Little Gems – serie

Award-winning author–illustrator Ian Beck spreads joy in Paris with this charming tale of love and delicious baked goods.Paul du Pain's bakery is a very special place. Each day, Paul bakes the bread while Marie serves customers in the shop. Everyone who walks in the door walks back out feeling happier than before. But when Marie goes away, Paul's days become sad and grey. Without her, the bakery's magic is gone. Will Paul ever be able to win her back? A charming, heartfelt and timeless tale from an award-winning author-illustrator.

Victorian tennis star Lottie Dod leads the way to sporting victory in this inspiring Little Gem from bestselling author Katherine Woodfine. “Girls can’t play tennis as well as boys? What a lot of NONSENSE!” Lottie Dod is DETERMINED to show that girls can be just as good as sports as boys. She runs and jumps and leaps after the ball – playing tennis makes Lottie feel WONDERFUL. After beating her brothers, she eventually goes on to reach the finals of the most important tennis competition of them all – WIMBLEDON! Can she continue her winning streak to become the world’s first female sports SUPERSTAR? NEVER underestimate what girls can do!

Hana joins the Moonlight Mystery Agency to help Spark the bionic unicorn find her missing birthday cake in the first of an exciting new series from bestseller Vashti Hardy. Hana has always longed to have a pet of her own. So when a cat turns up at her bedroom window one night, she thinks her dream has come true. But Ace is no ordinary cat. He’s a detective cat who has come to invite Hana to join the Moonlight Mystery Agency, and that’s when the magical adventures begin!Join Hana and Ace on their first mission to solve the mystery of Spark the bionic unicorn’s missing birthday cake!

Katy can’t believe her luck when she finds the perfect pet guinea pig hiding in the lettuce patch, but is everything as it seems? Katy has always longed for a pet of her own, so when a cute ginger-and-white guinea pig turns up in her mum’s vegetable patch, she thinks her dreams have come true!Katy calls the guinea pig Lettuce, as that seems to be her favourite food, and makes a lovely home for her in an old greenhouse at the bottom of the garden.But where has Lettuce come from and will Katy really be able to keep her?

Hana and Ace help the animals of Moonlight uncover the identity of a mysterious creature in this exciting Moonlight Mystery Agency adventure from bestseller Vashti Hardy. A strange creature with great big paws and a terrible growl is roaming the land of Moonlight. No one knows what it can be, so they’ve called in Hana and Ace the detective cat of the Moonlight Mystery Agency.Can Hana and Ace puzzle out what’s going on, and will solving the mystery help Hana find the answer to some worries of her own?

Hana and Ace race to track down Brumble the bear wizard’s missing medals before the contest is won in this exciting Moonlight Mystery Agency adventure from Vashti Hardy. It's race time for the animals of Moonlight, but disaster has struck! Brumble the bear wizard has lost the winners' medals!Hana and Ace must use their detective skills to track down the medals, but can they also find time to enjoy all the wonders they see along the way?

When Albert makes a daring escape, Ava realises that tortoises might not be quite as boring as they seem in this gentle animal story from worldwide bestseller Holly Webb. Ava thinks that Albert, her 45-year-old tortoise, is the most boring pet ever. She can’t take him for walks or even cuddle him!But when Auntie Grace’s dog frightens Albert with all his barking, Ava comes home from school to find a great big hole under the fence — and no Albert!Now that he’s gone, Ava realises just how much she loves her tortoise. Will she be able to track Albert down and bring him home?

Lisa and her cat Snug are inseparable…until the day Snug disappears. A charming countryside tale from the master of the animal tale. Wherever Lisa goes, her cat Snug follows. But as Snug grows up he spends more time away from home and one night comes home all beaten up. A beautifully illustrated and delightful story about animals and friendship.

A great countryside tale. Chris, Lisa and Tom love their hide-out – but it has to stay a secret from the farmer who owns the land! From the multi award-winning master storyteller Michael Morpurgo. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.A great countryside tale. Chris, Lisa and Tom spend their days in their secret hide-out in the Castle, an old WWII pill-box. But the Castle is on Old Rafferty's land, and he hates kids. They find themselves in big trouble when some local lads lock them in and there is no one around for miles…High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

A beautiful, heartwarming story set in Africa about a young boy and his yearning for a pet dog. From internationally bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith. High quality cream paper and a special easy-to-read font ensure a smooth read for all.A beautiful, heartwarming story set in Africa about a young boy and his yearning for a pet dog. From internationally bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith. Timo and his mother do not have much money – in fact, they have almost none. But that does not matter too much, because Timo has his mother and she has him. They have their little house. They have friends and neighbours. They have the world about them. All of that can be enough for happiness. There is one more thing, though, that Timo would like to have …A dog! High quality cream paper and a special easy-to-read font ensure a smooth read for all.

A swashbuckling adventure from TV star Tony Robinson. Ben arrives at pirate school ready and raring to go – but instead of lessons in walking the plank and cutlass-swinging, the school teaches business studies. Ben can't have that! An uprising is planned… High quality cream paper and easy to read special font ensure a smooth read for all.A fun, swashbuckling adventure. Ben arrives at pirate school ready and raring to learn all about how to be the best pirate he can be! But instead of lessons in walking the plank, cutlass-swinging and singing sea shanties, the Headmistress seems more focused on teaching business and economics. Ben can't have that! With the help of comrade-in-arms Short John Silver, an uprising is planned…High quality cream paper and easy to read special font ensure a smooth read for all.

Charming countryside tale about the bond between children and animals, perfect for younger fans of Michael Morpurgo. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.When Joe's teacher announces the new class project will be all about their pets, Joe turns glum – there's no animals allowed in his house. So when he starts to invent a pet, his imagination turns wild and the dragonosaurus is born! There's lots of fun to be had with his new 'pet', but when Joe notices something amiss on the neighbouring farm the dragonosaurus is quickly abandoned. Perhaps an animal to call his own is closer than Joe thinks. Charming countryside tale about the bond between children and animals, perfect for younger fans of Michael Morpurgo. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Horrid Henry meets Mrs Doyle in this riotous comedy from Irish Laureate Eoin Colfer – now with full colour artwork. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.Mary loathes her big, curly, bushy hair and so she chops it all off…and she looks fantastic! Well, at least she thinks so. But her mammy is not convinced and forbids her from ever cutting her own hair again. But she didn't say anything about anyone else…A brilliant laugh-out-loud Little Gem about a not-so-brilliant hairdresser and one very unfortunate dog! High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

A jewel of a book illustrated throughout in silhouette and colour by award-winning Ian Beck (Tom Trueheart). Pictures and words weave together to create a hymn to colour, light and life. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.Everything on the Island of Ashes is grey, from the weather to the castle, the grass and the flowers. But then the red boat arrives, and with it a young man who believes he is cursed – everything he touches turns to colour. Princess Opal and the people of the island are enchanted, but the King is suspicious and imprisons Wendell. Opal must find a way to escape to a life filled with love and colour. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Grandparents take centre stage in this charming tale as a young boy and his grandfather let their imaginations take flight for an afternoon of space exploration, with beautiful artwork from Hannah Coulson. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.Sherman loves the moon and he loves his grandpa even more – who has actually been to the moon! Grandpa was an astronaut and has a chunk of moon rock on his mantlepiece. Playing space games with Grandpa is one of Sherman's most favourite things ever so he's thrilled to hear that's exactly what a visit to Grandpa will involve. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Children's books superstar Julia Donaldson retells a trio of charming tales from across the world in a stunning full-colour edition, ideal as a very first independent read for children who have grown up with The Gruffalo.A king hides a terrible secret under his crown …A marvellous dream inspires an epic journey …A clever girl outwits the king. Told in hyper-readable language and with full-colour illustrations, these stories are an ideal first step for children embarking on a lifelong journey through the wonders of books and stories.

Warm and charming Little Gem bestseller, now available with full colour illustrations. A perfectly pitched story for early readers from the former Children's Laureate and master of the market. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.Polly has set up a pets' holiday home for the summer and with a house full of greedy guinea pigs, pesky parrots and slithering snakes, Mum is getting more fed up by the day! Especially when Doris the snake goes missing…Can Polly find Doris before the snake finds the guinea pigs? High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Elmo and his sister love playing in the jungle house next door, until mean old Mr Birdsnest moves in … A delightful and cleverly written story from former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson. A tiger in the back garden! A bird-eating spider in the cupboard! Elmo and his sister love playing in the jungle house next door, that is, until mean old Mr Birdsnest moves in. But when it appears that Mr Birdsnest has kidnapped the children's grandma they must sneak back in to rescue her!

A spell-binding tale of magic and mysticism for young readers that explores the wonder of nature, from award-winning Berlie Doherty.The Queen of Darkness lives deep underground beneath a mountain with her child, Blue John, a boy she made from the blue of the glacier and the hot yellow light of the sun. Blue John is forbidden to leave his mother's side, but the lure of the light above is too strong. When a singing, dancing girl comes to the caves, Blue John must make a choice between darkness and light. A heart-warming story that embraces the beauty and colours of the natural world. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Witty, lively and full of fun, this cat-and-mouse tale from a former Children’s Laureate is sure to delight young readers with clever twists and the satisfying defeat of one terrifying cat.Once there was a very fierce cat. Not just fierce: totally, terrifyingly, stupendously fierce.Everyone was afraid of this cat. Her name was Dread and everyone dreaded Dread Cat. But then Dread Cat started to run out of luck catching mice. She hadn't caught any for ages. So she announced that she was giving up chasing mice and promised to never again hunt another mouse. The war was over. But was it really?Witty, lively and full of fun, this cat-and-mouse tale from a former Children's Laureate is sure to delight young readers with clever twists and the satisfying defeat of one terrifying cat. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Wonderful, witty and wise, this classic Quentin Blake tale will warm hearts of the young and old alike in a gorgeous new full colour gift format.The heartbroken widow of a captain drowned at sea discovers a friendly amphibian at her lowest point. But he is no ordinary frog – he's a dancing frog set on saving her! Soon the duo are touring the world with their routine, spreading light and laughter – and carrying out the occasional rescue – wherever they go. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

A lovely celebration of father–son bonds and the importance of family, wrapped up in a wonderful extraordinary story that is sure to appeal to young superhero fans!Stanley is a normal little boy, whose dad just happens to be the greatest superhero on the planet. Six days a week, Dad saves the world from disasters, aliens, and bad guys. Friday is his day off and he always spends it with Stan. But one Friday, Dad and Stan meet a series of people desperately in need of Dad's help. Soon Stan finds himself saving a lion stuck up a tree, rescuing a monster truck from a ditch and taking on shark-infested floodwaters. That's right: Stan is a chip off the old (superhero) block! High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

A gorgeous new Little Gem from Jonathan Meres (World of Norm), inspired by his father’s 50 years as a market trader, and in collaboration one again with Grandpa was an Astronaut illustrator, Hannah Coulson.Priya loves helping out at the stall her family have run for donkey's years. But one day she meets Stan. His dad sells everything from dog treats to fish tanks – just like the Sharma family! Priya is horrified, but Nana-ji is on hand to offer lessons on the balance sheet of life. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Inspired by the life of Rose Bertin, Katherine Woodfine’s stunning Little Gem is written with an evocative sense of period furthered by fresh and beautiful full-colour illustrations by Kate Pankhurst. Young Rose dreams of sewing beautiful dresses for the women of Paris. But when a chance encounter with royalty changes her life, Rose must draw on all her skills to create the most breathtaking dress of them all Based on the life of Rose Bertin, the woman credited with creating haute-couture, this is a story to inspire bold girls and boys everywhere.

Super-smart inventor Mariella doesn’t have time for sleep in this funny and life-affirming gem from award-winning beloved author Eoin Colfer, featuring full colour illustrations from rising star Katy Halford.Mariella loves nothing more than inventing but bedtime keeps getting in the way of all her brilliant ideas! So when Mum and Dad won't take no for an answer there's only one thing for it… Mariella has to build a rocket-powered flying suit to zap her round the world faster than the setting sun! If anyone can outsmart sleep it's Mariella. But everyone needs sleep and without it all of Mariella's brilliant ideas might just disappear. A "how to live a happy life" tale told with humour, warmth and a loveable female protagonist.

Children’s literature legend Michael Morpurgo teams up with illustration star Sam Usher for a rollicking countryside adventure story, now in a Little Gems edition for more parents and children to share together.The frogs always beat the toads at long jump but the toads don't mind – anything for a quiet life. But then the children and Mutt the dog come in search of some good jumpers, and the toads see an opportunity to get their own back. Soon the poor frogs have been gathered up and put in an ice-cream tub, and they're hopping mad! Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 5+

A fun and colourful rhyming tale from one of the UKs most beloved author-illustrators, Nick Sharratt.Splish, splosh, splash! It's Splash Day and everyone is ready for a water fight! They've got their trunks and wetsuits, some wellies and rubber rings, and Mrs Rose even has a great big hose! Join in with all the splashing fun in Nick Sharratt's beautiful debut Little Gem. Bursting with lots of rhyme, rhythm and energy for little ones to enjoy, it's the perfect book for a young reader's first steps on the path to reading independence.

A pleasingly absurd caper where kids outwit crooks, ghost are let out of the bag, and grandparents refuse to behave! From beloved and best-selling author Malorie Blackman.Grandma Gertie is rather strange. With her big square glasses and a parrot on her hat, Anna and Kasper don't know what to make of her. But Grandma's got a secret… Grandpa Bert is a ghost and he's travelled all the way from Barbados squished inside her handbag! Even worse, they're being followed and Grandpa Bert could be in very grave danger… Can Anna and Kasper help their grandparents before it's too late? A hilarious family adventure filled with ghosts and laughs.