- Table View
- List View
Carrie's War: Introduced by Michael Morpurgo - 'A touching, utterly convincing book' Jacqueline Wilson (Virago Modern Classics #52)
by Nina BawdenOne of the most loved and enduring wartime novels, Carrie's War is a modern classic. WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY MICHAEL MORPURGO AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALAN MARKS'A touching, utterly convincing book' Jacqueline Wilson'Poignant and realistic . . . Carrie's War captures the true reality of war for a child, and it doesn't sentimentalise war' Shirley Hughes, Guardian'I did a dreadful thing, the worst thing of my life, when I was twelve and a half years old, and nothing can change it'It is wartime and Carrie and her little brother Nick have been evacuated from their London home to the Welsh hills. In an unfamiliar place, among strangers, the children feel alone and find little comfort with the family they are billeted with: Mr Evans, a bullying shopkeeper and Auntie Lou, his kind but timid sister. When Carrie and Nick visit Albert, another evacuee, they are welcomed into Hepzibah Green's warm kitchen. Hepzibah is rumoured to be a witch, but her cooking is delicious, her stories are enthralling and the children cannot keep away. With Albert, Hepzibah and Mister Johnny, they begin to settle into their new surroundings. But before long, their loyalties are tested: will they be persuaded to betray their new friends?This collection of the best children's literature, curated by Virago, will be coveted by children and adults alike. These are timeless tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our list includes Nina Bawden (Carrie's War, The Peppermint Pig), Rumer Godden (The Dark Horse, An Episode of Sparrows), Joan Aiken (The Serial Garden, The Gift Giving) E. Nesbit (The Psammead Trilogy, The Bastable Trilogy, The Railway Children), Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Little Princess,The Secret Garden) and Susan Coolidge (The What Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.
The Outside Child
by Nina Bawden'I am an outside child. That is what Plato Jones calls me.'Jane Tucker is thirteen years old when she discovers she has a half-brother and sister, a revelation which promises to bring both excitement and succour to her ordinary life.But obstacles lie in her path when, for unknown reasons, she is prevented from meeting them. Aided by her friend Plato, Jane tracks down her brother and sister to their home in the East End of London. There she finds still more surprises lie in store for her.Can Jane at last be part of a 'proper' family, or must she always remain the outside child?This is the story of a girl and her family and the secrets they keep from one another. Both funny and poignant, The Outside Child is a beautifully drawn study of adolescence from one of Britain's most skilled writers for children.
The Peppermint Pig: Carrie's War; The Witch's Daughter; The Peppermint Pig (Virago Modern Classics #67)
by Nina Bawden'Warm and funny, this tale of a pint-size pig and the family he saves will take up a giant space in your heart' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE'What a consummate storymaker Nina Bawden is' MICHAEL MORPURGOWINNER OF THE GUARDIAN AWARD FOR CHILDREN'S FICTION'D'ya want a peppermint pig, Mrs Greengrass?'Poll looked at the milkman, thinking of sweets, but there was a real pig poking its snout out of the milkman's coat pocket. It was the tiniest pig she had ever seen. 'What's a peppermint pig?''Runt of the litter. Too small for the sow to raise. He'd only get trampled in in the rush.'Mother took the pig from him and held it firmly while it kicked and squealed. 'Well, he seems strong enough. And even runts grow.''Oh,' Poll said. 'Oh, Mother.' She stroked the small, wriggling body. 'Theo,' she shouted, 'Look what we've got!'It is a difficult year for the Greengrasses. Poll's father has lost his job and gone overseas, the family are living off the charity of two aunts, and Poll and her brother Theo just can't seem to keep out of trouble. It takes a tiny, mischievous pig to bring laughter back into their lives.This is a collection of the best children's literature, curated by Virago, and will be coveted by children and adults alike. These are timeless tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our list includes Nina Bawden (Carrie's War, The Peppermint Pig), Rumer Godden (The Dark Horse, An Episode of Sparrows), Joan Aiken (The Serial Garden, The Gift Giving) E. Nesbit (The Psammead Trilogy, The Bastable Trilogy, The Railway Children), Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Little Princess,The Secret Garden) and Susan Coolidge (The What Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.
Skylanders Mask of Power: Book 7 (Skylanders)
by Onk BeakmanHe might be one of Skylands' fieriest characters, but even Eruptor feels a chill in his bones when he sees his own double frozen in ice! What starts with a cold snap leads to a red-hot adventure as everyone's favourite Lava Monster takes on a nightmarish opponent.The secrets of the Mask of Power unfold further in this seventh thrilling tale based on the characters from the hit Skylanders game world.
Skylanders Mask of Power: Book 8 (Skylanders)
by Onk BeakmanThe race is on to reach the final segment of the Mask of Power! Can Kaos be stopped from piecing the Mask together and using it to terrorize Skylands? There's one giggling, goldslinging gremlin who sure thinks so! Join Trigger Happy and the other heroic Skylanders in this thrilling conclusion to the Mask of Power story series.
Skylanders Mask of Power: Book 2 (Skylanders)
by Onk BeakmanAs sea creatures gang up on the landlubbers of Skylands and the mermaids of Last Chance Cove abandon their underwater kingdom, Gill Grunt embarks on an incredible adventure. From the pen of Onk Beakman, based on the smash hit Skylanders video game, Gill Grunt versus the Fish Master is the second novel in the hilarious, enthralling Mask of Power series.
Skylanders Mask of Power: Book 6 (Skylanders)
by Onk BeakmanBased on the characters from the smash hit Skylanders video games, Stump Smash Crosses the Bone Dragon is the sixth installment of the exciting and hilarious Mask of Power series.The Giggling Forest has been reduced to tears, the Skylanders have been double-crossed and Master Eon has been kidnapped! Step forward Stump Smash to head into battle - against one seriously angry dragon!
Top Secret Files: The American Revolution, Spies, Secret Missions, and Hidden Facts From the American Revolution (Top Secret Files Of History Ser. #0)
by Stephanie BearceGeorge Washington had his own secret agents, hired pirates to fight the British, and helped Congress smuggle weapons, but you won't learn that in your history books! Learn the true stories of the American Revolution and how spies used musket balls, books, and laundry to send messages. Discover the female Paul Revere, solve a spy puzzle, and make your own disappearing ink. It's all part of the true stories from the Top Secret Files: The American Revolution. Take a look if you dare, but be careful! Some secrets are meant to stay hidden . . . Ages 9-12
Sir Gadabout (Sir Gadabout #1)
by Martyn BeardsleySir Gadabout is a walking disaster. Voted the "knight most likely to chop his own foot off in a fight", he shivers in his rusty armour when he has to face the brave Sir Lancelot in a joust. Sir Gads travels with his loyal squire Herbert to the wizard Merlin's cottage to get his ear stuck back in place after the joust, and survives an attack by Merlin's crazed guard turtle. Then, when Queen Guinevere is kidnapped, Sir Gads sets out to save the day!Join the loveable Sir Gadabout, loyal Herbert and Merlin's sarcastic cat, Sidney Smith, on a chaotic quest that will make every reader - child or adult - laugh out loud.
Serafina and the Black Cloak (The Serafina Series #1)
by Robert BeattyVenture into the spooky world of Serafina and the Black Cloak – the New York Times bestselling magical mystery adventure book for children. "Never go into the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.”
Serafina and the Splintered Heart (The Serafina Series #3)
by Robert BeattyVenture into the magical and mystical world of Serafina and the Splintered Heart - the follow-up to the New York Times bestselling and Goodreads Choice Awards finalist, Serafina and the Black Cloak and Serafina and the Twisted Staff
Serafina and the Twisted Staff (The Serafina Series #2)
by Robert BeattyVenture into the magical and mystical world of Serafina and the Twisted Staff - the sequel to the New York Times bestselling and Goodreads Choice Awards finalist, Serafina and the Black Cloak
Impact Techniques in the Classroom: 88 activities to engage your students
by Danie BeaulieuMany teachers admit to feeling that they spend the majority of lesson time doing anything and everything but teaching. Impact Techniques in the Classroom offers a variety of quick and simple activities to be conducted as a group or on a one-on-one basis (and a few with the help of the parents) that will allow you to devote more time to teaching, all the while saving your energy and keeping the attention of your students. All ages
The Star Thief
by Lindsey BeckerThe constellations come to life in this imaginative fantasy adventure debut. Honorine's life as a maid at the Vidalia mansion is rather dull, dusting treasures from faraway places and daydreaming in front of maps of the world. But everything changes when she catches two brutish sailors ransacking Lord Vidalia's study, and then follows a mysterious girl with wings out into the night.... Suddenly, Honorine is whisked into the middle of a battle between the crew of a spectacular steamship and a band of mythical constellations. The stars in the sky have come to life to defend themselves against those who want to harness their powers. Much to her surprise, Honorine is the crux of it all, the center of an epic clash between magic and science, the old ways and the new. But can this spirited young girl bring both sides of a larger-than-life fight together before they unleash an evil power even older than the stars?
The Wolf’s Boy
by Susan Williams BeckhornAn outcast boy and a young wolf against an Ice Age winter . . . Kai burns to become a hunter and to earn a rightful place among his people. But that can never be. He was born with a club foot. It is forbidden for him to use or even touch a hunter's sacred weapons. Shunned by the other boys, Kai turns to his true friends, the yellow wolves, for companionship. They have not forgotten the young human they nurtured as an abandoned infant. When Kai discovers a motherless cub in the pack, he risks everything to save her, bringing her back to live with him. But as winter draws near, Kai's wolf grows ever more threatening in the eyes of the People. When the worst happens, Kai knows that they must leave for good. Together, they embark on a journey into the north???a place of unimaginable danger???that tests the power of friendship and the will to survive. Award-winning author Susan Williams Beckhorn delivers a tale set in Paleolithic times. Inspired by modern discoveries, Susan's careful research creates a vivid picture of a time when the first wolves came to live with humans and forged a bond that lives on to this day.
The Polar Bear Explorers' Club (The Polar Bear Explorers' Club #1)
by Alex BellIt sounded like a respectable and worthy enough death for an explorer - tumbling from an ice bridge to be impaled upon a mammoth tusk - but Stella really, really didn't want that to happen, just the same.Join Stella Starflake Pearl and her three fellow explorers as they trek across the snowy Icelands and come face-to-face with frost fairies, snow queens, outlaw hideouts, unicorns, pygmy dinosaurs and carnivorous cabbages . . . When Stella and three other junior explorers get separated from their expedition can they cross the frozen wilderness and live to tell the tale?A gorgeously imaginative middle grade fantasy adventure combining the best of Peter Pan, Lemony Snicket, Northern Lights and Alice in Wonderland.'A magical adventure of friendship, bravery and derring-do in a richly imagined world.' The Bookseller'A fantastic frosty adventure.' Sunday Express'Wintry, atmospheric, highly imaginative fantasy.' Metro'The most huggable book of the year . . . An (iced) gem.' SFX
The Crooked Sixpence (THE UNCOMMONERS #1)
by Jennifer Bell Karl James MountfordWelcome to a world where nothing is quite as it seems . . . Dive head first into the world of Lundinor in this magical adventure story for anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their life.When their grandmother Sylvie is rushed to hospital, Ivy Sparrow and her annoying big brother Seb cannot imagine what adventure lies in store. Returning to Sylvie’s house, they find it has been ransacked by unknown intruders – before a mysterious feather scratches an ominous message onto the kitchen wall. A very strange policeman turns up on the scene, determined to apprehend them . . . with a toilet brush. Ivy and Seb make their escape – only to find themselves in a completely uncommon world, where ordinary objects have amazing powers. The forces of evil are closing in fast, and Ivy and Seb must get to the bottom of a family secret . . . before it’s too late.Complete with stunning interior illustrations by cover artist Karl Mountford.
The Junior Birder's Handbook: A Kid's Guide to Birdwatching (The Junior Handbook Series)
by Danielle BellenyA beautifully illustrated kid's guide to birds and their habitats, perfect for budding birders whether you live in a city, suburb, or rural area. In the woods, in cities, in your backyard—birds are everywhere. But do you know the difference between a robin and a wren? A raven and a crow? In this fully illustrated book, you will learn how to identify birds in an array of habitats and seasons (thanks to migration, there are always new birds to find). You'll also learn the different behaviors/habits of birds—from why blue jays divebomb other birds&’ nests to what attracts hummingbirds to certain flowers. As the popularity of birding and birdwatching reach new heights, more and more children have the opportunity to connect with nature, whether indoors or outside and with no equipment other than one&’s eyes (and this handbook, of course). What&’s not to love? Featuring Michelle Carlos's vibrant illustrations, this gorgeous (and gifty) book includes interactive elements like quizzes and crafts, as well as accessible charts/guides that will lead to endless fun!
Cautionary Tales & Bad Child's Book of Beasts (Dover Children's Classics)
by Hilaire BellocNaughty children were never funnier than the young rowdies of these Cautionary Tales. In rhyming couplets, accompanied by hilarious drawings, a celebrated wit recounts the perilous consequences of telling lies, slamming doors, and playing with guns. Bad Child's Book of Beasts, an illustrated A-to-Z bestiary with droll observations on wildlife, features a series of droll observations on wildlife.The Polar Bear is unawareOf cold that cuts me throughFor why? He has a coat of hair.I wish I had one too!A prolific author whose interests ranged from politics and religion to travel and poetry, Hilaire Belloc wrote these classics at the turn of the twentieth century. Generations of readers of all ages have adored their amusing advice on juvenile manners and their jolly parodies of Victorian attitudes.
Cautionary Tales for Children: Designed For The Admonition Of Children Between The Ages Of Eight And Fourteen Years (classic Reprint) (Classics To Go)
by Hilaire BellocFor readers of any age, a witty and strikingly irreverent collection of moral guidance Most notable among prolific English satirist Hilaire Belloc's writings are the sharp and clever admonishments he composed for children. Collected here and illustrated to wonderful haunting effect by Edward Gorey, these short, funny pieces offer moral instruction for all types of mischief makers—from a certain young Jim, "who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion," to the tale of Matilda, "who told lies and was burned to death”—and add up to a delightful read for any fan of Roald Dahl or Shel Silverstein. (Goodreads)
The Novel of the Century: The Extraordinary Adventure of Les Misérables
by David BellosGUARDIAN BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2017'Never mind those self-help manuals urging that some classic novel may change your life; in this sparkling study of the birth, growth and afterlife of Hugo's evergreen blockbuster, David Bellos argues that Les Misérables already has' Boyd Tonkin, Economist'Any reader who hasn't yet embarked on Hugo's book might be converted to the idea by this one' Daniel Hahn, SpectatorThe extraordinary story of how a simple tale of love and revolution, the poor and the downtrodden - Victor Hugo's beloved classic Les Misérables - conquered the world.There has never been a book like it. It is the most widely read and frequently adapted story of all time, on stage and on film. But why is Les Misérables the novel of the century? David Bellos's remarkable new book brings to life the extraordinary story of how Hugo managed to write his epic novel despite a revolution, a coup d'état and political exile; how he pulled off the deal of the century to get it published, and set it on course to become the novel that epitomizes the grand sweep of history in the nineteenth century. Packed full of information about the background and design of Les Misérables, this biography of a masterpiece nonetheless insists that the moral and social message of Hugo's ever-popular novel is just as important for our century as it was for its own. The Novel of the Century is a book as rich, remarkable and long-lasting as the novel at its heart.Les Misérables is available as a Penguin Classic, in an acclaimed new translation by Christine Donougher, with an introduction by Robert Tombs.
Out of Abaton: Lord of Monsters (Out Of Abaton Ser. #2)
by John Claude BemisPinocchio can't believe the Moonlit Court is his home! With royal banquets, a regal wardrobe, and a whole new set of rules, Pinocchio has a lot to adjust to in his new life as prester alongside Princess Lazuli. But before they can get comfortable in their thrones, a fancy dinner at the palace is interrupted by an unwelcome guest-a monster! And this isn't just any monster; it's a manticore, a beast that was imprisoned centuries earlier. Desperate to locate the prison and make sure none of its other monsters were able to escape, Lazuli, Pinocchio, and their Celestial Brigade set out to save Abaton from these ancient beings. Their journey requires intelligence, strength, and a dash of the magic only presters control. But when Pinocchio tries to use his powers, they have an unintended effect: he is turning back into a wooden automa. And if he's not careful, he may lose his human form forever. The second book in the Out of Abaton series continues John Claude Bemis's reimagining of Pinocchio in an action-packed adventure that celebrates friendship, tolerance, and the power of being yourself. Praise for The Wooden Prince "Wow! John Claude Bemis hides new magic in old stories." -- Tom Angleberger, New York Times best-selling author of the Origami Yoda series
Out of Abaton: The Wooden Prince (Out Of Abaton Ser. #1)
by John Claude BemisThe automa Pinocchio has always been duty-bound to serve in the floating palace of Venice's emperor. So when Pinocchio finds himself locked in a trunk and delivered to a new master-a wanted criminal and alchemist named Geppetto-he is curious about everything around him. But most curious is the way Pinocchio seems to be changing from a wooden servant into a living, human boy. Before Geppetto and Pinocchio can uncover the mystery surrounding the automa's transformation, Pinocchio is stolen away. Determined to find Geppetto again, Pinocchio begins a harrowing journey across the Empire, where danger in the form of half-beast outlaws and winged airmen abounds for a lost automa. Meanwhile, Princess Lazuli, the daughter of the ruler of a magical kingdom called Abaton, is also on a quest through the emperor's territory. Her father, Prester John, has been captured by the Venetian Empire, and Lazuli is desperate to rescue him. With the emperor's airmen closing in fast, Lazuli learns the only hope for saving her father-and her beloved home-lies in Pinocchio and Geppetto. In a masterful reimagining of Pinocchio, John Claude Bemis weaves an enchanting, thrilling adventure for middle-grade readers in the first installment in the Out of Abaton duology.
Coming to England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation
by Baroness Floella BenjaminFloella Benjamin's classic memoir, Coming to England, includes a foreword by the author and some additional historical information. It is beautifully illustrated by Michael Frith.Floella Benjamin was just a young girl when she, her sister and two brothers arrived in England in 1960 to join their parents, whom they had not seen for fifteen months. They had left the island paradise of Trinidad to make a new home in London - part of a whole generation of West Indians who were encouraged to move to Britain and help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Reunited with her mother, Floella was too overwhelmed at first to care about the cold weather and the noise and dirt from the traffic. But, as her new life began, she was shocked and distressed by the rejection she experienced. She soon realized that the only way to survive was to work twice as hard and be twice as good as anyone else. This inspirational story is a powerful reminder that courage and determination can overcome adversity.
Secret in the Stone: The Unicorn Quest 2 (The Unicorn Quest)
by Kamilla BenkoClaire Martinson and her sister Sophie are fighting to save Arden, the magical land they discovered by climbing up a chimney in their late aunt's house. They are the last descendants of Prince Martin of Arden, and only a prince or princess – with magic in their blood – can awaken the lost unicorns.As Claire struggles with her magical training, Sophie uncovers dangerous truths about the people they thought were their friends. Will Claire be able to prove she is the heir who was prophesied and unlock the magic of the unicorns – before it's too late?This series is perfect for Frozen fans and anyone wanting to return to Narnia ...