A knight in glass armour, the basilisk of Saffron Walden, Old King Cole of Colchester – Essex is a place full of fantastical characters and mysterious tales. Storyteller Jan Williams is a familiar sight around the county, entrancing locals with her tales of ghostly Romans and vicious Vikings. These stories – specially chosen to be enjoyed by 7- to 11-year-old readers – will unlock the colourful world of Essex and help children to engage with their surroundings.

The gorgeous Georgians may have loved preening in mirrors and prancing about in powdered wigs and pantaloons, but trust us - they were really rotten underneath! From lords and ladies' sneaky schemes for hiding their personal hygiene problems to the horrible hardships suffered by the poor, find out the REAL story. It's got horrible highwaymen, raging revolutions, plundering pirates, and guys wearing wigs and make-up. Plus the schoolchildren who went to war with their teachers! It's better t...

A place of plague, pestilence and fire, plus the brutal Blitz and the eye-watering Great Stink. It's loathsome London as the tourists never see it - with all the hidden horrible bits! In this gruesome city guide, Terry Deary takes you on a tour of Britain's biggest city, exposing all its scurrilous secrets. Take a trip to the terrifying Tower (but try to keep your head on). Dip into London's largest toilet, the ruthless River Thames! Peer into creepy St Paul's Cathedral! It's a blood-spatt...

Dr. Seuss's classic treatise on bullying—now with fully color-enhanced illustrations!As topical today as when it was first published in 1938, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins is the story of a young boy (the same one featured in the Caldecott Honor Award-winner Bartholomew and the Oobleck) and his unjust treatment at the hands of a king. Written in unrhymed prose, The 500 Hats is one of Dr. Seuss's earliest works, and while it may not ...

Over two million Shakespeare Shorts sold! Discover the world of Shakespeare with this collection of brilliant stories - perfect for readers of all ages.King Henry V is new to the throne and declares war on France, England's old enemy, to prove his military strength. As the country prepares for battle, will the young king accomplish the unthinkable - victory on French soil, against an army that outnumbers his troops ten to one?A dramatic retelling of one of ...

This beautiful Ladybird Classic ebook edition of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a perfect first illustrated introduction to the classic pirate adventure story for younger readers.It has been sensitively abridged and retold to make it suitable for sharing with young children from 5+, whilst retaining all the key events and characters of the Treasure Island story, including Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver and Ben Gunn, deadly pirate battles, ship-bound adventures and the ...

An exciting spy series set in Tudor England, amid the intrigue and danger of Henry VIII's royal court, from the bestselling authors of books in the Beast Quest series.When Jack Briars becomes an apprentice to King Henry VIII's spy master, he is disappointed to be given the boring duties of a clerk. But the King's enemies are everywhere. Soon Jack is facing more adventure and intrigue than he bargained for. If he wants to stay alive and in favour, he will n...

Seven short stories, in which are found vivid retellings of the gypsy tales collected from the Wood family of Caegwyn. Including magical tales rich with the mystery of the Welsh landscape and quest stories. Suitable for readers aged 9-11 years. Winner of the 2007 Tir na n-Og Award. Reprint; first published in July 2006.

The second instalment in this exciting spy series set in Tudor England, amid the intrigue and danger of Henry VIII's royal court, from the authors of books in the bestselling Beast Quest series.Jack Briars, apprentice to King Henry VIII's spy master Thomas Cromwell, is enjoying his new life of excitement and adventure. But the King's enemies are becoming ever more resourceful. The seemingly simple mystery of a few missing items soon leads to something much...

When you are in Somerset you are never far from mysterious caverns, whispering woods, hidden valleys and places which can't decide whether they are seascapes or landscapes. The ancient Kings Arthur and Alfred hid amongst Somerset's secret waterways, waging the wars and making treaties that forged Britain's history. Outlaws and highwaymen lived on the wildest of moors that plummet into the sea. Ordinary people farmed the land and fished the waters alongside the Little Peopl...

John Farman, the genius (for want of a better word) responsible for the best-selling A VERY BLOODY HISTORY OF BRITAIN (WITHOUT THE BORING BITS), now tackles all the great periods of history - in less than 10,000 words.History in a Hurry is so short that there just isn't room for any boring bits!All you need to know (and a little bit less*) about the Tudors.(*Quite a lot less, actually. Ed.)

From dark dangerous dogs and wily wicked wyrms, to poor penniless pedlars and lanky, long-limbed lads, Norfolk is steeped in stories. Some had their beginnings here, growing in the telling until they were as big as Norfolk's skies. Others were brought here by travellers from far away — even Viking raiders long ago. Stories that in time would change to suit our Norfolk ways, for as everyone knows — we do different! This is a collection of tales reworked and rewritten by Dav...