From dreamy thoughts about colour to fantastic notions on left and right, this surreal book encourages young children to let their imaginations run riot and think up all kinds of weird and wonderful things.

Frog and Toad are always there for each other — just as best friends should be. From sledding in winter to eating ice cream on hot summer days, these two friends have fun together the whole year round.

After catching her husband having an affair and being fired from her job, Maggie Walsh suddenly finds her perfectly organized existence has become a perfect mess. She decides, for the first time in her life, to do something daring — and flees to her best friend, Emily, in the faraway wonderland of Los Angeles. In this mecca of tanned, beautiful bodies, unsvelte, uncool Maggie is decidedly a fish out of water. Yet, overnight, she's mixing with film folk, pitching scripts, even experimenting with sex — and discovering that the end of a marriage is not the end of the world.

A sumptuous large-format hardback containing sketches and paintings from the illustrated Lord of the Rings, together with brand new and previously unseen material. In this large-format hardback Alan Lee reveals in pictures and in words how he created the images in the authorised illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings. These images would prove so powerful, matching perfectly with Tolkien's own vision, that they would eventually define the look of Peter Jackson's movie trilogy and earn Alan a coveted Academy Award. The book is filled with over 150 of his sketches and early conceptual pieces to show how the project progressed from idea to finished art. It also contains 20 colour paintings reproduced in full-page glory, together with numerous examples of his conceptual art produced for the films and brand new pieces drawn specially for this book. The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook provides a fascinating insight into the imagination of the man who painted Tolkien's vision, firstly onto the page and then in three dimensions on the cinema screen. It will also be of interest to many of the 100,000 people who have bought the illustrated Lord of the Rings as well as for budding artists and illustrators interested in unlocking the secrets of book illustration.

The story of one family piecing itself back together after a tragic highschool shooting, Hey Nostradamus! is Douglas Coupland's most soulful, piercing and searching novel yet. Pregnant and secretly married, Cheryl Anway scribbles her last will and testament — and erie premonition — on a school binder shortly before a rampaging trio of misfit classmates gun her down in a high school cafeteria. Overrun with paranoia, teenage angst and religious zeal in the ensuing massacre's wake, this sleepy Vancouver neighbourhood declares its saints, brands its demons and finally moves on. But for a handful of people still reeling from that horrific day, life remains perpetually derailed. Four dramatically different characters tell their stories in their own words: Cheryl, who calmly narrates her own death; Jason, the boy no one knew was her husband, still marooned ten years later by his loss; Heather, the woman trying to love the shattered Jason; and Jason's father Reg, a cruelly religious man no one suspects is still worth loving. Each wrestles with God, self-defeat and a crippling inability to hold on to those they love.

A two-sided photographic tour of the world of modern American burlesque and fetish includes in the first part a cultural history of burlesque complemented by the author's provocative tips on erotic fashion and sensuality, and in the second part a photographic celebration of fetish style.

This hilarious book will have children tying their tongues in knots as they try to read aloud the most terrible tongue twisters ever written. They'll have so much fun they won't even realise that they're learning to read at the same time! With his unique combination of hilarious stories, zany pictures and riotous rhymes, Dr Suess has been delighting young children and helping them learn to read for over fifty years. Creator of the wonderfully anarchic Cat in the Hat, and ranked among the UK's top ten favourite children's authors, Dr. Seuss is a global best-seller, with nearly half a billion books sold worldwide. As part of a major rebrand programme, HarperCollins is relaunching Dr Seuss's best-selling books. In response to consumer demand, bright new cover designs incorporate much-needed guidance on reading levels. The standard paperbacks divide into three reading strands — Blue Back Books for parents to share with young children, Green Back Books for budding readers to tackle on their own, and Yellow Back Books for older, more fluent readers to enjoy. This is a Green Back book.

The new novel from the author of A SCENT OF LAVENDER and ONE SUMMER AT DEER'S LEAP follows the secrets and passions of the Sutton family as Britain tries to find its way following the end of World War 2. The war is over, but the battle for happiness has just begun... After six long years the Second World War is finally over. Rationing may remain, but hopes and dreams are in good supply. At Rowangarth, deep in the Yorkshire countryside, there is more good news for the Sutton family and wedding preparations are underway. Lyndis Carmichael has finally won the heart of Drew Sutton, the man she has secretly cherished for years. Still, Lyndis has doubts. Haunted by the memory of Drew's fiancee Kitty — killed during the Blitz — she wonders if she can ever take her place in Drew's heart, and if she truly belongs in the close-knit Sutton clan. And other ghosts still linger. Keth Purvis, back from France after a high-risk mission, is compelled to return overseas to search for the young girl who saved his life; Drew's mother has yet to reveal the shocking truth of his father's identity, and Tatiana wonders if she will ever meet her long-lost half-sister. With the country struggling to get back on its feet, can the Sutton family make peace with its past?

You want to know the truth. Sonea has learned much since she was but a penniless urchin possessing an awesome untapped ability. She has earned the grudging respect of her fellow novices and a place in the Magicians' Guild. But there is much she wishes she had never learned — what she witnessed, for example, in the underground chamber of the mysterious High Lord Akkarin... and the knowledge that the Guild is being observed closely by an ancient fearsome enemy. Still, she dares not ignore the terrifying truths the High Lord would share with her, even though she fears it may be base trickery, a scheme to use her astonishing powers to accomplish his dark aims. For Sonea knows her future is in his hands — and that only in the shadows will she achieve true greatness... if she survives.

Every year, the magicians of Imardin gather together to purge the city streets of vagrants and miscreants. As masters of the disciplines of magic, they know that no ordinary lowlife can oppose them. But their protective shield is not as impenetrable as they think. Sonea, a young vagrant slum dweller, outraged by the arrogance and high-handedness of the magicians, throws a stone at their protective shield, putting all her rage behind it. She is stunned when her puny rock manages to break through the magic shield and knocks a magician unconscious. Running for her life, Sonea seeks refuge in the underground tunnels that course through the city, for the Guild s worst fear has been realized. An untrained magician is loose, and she must be found before her nascent, uncontrolled powers destroys herself and the city of Imardin.

Even if a magician's powers surface of their own accord, he will soon be dead if he does not gain the knowledge of how to control them. Alone among all the novices in the Magicians' Guild, only Sonea comes from lowly beginnings. Yet she has won powerful allies — including Lord Dannyl, newly promoted to Guild Ambassador. But Dannyl must now depart for the Elyne court, leaving Sonea at the mercy of the lies and malicious rumors her enemies are busy spreading... until the High Lord Akkarin steps in. The price of Akkarin's support is dear, however, because Sonea, in turn, must protect his mysteries — and a secret that could lead a young novice mage deep into the darkness. Meanwhile, Dannyl's first order to resume High Lord Akkarin's long-abandoned research into ancient magical knowledge is setting him on an extraordinary journey fraught with unanticipated peril — as he moves ever-closer to a future both wondrous... and terrible.

Second title in Garth Nix's gripping new fantasy adventure series. Arthur Penhaligon didn't think he would ever have to return to the strange house that nearly killed him on Monday — the house that contains a fantastical and sinister realm inside. But the next day brings new challenges — in the form of an enemy named Grim Tuesday, who threatens the safety of both Arthur's family and his world. Arthur must retrieve the Second Key from Grim Tuesday in order to save everything — an adventure that will force him to steal a Sunship, survive a very weird work camp, befriend a bearlike spirit and fight the void Nithlings. Even after all that, he will still have to venture into the scary Far Reaches for an ultimate showdown.

It's Christmastime and Little Critter has written his letter to Santa, helped his mom bake cookies, decorated the tree, and done some last-minute shopping. He can't wait for Santa to get here. Lift the big flaps to share in the Christmas fun with Little Critter and his family!

A journey beyond imagination is about to unfold... It begins in the most boring place in the world: Chickentown, U.S.A. There lives Candy Quackenbush, her heart bursting for some clue as to what her future might hold.When the answer comes, it's not one she expects.Welcome to the Abarat.

Jo Beth Sidden trains bloodhounds for a living and occasionally takes on a tracking assignment such as hunting down a sweet old lady who has wandered off into the Okefenokee Swamp. Unfortunately, wily prison escapee Jimmy Joe Lane has decided that he and Jo Beth are the perfect match, and his adoring kinfolk support their good ole boy's delusions. Suddenly Jo Beth has serious man-trouble, on top of a series of bizarre deaths that are further complicating her life. But when Jimmy Joe threatens her favorite hound, Jo Beth really sees red. Before he harms one hair on her canine friend, she swears she'll bring the crazed criminal to justice — along with his whole twisted family if necessary. Or else she'll die trying!

New cover, new format reissue of this story about everyone's favourite family cat, Mog. One day Mog did not want to eat her supper... And it was snowing and Mr Thomas was cross at having to do the bin bags. Who would have thought that all this would lead to three foxes in Mog's kitchen?

An informative picture book that presents a larger-than-life look at the fly and explains that flies can be very useful — despite their capacity to carry germs and cause disease! The humorous cartoons, captivating photographs and informative captions provide a fascinating insight into this common and pesky insect. * Turquoise/ Band 7 books offer literay language and extended descriptions, with longer sentences and a wide range of unfamiliar terms. * Text type — A non-chronological report. * Pages 22 and 23 give children the chance to recap and discuss the information covered. * Curriculum links — Science: Plants and animals in the local environment. * This information book is paired with a fictional story on a similar theme: Harry the Clever Spider by Julia Jarman. * This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.

So you want to be a pirate? This book shows you how in 10 easy stages, from wearing the right clothes right down to what to do with the treasure. And along the way, you'll learn a barrelful of facts about famous pirates and pirate life through the ages.

The Indian chief was brave and fierce, so many people were afraid of him. But Wasso, the brave baby, was not afraid of him. When the proud Indian chief goes to confront Wasso, he learns an important and humbling lesson. No matter how much he tries to intimidate the brave baby, she will not do as he says.

Far, far away, in deep, dark space, was a star. A tiny twinkle. But it was Star Boy’s home. Star Boy lived there all alone, with only his robot, Ace, for company. And although Ace was fun to play with, he was just a robot. For his birthday, all Star Boy wanted was a surprise – but how could a robot think of a surprise? • This deceptively simple science fiction story explores ideas of friendship and understanding. • Text type — A fantasy story. • Pictures taken through the Space Girl’s viewer are featured on pages 22 and 23, showing views from her rocket and snap shots of the birthday party providing lots of speaking and listening opportunities. • Curriculum links — Citizenship: Taking part, Developing skills of communication and participation. • This story is paired with a non-fiction book on a similar theme: Let’s go to Mars by Janice Marriott. • This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.