The hilarious adventures of everyone’s favourite bear, Paddington, now a major movie star!
“Goodness gracious!” cried Mrs Bird. “What on earth’s that bear doing now?”
Nothing is ever straightforward where Paddington is concerned. Whether he’s going to school, visiting the seaside or attempting to keep fit – one thing always leads to another.
For more than sixty years, Paddington Bear has touched the hearts of adults and children worldwide with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures.
'Just call me Bee. Please, please call me that. If you call me Beatrix Daffodil Tulip Chrysanthemum Rose Edwards I shan't answer you. I am not being rude or unfriendly, or insolent as Mrs Dixon my teacher calls me. I just don't like my name. Well, would you?'
Bee stumbles through life in her stripy socks with her head in the clouds, doing her very best to keep out of the way of her bickering parents and avoid bendy tap dancing Crystal Kelly - who makes her life a misery. But when Crystal double-dares her to volunteer for a sponsored swim in honour of her great grandmother Beatrix's memory, Bee can't back down. Even though she is terrified of water and cannot swim!
Then new boy Moon-Star gallops to Bee's rescue on his horse and takes her to meet Old Alice, a Traveller who lives in a beautiful painted wagon. As Bee enters this new world, her life is changed for ever.
Finally she has an ally. Down by the promise tree the new friends make a pact - Moon Star will teach Bee to swim if Bee will teach him to read. They spit on their hands and shake on their vow and a beautiful friendship begins.
'Fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Elen Caldecott will like this real-world drama ... Warm and dreamy with just the right amount of quirk for young readers to identify with if they feel like outsiders.' Booktrust
Book Band: Lime - Ideal for ages 6+
A quirky comedy about a family of inventors by Rachel Anderson with brilliant illustrations from Chris Jevons.
Harry lives in a house full of inventors and experiments. So when he breaks his arm, his mum installs a reaching, grabbing and twirling invention to his cast. Except now his arm has special powers of its own and Harry has no choice but to go along with its mischief and mayhem...
This funny fantasy from award-winning author Rachel Anderson has quirky black-and-white illustrations by Chris Jevons and is perfect for children who are developing as readers.
The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with book-banded stories to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2 by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence. With engaging illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for home and school. For more information visit www.bloomsburyreaders.com.
'Any list that brings together such a quality line up of authors is going to be welcomed … Bloomsbury Readers are aimed squarely at children in Key Stage 2 and designed to support them as they start reading independently and while they continue to gain confidence and understanding.' Books for Keeps
A moving tale of laughter and loss from bestselling Cathy Hopkins. Emily and her Dad have been on their own since her mum left. But Emily has a secret: she still sees her mum, and people are beginning to worry about her. Because Emily's mum isn't coming back… Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
A moving tale of laughter and loss from bestselling Cathy Hopkins. Emily and her Dad have been on their own since her mum left. But Emily has a secret: she still sees her mum, and people are beginning to worry about her. Because Emily's mum isn't coming back…But as her friendship with Mark starts to develop into something more, can Emily find the strength to start letting go? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
In this fun family story, Robbie the Robot is getting things very wrong. The Browns end up being soaked and having ice cream EVERYWHERE! Can Robbie be fixed?
Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills.
Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.
Independent Reading: Orange stories are perfect for children aged 5+ who are reading at book band 6 (Orange) in classroom reading lessons.
A novel written in verse, flowing freely and smoothly, reading perfectly naturally. Poet and author Kwame Alexander skilfully tells the story of Nick Hall, a clever, articulate, football loving youngster. Everything is rosy for Nick, until his mum leaves, and then one by one other things start to go wrong in his life. He has to learn to live through some painful experiences, including parental divorce, bullying at school, unreasonable expectations from his dad, and unrequited love.
A classic, fun-filled family adventure from one of the world's best storytellers, Enid Blyton!
The Seaside Family are spending their summer in beautiful, sandy Seagull Cove. They are staying in their caravans, right at the edge of the sea, and are going to have the best seaside holiday ever!
But a new friend, Benjy, is with them and he's not very cheery! Will he ruin the children's holiday, or can they cheer Benjy up and help him enjoy the seaside?
The perfect holiday story for readers of all ages!
Also available:
The Caravan Family
Enid Blyton is arguably the most famous children’s author of all time, thanks to series such as The Wishing-Chair, The Faraway Tree, The Mysteries, The Famous Five and The Secret Seven. Her fantasy books, including The Adventures of the Wishing-Chair, are among her most popular creations and they promise to enchant boys and girls for generations to come.
Enid Blyton takes her place alongside Roald Dahl, Beatrix Potter, and A. A. Milne as one of Britain’s true heritage children’s authors.
'Her books were terrific page-turners in the way no others were' Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse.
From playing in the park to cuddles at bedtime, being with Mummy makes every moment of every day special. With My Mummy is a heartwarming picture book and the perfect gift to share time and time again.
Days with my mummy are always such fun,
and ever so special together, as one.
A touching celebration of the special relationship between mother and child. Warmly told in gentle rhyme by James Brown and brought to life with charming illustrations by Cally Johnson-Isaacs.
Companion title, With My Daddy, is also available to enjoy together.
McTavish has his eyes on the pies as he returns with the Peachey family for another hilarious middle-grade adventure from the multi-award-winning Meg Rosoff.
The Peachey family enjoy fine meals each night now that everyone takes turns cooking. Everyone, that is, except grumbling Pa Peachey – until some unsatisfactory bread pushes him to try baking. Convinced that he has found his true calling, Pa sets his sights on winning the town Bake Off. Unfortunately, his great ideas far surpass his skills, and soon Pa's ambitions are crumbling under the weight of 3,784 pieces of gingerbread … McTavish smells disaster in the making, and it looks like he's going to have to save the day – again.
A baking nightmare makes for slapstick comedy gold in this hilarious Little Gem from a bestselling author and illustrator team.
Albert’s dad needs help in the family bakery, but all his son can think about is sport. So he builds a machine like no other: the Doughmaster 5000. It seems to have solved all their problems, until one night, Dad’s miracle solution turns into a rampaging disaster. It’s up to Albert to fix the mess – but will his sporting skills save him now?
