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The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Lemony Snicket

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

Dear reader, There is nothing to be found in Lemony Snicket’s ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ but misery and despair. You still have time to choose another international best-selling series to read. But if you insist on discovering the unpleasant adventures of the Baudelaire orphans, then proceed with caution… Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky. In The Bad Beginning, the siblings encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune and cold porridge for breakfast. In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Despite their wretched contents, ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ has sold 60 million copies worldwide and been made into a Hollywood film starring Jim Carrey. And in the future things are poised to get much worse, thanks to the forthcoming Netflix series starring Neil Patrick Harris. You have been warned. Are you unlucky enough to own all 13 adventures? The Bad Beginning The Reptile Room The Wide Window The Miserable Mill The Austere Academy The Ersatz Elevator The Vile Village The Hostile Hospital The Carnivorous Carnival The Slippery Slope The Grim Grotto The Penultimate Peril The End And what about All the Wrong Questions? In this four-book series a 13-year-old Lemony chronicles his dangerous and puzzling apprenticeship in a mysterious organisation that nobody knows anything about: ‘Who Could That Be at This Hour?’ ‘When Did you Last See Her?’ ‘Shouldn’t You Be in School?’ ‘Why is This Night Different from All Other Nights?’ Lemony Snicket was born before you were and is likely to die before you as well. He was born in a small town where the inhabitants were suspicious and prone to riot. He grew up near the sea and currently lives beneath it. Until recently, he was living somewhere else. Brett Helquist was born in Ganado, Arizona, grew up in Orem, Utah, and now lives in New York City. He earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Brigham Young University and has been illustrating ever since. His art has appeared in many publications, including Cricket magazine and The New York Times.

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape: Book 1 - Funny and action-packed animal adventures with hilarious illustrations for kids aged 7-10

Dermot O'Leary, Nick East

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (271 reviews)

From bestselling children's author and broadcaster, Dermot O'Leary, comes an action-packed adventure. A snake has escaped London Zoo and it's up to Toto the Ninja Cat to find it! **Toto the Ninja Cat has recently been adapted into a purrfect stage play - find it in a theatre near you!** Toto is almost totally blind but learned to trust her senses from a ninja cat-master. By day, Toto seems to be an ordinary cat, but by night, she and her brother Silver love to have adventures! One evening, news reaches Toto that a king cobra has escaped from London Zoo! Together with help from a new friend and two hungry tigers, Toto and Silver must investigate. Can they find the giant snake, before it's too late? Ideal for reading aloud or for children to curl up with and read alone, the story features brilliant black and white illustrations throughout by Nick East. With themes of friendship, inclusivity and winning in the face of adversity, this is a hilarious must-read for all animal-loving kids! Dermot says: 'The idea for Toto first came to me when my wife and I rescued two stray cats. One of them, Toto, has been blind from birth, but we quickly realised she had ninja-like reactions. Like a lot of cat owners, we like to imagine our pets having secret lives when we're out or asleep. I really hope that children who pick it up enjoy reading these adventures.' Have you seen Toto's other adventures? The Incredible Cheese Heist, The Superstar Catastrophe, The Mystery Jewel Thief, The Legend of the Wildcat and The Pirate Treasure Hunt are out now, and make perfect gifts for young readers. (The books can be read by themselves or as part of the series - so pick up the title that sounds the most fun to you!) Dermot O'Leary has also written Wings of Glory and Spy Fox - funny action-adventure stories set during the Second World War.

Daisy and the Trouble with Chocolate

Kes Gray, Nick Sharratt, Garry Parsons, Garry Parsons, Nick Sharratt

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (240 reviews)

Daisy is SO excited! She's been picked to look after the class hamsters, Pickle and Pops, over the Easter holidays - AND her mum's taking her to Chocolate Land!!! Trouble is, the two things probably shouldn't mix... The totally troublesome and laugh-out-loud funny tale from the bestselling Daisy series.

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball (The Amelia Fang Series)

Laura Ellen Anderson

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (278 reviews)

‘The perfect mix of funny, foul and fearful’ Metro ‘Brilliantly imagined … laugh-out-loud funny’ Sunday Express The first book in the bestselling, gorgeously gothic and wickedly funny Amelia Fang series – perfect for readers of 7+ Meet Amelia Fang! Everyone’s favourite little vampire. Welcome to the world of Nocturnia, where darkness reigns supreme, glitter is terrifying, and unicorns are the stuff of nightmares! Amelia Fang would much rather hang out with her pet pumpkin Squashy and her friends Florence the yeti (DON'T CALL HER BEAST!) and Grimaldi the reaper than dance at her parents' annual Barbaric Ball. And when the King’s spoiled son Tangine captures Squashy, Amelia and her friends must escape the party to plan a daring rescue! In their race against time, they begin to realise things in Nocturnia may not be quite what they seem … Join Amelia on her very first adventure. She won't bite! This gloriously ghostly series from the creator of EVIL EMPEROR PENGUIN is perfect for 7-9 year olds and fans of THE WORST WITCH and WITCH WARS. Amelia Fang is a modern Wednesday Addams – but much more loveable! Praise for Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball: 'Brilliantly imagined … laugh-out-loud funny' Sunday Express 'The perfect mixture of funny, foul and fearful' Metro Also in the gorgeously gothic AMELIA FANG series: AMELIA FANG AND THE BARBARIC BALL AMELIA FANG AND THE UNICORN LORDS AMELIA FANG AND THE MEMORY THIEF AMELIA FANG AND THE HALF MOON HOLIDAY AMELIA FANG AND THE LOST YETI TREASURE AMELIA FANG AND THE NAUGHTY CATICORNS AMELIA FANG AND THE TROUBLE WITH TOADS

The Creakers

Tom Fletcher, Shane Devries

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (276 reviews)

A magical, mischievous adventure into an incredible new world, from Tom Fletcher, number-one-bestselling author of The Danger Gang and The Christmasaurus. Lucy wakes up one morning to discover something very strange indeed. All the grown-ups in her town have disappeared. All the other kids in Whiffington are so excited! No more grown-ups means no more school! No more bedtime! No more rules! But Lucy wants her mum back - and nothing is going to stop her. So - along with her friends Norman and Ella - Lucy sets off on an unbelievable adventure into a topsy-turvy, back-to-front and inside-out new world . . . The world underneath her bed. The world of . . . The Creakers! The number one bestseller, packed with amazing illustrations by Shane Devries. Praise for The Creakers: 'Stonkingly good . . . A compelling adventure and a nuanced celebration of friendship and family love' The Guardian '10 out of 10 bum trumps!' Guff the Creaker

Hacker

Malorie Blackman

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (61 reviews)

*"Find your local library.":http://bit.ly/2CShOJr* *"Buy this book from hive.co.uk":http://tinyurl.com/y3d3orzd to support The Reading Agency and local bookshops at no additional cost to you.* When Vicky's father is arrested, accused of stealing over a million pounds from the bank where he works, she is determined to prove his innocence. But how? There's only one way - to attempt to break into the bank's computer files. Even if Vicky is the best hacker in the world, will she find the real thief before they find her?

The Land of Roar (The Land of Roar, Book 1)

Jenny McLachlan, Ben Mantle

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (253 reviews)

Dragons, mermaids, unicorns and more. Believing is just the beginning … The first in the much-loved and beautifully illustrated children’s fantasy adventure series,The Land of Roar sits perfectly on a child's bookshelf next to great adventures such as The Chronicles of Narnia, How to Train Your Dragon, Skandar and Peter Pan. When Arthur and Rose were little, they were heroes in the Land of Roar, an imaginary world that they found by climbing through the folding bed in their grandad’s attic. Roar was filled with things they loved – dragons, mermaids, ninja wizards and adventure – as well as things that scared them (including a very creepy scarecrow…) Now the twins are eleven, Roar is just a memory. But when they help Grandad clean out the attic, Arthur is horrified as Grandad is pulled into the folding bed and vanishes. Is he playing a joke? Or is Roar … real? Praise for The Land of Roar series: 'This funny, captivating story is filled with the painful pangs of growing up and the transporting qualities of imagination' Guardian ""Fast-paced, immersive and full of adventure – this new book in the fantastic Land of Roar series is the perfect fuel for young imaginations.” A.F. STEADMAN, author of the bestselling Skandar series ‘A stunning adventure from the ever-brilliant Jenny McLachlan.She’s my favourite creator of dragons!’ EMMA CARROLL, author of Secrets of a Sun King ‘This welcome return to the Land of Roar will delight existing fans of the series but can also be enjoyed by readers coming to Roar for the first time.’ BOOKTRUST ‘Roar adventures are the BEST adventures – I wish I could stay in Roar forever!’ MEL TAYLOR-BESSENT, author of The Christmas Carrolls series ‘Jenny McLachlan’s imagination knows no bounds. Saddle up your dragon and ride away with this absolute gem of a book,’ JENNY PEARSON, author of The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates 'Jenny is without doubt one of the UK’s most gifted and versatile of storytellers and a writer of immense heart and skill,’ PHIL EARLE, author of When the Sky Falls 'Once again, it’s wonderful, gripping roar-some fun. So exciting being back in the Land of Roar,’ SAM COPELAND ‘Another absolutely fantastic rip-ROARING adventure from the genius Jenny McLachlan,’ SOPHY HENN ‘The most exciting instalment so far in this warm, thrilling and completely brilliantly written series. I devoured every page!’ SARAH CROSSAN, author of One 'A vividly imagined adventure, […] full of heart, humour and a terrifying villain’ FINOA NOBLE, The Bookseller ‘Roar is an exhilarating, hilarious, vividly drawn tribute to the power of the childhood imagination, the love of family and the magic we risk losing as we grow up. If you plan to visit one new place in 2019, make it Roar’ SARAH DRIVER, author of The Huntress trilogy

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!

David Walliams, Tony Ross

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (226 reviews)

‘Walliams balances high comedy with an emotional message’ Daily Mail ‘Walliams does comedy with profound, genuine heart’ Guardian The new children’s book from No. 1 bestselling author David Walliams – an extraordinarily brilliant and rollicking mystery adventure illustrated by artistic genius, Tony Ross, and the sequel to the much-loved and bestselling Gangsta Granny. Ben is getting used to life without his beloved granny. She was a cabbage enthusiast, a Scrabble partner… and an international jewel thief known as The Black Cat. Now, only the memory of their extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on. Then something inexplicable happens. World-famous treasures are stolen in the dead of night and the clues point to none other than The Black Cat? But that’s impossible…? Expect the unexpected in this wonderfully entertaining and laugh-out-loud adventure, which will have readers on the edge of their seats as they join Ben on his quest to unravel the mystery of the return of The Black Cat. This first ever sequel from David Walliams will delight new fans, as well as the millions of readers that have loved Gangsta Granny.

What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside

Julia Donaldson, Lydia Monks

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (201 reviews)

Join everyone's favourite crime-busting ladybird on a trip to the seaside! With a cast of wonderful sea creatures, including a magical mermaid, and plenty of beach fun, What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside is a brilliant rhyming adventure from the bestselling picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. The clever little ladybird is off on a trip to the seaside, but those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to their wicked ways again. This time they're planning to steal the mermaid's hair and sell it to a famous star. Luckily, the crime-busting ladybird has a clever plan to stop the thieves . . . The fourth title in the number one bestselling What the Ladybird Heard series – perfect for young children to read aloud! Enjoy more stories from Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks: The Singing Mermaid, Sharing a Shell, and What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday.

The Taylor TurboChaser

David Baddiel, Steven Lenton

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (249 reviews)

It’s the latest Brilliant Blockbuster from bestselling Baddiel! A non-stop thrill-ride adventure that will have readers young and old racing to the finishing line. The Taylor TurboChaser is a road-trip rollercoaster… with a twist. At its heart is the unforgettable Amy Taylor. Amy loves cars, and dreams of being a driver. But there’s a major catch: her slow old wheelchair with its broken wheel. When Amy finally gets a new electric one, it’s exciting… at first. But standard engines only have so much power. And that’s where Rahul comes in – Amy’s best friend and genius inventor. Soon Rahul turns a wheelchair into… a supercar! And so the Taylor TurboChaser is born. But when it all goes suddenly wrong Amy is going to have to hit the road – and drive…

Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot

Dav Pilkey, Dav Pilkey

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (184 reviews)

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS returns! George and Harold, and their doubles, Yesterday George and Yesterday Harold, have a good thing going. Two of them go to school, while the other two hide in the tree house and play video games all day -- then they switch! But when their malicious gym teacher, Mr. Meaner, creates a method of mind-control that turns their fellow students into attentive, obedient, perfect children, the future of all humanity will be in their hands!

Arsenic For Tea

Robin Stevens

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (250 reviews)

From the author of Murder Most Unladylike. Schoolgirl detectives Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are at Daisy's home, Fallingford, for the holidays. Daisy's glamorous mother is throwing a tea party for Daisy's birthday, and the whole family is invited, from eccentric Aunt Saskia to dashing Uncle Felix. But it soon becomes clear that this party isn't really about Daisy at all. Naturally, Daisy is furious. Then one of their party falls seriously, mysteriously ill - and everything points to poison. With wild storms preventing anyone from leaving, or the police from arriving, Fallingford suddenly feels like a very dangerous place to be. Not a single person present is what they seem - and everyone has a secret or two. And when someone very close to Daisy looks suspicious, the Detective Society must do everything they can to reveal the truth ...no matter the consequences.

Book Sorter

Books sorted! Take a look at these top recommendations, or...

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Lemony Snicket

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Subjects

Average rating

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape: Book 1 - Funny and action-packed animal adventures with hilarious illustrations for kids aged 7-10

Dermot O'Leary, Nick East

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape: Book 1 - Funny and action-packed animal adventures with hilarious illustrations for kids aged 7-10

Subjects

Average rating

Daisy and the Trouble with Chocolate

Kes Gray, Nick Sharratt, Garry Parsons, Garry Parsons, Nick Sharratt

Daisy and the Trouble with Chocolate

Subjects

Average rating

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball (The Amelia Fang Series)

Laura Ellen Anderson

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball (The Amelia Fang Series)

Subjects

Average rating

The Creakers

Tom Fletcher, Shane Devries

The Creakers

Subjects

Average rating

Hacker

Malorie Blackman

Hacker

Subjects

Average rating

The Land of Roar (The Land of Roar, Book 1)

Jenny McLachlan, Ben Mantle

The Land of Roar (The Land of Roar, Book 1)

Subjects

Average rating

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!

David Walliams, Tony Ross

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!

Subjects

Average rating

What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside

Julia Donaldson, Lydia Monks

What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside

Subjects

Average rating

The Taylor TurboChaser

David Baddiel, Steven Lenton

The Taylor TurboChaser

Subjects

Average rating

Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot

Dav Pilkey, Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot

Subjects

Average rating

Arsenic For Tea

Robin Stevens

Arsenic For Tea

Subjects

Average rating

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