A Second Reader emerges as a compelling anthology that encapsulates an array of literary styles and themes, each contributing to the spirit of exploration and enlightenment. This collection is masterfully curated to reflect a tapestry of insights, seamlessly interweaving narratives that transcend everyday experiences. The pieces in this volume serve as both exploratory and didactic, providing narratives that traverse the landscapes of contemplation and imagination, while nurturing an appre...

'Outside! What's it like?'Masklin looked blank.'Well,' he said. 'It's sort of big-'To the thousands of the tiny nomes who live under the floorboards of a large department store, there is no Outside. Things like Day and Night, Sun and Rain are just daft old legends.Then a devastating piece of news shatters their existence: the Store - their whole world - is to be demolished. And it's up to Maskin, one of the ...

And Grimma said, We have two choices. We can run, or we hide. And they said, Which shall we do?She said, We shall Fight.A Bright New Dawn is just around the corner for thousands of tiny nomes when they move into the ruined buildings of an abandoned quarry. Or is it?Soon strange things begin to happen. Like the tops of puddles growing hard and cold, and the water coming down from the sky in frozen bits, Then humans ...

Who else but Mary Poppins can lead the Banks children on such extraordinary adventures? Together they all meet the Goosegirl and the Swineherd, argue with talking cats on a distant planet, make the acquaintance of the folks who live under dandelions, and celebrate a birthday by dancing with their own shadows. And that’s just for starters!

School is 'wet and weedy', according to Nigel Molesworth, the 'goriller of 3B', 'curse of St Custard's' and superb chronicler of fifties English life. Nothing escapes his disaffected eye and he has little time for such things as botany walks and cissy poetry with an assortment of swots, snekes and oiks. Instead he is very good at missing lessons, charming masters and putting down little brothers, in fact he is exceptional at most things except spelling. Wildly funny and full of sharp obser...

A collection of irreverant rhymes featuring characters from fairy tales, fables and nursery rhymes - as you've never seen them before! From the tortoise and the hare and Hansel and Gretel to Ali Baba and The Emperor's New Clothes, these traditional stories will never seem the same again once you have had a taste of Roald Dahl's hilarious verse and Quentin Blake's suitably lively illustrations.An inventive collection for older children and adults alike, Rhyme Stew bubbles o...

Originally published between 1927 and 1958, the 26 classic books about Freddy the Pig are now going on to delight a sixth generation of children. Freddy the Pig, the "Renaissance Pig" ( The New York Times Book Review) of Bean Farm, is back to thrill his fans of all ages in facsimile editions of these all-American children's classics.In Freddy Goes Camping, Mr. Camphor's aunts, Minerva and Elmira, are staying with him, much to his disgust. "There's two kinds of aunt...

A spell-binding new children's book from one of Britain’s best-loved authors of fantasy adventure. Perfect for fans of Eva Ibbotson, Inkheart, and the Charlie Bone series.The yellow letter arrived on a Saturday, otherwise Henry would have been at school. The envelope was such a bright, sunny colour, no one would have believed that it contained a bombshell.Less than 10 minutes after the arrival of the mysterious letter, Henry is on the run with his Auntie Pe...

Cowslips and Chainies is a poignant memoir of childhood in 1930s and early '40s Dublin. Best-selling novelist Elaine Crowley's account of tenement life is by turns hilarious and intensely sad. Her beloved, consumptive father – generous, handsome and fickle – works at the local undertakers. Her proud, resourceful mother, struggling with privation, alternates slaps with kisses in a turbulent relationship with young Nella. Through the eyes of a natural storyteller, we enjoy scenes from a rece...

1.) A CROSS-GENRE SUCCESS: Deluca’s debut novel elegantly straddles psychological thriller and gothic horror, with first-person narration excelling on account of its depiction of psychosis. 2.) BITING COMMENTARY ON THE HISTORY OF “HYSTERICAL” WOMEN: Clara Blackstone is a troubled, childless woman in an oppressive marriage, a character inspired by the author's research into the history of "mind doctors" and the brutal psychiatric treatment of women who were labeled hysterics unhinged by the...

Warning: Top Secret! You’re probably wondering about this Santa guy. Who is he, and how does he keep track of billions of children around the world? Well, I’ve got the answer. In fact, I’ve got the answer to almost any question about Santa’s secrets you could ask. When Stevie decides that he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, he’s in for a big surprise! Santa and his elves, eight flying reindeer, and Harry W. Throckmorton the Dancing Cow show Stevie that there’s more to Christmas than he thin...

All skools make some sort at teaching the pupils things and the headmaster pin up a huge timetable of lessons ect. which make the heart sink when you look at it.Nigel Molesworth is back, this time taking the tinies in hand and showing that they can survive the first term - as long as you avoid the prefects and show all due respect to Molesworth 1. Back to Skool might be particularly hard on Mater and Pater, but think of those poor new bugs, forced to be their best ...