to do something? Or go out there, root out the trouble and save herself? With Ruby, there’s only ever one option: death or glory! A typically fabulous story of revelations, mushrooms and double crossings follows culminating in a wonderful scene that has some characters literally hanging by an eyelash, and all loose ends elegantly tied up. No-one could ever match Ruby for brains, panache or pzazz, and she will be sorely missed! There are wonderfully independent girl sleuths in Robin Stevens’s popular Murder Most Unladylike series, while Caleb Crisp’s Ivy Pocket books are inventive, stylish, idiosyncratic mysteries too.
October 2016 Book of the Month | In a nutshell: Nobody beats Ruby Redfort! | Blink and You Die is the very last book in Lauren Child’s superb Ruby Redfort girl detective series, and what a finale it is! Someone, someone even more dangerous and ruthless than Ruby’s arch enemy The Count, is out to get Ruby. What should she do? Stay indoors and wait for someone else to do something? Or go out there, root out the trouble and save herself? With Ruby, there’s only ever one option: death or glory! A typically fabulous story of revelations, mushrooms and double crossings follows culminating in a wonderful scene that has some characters literally hanging by an eyelash, and all loose ends elegantly tied up. No-one could ever match Ruby for brains, panache or pzazz, and she will be sorely missed! There are wonderfully independent girl sleuths in Robin Stevens’s popular Murder Most Unladylike series, while Caleb Crisp’s Ivy Pocket books are inventive, stylish, idiosyncratic mysteries too. ~ Andrea Reece
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | May 2016 Book of the Month You’ve got to be really smart to keep up with 13 year old secret agent Ruby Redfort, as her enemies know to their cost. There are multiple strands to her new adventure, which involves some deliciously clever dead-letter drops, double-crossings galore and a series of Snow White-inspired poisonings. Ruby of course takes it all in her stride, though she does have to brush up her Kung-Fu! Ruby is far and away the coolest, sassiest sleuth around and her deadpan dialogue gives the books a very distinct and satisfying flavour. Extra treats for her devotees in this volume include four-dimensional codes set by Marcus du Sautoy no less. Yep, Ruby is in a class of her own. ~ Andrea Reece For those looking for more mysteries to solve, Robin Stevens’s Murder Most Unladylike series should fit the bill, while Lemony Snicket’s All the Wrong Questions series matches the books for cleverness and humour.
One of our Books of the Year 2015 - December 2015 Book of the Month You’ve got to be really smart to keep up with 13 year old secret agent Ruby Redfort, as her enemies know to their cost. There are multiple strands to her new adventure, which involves some deliciously clever dead-letter drops, double-crossings galore and a series of Snow White-inspired poisonings. Ruby of course takes it all in her stride, though she does have to brush up her Kung-Fu! Ruby is far and away the coolest, sassiest sleuth around and her deadpan dialogue gives the books a very distinct and satisfying flavour. Extra treats for her devotees in this volume include four-dimensional codes set by Marcus du Sautoy no less. Yep, Ruby is in a class of her own. ~ Andrea Reece For those looking for more mysteries to solve, Robin Stevens’s Murder Most Unladylike series should fit the bill, while Lemony Snicket’s All the Wrong Questions series matches the books for cleverness and humour.
I have this little sister Lola. She is small and very funny. Sometimes for a treat, Mum says, We are going to the shops and you may choose one thing. One thing to share? says Lola. I say, One thing for you and one thing for me, which means two actual things. Lola take on numbers in everyday life and bend them to her endearing and unique will.
Best-selling Lauren Child brings favourite super-sleuth thirteen-year-old Ruby Redfort back for a terrific new adventure – along with Hitch, her official protector. Hitch never thought minding Ruby would be fun but she is such a first class agent that he soon changed his mind. Now Ruby has a new enemy to try to stop. Who is he? That’s what makes Ruby’s job so hard. Her foe is invisible; she can only track him by feel! Lauren Child’s brilliant plot keeps readers guessing to the end! ~ Julia Eccleshare
May 2015 Book of the Month There’s a real vogue for girl detectives at the moment, but Ruby Redfort is far and away the smartest, and Lauren Child’s books easily the most stylishly written. This is Ruby’s third outing, and the thirteen-year old undercover agent is on a survival mission in the wilderness. She’s done all her homework, of course, but coping with nature calls for more than just knowing the facts: Ruby must learn to follow her instincts too. A sophisticated, sassy adventure that invites readers to work out the plot puzzles alongside Ruby, this is perfect for bright young readers. There’s no-one quite like Ruby – as she would say, “You better believe it, Buster!” ~ Andrea Reece
Charlie's little sister Lola is nearly big enough to go to school...but Lola is not so sure. She thinks it probably would be useful to read and write and count, but she doesn't really have time for lessons - she's much too busy doing extremely important things at home. And anyway, Lola's invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, is slightly nervous about going to school.
December 2014 Book of the Month Best-selling Lauren Child brings favourite super-sleuth thirteen-year-old Ruby Redfort back for a terrific new adventure – along with Hitch, her official protector. Hitch never thought minding Ruby would be fun but she is such a first class agent that he soon changed his mind. Now Ruby has a new enemy to try to stop. Who is he? That’s what makes Ruby’s job so hard. Her foe is invisible; she can only track him by feel! Lauren Child’s brilliant plot keeps readers guessing to the end!
One of our Books of the Year 2014 - September 2014 Book of the Month Best-selling Lauren Child, the creator of Charlie and Lola, captures perfectly the always difficult and sometimes terrible moment when a new sibling arrives. Elmore Green is used to being an only child. He likes being an only child because everything around him is for him alone. He can choose the TV channel to watch, he can leave his toys out and no one will mess them up and, best of all, his parents think he is the cleverest and funniest small person around. But then one day a new small person arrives….Elmore Green does not like that at all! How Elmore Green learns to love the new small person is full of emotional truths all of which are brilliantly captures in the witty text and stunning illustrations.
The irresistible Clarice Bean burst onto the world in a picture book which has now been reissued as a special 15 birthday edition. Through words and picture she introduces her wonderfully characterised family capturing their foibles and kindly recognising the different stresses and strains they are under. Favourites include her older brother Kurt who, his Mum says, is “in the dark tunnel of adolescence” which means he has to be left alone to do what he likes as much as possible, grandfather who spends a lot of time asleep in a chair with the cat on his head and Mum who is always trying to find some peace and quiet in which to be calm. Clarice is a charmingly feisty character herself as well as an excellent narrator on her own life. This multi award-winning, bestselling picture book is a classic tale of family life that will have you laughing out loud. Picture Books in the Clarice Bean series for 3+ Clarice Bean, That's Me Clarice Bean, My Uncle is a Hunkle Clarice Bean, What Planet Are You From?
The third book in the ice-cool Ruby Redfort series, by multi-million-copy bestselling author Lauren Child. This time, tigers are roaming the streets of Twinford, and it looks like someone has deliberately released some very rare and very dangerous animals. Things are going to get wild - and Ruby is going to get badly lost in the wilderness. The question is: will she ever make it out alive? Well, as always, you wouldn't want to bet against her...
June 2013 Book of the Month The second book in the Ruby series which follows the adventures of Ruby, a genius code-breaker, daring detective and gadget-laden special agent who just happens to be a thirteen-year-old girl. Ruby and her slick sidekick butler, Hitch, foil crimes and fend off evil villains remaining ice-cool in every crisis. The Ruby series began with Ruby Redfort: Look into My Eyes. Click here to download an extract.
An utterly special 10th anniversary edition beautifully designed in hardback with a full colour cloth binding of the very first Clarice Bean novel complete with stunning slipcase. A package to truly treasure. Moving beyond her family but using all her witty powers of observation, Clarice Bean fills her first novel with an account of her life outside home and especially inside school. She describes her teacher and classmates, including her UTTERLY best friend Betty Moody. How Clarice and Betty moody set about trying to win the prize for the best book project is hilarious. Why not check out Lauren’s author page on Lovereading4kids to see what other Clarice Bean titles there are, both picture books for the 3+ year old and Lauren’s novels featuring Clarice for 7+ year olds. Stories in the Clarice Bean Series for 7+ Utterly Me, Clarice Bean Clarice Bean Spells Trouble Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now
Join the multi-million-copy bestselling author Lauren Child, and meet your new favourite heroine... Ruby Redfort: detective, secret agent, thirteen-year-old kid. Everyone's favourite kid detective is back for a second mind-blowing instalment, packed with all the off-the-wall humour, action and friendship of the first book.
This beautiful new mini hardback of Lauren Child’s first picture book, is celebrating 15 years in print. The deliciously droll riddle of a story captures the essence of Lauren Child at her best – her ability to understand children, their likes and dislikes, and communicate without patronising – and her distinctive and quirky illustrations are sure to delight grown-ups and children alike. Perfect for reading aloud or an early reader for a child to enjoy by themselves.
Best-selling Lauren Child’s super sleuthing Ruby Redfort is a fast-talking, fast- thinking 13 year olds girl whose sharp eye for the unexpected leads her on some fantastic adventures – especially after she is recruited as a secret agency…The wise cracks flow fast as Ruby and her best friend and great side-kick Clancy, take up the challenges. Books in The Ruby Redfort Series: 1. Look into my Eyes 2. Take Your Last Breath 3. Catch Your Death 4. Feel the Fear 5. Pick Your Poison 6. Blink and You'll Die
Best-selling Charlie and Lola and their best friends Marve and Lotta are very excited to be going on a trip to London! They gaze up at Buckingham Palace and wonder which is the Queen’s Bedroom, they look in wonder at the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, they take a trip on the Thames and they pack in some science with a visit to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and the Planetarium. London is brought to life through the clever use of photomontage.
Ruby Redfort, the super-awesome new creation from multi-million-copy bestseller Lauren Child! Ruby Redfort: she's a genius code-cracker, a daring detective, and a gadget-laden special agent who just happens to be a thirteen-year-old girl. She and her slick side-kick butler, Hitch, foil crimes and get into loads of scrapes with evil villains, but they're always ice-cool in a crisis. Find out all the confidential information about Ruby Redfort at her own website rubyredfort.com or her facebook page facebook.com/rubyredfort
An absolutely new and completely original Charlie and Lola picture book in paperback, from the award-winning and bestselling author and illustrator, Lauren Child.
Greenaway Award winner in 2000. Special edition hardback book.Witty, colourful and unpredictable this is a delightful picture book that has a very original presentation. With a fussy eater at its core we discover that various vegetables come from all manner of planets in space so that by the end of it even Lola is happy to empty her plate. It’s a must in every home and will genuinely help to make your child less fussy. To find out more about this book CLICK HERE to visit the Carnegie Greenaway site
Charlie and Lola have an exciting day out as they search for their friends Marv and Lotta. There’s lots to do and see in every one of Lauren Child’s entertaining and empowering illustrations.
One of the most delightful and quirky characters of modern fiction. Clarice Bean’s views on her family, school, her friends and much more are all wittily described in the frankly written stories she tells about herself. Clarice is defined by her big family, “I’m not an only child, but sometimes I wish I was. My family is six people, which is sometimes too many.” These stories about Clarice brilliantly capture the small but seemingly hugely important ups and downs of childhood. Beautifully produced and fully illustrated in black and white, each book is a treat and gathered together in an attractive slipcase they make a perfect present.
A visual treat and a wonderfully witty story, this is also a wonderfully liberating story and a good warning to all about over-pampering and protecting a dog – or anyone else! Trixie Twinkle Toes is loved and cherished and petted and pampered. She is groomed and dressed and medicated and cosseted. But Trixie Twinkle Toes yearns for a real life. She wants to roll in the mud and catch sticks and, most of all, to step in puddles… Can she persuade her owner to let her?
Clarice Bean is a funky character with real girl power. All she wants is a bit of peace and quiet, away from her family whom many of us will recognise only too well. They include her older brother Kurt who, his Mum says, is “in the dark tunnel of adolescence” which means he has to be left alone to do what he likes as much as possible, grandfather who spends a lot of time asleep in a chair with the cat on his head and Mum who is always trying to find some peace and quiet in which to be calm. Clarice is a charmingly feisty character herself as well as an excellent narrator on her own life.
Moving beyond her family but using all her witty powers of observation, Clarice Bean fills her first novel with an account of her life outside home and especially inside school. She describes her teacher and classmates, including her UTTERLY best friend Betty Moody. How Clarice and Betty moody set about trying to win the prize for the best book project is hilarious. Why not check out Lauren’s author page on Lovereading4kids. Enjoy this story even more with the accompanying audio CD.
The third picture book in the award-winning, bestselling Clarice Bean series! Packed with quirky details and humour, this is perfect for children who are ready to start making the transition from younger picture books to independent reading. Sparking conversations about climate change, eco-activism and making a difference. Picture Books in the Clarice Bean series for 3+ Clarice Bean, That's Me Clarice Bean, My Uncle is a Hunkle Clarice Bean, What Planet Are You From?
The second picture book in the award-winning, bestselling Clarice Bean series! Packed with quirky details and humour, this is perfect for children who are ready to start making the transition from younger picture books to independent reading. Picture Books in the Clarice Bean series for 3+ Clarice Bean, That's Me Clarice Bean, My Uncle is a Hunkle Clarice Bean, What Planet Are You From?
Clarice Bean is back and starring in her second novel! Created by Children's Laureate Lauren Child and read by Claire Skinner, star of the BBC's 'Outnumbered'. There are so many things in life you can't explain. Like why isn't YOU spelt U? Why isn't WHY spelt Y? And why can just opening your mouth get you into some very BIG trouble? Clarice Bean is in non-stop trouble these days - almost as much as Karl Wrenbury, and he is the naughtiest boy in school. Clarice just wants to star in the school play and impress Mrs Wilberton in the spelling bee, but things aren't quite going to plan . . . Lauren Child is a Kate Greenaway Medal winner and the creator of the bestselling Charlie & Lola series.
Bright images held within an attractive board book introduce a host of different actions as they show Charlie and Lola skipping, hopping, bouncing, s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g and more.
Favourite characters Charlie and Lola show off the clothes they love in this attractive, brightly coloured board book. Gloves, socks, bobble hats, a dress and trousers – all are almost touchable in these bold illustrations.
A green message within a beautiful picture book. Loveable Charlie and Lola give all kinds of useful tips about the contribution they, and all other children, can make to looking after our planet. In Lauren Child’s witty illustrations, Charlie and Lola show how you can recycle almost everything – and what happens to the rubbish when you do so, how they can conserve energy themselves by showering instead of bathing and how they can look to the future by planting their own tree. Why not check out our Lauren Child page to see which other titles we have featured here on Lovereading4kids.
Exploring from his dustbin home in Grubby Alley, the Pesky Rat of the title takes a look at how his friends who are pets, such as Andrew the Scottie Dog and Nibbles the lop-eared rabbit, live. Could he live like that too? The Pesky Rat dreams and plans. He will make his escape one day. Proceeds from this UNESCO edition will go to the charity’s programme for the Education of Children in Need.
Loveable Charlie and Lola decide to take a grip on their rubbish. But they are not just going to throw it away. Instead, they decide to recycle it. As they set about paper, plastic, cans and the rest, Charlie explains to Lola how recycling can save trees. Soon Lola is sharing with her friends the value of recycling…Full of important information within an attractive story format. The Lovereading comment: The perfect book to develop the youngest toddlers into caring for the planet and who better to teach them than the irresistible comic duo of Charlie and Lola.
Charlie and Lola are back for a new set of adventures. As ever, Charlie has to try to help his little sister. And she doesn’t want help!
Lauren Child’s trademark witty illustrations introduce different shapes that children will come across. Some are formal, recognised shapes such as the oval of an egg or the heart shape of a butterfly; some are humorous such as the fiddly shapes of snowflakes and the flowery shapes on a dress. Each spread is a delight. If you’re looking for other great books for this age range then go to our Babies and Toddlers category.
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal 2000 | Witty, colourful and unpredictable this is a delightful picture book that has a very original presentation. With a fussy eater at its core we discover that various vegetables come from all manner of planets in space so that by the end of it even Lola is happy to empty her plate. It’s a must in every home and will genuinely help to make your child less fussy.
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal 2000 | Winner of the 2000 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Witty, colourful and unpredictable this is a delightful picture book that has a very original presentation. With a fussy eater at its core we discover that various vegetables come from all manner of planets in space so that by the end of it even Lola is happy to empty her plate. It’s a must in every home and will genuinely help to make your child less fussy. (0-5)To find out more about this book CLICK HERE to visit the Carnegie Greenaway site
A nice-to handle- Charlie and Lola board book using artwork form the original titles to introduce simple counting. Fun just to look at as well as an introduction to numbers.
Favourite TV characters Charlie and Lola explore the differences between big and small, few and many, off and on and other opposites. A bold photographic illustration on each page of this sturdy board book makes it easy to grasp the points. If you’re looking for other great books for this age range then go to our Babies and Toddlers category.
Feisty Clarice Bean is back for new adventures. A bit older and a bit wiser, she is also thinking about all the things that she should be worrying about. To help, she makes a list of all her worries like ‘change’, ‘can one live of toast alone’ and ‘having to go back to school after the holidays’. Everyone will recognise Clarice’s anxieties and enjoy her resolution of them.
There are so many things in life you can't explain. Like why isn't YOU spelt U? Why isn't WHY spelt Y? And why can just opening your mouth get you into some very BIG trouble? Clarice Bean is in non-stop trouble these days - almost as much as Karl Wrenbury, and he is the naughtiest boy in school. Clarice just wants to star in the school play and impress Mrs Wilberton in the spelling bee, but things aren't quite going to plan . .
Moving beyond her family but using all her witty powers of observation, Clarice Bean fills her first novel with an account of her life outside home and especially inside school. She describes her teacher and classmates, including her UTTERLY best friend Betty Moody. How Clarice and Betty moody set about trying to win the prize for the best book project is hilarious. Why not check out Lauren’s author page on Lovereading4kids to see what other Clarice Bean titles there are, both picture books for the 3+ year old and Lauren’s novels featuring Clarice for 7+ year olds.
Witty, colourful and unpredictable this is a delightful picture book that has a very original presentation. With a fussy eater at its core we discover that various vegetables come from all manner of planets in space so that by the end of it even Lola is happy to empty her plate. It’s a must in every home and will genuinely help to make your child less fussy.
Winner of the 2000 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Witty, colourful and unpredictable this is a delightful picture book that has a very original presentation. With a fussy eater at its core we discover that various vegetables come from all manner of planets in space so that by the end of it even Lola is happy to empty her plate. It’s a must in every home and will genuinely help to make your child less fussy. (0-5)To find out more about this book CLICK HERE to visit the Carnegie Greenaway site
Best-selling Lauren Child’s super sleuthing Ruby Redfort is a fast-talking, fast- thinking 13 year olds girl whose sharp eye for the unexpected leads her on some fantastic adventures – especially after she is recruited as a secret agency…The wise cracks flow fast as Ruby and her best friend and great side-kick Clancy, take up the challenges. Books in The Ruby Redfort Series: 1. Look into my Eyes 2. Take Your Last Breath 3. Catch Your Death 4. Feel the Fear 5. Pick Your Poison 6. Blink and You'll Die
In a nutshell: Nobody beats Ruby Redfort! | Blink and You Die is the very last book in Lauren Child’s superb Ruby Redfort girl detective series, and what a finale it is! Someone, someone even more dangerous and ruthless than Ruby’s arch enemy The Count, is out to get Ruby. What should she do? Stay indoors and wait for someone else to do something? Or go out there, root out the trouble and save herself? With Ruby, there’s only ever one option: death or glory! A typically fabulous story of revelations, mushrooms and double crossings follows culminating in a wonderful scene that has some characters literally hanging by an eyelash, and all loose ends elegantly tied up. No-one could ever match Ruby for brains, panache or pzazz, and she will be sorely missed! There are wonderfully independent girl sleuths in Robin Stevens’s popular Murder Most Unladylike series, while Caleb Crisp’s Ivy Pocket books are inventive, stylish, idiosyncratic mysteries too.
The multi award-winning past Children’s Laureate demonstrated, with her best-selling Charlie and Lola series, that she has an exquisite touch in depicting family dynamics, sibling relationships, how children’s minds work and how they talk to each other. In this brilliant new book, her unerring eye might even cause a little discomfort in some families and classrooms. Caregivers and teachers may recognise that they have unconsciously developed a certain narrative about certain children. Chirton Krauss is a very good child by inclination and his kind nature. His sister Myrtle is never described as good and in a self-fulfilling prophesy, continues not to be good. Her behaviour has consequences (not invited to any parties) but generally she ‘gets away’ with it so that others can have a quiet life. But the glances and body language of the siblings that Child captures so well, show us very clearly that this is not the whole story. Chirton begins to question the unfairness of this situation since he really, really does not like broccoli (I love how Child captures in many of her books the heightened significance we have given vegetables in our children’s lives). The consequences of his acting out mean that Myrtle gets a chance to be good (and attend a party for a child, new to the neighbourhood, who does not know her reputation) and in delicious irony gets given a Goody Bag! We realise that Myrtle has been unjustly compartmentalised just as much as Chirton has a reputation to live up to. This clever and amusing tale will prompt plenty of discussion about behaviour and fairness and it absolutely defends the rights of the child to be themselves and not just our vision of them, as befits a book written by a Unesco Artist for Peace. Find out more about Lauren Child, her books, characters and inspirations in our Guest Editor feature.
The irresistible Clarice Bean burst onto the world in a picture book which has now been reissued as a special 20 birthday edition and CD. Through words and picture she introduces her wonderfully characterised family capturing their foibles and kindly recognising the different stresses and strains they are under. Favourites include her older brother Kurt who, his Mum says, is “in the dark tunnel of adolescence” which means he has to be left alone to do what he likes as much as possible, grandfather who spends a lot of time asleep in a chair with the cat on his head and Mum who is always trying to find some peace and quiet in which to be calm. Clarice is a charmingly feisty character herself as well as an excellent narrator on her own life. This multi award-winning, bestselling picture book is a classic tale of family life that will have you laughing out loud.
Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent is back in this hilarious and gloriously illustrated book for ages six and up from the superstar creator of Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child. These stories are about the days when the Bobton-Trents had it cushy, very cushy indeed. The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth - socialising, doing things, buying things and generally being more than a little bit ... irresponsible... Luckily for them, their son Hubert Horatio is an exceptionally intelligent, talented and sensible child. Unluckily for Hubert, this tends to mean that a lot of his spare time is spent steering his rather unruly set of grown-ups out of trouble. Legendary children's writer and Waterstones Children's Laureate 2017-2019 Lauren Child revisits one of her most popular characters in these brand-new, laugh-out-loud stories about the rather unconventional Bobton-Trents! The perfect gift for children aged six and up.
A brilliant Charlie and Lola board book story from multi-award-winning author and Children's Laureate Lauren Child! Lola wants a dog - but the qualities of her perfect pooch seem oddly like those of a ... rabbit! Silly, surprising, thoughtful and fun, Charlie and Lola are on top form in this fantastically funny story, packed full of dogs of every shape, size and colour. Lauren Child's endlessly endearing characters and inimitable humour will be a sure-fire hit with existing and new fans - this is the perfect tale for anyone who has ever imagined what having the perfect pet would be like. A new Charlie and Lola story is the gold standard in picture books - the perfect read-aloud that both children and parents will love. Discover more hilarious original picture books about Charlie and Lola: Charlie and Lola: I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato Charlie and Lola: I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed Charlie and Lola: I Am Too Absolutely Small for School Charlie and Lola: Slightly Invisible Charlie and Lola: One Thing
Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent is back in this hilarious and gloriously illustrated book for ages six and up from the superstar creator of Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child. These stories are about the days when the Bobton-Trents had it cushy, very cushy indeed. The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth - socialising, doing things, buying things and generally being more than a little bit ... irresponsible... Luckily for them, their son Hubert Horatio is an exceptionally intelligent, talented and sensible child. Unluckily for Hubert, this tends to mean that a lot of his spare time is spent steering his rather unruly set of grown-ups out of trouble. Legendary children's writer and Waterstones Children's Laureate 2017-2019 Lauren Child revisits one of her most popular characters in these brand-new, laugh-out-loud stories about the rather unconventional Bobton-Trents! The perfect gift for children aged six and up.
A brilliant new Charlie and Lola picture book from multi-award-winning author and Children's Laureate Lauren Child! Lola wants a dog - but the qualities of her perfect pooch seem oddly like those of a ... rabbit! Silly, surprising, thoughtful and fun, Charlie and Lola are on top form in this fantastically funny story, packed full of dogs of every shape, size and colour. Lauren Child's endlessly endearing characters and inimitable humour will be a sure-fire hit with existing and new fans - this is the perfect tale for anyone who has ever imagined what having the perfect pet would be like. A new Charlie and Lola story is the gold standard in picture books - the perfect read-aloud that both children and parents will love. Discover more hilarious original picture books about Charlie and Lola: Charlie and Lola: I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato Charlie and Lola: I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed Charlie and Lola: I Am Too Absolutely Small for School Charlie and Lola: Slightly Invisible Charlie and Lola: One Thing
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