Philip Ardagh – författare

Celebrate 80 years of the Moomins with this showstopping gift book! The World of Moominvalley is the ultimate guide for any Moomin fan, young and old. Now updated with special content to celebrate the anniversary! A luxury edition, with a gold foil cover, that you can cherish for years to come.Step into the magical world of Moominvalley with this beautiful one-of-a-kind book filled with illustrated maps, fun facts and everything you'd love to know about the beloved characters from the original Moomin stories and the world in which they live. Find out all about Moomintroll's adventures, Moominmamma's handbag and Moominpappa's memoirs. Then discover all your favourite Moomin characters, including Snork Maiden, Snufkin, Sniff and Little My.This special anniversary edition features a detailed history of the Moomin novels, picture books, and popular comic strips. Glimpse behind the studio door of the creator Tove Jansson and see original Moomin drawings – from first sketch to final novel. Embark on a global tour of the Moomins, exploring theme parks in Japan and museums in Finland, before enjoying gorgeous images of exclusive collectors' items.Written by the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Philip Ardagh, with contributions from bestselling children's author and Moomin devotee, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Children's Laureate 2024–2026.

Project X Hero Academy is a fully decodable and finely levelled reading series set in a school for superheroes, designed to captivate and motivate all young readers and turn them into reading superheroes.Silver Shadow is in Purple Book Band, Oxford Level 8, and supports Letters and Sounds Phase 6. In this story, Slink, the school cat, goes missing from Hero Academy, and Ben has to race against the clock to find him before the tracker in his collar stops working. Will Ben manage to rescue Slink in time?Each book can be used for independent reading, but also contains inside cover notes that include help on developing vocabulary and prompt questions that can be used for guided reading and one-to-one sessions. Full guided reading notes are provided in the corresponding handbook. There are also a range of follow-up activities to support reading for pleasure.

Eddie thinks his new fish, Frank, is boring, but he quickly realizes that Frank is anything BUT boring!Using the world's largest known database of writing for and by children, our experts have defined 300 ambitious words to help children succeed at school. We've combined these with finelly levelled books that help you develop support comprehension and fluency, while inspiring and engaging your young readers.

Find out how the pope got confused with a potato, about the footballer who ate the ref's notebook and why it is a terrible idea to have your name and date of birth tattooed on your neck, in this splendid romp through the most impressive mistakes, blunders, misunderstandings, faux pas, howlers and universal truths that are not true at all, from the magnificently witty pen of Mr Philip Ardagh.'Who else but Philip Ardagh could bring you such an enjoyable compendium of buffoonery? Howlers, Blunders and Random Mistakery is essential, laugh-out-loud reading.' The Independent

The Archaeologists' Handbook takes a look at the role of archaeologists from the discovery of an artefact or archaeological site to the identification, dating, preservation, restoration, and understanding of what has been found. This book looks at everything from the most basic archaeological techniques to the latest technological advances used to assist the modern archaeologist; all explained in Ardagh's inimitable and amusing style.The various branches of archaeology are explained, and it is shown how archaeologists with different skills and expertise work together with experts from other fields - including geologists, biologists and those all-important historians - to help create a better understanding of our ancestors, whatever part of the world they might have lived in. With a glossary of terms in the back, and a section on the stories behind the most famous discoveries, this is a must for amateur archaeologists, young and old.

Imagine a land where all the animals are free . . . To the creatures of the woodland, the land of Animalia sounds like a dream - a tropical island where all the animals live in harmony. They are over-shadowed by a much more evil community; the polluted Megatropolis, whose dirty skyscrapers block the horizon.And then one day, Wirral the Squirrel's woodland is destroyed by developers and he is thrown into the nightmare world of Megatropolis. But Wirral believes in Animalia and he joins with Froggo, a world-class amphibian balloonist, and Wilhamina, a girl squirrel, to lead the enslaved animals of the city to a new life. So begins an exciting adventure through the mean streets of Megatropolis, over the sea and through the sky. Developed out of an exceptional fusion of creative talents, this story explodes onto every page. The plot is fast, furious and funny; the illustrations are full of rich depth and colour; and the characters live on long after you have turned the final page. It will delight children of all ages and is sure to become an enduring classic.'Young audiences will delight in the clever wordplay and smartly-drawn comic characters.' Independent

AWFUL ENDWhen both of Eddie Dickens's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly round the edges and smell of hot water bottles, it's agreed he should go and stay with relatives at their house Awful End. Unfortunately for Eddie, those relatives are Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud, and it doesn't look as if the three of them are ever going to reach their destination ...DREADFUL ACTSEddie Dickens narrowly avoids an explosion, a hot-air balloon and arrest, only to find himself falling head-over heels for a girl with a face like a camel's, and into the hands of a murderous gang of escaped convicts who have 'one little job for him to do'.TERRIBLE TIMESEddie had been given the task of travelling to America to look after his family's interests there. But his life is never that simple; especially with a potential stowaway in his trunk, and Lady Constance Bustle at his side. She's a professional 'travelling companion', whose previous employers seem to have died under the most remarkable and unfortunate circumstances ...

Eddie Dickens finds himself far from home in the heathery highlands of Scotland for some Further Adventures embracing a whole host of new characters and firm favourites such as Malcolm the stuffed stoat. Including Dubious Deeds, Horrendous Habits and The Final Curtain, fans of Philip Ardagh will gobble up this great gift edition.

'...Out glides a limo, as sleek as a plane,With big gleaming hubcaps as bright as champagne'Children will delight in this silly tale of a dog prince in his truck with a very special delivery . . .With each page turn a new vehicle pops out of the last. This book has all the ingredients to charm and enthrall first readers and parents alike.

'...Out glides a limo, as sleek as a plane,With big gleaming hubcaps as bright as champagne'The first in a comic 'What's in the?' picture book series, children will delight in this silly tale of a dog prince in his truck with a very special delivery . . .With each page turn a new vehicle pops out of the last. This book has all the ingredients to charm and enthrall first readers and parents alike.

A funny, heart-warming tale of family, love and acceptance.'Bob doesn't much look like his sisters and brothers.He'shandsome, indeed, but he's not like the others.'Bob the frog does things a little differently to the rest of hisrabbit family...He looks a bit greener than them, he eats different foods, andhis family can't keep up with his hopping or swimming!But it doesn't matter what Bob looks like or does - his familylove him just the same! And when anyone is unkind to Bob, they facehis WHOLE family. Family is family, and Bobknows that his family will always be there for him. The perfect celebration of family in all its forms, by award-winningauthor Philip ArdaghGareth Conway brings Bob and his siblings to life with his funny,sweet illustrationsPerfect gift for anyone who has ever felt a little bit different

The first in the hilarious series from Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler.Mr and Mrs Grunt, who are neither clean nor clever, live with their adopted in fact, abducted son, Sunny, in a donkey-drawn caravan somewhere or other at some time that is a bit like now but not exactly now. Sunny is an odd-looking boy, what with his left ear being higher than his right ear and that kind of sticky-up hair which NEVER goes flat, even if you massage glue into it and then jump on it. Together the unusual family find themselves in frankly improbable but very funny adventures involving bendy railings, double-barrelled shotguns, full-fat yoghurt and, always, a beard of bees.

The second in the hilarious series from Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler.Mr Grunt's a man with a mission. He has to get a Person of Great Importance (or POGI) to someone called Mrs Bayliss by the twenty-fifth. Alive and well. And he can't tell anyone more than that, not even his lovely wife, Mrs Grunt, because there will be people trying to snatch the POGI and so the POGI must be transported in secret. It's an exciting adventure, but what interests Mr Grunt most are the silver coins he's been promised at the end of it. The Grunts' stolen son, Sunny, has a few questions. Who is the big-earringed cyclist? Why does the POGI have to wear a barrel all the time? Is Rodders Lasenby a lovely person or simply the rudest man on the planet? And how long will it be before they find themselves All At Sea?

The third in the hilarious series from Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler.Oh no! The Grunts are on the loose. And this time they're in a VERY sticky situation. When Mrs Grunt's mother, the gloomy Ma Lunge, enters a Preserves, Jams and Jellies competition, what could possibly go wrong? Plenty. Add a nose-biting squirrel, escaped bees, rogue fireworks and crashing biplanes (AGAIN!), and you'll see why poor Sunny and Mimi have a lot on their plate. And that's BEFORE the Grunts end up in jail.

The fourth book in the hilarious series from Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler.Over the years, the Grunts have made more than a few enemies. But fortunately they're all safely behind bars. Or are they? There's been a prison break-out, and three of them are after REVENGE. It's time for the Grunts to go on the run...This last book brings back some familiar faces from the series and solves a couple of mysteries too...

Facts meet fiction in this exciting, intricate Victorian detective story!Jane Pinny has moved to the very grand Lytton House to be a Maid Of All Work. And being a Maid Of All Work means that she has to do... well, ALL the work, obviously! Cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, washing - there's SO much to do in a Victorian country house. But when a priceless jade necklace belonging to the lady of the house disappears, Jane turns accidental detective (with the help of her best friend, a pigeon called Plump...) - can she solve the mystery of the missing jewels before it's too late?Perfect for fans of Horrible Histories, filled with amazing facts and historical trivia, with an exciting story and brilliant illustrations, you won't be able to put this SECRET DIARY down!Read the other books in the series:The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight in TrainingThe Secret Diary of Thomas Snoop, Tudor Boy SpyThe Secret Diary of Kitty Cask, Smuggler's Daughter

In this hilarious sequel to the hugely popular Barking Up the Wrong Tree, Sally Stick and her shaggy best friend Fetch discover plenty more mysteries to solve. Like, Is there a beaver loose in the town? Who is the handbag thief? And, most importantly, Why does Uncle Bob's house always smell of biscuits? Somehow, despite the accidents, misunderstandings and general confusion that dog the hapless pair wherever they go, they always get results. And they have a lot of fun along the way!

A counting story that goes wrong when one hungry little T-Rex can't help himself from gobbling up the other dinosaurs!Let's count dinosaurs! Rex the T-Rex is 1. Add Patty the Diplodocus, that's 2. And here's comes Brian the Anklyosaurus to make 3. But wait, where's Brian gone? Rex? Rex! You didn't EAT him, did you? Oh NAUGHTY Rex! The truth is, you just CAN'T count on dinosaurs.In this counting book with a difference, Philip Ardagh and Elissa Elwick bring prehistoric chaos and trouble-making dinosaurs to every page for a truly fun, interactive way to learn how to count to 10.

Watch out! Move out of the way! Hold onto your tails! There are ... BUNNIES ON THE BUS! And they aren't stopping for ANYONE!The Times' Children's Book of the Week: "The relentless anarchy and fruity rhyming scheme makes for a thrilling ride for younger children and their tongue-twisted parents. To be chanted at high speed and followed by a little lie-down."The bunnies have taken over the bus and they're on a wild ride across the streets of Sunny Town! They whizz past the bus stop, swerve around corners and zoom over crossings on a non-stop roller coaster adventure! There are bunnies on the roof! Bunnies in the aisle! DO sit down, bunnies, or you’ll end up in a pile! Eventually, they come to a stop ... at the train station. And what's that they've spotted? A TRAIN! Uh-oh, here we go again… A hilarious romp of a book, with a fantastic read-aloud rhyming text and spectacular illustrations.- Perfect for transport-loving children aged 3-5 years!- Bursting with hilarious details to spot, visual subplots to follow, search-and-find elements and non-stop on-the-move action.- Funny, rhyming, read-aloud texts, with repeated join-in refrains – ideal for sharing with little ones and supporting bonding and early literacy.“Will keep readers occupied for hours.” Kirkus Reviews“Brimming with action, colourful details, and rambunctious fun.” Booklist OnlineCollect ALL the Sunny Town Bunnies books!Bunnies in a BoatBunnies in a SleighBunnies in a Rocket

Philip Ardagh's Book of Kings, Queens, Emperors and Rotten Wart-Nosed Commons is hilarious collection of fantastic trivia and amazing facts about royalty and rulers of all kinds throughout history, all from the very witty pen of Philip Ardagh.PARP!"Pssst! Do you know the story about Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) and the, er, farting courtier? One day, when bowing low to Her Majesty, the Earl of Oxford couldn't help but break wind.The poor man felt SO embarrassed that he left the court - and some say the country - for SEVEN years.Upon his return, after such a long absence, the first thing Good Queen bess said on seeing him was, "Lord, I had forgot the fart!

A funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series and Eddie Dickens adventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob! Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one EXTRAORDINARY cat with nine EXTRAORDINARY lives!Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure!In this first book, join our furry (and purry!) heroine as she sets sail aboard a pirate ship, helping her captain and his shipmates fight a rival crew in an epic battle at sea! Can Furry Purry Beancat help save the day?'Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures' - LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for more Furry Purry adventures: The Railway Cat, The Library Cat and The Witch's Cat!

A funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Gruntsseries andEddie Dickensadventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob! Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one EXTRAORDINARY cat with nine EXTRAORDINARY lives! Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she ?nds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure! In this first book, join our furry (and purry!) heroine as she sets sail aboard a pirate ship, helping her captain and his shipmates fight a rival crew in an epic battle at sea! Can Furry Purry Beancat help save the day? 'Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures' - LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for more Furry Purry adventures: The Railway Cat, The Library Cat and The Witch's Cat!

A funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series and Eddie Dickens adventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob. Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives!  Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure!  All aboard! There’s a mystery on the railway! Join Beancat and her friends as they uncover secrets and spies on the tracks. Who is the ticket-swapping, train-hopping stranger? Is Beancat’s beloved railway in danger? It’s up to our furry (and purry!) hero to solve the puzzle, before it’s too late.'Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures' - LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for the first Furry Purry adventure: The Pirate Captain's Cat!

A funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series and Eddie Dickens adventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob. Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives!   Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure!   All aboard! There’s a mystery on the railway! Join Beancat and her friends as they uncover secrets and spies on the tracks. Who is the ticket-swapping, train-hopping stranger? Is Beancat’s beloved railway in danger? It’s up to our furry (and purry!) hero to solve the puzzle, before it’s too late. 'Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures' - LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for the first Furry Purry adventure: The Pirate Captain's Cat!

The purrrrfect new story for young readers this Halloween! From Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob, comes a charming new series for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Mr Dog! Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives!  Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she often finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure!Watch out! There’s a WITCH in the village – or is there? With talk of potions, toads and spells flying around, will Beancat be able to sniff out the truth, before it’s too late?  'Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures' - LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for more Furry Purry adventures: The Pirate Captain's Cat, The Railway Cat and The Library Cat!

The purrrrfectnew story for young readers this Halloween! From Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of TheGrunts series, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator ofDraw With Rob, comes acharming new seriesfor fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Mr Dog!Meet Furry Purry Beancat one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives! Just like every other cat,Furry Purry Beancatloves a catnap. Butunlikeother cats, when Beancat wakes she often finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure! Watch out! There's a WITCH in the village or is there? With talk of potions, toads and spells flying around, will Beancat be able to sniff out the truth, before it's too late? Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures -LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for more Furry Purry adventures:The Pirate Captains Cat,The Railway Cat and The Library Cat!

A funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series and Eddie Dickens adventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob. Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives!  Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure!  Our furry (and purry!) heroine has woken up in a LIBRARY, and there’s trouble afoot. There are plans to close it down, but with the help of two grumpy SPIDERS, can BEANCAT do what she does best and SAVE THE DAY?'Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures' - LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for more Furry Purry adventures: The Pirate Captain's Cat, The Railway Cat and The Witch's Cat!

A funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series and Eddie Dickens adventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob. Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives!   Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure! Our furry (and purry!) heroine has woken up in a LIBRARY, and there’s trouble afoot. There are plans to close it down, but with the help of two grumpy SPIDERS, can BEANCAT do what she does best and SAVE THE DAY? 'Exciting and comic, these are purr-fect first adventures' - LoveReading4KidsLOOK OUT for more Furry Purry adventures: The Pirate Captain's Cat and The Railway Cat!

How are great turning points in history experienced by individuals?As Britain pulls away from Europe great British writers come together to give voice to their innermost feelings. These writers include novelists, writers of books for children, of comic books, humourists, historians, biographers, nature writers, film writers, travel writers, writers young and old and from an extraordinary range of backgrounds. Most are famous perhaps because they have won the Booker or other literary prizes, written bestsellers, changed the face of popular culture or sold millions of records. Others are not yet household names but write with depth of insight and feeling.There is some extraordinary writing in this book. Some of these pieces are expressions of love of particular places in Europe. Some are true stories, some nostalgic, some hopeful. Some are cries of pain. There are hilarious pieces. There are cries of pain and regret. Some pieces are quietly devastating. All are passionate.Conceived as a love letter to Europe, this book may also help reawaken love for Britain. It shows the unique richness and diversity of British cultures, a multitude of voices in harmony.Contributors include:Hugh Aldersey-Williams, Philip Ardagh, Jake Arnott, Patricia Atkinson, Paul Atterbury, Richard Beard, Mary Beard, Don Boyd, Melvyn Bragg, Gyles Brandreth, Kathleen Burke, James Buxton, Philip Carr, Brian Catling, Shami Chakrabarti, Chris Cleave, Mark Cocker, Peter Conradi , Heather Cooper, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Roger Crowley, David Crystal, William Dalrymple, Lindsey Davies, Margaret Drabble, Mark Ellen, Richard Evans, Michel Faber, Sebastian Faulks, Ranulph Fiennes, Robert Fox, James Fox, Neil Gaiman, Evelyn Glennie, James Hanning, Nick Hayes, Alan Hollinghurst, Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch, Will Hutton, Robert Irwin, Holly Johnson , Liane Jones, Ruth Jones, Sam Jordison, Kapka Kassabova, AL Kennedy, Hermione Lee, Prue Leith, Patrick Lenox, Roger Lewis, David Lindo, Penelope Lively, Beth Lync, Richard Mabey, Sue MacGregor, Ian Martin, Frank McDonough, Jonathan Meades, Andrew Miller, Deborah Moggach, Ben Moor, Alan Moore, Paul Morley, Jackie Morris, Charles Nicholl, Richard Overy, Chris Riddell, Adam Roberts, Tony Robinson, Lee Rourke, Sophie Sabbage, Marcus Sedgwick, Richard Shirreff, Paul Stanford, Isy Suttie, Sandi Toksvig, Colin Tudge, Ed Vulliamy, Anna Whitelock, Kate Williams, Michael Wood, Louisa Young