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Find out moreA World Book Day Illustrator 2019
Laura Ellen Anderson is a professional children's book author and illustrator, with an increasing addiction to coffee (that is when she's not trying to take over the world or fighting sock-stealing monsters). She spends every waking hour creating and drawing and would quite like to live on the moon when humans finally make it possible.
Her nickname happens to be Lil and as a child she was convinced her comics were best-sellers, although looking back they make absolutely no sense at all! She loves being sucked into other worlds while bringing stories to life through her drawings.
A cry of frustration that will be familiar to every child, ‘I don’t want to be small’ here becomes a celebration of imagination, friendship and learning to be happy with who you are. Our hero is fed up being small, and designs a variety of ingenious ways to get tall quick. When none of them work, he throws his teddy up in the air in exasperation, only for the poor bear to get stuck in a tree, too high to reach. Even the nice girl who offers to help isn’t tall enough, though perhaps together they can solve the problem. Beautifully child-centred, this is immense fun to read aloud and Laura Ellen Anderson’s illustrations are full of energy and charm.
Fang-tastic for newly confident readers, these gorgeously illustrated stories are full of excitement, and little vampire Amelia is as cheerful, resourceful and generous heroine as you could want. In this adventure she and her friends are heading off for a week away with the rangers. They’re expecting outdoor games and activities, but end up teeny-tiny thanks to a curse, a curse they can only lift by mending a broken heart. They do of course, and make lots of new friends along the way, including a regal bee and kind-hearted mermaid. With a fabulous set of characters, these stories are always lots of fun, a quirky mix of the everyday – feelings and friendships – with other-worldly, slightly ghoulish goings-on. Laura Ellen Anderson has lots of fun with the plots and language, and these are deservedly popular. Readers who enjoy Amelia’s escapades will also enjoy A Moon Girl Stole My Friend by Rebecca Patterson.
November 2018 Book of the Month | Fizzing with style, energy and charm here’s a new adventure for little witches Tiga and Fluffanora and it proves to be their most testing yet! Idabelle Bat has invited them to join The Points, here super-cool and exclusive gang – but why? The one thing they know about Idabelle is that she is NOT to be trusted … As ever the story zips along as though on fairy wings, sprinkled with fashion and fun, and these gorgeous little books are hard to beat for style and substance. Readers who like Tiga and Fluffanora will also enjoy the Amelia Fang stories by illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson, and Sibeal Pounder’s Bad Mermaids series.
March 2018 Book of the Month | In a nutshell: gothic fun and games with gorgeous cast of characters There’s a wonderfully eccentric Addams-family-esque cast of characters in Laura Ellen Anderson’s gorgeous new series, the special friendship between them giving these little stories real oomph. In this episode little vampire Amelia heads out of Nocturnia into the very different world of the Kingdom of Light. She’s accompanied by friends Florence the Yeti, Grimaldi and Squashy, her pet pumpkin, as well as Tangine – the plan is to find his missing mother, Fairyweather, who disappeared when Tangine was just a baby. An unfortunate altercation with a grumpy wishing well means that the grown up in the party is quickly transformed into a bee, so the little group are on their own. The stories are told with real style and humour; the illustrations, also by Laura Ellen Anderson, are equally delightful and this is a great new series. ~ Andrea Reece A series to recommend to fans of the Witch Wars or Isadora Moon books.
In a nutshell: absolutely fabulous mix of magical fun and fashion Hold on to your hats, it’s Witchoween in Sinksville, when everyone gets out their best party frocks and parties! As part of the celebrations Tiga has been asked to make a documentary about Sinksville’s most famous witches. Her friend Fluffanora has appointed herself Head of Wardrobe, but Tiga can’t help wondering why Peggy is so insistent that she and Fran are the directors … Sibeal Pounder’s stories fizz with fun and energy, and her characters grow more appealing with each book. Liberally sprinkled with Laura Ellen Anderson’s stylish black and white illustrations the books look gorgeous too and this one is filled with suggestions for ways readers can stage some Sinksville celebrations of their own. ~ Andrea Reece One for fans of The Worst Witch, Harriet Whitehorn’s Violet stories and the Royal Babysitters series by Clementine Beauvais.
A rib-tickling, rollicking (all the rollicking it has to be said, is done by the 6 inch high Wee Free Men) adventure with just enough scary fairies to make anyone a little wary of Fairyland. Tiffany Aching has decided she would like to be a witch, which is good, as the land needs Tiffany to be a witch to stop the bad things from Fairyland crossing over into reality. Forming part of the truly wonderful Discworld series, the five Tiffany Aching books are described as being for ‘younger readers’, and I’m quite happy to class myself in that category as Terry Pratchett’s books have the ability to reach out and touch (and sometimes rugby tackle) your thoughts no matter how old you look on the outside. Terry Pratchett hatched a world that is nearly as absurd and almost as sane as our own, and then he ran with it…a long, long way. ‘The Wee Free Men’, the first of the Tiffany Aching books, is a very funny, slightly scary, fizzing fire-cracker of a read, and I whole heartedly recommend it. PS - leave the frying pans to Tiffany! ~ Liz Robinson The Tiffany Aching Discworld books are in order: The Wee Free Men A Hat Full of Sky Wintersmith I Shall Wear Midnight The Shepherd’s Crown
What can a girl do when her hair is just so very, very curly? She tries smoothing it and stretching it and brushing it and weighing it down. Nothing works! The curls just come boooing back again. But is it better if you hair is absolutely straight? An ebullient picture book which captures the problem of hair in an entertaining and warm-hearted way. ~ Julia Eccleshare
In a nutshell: rhyming pirate fun just right for newly independent readers | Children ready to move from picture books to chapter books will love the antics of junior pirate Swashbuckle Lil. There are two breath-taking adventures in this book delivered in irresistible rhyme, and illustrated with buccaneering brio on every page by Laura Ellen Anderson. Once again Lil and her parrot – named Carrot – come up against her arch enemy Stinkbeard, first on a school trip to the museum then at a friend’s party. Parents may feel that her battles with Stinkbeard are all in Lil’s head, but young readers will absolutely understand ‘That Lil was a pirate, a fearless young pirate, and all her adventures were true.’ ~ Andrea Reece
This is the fourth book about young witch Tiga Whicabim and she gains more fans with each new episode. Reunited with her long-lost mum Gretal Green, Tiga is settled in Silver City and set to live happily ever after. But Tiga always ends up at the centre of an incredible and wild adventure, and this time is no different – she needs to rescue her friend Fran from, of all things, a jelly castle. Wildly inventive and told at breakneck speed, the Witch Wars stories crackle with energy and it’s impossible to resist the appeal of Tiga, her friends and the assorted inhabitants of Sinkville. Stylish design and layout and Laura Ellen Anderson’s gorgeous illustrations make this as fun to look at as it is to read. One for fans of The Worst Witch, Harriet Whitehorn’s Violet stories and the Royal Babysitters series by Clementine Beauvais. ~ Andrea Reece
Late one evening as the stars begin to twinkle, Harper and her friends are flying on the scarlet umbrella when they see a girl running on air, skipping along a tightrope. She leads them to the Circus of Dreams, suspended in the air by hot air balloons. As the children meet the mermaid acrobat, the spectacular circus baker, the mysterious fortune teller and the acrobatics troop, they begin to realise something about Harper's past...
July 2016 Book of the Month | In a nutshell : aliens invade Bromley The follow-up to David Solomon’s prize-winning sci-fi comedy My Brother is a Superhero delivers just as much in the way of tension, adventure and laughs. Still resentful of his now superhero big brother, Luke inadvertently gets his own back by revealing that sulky teen Cara is the kryptonite to Zack’s Superman. Unfortunately, this plays into the hands of aliens intent on invading Earth and forcing its inhabitants to watch reality TV for the rest of time. The action is as fast and funny as ever, and the in-jokes possibly even better. Young readers will love this and parents, it would make the perfect bedtime read – some of those jokes are too good just for the young! For more witty alien adventures, firmly rooted in family life, see Frank Cottrell Boyce’s The Astounding Broccoli Boy and Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth. ~ Andrea Reece The Editor at Nosy Crow says: “My Brother is a Superhero set the bar high, but this sequel does not fall short – it’s just as crammed with laughs, adventure, wit and emotional depth. And Serge. Magnifique!”
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | June 2016 Book of the Month Lil might look like an ordinary schoolgirl, but under her jumper and vest she’s a pirate! When the thoroughly rotten Stinkbeard arrives Lil flies into battle against him, because Lil is a pirate who’ll do what is right, if it takes her all night – and no matter what her teacher Miss Lubber says. Lil is able to defeat Stinkbeard, once using school dinner as ammunition, and still come first in the sack race! Is Lil really a pirate? Parents and children might disagree, but everyone will enjoy her antics. Told in jolly rhyme that makes reading the stories particularly fun and easy and with lively black and white illustrations on every page these are the perfect step up from picture books to chapter books. Readers who enjoy Lil’s adventures will also like the Squishy McFluff stories and Alex T Smith’s series about Claude. ~ Andrea Reece
Sibeal Pounder’s Witch Wars books are absolutely fabulous! A mix of junior witch adventures, magic and fashion, they are totally original and become more appealing with each new book (this is number three). After the Big Exit, all colour disappeared from Sinkville, where young witch Tiga Whicabim has been living happily since she escaped there down the drainpipe in book one. But strange things are happening, first a green – yes, green – apple appears, swiftly followed by Tiga’s nasty former guardian Miss Heks, in orange. What’s happening and could evil witch Celia Crayfish be next to arrive? With its crazy situations, cast of eccentric characters, sparkling writing, and fashion fixes, this fiction à la mode. Laura Ellen Anderson’s delectable illustrations make it even more gorgeous. For more stylish reading for this age group see Harriet Whitehorn’s Violet stories and the Royal Babysitter series by Clementine Beauvais, both illustrated by Becka Moor. ~ Andrea Reece
A welcome return to Ritzy City, where Tiga Whicabim is now very happily settled in and enjoying her new life as a witch. She’s on holiday with her friend Fluffanora when a letter arrives from Fran the fairy with bad news: Peggy the Top Witch has gone missing and evil Felicity Bat is now in charge. Something’s obviously up, and Tiga and Fluffanora immediately set off to investigate. Witches are always popular subjects and this new series has its very own magic. Tiga, her friends and rivals are real characters, and the story zips along exuberantly. These witches are super-stylish too, and look wonderful in Laura Ellen Anderson’s illustrations. Absolutely fabulous! ~ Andrea Reece
October 2015 Book of the Month 'Once there was a girl called Harper who had a rare musical gift. She heard songs on the wind, rhythms on the rain and hope in the beat of a butterfly’s wing.’ So begins this charming story of a special little girl, who loves music and cats, and of her adventures with a magical umbrella. Harper’s life with her dressmaker aunt Sassy is unusual already, but the gift of the Scarlet Umbrella transforms it even more because this umbrella is quite out of the ordinary. When Harper’s cat Midnight goes missing, together with all the cats in the City of Clouds, Harper knows the umbrella will help her to find them. There’s a delightfully old-fashioned feel to this story, a hint of proper magic. Little girls in particular will love Harper and day-dream themselves into her adventures. ~ Andrea Reece
What’s in a name, asks this new series of madcap adventures for young readers. John Smith is fed up with being teased for having the most boring name in the world, until his granddad lets him into an amazing secret: there’s a magical John Smith society, offering travel to faraway lands and crazy adventures. These begin in an old box of dressing up clothes he finds under his bed so when he puts on a pirate hat and coat, John is transformed into Captain John the Fierce, famed for single-handedly eating a whole Portugese Man-of-War jellyfish with custard and chocolate sprinkles, and finds himself up against the equally reckless Captain Black. As a knight in armour in the Middle Ages, he makes friends with Oswald Periwinkle, who also suffers from having an incredibly boring name, and together they take on Ivan the Horrible. Author Johnny Smith (see what he’s done there?) is a Hollywood screenwriter, and these pacey, funny stories are bursting with original ideas. Great fun, whatever your name is! ~ Andrea Reece
What’s in a name, asks this new series of madcap adventures for young readers. John Smith is fed up with being teased for having the most boring name in the world, until his granddad lets him into an amazing secret: there’s a magical John Smith society, offering travel to faraway lands and crazy adventures. These begin in an old box of dressing up clothes he finds under his bed so when he puts on a pirate hat and coat, John is transformed into Captain John the Fierce, famed for single-handedly eating a whole Portugese Man-of-War jellyfish with custard and chocolate sprinkles, and finds himself up against the equally reckless Captain Black. As a knight in armour in the Middle Ages, he makes friends with Oswald Periwinkle, who also suffers from having an incredibly boring name, and together they take on Ivan the Horrible. Author Johnny Smith (see what he’s done there?) is a Hollywood screenwriter, and these pacey, funny stories are bursting with original ideas. Great fun, whatever your name is! ~ Andrea Reece
March 2015 Debut of the Month Witch Wars is the first in a charming new series: with the help of a fairy called Fran, nine year old Tiga Whicabim discovers there’s a world of witches, down below the sink pipes. Even more surprising is the news that Tiga is a witch herself (the clue is in her name for those good at anagrams), and lined up to take part in the nine-yearly Witch Wars to find the next Top Witch who will rule over all Sinkville. With crazy situations, a cast of irresistible characters, jokes, wordplay and just the right amount of dress and shopping detail this is an original and hugely enjoyable read. Laura Ellen Anderson’s illustrations match the text perfectly for flair and panache. ~ Andrea Reece
Bbeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell gets to the heart of what it feels like to be an outsider in this touching and sensitive story about a little girl adjusting to a new way of life. Newly arrived from the city to stay with her grandmother in the country, Mia finds everything to be frighteningly different. But then the snow falls and Mia realises that every flake is different – just like every child – but that they all also have much in common. Mia’s experience of change and being an outsider ends in a happy friendship which will give a reassuring message to all readers.
NO! I do NOT want to be so small! I wish I'd keep growing so I can be tall. This little boy is fed up with being so little. He wants to be as tall as his friends and his big brother. But when he loses his teddy bear up a tree, not even his new tall friend can get it back for him. Maybe with a little bit of help they can reach the bear together ... A fun and inspiring tale about learning to love who we are, no matter what size. A perfect picture book for little people who don't want to be so little! From the brilliant Laura Ellen Anderson - the author/illustrator of the brilliantly fun I Don't Want Curly Hair and the bestselling Amelia Fang series
Prince George is starting school! There will be new faces, new friends, lots of new things to learn ... as well as new challenges, like taking turns! How will the young royal enjoy his latest epic adventure? This hilarious, fun-packed royal story is the perfect book to reassure your own little prince or princess that starting school doesn't have to be scary. Praise for Prince George and the Royal Potty: 'Funny, rhyming potty-training romp with a royal twist' - Bookseller
A beautifully written, lyrical tale featuring a cast of funny and loveable characters, created by children's TV presenter Cerrie Burnell and stunningly illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson. Harper and her friends want to help the Wild Conductor win back his place in the magical Circus of Dreams. They put on a wondrous show, but instead of the Wild Conductor, the ringmaster selects the musically gifted Harper. Once inside the circus, Harper begins to solve a mystery involving Fire Star, a girl who shines like a star whenever she hears music...
When Isabelle meets a lovely fairy called Summer-Blue, she discovers a magical world, hidden in the woods at the bottom of her garden. She can't wait to share what she's learned with her family, but her sister and brothers don't believe in fairies, and they don't believe Isabelle! As a deaf child Isabelle can see and sense things that her family can't. Her hearing aid helps her to understand their world - but how can she persuade them to step into hers? An enchanting picture book about fairies, friendship and family, by CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson.
Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching books are a must read (by children and adults), and the second novel in the series is an absolute delight. When Tiffany steps out of her body to check her outfit (as there’s no mirror to hand), something deeply dark and deadly notices and decides to take her place. Tiffany is fascinating, clever, brave and as well as first thoughts, she has second and most importantly third thoughts as she pits her wits against the hiver. The Wee Free Men run wild through the story, stamping on propriety and giving spelling a good kicking. As I chuckled, I also wondered, and stretched my own thoughts out into the world. Terry Pratchett’s ability to write for any age, to make you roar with laughter and then in the next breath, consider and wonder, ensures he sits at the top of the author tree for me. A Hat Full of Sky cements Tiffany Aching’s place in The Discworld, what a wonderful series within a series this is. ~ Liz Robinson The Tiffany Aching Discworld books are in order: The Wee Free Men A Hat Full of Sky Wintersmith I Shall Wear Midnight The Shepherd’s Crown
EVERY LAND NEEDS ITS OWN WITCH.There's a monster in the river, a headless horsemen in the drive. And now Granny Aching has gone, there's only young Tiffany Aching left to guard the boundaries. It's her land. Her duty. But it's amazing how useful a horde of unruly pictsies can be . . .
A beautifully written, lyrical tale featuring a cast of funny and loveable characters, created by CBeebies' presenter Cerrie Burnell and stunningly illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson. Harper and her friends get to visit the City of Singing Clocks right by the mysterious Night Forest. It is rumoured that a magical Ice Raven whose song can melt hardened hearts lives amongst the ebony trees. With the children's help The Wild Conductor plans to capture the mythical bird and create the greatest orchestra ever known. But Harper soon needs to decide who actually needs their help the most... The third title in the successful Harper series.
It's not easy to become friends with someone who is nothing like you - but surprising things can happen when you give it a try. A comforting story of friendship for any child who does not conform to traditional gender stereotypes, this is the story of two boys, as different as different can be. Big Bob likes trucks and throwing balls and being loud. Little Bob likes dolls and jingling bracelets and being quiet. No matter what they do, they do not do it the same. But when they become new neighbours, they might just find a way to be friends... With humour and tenderness, James Howe and Laura Ellen Anderson beautifully depict the struggles and joys that come when friendships are forged between different kinds of people.
From the bestselling, award-winning author of The Princess and the Peas comes the perfect potty training book for little princes and princesses everywhere. Prince George wants to go on adventures, but his nappy keeps getting in the way! It must be time for the prince to use the Royal Potty. But will George ever get the hang of it? This royally funny rhyming adventure will help little ones discover that life without nappies is fun!
A beautifully written, lyrical tale featuring a cast of funny and loveable characters, created by children's TV presenter Cerrie Burnell and stunningly illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson. Harper lives in the City of Clouds with her Great Aunt Sassy and her beloved cat, Midnight. When Midnight goes missing - together with all the cats of the neighbourhood - Harper realises that only her magical scarlet umbrella can help her find him... When Harper steps out with the umbrella in her hand, she is carried up into the sky on a series of amazing adventures. And Midnight isn't all she finds when she stumbles upon the Midnight Orchestra and its wild conductor...
The Songs of the Sea festival is about to start, but disaster has struck! The royal musicians will be performing, but all their instruments have disappeared... Harper and her friends use her flying umbrella to come to the rescue, and that very night they start hearing beautiful music coming from Melody Bay. Will they have the courage to walk along the pitch-black smugglers' tunnels passing under the sea to find out who has stolen the instruments? A captivating adventure story all about friendship, creatures of the sea and magic.
Once there was a little girl who dreamed of dancing. Of skipping over rooftops and pirouetting round the moon. She could twirl on her toes as lightly as snow, and dart through the air like a swallow, so her Granddad called her Little Bird. One day Little Bird sees the ballet practice for Swan Lake, and decides that all she wants is to become a ballerina. When she gets her very first pair of silken ballet shoes from Grandpa, her face lights up like a star. An enchanting picture book about following your dreams, written by CBeebies' presenter Cerrie Burnell.
A sweet and gentle story about sisters, trust, parrots, disappearing . . . and doing the right thing. Eight-year-old Izzy is more curious, playful and clumsy than her serious, grown-up sister Carrie. In fact Izzy is much more like Gran, an eccentric scientist who has a house full of weird and wonderful pets. But when one of Gran's experiments backfires, Izzy discovers that she has the ability to become invisible! That is, unless Perky the parrot is perched on her shoulder, or she has one of his feathers safely stowed in her pocket. Yikes! While Gran searches for an antidote, Izzy explores her invisibility - to her and Perky's amusement - but Mum, Dad and Carrie aren't impressed. Can Izzy prove that she is using her invisibility to help those around her, and regain her sister's trust?
The moon's in the sky and the kingdom's asleep. The cows are all slumbering. So are the sheep. The ducks are tucked up in the roots of the willow. The rabbit is drowsily nibbling his pillow . . . Night has fallen on the castle, and all the people and animals in the kingdom are snuggled up and snoozing. All except Princess Sleepyhead - she's tried running, jumping, counting and chasing, but it's no use - she just can't get to sleep! Luckily the Night-Night Bear is on hand to help. He knows that what every little princess needs at bedtime is a story, and - most importantly - a goodnight kiss. This sweet rhyming story by the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize is perfect for sharing at bedtime.
One day an invitation Came to number 24. It was from a next-door neighbour Who they'd never met before. The children can't wait - a birthday party? What fun! But their next-door neighbour is not all he seems. For starters, there's his large snout and very sharp teeth. Not to mention his scaly skin . . . Yes, there's no two ways about it, he's definitely a CROCODILE. Erm, crocodiles don't eat children, do they? A riotous romp of a picture book, superbly written by Mark Sperring and brilliantly illustrated by Laura Anderson. Snappy Birthday is the perfect present for any child - whether it's their birthday, or not!
First published in 2003, The Wee Free Men is the second story in the Discworld series for young readers. The Queen of the Elves has another attempt at invading the Discworld, by stealing children and infesting dreams. However 9-year-old Tiffany Aching plans to stop them and after finding out she is descended from a witch she sets out with the help of the Wee Free Men to steal her baby brother back. This book is the best sort of Terry Pratchett fantasy.
A nightmarish danger threatens from the other side of reality . . . Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland. Luckily she has some very unusual help: the local Nac Mac Feegle - aka the Wee Free Men - a clan of fierce, sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men. Together they must face headless horsemen, ferocious grimhounds, terrifying dreams come true, and ultimately the sinister Queen of the Elves herself . . . THE FIRST BOOK IN THE TIFFANY ACHING SEQUENCE
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