In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. This edition features an 8 page colour section of images from the Spielberg movie.

A powerful novel from Michael Morpurgo, the nation's favourite storyteller! Never have Aman and his mother needed a friend more than when a Springer Spaniel appears — thin and war-ravaged — in the mouth of their Afghan cave. Nursed back to health by Aman, the dog becomes a constant companion, a shadow, and that's what Aman decides to call her. But life in Afghanistan becomes more dangerous by the moment. Eventually, Aman, his mother and Shadow find the courage to embark upon the treacherous journey from war-torn Afghanistan to the safely of a relative's home in Manchester, England. But how far can Shadow lead them? And in this terrifying new world, is anywhere really safe!?

The magical sequel to 'War Horse', soon to be a major motion picture. Joey was the last working horse on the farm, and the apple of Grandpa's eye. In War Horse, Joey was sent away from the farm to be a warhorse in WWI. Grandpa had joined the cavalry in order to find, and fight, with Joey. Farm Boy brings us forward fifty years with Grandpa not only telling his grandson, Joey's story but also a 'shameful secret' which he has held for years! The story is set in Iddesleigh in Devon and lovingly evokes the bonds between farm and farmer; grandson and grandfather. The spirit of rural life is superbly captured in both Michael Morpurgo's writing and Michael Foreman's illustrations. An irresistible title from acclaimed author-illustrator partnership.

Since the beginning of time, strange and mysterious things have happened here... At the furthest edge of Britain, where the sea gently washes over the land and myths brush against reality, lies Zennor. Set in a churchtown where men become beats and ghosts roam freely, these are haunting and unforgettable tales where magic lies around every corner.

At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. At the outbreak of the First World War, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, although still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to the trenches to find him and bring him home. Narrated from an unusual perspective, Michael Morpurgo's classic novel vividly brings to life the sufferings of animals caught up in human warfare. War Horse has been adapted by the National Theatre to become a hit play and is now being made into a major motion picture by Steven Spielberg. Download the free scheme of work from the Collins Education website to support your teaching.

A gentle and deeply moving story of a young girl and her bear, told with great charm by a master storyteller. High in the mountains, in a tiny village, an abandoned bear cub is adopted by a lonely orphan child. Soon they are inseparable, beloved by the whole village — safe, until the arrival of a glamorous film crew who need a dancing bear!

When Bun Bendle is struck blind he feels like he is drowning in blackness. But the discovery of an ancient tomb and a strangely familiar sword changes him forever. For Bun, a centuries-old power may lead to a bright future.

Three fantastic animal stories in one volume! Jo-Jo the Melon Donkey — Jo-Jo is a donkey, and he does not like it, not one bit. Every day, he works hard selling melons on the streets of Venice. Then, one dark night, Jo-Jo discovers that it is up to him to save the city from the sea. Conker — When Nick's grandmother decides to help him become Conker Champion of Jubilee Park, she sends him off to find some special conkers from Cotter's Yard. There, he discovers a half-starved dog. Will Nick be able to rescue him? Colly's Barn — Annie's father wants to demolish the old barn and build a new one. But what will happen to all the birds that nest there? Then something amazing happens which shows the birds are wiser than anyone had imagined.

«From former Children's Laureate and award-winning author Michael Morpurgo comes, «Arthur High King of Britain», reissued with a beautiful new cover. Marooned on a sandbank, a boy faces certain death. With the sea closing in and the current about to drag him to a watery grave, his final wish is to see heaven.Waking in a strange bed, the boy meets an old man sitting by the fire with his dog. It is Arthur, the great warrior king of legend, and from his lips the boy hears of Camelot, chivalry, magic, evil and betrayal.»

A cat's nine lives are full of adventure and excitement and none more so than Montezuma, the farmyard cat. From a young kitten to a grand old cat he is cunning and proud while establishing his kingdom, but to Matthew he's always loving and adorable.

Everyone knows the Big Hill is full of gold, and now the islanders are intent on cutting the top off it and making themselves rich. Jessie and Jake are determined to save the Big Hill but what can they do? A plan is needed, and fast. Could the ghost of Grania O'Malley, the pirate queen, be the answer? You don’t know what you can do until you try.

«From master storyteller Michael Morpurgo comes «Friend or Foe». Evacuated from London, David and Tucky feel like the war is a long way away from their new life in the countryside. Then one night the skyline of the moor is lit up with gun flashes, and the distant crump of bombing miles away brings the war back to them and shatters their new-found peace. When a German bomber crashes, the boys feel they should hate the airmen inside. But one of them saves David's life...»

In 1914, Joey, a young farm horse, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges towards the enemy, witnessing the horror of the frontline. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him.

Life on the Sicily Isles in 1907 is bleak and full of hardship. Laura's twin brother, Billy, disappears, and then a storm devastates everything. It seems there's little hope... that is until the Zanzibar is wrecked on the island's rocks and everything changes.

This is an exciting adventure and friendship story by a much-loved, award winning author. Gracie and her friend, Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then, they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. They build up a lovely friendship with him, but when the children get stranded on Samson Island they don't know whether to believe the birdman's story that the island is cursed. Set on a remote island against the backdrop of World War I, this story will captivate and delight young readers.

This is a gripping historical adventure by a much-loved and award winning author. It is World War II and Jo stumbles on a dangerous secret: Jewish children are being smuggled away from the Nazis, close to his mountain village in Spain. Now, German soldiers have been stationed at the border. Jo must get word to his friends that the children are trapped. The slightest mistake could cost them their lives.

One cold Christmas night a shepherd recounts the magical story of how he came to be the first visitor to the newborn Christ child — ahead of the other shepherds, and in complete secret. A deftly wrought re-working of the nativity story, Michael's tale is rich in human detail. Quentin Blake's watercolour illustrations ooze energy and atmosphere and perfectly complement this poignant story.

Turned away by his own son, Cessie's long-lost grandfather finds himself in the place he fears most — a nursing home called Shangri-La. Only Cessie loves him and is determined to help him escape and unravel the truth of his past. A past that comes to him only in glimpses — a lifeboat, a tin of condensed milk, a terrifying night on the beaches of Dunkirk in World War II...

A heart-warming tale of courage and warmth, set against the backdrop of the Second World War, about an abandoned village, a lifelong friendship and one very adventurous cat! 'Classic Morpurgo brilliance' — Publishing News. Something's up. Something big too, very big. At school, in the village, whoever you meet, it's all anyone talks about. It's like a sudden curse has come down on us all. It makes me wonder if we'll ever see the sun again. It's 1943, and Lily Tregenze lives on a farm, in the idyllic seaside village of Slapton. Apart from her father being away, and the 'townie' evacuees at school, her life is scarcely touched by the war. Until one day, Lily and her family, along with 3000 other villagers, are told to move out of their homes — lock, stock and barrel. Soon, the whole area is out of bounds, as the Allied forces practise their landings for D-day, preparing to invade France. But Tips, Lily's adored cat, has other ideas — barbed wire and keep-out signs mean nothing to her, nor does the danger of guns and bombs. Frantic to find her, Lily makes friends with two young American soldiers, who promise to help her. But will she ever see her cat again? Lily decides to cross the wire into the danger zone to look for Tips herself! Now, many years later, as Michael is reading his Grandma Lily's diary, he learns about 'The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips' — and wonders how one adventurous cat could still affect their lives sixty years later.

Michael Morpurgo is a master storyteller, former Children's Laureate and multi-award winner. This is a fresh reissue of a much-loved story with a beautiful new cover. Escaping from China as the Japanese invade, Ashley and Uncle Sung embark on a perilous journey across the Himalayas. Then Ashley finds himself alone in the hostile mountains, battling for his life. He is just about to give up all hope, when he has a mysterious and terrifying encounter.