Macmillan Children's Books

A string of paper dolls go on a fantastical adventure through the house and out into the garden. They soon escape the clutches of the toy dinosaur and the snapping jaws of the oven-glove crocodile, but then a very real pair of scissors threatens. A stunning, rhythmical story of childhood, memory and the power of imagination from the author of THE GRUFFALO, and new illustrating talent Rebecca Cobb.

The complete story and original illustrations from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's bestselling picture book, THE GRUFFALO, have been specially designed into an early reader format. Created with expert advice from a literacy consultant, this new version is intended to help and encourage children who are growing in reading confidence. Step into the deep dark wood and discover what happens when a quick-thinking mouse comes face to face with a fox, an owl, a snake and a hungry gruffalo...

The complete story and original illustrations of CATS AHOY! by Peter Bently and Jim Field have been specially re-designed into an early reader format. Created with expert advice from a literacy consultant, this new version is intended to help and encourage children who are growing in reading confidence. When Alfonso the cat hears there's a boat coming into harbour, he hatches a plan involving a ghost pirate ship, some gullible fishermen and LOTS of cats! Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011.

In the third volume of the phenomenal series that began with the best-selling ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR and then GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW, the teenage lovers, Takeo and Kaede, are now married. But their destinies are determined by forces beyond their control. Takeo leads an army into battle, and Kaede, far from his protection, is treacherously betrayed. Their love will survive until death — which, in the savage, beautiful world of the Otori, is only ever a lightning sword-stroke away. 'Lian Hearn is creating an imaginary world every bit as absorbing as Middle Earth and Hogwarts... This is the same mysterious oriental landscape that beguiled Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon audiences' Guardian 'Quite simply the best story of magic, love, sex, revenge and suspense since Philip Pullman'. Independent on Sunday.

The complete story and original illustrations of WENDEL'S WORKSHOP by Chris Riddell have been specially designed into an early reader format. Created with expert advice from a literacy consultant, this new version is intended to help and encourage children who are growing in reading confidence. Wendel is far too busy inventing things to tidy up. But then he invents the Wendelbot — a magnificent tidying robot that just won't stop. Soon Wendel even finds himself tidied up! Will he be able to win back his workshop?

Carol Ann Duffy, the Poet Laureate, has chosen her favourite poems for children for this stunning collection of classic and modern verse, exquisitely illustrated by multi-award-winning illustrator Emily Gravett.

PLAY TIME includes eleven, fun-to-act, short plays for primary-aged children (Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2). Each play comes complete with helpful guidance on target age, running time and cast. Ranging from adaptations of traditional tales (eg, the legend of Persephone and Three Billy Goats Gruff) to original and contemporary short plays, Julia Donaldson has produced an entertaining, simple, satisfying collection.

Tony Robinson takes you on a headlong gallop through time, pointing out all the most important, funny, strange, amazing, entertaining, smelly and disgusting bits about WWI. It's history, but not as we know it! Find out everything you ever needed to know about World War I in this brilliant, action-packed, fact-filled book, including: — How to build a trench — Why dogs were such good messengers — How plastic surgery was invented — Why you needed a gas mask What are you waiting for? Let's get going...

Tony Robinson takes you on a headlong gallop through time, pointing out all the most important, funny, strange, amazing, entertaining, smelly and disgusting bits about World War II! It's history, but not as we know it! Find out everything you need to know I this brilliant, action-packed, fact-filled book, including: — just how useful mashed potato is — how the Battle of Britain was won — what it takes to be a spy — how D-Day was kept a surprise.

Climbing trees, playing with wool... Matilda is sure her cat will love these things, but he doesn't seem very enthusiastic. Undaunted, she thinks up new ways to amuse her reluctant playmate. Tea parties? Dressing up? Or what about a nice bike ride? As the beleagured cat goes from nonplussed to terrified, Matilda gets more and more frustrated. After all, what use is a pet if it doesn't want to play? An insightful, fond and funny look at the relationship between a little girl and her cat, this is sure to strike a chord with anyone who's ever been a devoted pet owner.

What is a black hole? How do we know that stars and galaxies are billions of years old? What is the difference between stars and planets? Glenn Murphy, author of Why is Snot Green?, answers these and a lot of other brilliant questions in this funny and informative book. Packed with doodles and information about all sorts of incredible things, like supermassive black holes, galaxies, telescopes, planets, solar flares, constellations, eclipses and red dwarfs, this book contains absolutely no boring bits!

The complete story and original illustrations of FOOTBALL FEVER by Alan Durant and Kate Leake have been specially re-designed into an early reader format. Created with expert advice from a literacy consultant, this new version is intended to help and encourage children who are growing in reading confidence. William eats, talks and dreams football, and he's driving his sister crazy! When William's dad takes him to a football club for the first time, who knows if William will score? And who'll be next to catch the football bug?

Cackle like a witch, buzz like a robot and let your imagination run wild with this fantastic play mask book! With die-cut eye holes, easy-to-grip handles and, best of all, a fantastic pop on each spread that really brings the characters to life. Simple, sturdy and very, very funny these books are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face.

Cluck like a chicken, squeak like a mouse and let your imagination run wild with this fantastic new play mask book! Each book has die-cut eye holes, easy-to-grip handles and, best of all, a fantastic pop on each spread that really brings the characters to life. Simple, sturdy and very, very funny these books are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face.

There's hours of fun to be had mixing and matching the animals to create some fantastically crazy creatures! Children will love finding the right — and wrong — answers in this simple board book with split pages. And the sturdy board format makes this a great choice for long-lasting fun.

There's hours of fun to be had mixing and matching the animals to create some fantastically crazy creatures! Children will love finding the right — and wrong — answers in this simple board book with split pages. And the sturdy board format makes this a great choice for long-lasting fun.

Through Time: London follows the story of the historic capital from its Celtic origins right up to the present including the settlement of the Romans, the Anglo-Saxon era, the Viking invasion, and the growth of medieval London in Norman times. The book explores major events in London's history, such as the plague, the Blitz and preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Oink! said the cats... With all the MOOing and HISSing and BAAAing and CLUCKing, the farmyard is full of noise. But when Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len hatch a plot to steal the fine prize cow, it's the quietest animal of all who saves the day! Spot the glittery ladybird on every page of this wonderful rhyming tale.

Hide and Seek: Crocodile is so excited to play hide and seek with his best friend Alligator. Crocodile covers his eyes and counts to ten. It doesn't take him a moment to find his friend though, Alligator's big floppy tail won't hide behind anything in the jungle. But what will happen when Crocodile tries to hide himself? Bake a Cake: Crocodile isn't too pleased with Alligator he said he'd help him make a lovely cake in the kitchen but all he's done so far is drop the flour on the floor, smash the sugar bowl and try to juggle eggs. Crocodile sighs and tells Alligator to measure out the raisins. You can eat one but no more. Will Alligator do as he's told?

Brown Bear is alarmed when he discovers he can't see his feet... Poor Brown Bear's tummy is sticking out! He decides to change his shape and asks Bunny and Chimp what they eat. But lettuce, carrots and bananas don't agree with Brown Bear. He wonders whether exercise might be the answer, but Crack! Crunch! Crash! swinging through the trees isn't such a good idea! Brown Bear is sadder than ever, until his friends reassure him that bears are supposed to be round he's the perfect shape and size! The I AM READING series provides just the right balance of challenge and support for newly independent readers. Large, easy-to-read type, satisfying stories by top writers and cheerful full-colour pictures help children make the transition from picture books to chapter books. Each book includes a bookmark flap, tips for beginner readers and either short, numbered chapters or two short stories.

Anything but a parrot! Captain Pepper wants a pet. He wants to be different... he wants to be famous... so a boring old parrot just won't do. The fiery captain sets his pirate crew to find the perfect pet. They try a hippopotamus, a monkey and a leopard each with hilariously disastrous results. Finally, they alight upon a python and Captain Pepper is delighted! But the last laugh is on him when his not so cuddly companion has him for dinner! At last his browbeaten crew can sail home in peace. The ideal blend of fun, identifiable characters and strong storyline, with a motley crew of pets and pirates, make this perfect for beginner readers.

You have to be very quick and very lucky to see a dinosaur! Sally goes to visit her grandfather and finds a small red dinosaur in the garage. Her grandfather doesn't know about the dinosaur because he isn't quick enough or lucky enough to see him. The dinosaur gets up to all sorts of tricks, like twirling round on the washing line or spinning on the garden sprinkler, but he always manages to avoid being seen by Grandad... just! Young children will love the element of naughtiness in the dinosaur's antics, and giggle along with Sally at his entertaining acrobatics.

Doris is the world's worst magician's assistant she muddles up the magic cards and mislays the magic wand. Her boss Marvo gives her the sack. Because Marvo is mean he decides to employ a stray dog as his new assistant. Hocus Pocus Hound turns great but Marvo gets greedy on the back of HPH's success. Doris and HPH have one last trick up their sleeves to get their own back...

Mr Cool is going to be the best pop group ever... Kevin wants to join Micky, Ricky and Nicky's pop band but they are not sure he's cool enough. Doesn't Kevin realise that Gran-knitted jumpers with sheep and teddy bears on them aren't the right kind of clothes for a pop star? Lucky for Kevin his Gran has a basement — the only place the boys have to practise so he makes the group. The band does well but when big record boss Mr Rich offers them a deal he says they need to drop the odd guy with the jumpers. Will the band choose certain fame or will they give it up to keep Kevin in the group?