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Alex T. Smith has worked as a writer and illustrator since graduating in 2006. He is the creator of the bestselling Claude series of early readers, which are soon to appear in their own TV series on Disney Junior. Alex lives in Warwickshire. This is his first commission for Walker Books.
Little mouse Winston stars in a perfect Christmas adventure. Even for a mouse, he’s small but Winston’s got a big heart and when he finds a lost letter for Father Christmas he’s determined to see it delivered. His expedition is full of challenges, but along the way he’s helped by some equally warm-hearted and generous animals, including a beautiful white cat and a rat who ‘works’ at the famous Fortesque’s department store. Winston’s good deed is rewarded and the little mouse finds a warm bed and a new family for Christmas. The book is divided into 24 ½ chapters – one a day for 1st – 24th December plus a treat for Christmas morning! Interspersed are festive craft activities too and there can’t be a better book to set readers up for Christmas. Alex T Smith’s illustrations are gorgeous – big, busy and dramatic scenes but always with our little hero centre stage.
Little mouse Winston stars in a perfect Christmas adventure. Even for a mouse, he’s small but Winston’s got a big heart and when he finds a lost letter for Father Christmas he’s determined to see it delivered. His expedition is full of challenges, but along the way he’s helped by some equally warm-hearted and generous animals, including a beautiful white cat and a rat who ‘works’ at the famous Fortesque’s department store. Winston’s good deed is rewarded and the little mouse finds a warm bed and a new family for Christmas. The book is divided into 24 ½ chapters – one a day for 1st – 24th December plus a treat for Christmas morning! Interspersed are festive craft activities too and there can’t be a better book to set readers up for Christmas. Alex T Smith’s illustrations are gorgeous – big, busy and dramatic scenes but always with our little hero centre stage.
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month April 2018 | Award-winning David Almond’s new story for younger reader is a delightfully lightly told, warm-hearted story perfect for all those who are willing believe in a little bit of something special. When a little angel turns up in Bert’s pocket as he drives the bus all kinds of remarkable things begin to happen. Bert takes Angelino home to Betty and he brings great happiness into their lives. When Betty takes Angelino to school he delights the children too. Only the acting Head Teacher Mrs Mole, her horrible side-kick Professor Smellie and the imposter of a school inspector are untouched by his magical qualities. But who is Angelino? David Almond inspires readers’ imagination and raises questions about definitions of good and bad. It is a Wonderful book.
Ella is a little ladybird with big dreams. Her ugly wasp stepsisters make her do all the housework, all of the time, and Ella feels very sad. Then one day the famous Parisian artist Pierre decides to throw a Grand Bug Ball - and Ella's life is about to change forever...
In a nutshell: jolly seasonal adventures for ever-dapper Claude Alex T Smith’s stories about Claude and his friend Sir Bobblysock are absolutely delightful and with their short extent and cartoon style layout are particularly suitable for newly-confident readers. In this festive special our two heroes find themselves having to take over from Santa Claus at short notice when Claude accidentally handcuffs him to a chair, thinking he’s a burglar. They’ve only managed to get to five houses by midnight, but fortunately Claude’s friend PC Anne Cuffs arrives and manages to set Father Christmas free. Text and illustrations are as jaunty as Claude’s beret and this is a festive treat from beginning to end. ~ Andrea Reece
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8 | Teenage love is the subject of Juno Dawson’s thoroughly creepy new book for Barrington Stoke: ‘I think we love more freely… more playfully, with reckless abandon’, says Eliza to her boyfriend Sam shortly before she is killed in a car crash, which almost explains his actions after her death. Sam’s grief is all-encompassing, and he is prepared to do absolutely anything to see her again… It’s a genuinely chilling story, but Dawson keeps a playfulness there too, and finally leads Sam back to hopes of a happy future. Beautiful full page illustrations by Alex T Smith send more shivers down the spine; one to read with all the lights on. Readers gripped by this dark story would enjoy short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, M R James and E F Benson. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic teen readers.
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award May 2017 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month May 2017 Award-winning David Almond’s new story for younger reader is a delightfully lightly told, warm-hearted story perfect for all those who are willing believe in a little bit of something special. When a little angel turns up in Bert’s pocket as he drives the bus all kinds of remarkable things begin to happen. Bert takes Angelino home to Betty and he brings great happiness into their lives. When Betty takes Angelino to school he delights the children too. Only the acting Head Teacher Mrs Mole, her horrible side-kick Professor Smellie and the imposter of a school inspector are untouched by his magical qualities. But who is Angelino? David Almond inspires readers’ imagination and raises questions about definitions of good and bad. It is a Wonderful book. ~ Julia Eccleshare. Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for May 2017 The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue King of the Sky by Nicoloa Davies A Story Like the Wind by Gill Lewis King Coo by Adam Stower The Tale of Angelino Brown by David Almond Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman The Big Bird Spot by Matt Sewell
From the World Book Day Illustrator 2014 comes a brand-new tale about Claude, the bestselling beret-clad canine hero.
Winner of the UKLA 2016 Book Award in the 3 - 6 year old category. | Little Red Riding Hood transposed to an African town setting where a lion is really no match for a clever small girl. The inventive layout of the text and its relationship to the witty, beautifully coloured illustrations really enhance the child friendly storytelling. The empowering portrayal of different cultures and a heroine who is not a naive victim ensure that this will become a classic for the classroom and the nursery. A wonderfully engaging classic fairy tale with a twist by the bestselling Alex T. Smith.
March 2014 Debut of the Month A fun-filled new picture book about the power of good with quirky illustrations from award-winning Alex T. Smith. Boys in particular will love the story of Hector, a tiny little boy with a big, brave heart who goes on an adventure to rescue his granny's wand from a big bad knight.
March 2014 Debut of the Month A fun-filled new picture book about the power of good with quirky illustrations from award-winning Alex T. Smith.
Ella is a little ladybird with big dreams. Her ugly wasp stepsisters make her do all the housework, all of the time, and Ella feels very sad. Then one day the famous Parisian artist Pierre decides to throw a Grand Bug Ball - and Ella's life is about to change forever...
The first in a fantastically funny series from award-winning author of Dogs Don't Do Ballet, Anna Kemp, with illustrations from the creator of the bestselling Claude series Alex T Smith! When Frankie Blewitt brings home yet another F-for-failure school report it's the last straw for his overachieving parents and they decide to send him to the Crammar Grammar boarding school. At first he is just relieved to be away from home, but he soon realises that there's something really weird going on at Crammar Grammar... As Frankie tries to find out the secrets of the school he discovers that the headmaster, Dr Gore, has plans to turn all the students into robot-like super-brains using his Brain-drain machine! With the help of his new friends Neet and Wes, Alphonsine his crazy French nanny and a poodle named Colette, can Frankie save the day before it's too late and change the F-for- failure to F-for-fantastic? `...vigorously comic, and the plot's twists and turns are expertly judged...a bonkers treat' The Financial Times `[Anna Kemp] is a name to watch out for' Caroline Horn in The Bookseller 'An action-packed story full of humour, and illustrated with quirky black-and-white line drawings - the perfect combination for newly confident readers and a brilliant, boisterous book to share' Close Up Magazine
From the author of Watership Downcomes an enchanting picture book about the adventures of a mischievous homemade dragon. Whatever you've lost, Egg Box Dragon will find it. He's retrieved missing footballs, glasses and watches aplenty. He's so expert at cracking mysteries that the Queen herself requests his services. Will Egg Box Dragon find the missing diamond from the Queen's crown? Richard Adams, author of Watership Down, was awarded both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Award for children's fiction. A new mini series of Watership Down will premiere Christmas 2018 on BBC1 and launch globally on Netflix Spring 2019, featuring the voices of Olivia Colman and Freddie Fox, amongst others. Author-illustrator Alex T. Smith is the award-winning creator of the Claude series, now a TV show on Disney Junior.
Best-selling author Richard Adams’s spins a delightful and magical story of a toy dragon who comes to life and brings all kinds of surprises when he does so. Although only made from egg boxes, Emma’s toy dragon turns out to have a variety of skills. He is good at roaring, great at breathing fire and outstanding at finding things that have gone missing. Luckily, the Egg Box Dragon is on hand when the Queen looses the biggest diamond from her crown. Soon it is safely back in its place and Emma and her Dragon enjoy a slap-up royal tea in return. Alex T Smith’s vibrant illustrations bring the quirky story to life. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Foxy DuBois is on a mission to get rich quick. Only one thing stands in her way - Alphonso the Alligator! Can Foxy's hair-brained schemes make enough money to keep Alphonso fed? Or will Foxy DuBois find herself on the menu? An hilarious new series for young readers from an award-winning author-illustrator team. Alex's first fiction series - Claude - was selected for the Richard and Judy Children's Book Club and the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize, and he is the World Book Day Illustrator 2014. Caryl has been shortlisted for the Red House Award and won many awards, including the Stockport Award.
When you're a princess, you can do whatever you like. Or can you? Life for Princess Primrose is rather dull because she's not allowed to climb trees, dig up muddy vegetables or even splash in the fountain. Everyone in the royal household is properly proper, and Primrose longs to have some serious FUN. But things take a turn for the better when Primrose's Grandmama comes for a visit and reminds everyone never to say no to a spot of fun. A gorgeous new picture book by Alex T. Smith that reminds us to giggle. PICTURE BOOKS BY ALEX T. SMITH Ella Hector and the Big Bad Knight Home Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion Princess Primrose
Inspired by Enid Blyton's bestselling school series The Naughtiest Girl - this is the hilarious diary of the naughtiest pupil there's ever been. Fans of Tom Gates will love this! 'Mum says pupils aren't allowed to take mobile devices to Whyteleafe ... excuse me? It's the twenty-first century! What next? Ride to school on a penny-farthing?' When Elizabeth Allen is packed off to boarding school, armed with nothing but a journal to write in for entertainment, she is NOT impressed. How will she survive without her home comforts, especially her pony Ross (the only boy she has ever truly loved)? Elizabeth comes up with a cunning plan: she will be so naughty that she gets sent home . . . But then Elizabeth discovers a love for music and makes her first ever friend ... perhaps school life might not be as bad as she thought? The Diary of the Naughtiest Girl is written by bestselling author Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Alex T. Smith, acclaimed creator of the Claude books.
Watch out! Mums have superpowers! Milo's mum always knows what he's up to. She knows when he's using her saucepans to brew up magic spells. She knows when he's bouncing on his bed. She even knows when he's wrestling with giant sea monsters in the bath! But how does she do it? There can only be one answer: she must have X-RAY VISION! So one day Milo decides to put Mum's powers to the test... A brilliantly funny picture book from bestselling Alex T Smith.
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2010. Shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2010. A Richard and Judy Children's Book Club selection 2011 - Fluent Readers Irresistibly ridiculous, this is a wonderful and enchanting romp from a master storyteller. Every year at the Summer Meeting of Unusual Creatures the annual task is set. This year, the task is formidable! Ivo, an un-magical boy, a hag, a troll and a wizard all set about it with the greatest misgivings. The question is, once they have got their courage up, will they succeed? ~ Julia Eccleshare ***Eva's son, Toby Ibbotson, is now continuing the tradition of storytelling with his debut novel Mountwood School for Ghosts which is based on an original idea by Eva Ibbotson.
Foxy DuBois and Alphonso the Alligator find themselves in a very tight place. Can they escape? Or will it be a life behind bars for these two hapless rogues? This is the third title in an hilarious series for young readers from an award-winning author-illustrator team. Alex's first fiction series - Claude - was selected for the Richard and Judy Children's Book Club and the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and has been optioned for TV by Sixteen South. Alex is the World Book Day Illustrator 2014. Follow him at http://alextsmith.blogspot.co.uk and http://twitter.com/Alex_T_Smith Caryl has been shortlisted for the Red House Award and won many awards including the Stockport Award. Follow her at www.carylhart.com and http:/twitter.com/carylhart1 'Wildly illustrated on every page by Alex T. Smith. Early reading made highly enjoyable.' Independent on Sunday
Foxy DuBois is on a mission to get rich quick. Only one thing stands in her way - Alphonso the Alligator! Can Foxy's hair-brained schemes make enough money to keep Alphonso fed? Or will Foxy DuBois find herself on the menu? This is the second title in an hilarious new series for young readers from an award-winning author-illustrator team. Alex's first fiction series - Claude - was selected for the Richard and Judy Children's Book Club and the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and has been optioned for TV by Sixteen South. He is the World Book Day illustrator 2014. Caryl has been shortlisted for the Red House Award and won many awards including the Stockport Award. Alex is the World Book Day Illustrator 2014. Follow him at http://alextsmith.blogspot.co.uk and http://twitter.com/Alex_T_Smith These crazy characters also star in their very own picture books - Foxy Vs Egg and Catch us if you Can-Can. Alex's first fiction series, the bestselling Claude was selected for the Richard and Judy Children's Book Club and Waterstone's Children's Book Prize.
Great adventures for Superhero Eliot as he steps in to prevent all kinds of mishaps. Saving a ship from crashing onto the rocks and tracking down the stolen crown jewels are just part of the day’s work. But, come bedtime, Eliot is just a very tired little boy.
Once there was a house, a house that was a home... When four best friends decide they want to try living somewhere new, their differences drive them to go their separate ways, and they each take a piece of the house with them. But soon they learn just what makes a house a home. With a clever and reassuring resolution, this warm, witty tale about breaking up and making up will charm children and adults alike.
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