Elizabeth and Tom are two of the first convict chlidren to be sent to Australia. Set in Georgian England in 1787, their story tells of the circumstances that lead to their imprisonment and deportation to Botany Bay.
Rediscover the classic magical adventure of the Little Wooden Horse, brought to life with the original inside illustrations from the author of Milly-Molly-Mandy, Joyce Lankester Brisley. When Uncle Peder the toymaker falls on hard times, his little wooden horse must go out into the world to seek his fortune. But whether he's working in a coal mine, sailing the seven seas with a band of pirates, or walking the tightrope in a circus, the loyal little horse only has one wish: to return to his beloved master. Originally published in 1938, Ursula Moray-Williams The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse is her most famous story and continues to be one of the most-loved classic stories of children's literature.
Rediscover the classic magical adventure of the Little Wooden Horse, brought to life with the original inside illustrations from the author of Milly-Molly-Mandy, Joyce Lankester Brisley. When Uncle Peder the toymaker falls on hard times, his little wooden horse must go out into the world to seek his fortune. But whether he's working in a coal mine, sailing the seven seas with a band of pirates or walking the tightrope in a circus, the loyal little horse only has one wish: to return to his beloved master. Originally published in 1938, Ursula Moray-Williams' The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse is her most famous story and continues to be one of the most-loved classic stories of children's literature. With its glorious inside illustrations by Joyce Lankester Brisley and cover artwork from Catherine Rayner, this beautiful hardback edition is a truly special gift to treasure.
When Gobbolino receives his sister Sootica's call for help he leaves his comfortable new life as a kitchen cat and sets off for the Hurricane Mountains, home of the old witch with whom his sister lives. On the way he meets the Little Wooden Horse, who offers to accompany him on his journey.
Gobbolino is a witch's cat who would rather be a kitchen cat. Gobbolino has one white paw and blue eyes and isn't wicked at all, so his mother doesn't like him. He escapes to look for a real home but is distrusted everywhere he goes and blamed for mysterious happenings, such as the farmer's milk turning sour and the orphanage children's gruel turning into chocolate. Will Gobbolino ever find the home of his dreams?
When Helen, the beautiful wife of King Menelaus, runs away to Troy, it sparks a siege that rages for ten years. Can the King's army ever break into Troy and bring Helen back? Just when the task seems impossible, clever Odysseus has an idea... This thrilling retelling of the classic Greek myth is specially written for children who have just started reading alone. Includes links to recommended websites to find out more about life in Ancient Greece. "Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme." - Julia Eccleshare
Kids will delight in this witty story of mistaken identity from acclaimed author-illustrator Petr Horácek. Peter and Paul are puffins and the best of friends. But one day Peter gets lost in a terrible storm, and Paul is nowhere to be found. With the help of a big blue whale, Peter sets out, determined to find his pal. What the pair discovers is that many other birds match the description Peter gives of Paul, but none are quite like his friend. With gorgeous collage artwork and a lighthearted touch, this fun read-aloud tale will both amuse and enlighten.
Odysseus and the Greeks had been fighting the Trojans for 10 years before something finally happpened. Odysseus came up with a brilliant idea! Will Odysseus plan put an end to the war? Or will the Greeks and trojans fight another 10 years?
It is over fifty years since the critics of the day acclaimed The Wooden Horse as a superbly told story of the most ingenious and daring escape of the Second World War. Millions of readers agreed, and the book became a modern classic. This revised and expanded edition tells the tale. The escape itself was conceived on classical lines. The Greeks built a wooden horse and by means of it got into the city of Troy; in 1943 two British officers built a wooden horse and by means of it got out of a German prison camp. Together with a third companion, they were the only British prisoners ever to escape and reach England from this camp, though many tried. It was Stalag Luft III, designed especially to hold the Germans' most prized captives – Allied aircrew – and considered to be escape-proof. The break from the camp itself is only part of the story. Once outside the wire the escapers were still faced with the problem of getting out of Germany. Fugitives in the midst of a watchful enemy population, they had many close shaves when disaster threatened to overwhelm them – adventures which the reader shares to the full. The fantastic nature of this enterprise, the patience, determination and endurance, above all the steel nerve it demanded from an undernourished physique, are rendered the more impressive by the manner of the telling. The characters are so surely drawn that they could not but be real. Throughout the book runs a vein of humour which alone made those days bearable. The warmth of human companionship born of privation, fear and a common purpose is vividly portrayed.
'The Little White Horse was my favourite childhood book. I absolutely adored it. It had a cracking plot. It was scary and romantic in parts and had a feisty heroine.' - JK Rowling - The Bookseller In 1842, thirteen-year-old orphan Maria Merryweather travels to her family's ancestral home, Moonacre Manor, to live with her uncle Sir Benjamin. She immediately feels right at home with her kind and funny uncle and meets a wonderful set of new friends â but she quickly learns that beneath all this beauty and comfort, a past feud haunts Moonacre Manor and itâs her destiny to right the wrongs of her ancestors and restore the peace to Moonacre Valley. A beautifully written fantasy story filled with magic, a Moon Princess, and a mysterious white horse. Little White Horse and the delightful heroine, Maria Merryweather, are sure to be loved by all children.