Considered now a 20th century children's classic, this charming children's book of animal fables was first published in 1960 and was the first children's book either Quentin Blake the illustrator or John Yeoman ever published. It exudes all the warmth and wit we have come to expect of their collaborations. Who would believe it could be so hard to get a drink of water? And to find it at last, cool and fresh but out of reach - that was a problem indeed for a young monkey. Luckily for him, he had an observant and logical mind. This was more than could be said for the dog that made friends with the bear, or the vain jackdaw; and as for the silly ewe and the nanny goat, well, one might call it guile or one might call it simplicity that kept the wolves at bay. The Heron and the Crane, The Kitten and the Vixen and The Jungle Band are among the seven tales included in this beautiful collection with colour illustrations. 64pp. A companion to 92054 Boy Who Sprouted Antlers.

With her trademark gold effect borders and touches, the exquisite full page colour paintings of Isabelle Brent decorate these 20 classic tales by the famous German storytellers, the Brothers Grimm. They have been retold for a younger audience perhaps ages 12 and up by folklorist Neil Philip for the enjoyment of children today. The collection includes The Frog Prince, Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, The Musicians of Bremen, The Golden Goose, Snow White and lesser-known tales like Clever Elsie, The Miller's Boy and the Cat, The Three Lazy Bones, The Gold Children, Manyfurs and The Golden Key. Big glamorous bright white pages, each one decorated with golden border, colour illus.
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Illustrated by Isabelle Brent in her signature jewel-like colours and golden borders and decorations for crowns and moons, this is a literally sparkling collection of classic children's stories. The volume includes many of Hans Christian Andersen's most popular tales such as The Tinderbox, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, The Little Match Girl, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Beetle, and lesser-known tales like Little Ida's Flowers, The Sweethearts, The Goblin At the Grocer's, Five Peas From the Same Pod, Dance Dance Dolly Mine, and The Gardener and His Master among the 17 tales. Read about Little Ida who dared to dance at night with the flowers, the young prince who searched for a mysterious deep bell in the forest, and the very vain emperor who was cruelly tricked by wicked thieves. Big glossy white thick quality pages, glorious full page illustrations, gleaming with gold. 136pp.
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TV presenter and household name Dermot O'Leary presents the fourth book in his Toto the Ninja Cat series of bestsellers. Toto has been busy fighting crime and her ninja boss decides she is due a holiday. Join her, her brother Silver and their best friend Catface as they go to the world-famous animal musical festival, CASTONBURY. But in amongst the stages and the tipis something very fishy is going on. An evil villain is hiding in plain sight, and Toto is the only one who can smell out the danger. Will her ninja skills be enough to save the festival from total catastrophe? There are massive slobbering dogs from the illegal Bone-Dog Association, the royal palace in the capital of Rat London, the animal Tube, falling out of a train, plus cuddles and friendship, adventure and masses of entertainment in this fun story for cats aged 8-12. Really beautiful full page and other illustrations throughout, dedication page, 190pp.

A big elegant Faber picture book for children ages eight and up, complete and unabridged and with dedication page, this is a children's cat poem by the author of the world-famous Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. In 1951 a poem appeared in which Cat Morgan introduced himself and this is one of our favourites among all Old Possum's poems, perfect for reading aloud, singing or performing. 'I once was a Pirate what sailed the 'igh seas - but now I've retired as a com-mission-aire: and that's how you find me a' takin' my ease and keepin' the door in a Bloomsbury Square.' Arthur Robins's huge full page and double page spread illustrations gather every detail with his coloured artworks across one or two lines of the poem. Large square softback.

The writer and cartoon illustrator are both New York Times bestselling authors and Caldecott Children's Book Honor-winners. Here their winning combination presents a humorous story of Skunk. The black and white creature with the red blob on his nose waltzes through the city following the gentleman with the large glasses, tailcoat and red bow tie. Black and white and red all over, we visit the opera house where the Skunk sits on top of an old lady's head as she looks through her spy glasses, through the sculpture garden and the cemetery, on to the Ferris wheel, down an alley which was a dead end, into the sewers and finally back in the gentleman's bedroom. Guess who was waiting there for me? Nobody. The pages then turn to colour illustrations, the party begins, but can the man still find The Skunk? A big picture book for children of all ages and collectors of fine children's illustrated books, this is a slyly hilarious tale. Large format.

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was born in Odense, the son of a shoemaker. His early life was wretched, but he was adopted by a patron and became a short-story writer, novelist and playwright, though he remains best known for his magical fairy tales, which were published between 1835 and 1872. For 150 years his stories have been delighting both adults and children. Packed with light-hearted whimsy combined with mature wisdom they are as entrancing as ever. Here over 40 of Andersen's 168 tales, and among the favourites are The Red Shoes, The Mermaid, The Real Princess, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Tinder-Box and, of course, The Ugly Duckling. Illus. throughout. 400pp. Paperback.

Boxed and overall standing 26 x 10 x 6.4cm, this cheeky faced big eared giraffe has two black eyes looking upwards, brown horns, a big nose and of course a ridiculously long neck! The neck is made up of five HB pencils, long neck decorated with animal print giraffe design in brown and amber. Sitting down, his two back legs are splayed forward to sit comfortably on your desk while neatly holding the pencils, and keeping a lid on them with his friendly face. Orange body, brown feet and horns, he will be your favourite desk buddy. Boxed and would make an ideal gift. Incredible value.
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J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World Magical illustrations by Scott Buoncristiano, this flip top spiral bound book is designed to be used at bedtime in a dimly lit room or tent. Shine a beam of light from a torch or mobile phone through the window on each page to cast shadows on your favourite scenes on a wall or ceiling. Read along with the script provided for each one. Discover Dobby the House-Elf, Buckbeak the Hippogriff, see Hagrid giving his first care of magical creatures lesson, the scene when Harry is threatened by the memory of Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets when Newt Scamander tried to get a hold of a Niffler or when he shows his No-Maj friend Jacob Kowalski a strange creature he has collected. Whether it's Frank the Thunderbird or a Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon, draw your own favourite creature on the final clear Perspex window using a non-permanent dry-erase marker, then project it on the wall for all to see. Rinse and repeat! For all fans of cut-outs, pop-ups and interactive collectable books, designed for ages 7-10 and of course adult collectors. 16 pages, spiral bound, 19.6 x 24cm. Illus.

For Little Slugs aged 5+ and every fan of Matilda, this quality product from The Book People is a light up canvas artwork measuring 19.5cm across and 30cm or 12" tall, white stretched canvas across a wooden frame with the text 'I'm wondering what to read next' and the unmistakeable line art of Quentin Blake showing Matilda herself with a book wide open, standing on a pile of books reading aloud to a crowd of eight merry children with their hands raised and smiling gleefully, throwing pens and books and bags and shoes into the air. Non-replaceable LED bulbs are supplied and 3 x AA batteries (not included) are required. Best of all, the LED lights can change colour as the artwork YOU have coloured in is illuminated: the book can become pink, Matilda's face a fleshy colour and her long hair darkened. Very clever stuff and a quality gift product.