The second part of Roald Dahl's remarkable life story, following on from Boy. When he grew up, Roald Dahl left England for Africa — and a series of dangerous adventures began. From tales of plane crashes to surviving snake bites, this is Roald Dahl's extraordinary life before becoming the world's number one storyteller. Roald Dahl, the best-loved of children's writers, was born in Wales of Norwegian parents. His books continue to be bestsellers, despite his death in 1990, and worldwide sales are over 100 million! Illustrated with photographs and original letters.

With a sophisticated cool new cover, this series is perfect for older teen readers who like the darker side of Dahl. Thirteen of Roald Dahl's most unexpected tales. Is it really possible to invent a machine that does the job of a writer? What is it about a landlady's house that makes it so hard for her guests to leave? What does Sir Basil Turton value most, his wife or one of his priceless sculptures? From the sensitivity of 'Katina' to the surprising creepiness of 'Taste', these stories offer older children the perfect introduction to the adult writing of a storytelling genius. Once these bizarre and unexpected tales have been devoured, you can read further short stories in Skin and Henry Sugar. Roald Dahl, the best-loved of children's writers, was born in Wales of Norwegian parents. With the outbreak of World War II, he became an RAF fighter pilot. Despite his death in 1990, he is still the best selling children's writer of all time.

Roald Dahl — the grand master of the short story — turns his pen to anything, twisting everyday life into powerful, and sometimes terrifying fantasies. Seven superb stories, full of Roald Dahl's usual magic, mystery and suspense: meet the boy who can talk to animals, the man who can see with his eyes closed, and find out about the treasure, buried deep underground on Thistley Green. The absolute master of the twist in the tale. (The Times). These bizarre and unexpected tales will appeal to older readers who like the darker side of Dahl. Teens will also enjoy Skin and The Great Automatic Grammatizator, short stories also by Roald Dahl. Roald Dahl was born in Wales in 1916. He was educated in England before going to work for the Shell Oil Company in Africa. With the outbreak of World War II, he became an RAF fighter pilot. He began writing for adults at the close of the war, with the encouragement of C. S. Forester. His first children's book, James and the Giant Peach, was published in 1961 and each of his subsequent books became bestsellers. He is still the best-selling children's writer of all time.

Brilliant new branding and format for The Worst Witch — the bestselling children's story by Jill Murphy. Hold on to your broomstick for magical mayhem! Jill Murphy's much-loved classic The Worst Witch is the original story of life at a magical boarding school, perfect for readers aged 5 — 9 years. Mildred Hubble is a trainee at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, but she's making an awful mess of it. She keeps getting her spells wrong and crashing her broomstick. And when she turns Ethel, the teacher's pet into her worst enemy, chaos ensues... Millions of young readers have fallen under the spell of Jill Murphy's Worst Witch. (Sunday Express). Jill Murphy was born in London in 1949. From a very early age she was drawing and writing stories, and was already putting books together (literally, with a stapler) by the time she was six. She went on to study at Chelsea, Croydon and Camberwell Schools of Art. Jill worked in a children's home for four years and as a nanny for a year, before becoming a freelance writer and illustrator. The Worst Witch stories, of which this is the first, are some of Puffin's most successful titles. If you'd like to read more of Mildred's disastrous adventures at Miss Cackle's Academy The Worst Witch Strikes Again, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, The Worst Witch All at Sea, The Worst Witch Saves the Day and The Worst Witch to the Rescue are also available from Puffin and are perfect for children aged 5-9.

The Mark of Athena is the explosive third part in Rick Riordan's number one series — Heroes of Olympus. One fatal prophecy seven brave demigods a quest to find — and close — the doors of death. Annabeth felt as if someone had draped a cold washcloth across her neck. She heard that whispering laughter again, as if the presence had followed her from the ship. She looked up at the Argo II. Its massive bronze hull glittered in the sunlight. Part of her wanted to kidnap Percy right now, get on board and get out of here while they still could. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. She couldn't risk losing Percy again.

A collection of irreverant rhymes featuring characters from fairy tales, fables and nursery rhymes — as you've never seen them before! From the tortoise and the hare and Hansel and Gretel to Ali Baba and Aladdin, these traditional stories will never seem the same again once you have had a taste of Roald Dahl's hilarious verse and Quentin Blake's suitably lively illustrations. An inventive collection for older children and adults alike, Rhyme Stew bubbles over with Roald Dahl's extraordinary humour and imagination.

This is a collection of eleven short stories to startle, surprise and satisfy from Roald Dahl — the master of the twist in the tale. How would you get rid of a murder weapon without causing suspicion? Where would you hide a diamond where no one else would think of looking? What if you found out the tattoo on your back was worth over a million pounds? Specially chosen for teenagers by Wendy Cooling, the stories have been taken from The Collected Short Stories of Roald Dahl, published by Michael Joseph. Roald Dahl was born in Wales in 1916. He was educated in England before going to work for the Shell Oil Company in Africa. With the outbreak of World War II, he became an RAF fighter pilot. He began writing for adults at the close of the war, with the encouragement of C. S. Forester. His first children's book, James and the Giant Peach, was published in 1961 and each of his subsequent books became bestsellers. He is still the best-selling children's writer of all time.

'A true genius... Roald Dahl is my hero' — David Walliams Phizz-whizzing new branding for the world's No.1 storyteller — Roald Dahl! Bold and exciting and instantly recognisable with Quentin Blake's inimitable artwork. Boggis, Bunce and Bean are the meanest three farmers you could meet. They are determined to get Mr Fox — but he has other plans! Roald Dahl, the best-loved of children's writers, was born in Wales of Norwegian parents. After school in England he went to work for Shell in Africa. He began to write after a monumental bash on the head, sustained as an RAF pilot in World War II. Roald Dahl died in 1990. Quentin Blake is one of the best-known and best-loved children's illustrators and it's impossible now to think of Roald Dahl's writings without imagining Quentin Blake's illustrations.

Half Boy. Half God. All Hero. Most people get presents on their sixteenth birthday. I get a prophecy that could save or destroy the world. It happens when you're the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea. According to an ancient prophecy, I turn sixteen and the fate of the entire world is on me. But no pressure. Now Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City. And the dreaded monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it's me and forty of my demi-god friends versus untold evil... Rick Riordan is the Mythmaster. The Greek Gods are alive and kicking.

This Top Trumps non-fiction activity book is packed with fascinating facts and scary stats on loads of incredible dinosaurs, as well as activities and new ways to play with your 20 free Top Trumps cards.

This Top Trumps non-fiction activity book is packed with fascinating facts and scary stats on loads of incredible creatures of the deep, as well as activities and new ways to play with your 20 free Top Trumps cards.

The hilarious, award-winning and global bestseller Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever is now in book and CD — perfect for long journeys and holidays! The sixth instalment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series — fantastic for readers of 8+ and also reluctant readers. You can also discover Greg on the big screen in any one of the three Wimpy Kid Movie box office smashes.Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he's innocent! Or at least sort of.The authorities are closing in, but then a surprise blizzard hits and the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he is going to have to face the music but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family? Praise for Jeff Kinney:'The world has gone crazy for Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid' — Sun'Kinney is right up there with J K Rowling as one of the bestselling children's authors on the planet' — Independent'The most hotly anticipated children's book of the year is here — Diary of a Wimpy Kid' — Big Issue'Hilarious' — TelegraphAs well as being the international bestselling author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney is also an online developer and designer. He is the creator of the children's virtual world, Poptropica. Jeff has been named one of TIME magazine's most influential people in the world. His original Diary of a Wimpy Kid was voted 'Best Children's Book of the Last 10 Years' by UK readers. Jeff lives with his family in Massachusetts, USA.

The naughty step is the place Sam has to sit when he has done something he knows he Really shouldn't have. And Sam isn't alone. Captain Buckleboots is sitting on the naughty step too and so is Father Christmas — uh-oh, oh no! What's going to happen on Christmas Eve now?

Bloodlines: The Fiery Heart is the pulse-racing fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series from the author of the soon-to-be global movie sensation, Vampire Academy. Sydney Sage is an Alchemist — she protects vampire secrets — and human lives. After making the shocking decision that changed her whole life, Sydney still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her powerful magical ability to destroy everything about the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and the burning desire for revenge, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the dangerous threat of exposure looms larger than ever. Praise for Richelle Mead: We're suckers for it! (Entertainment Weekly). An obvious pick for the literary lover of all things bloodsucking. (Hollywood Crush, MTV.com). Richelle Mead is the New York Times and global bestselling author of the Vampire Academy series (soon to be a movie blockbuster in Feb 2014), Bloodlines, Age of X and adult urban fantasy series, Succubus Blues. She lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and baby. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a fascination with mythology and folklore. She is a self-professed coffee addict and works in her pyjamas.

Fans of Twilight and The Hunger Games will adore this teen paranormal romance novel — the sequel to the best selling Bloodlines: The Golden Lily. In The Indigo Spell, a thrilling world of magic, alchemy, vampires and true love awaits... Sydney Sage is an Alchemist — she protects vampire secrets — and human lives. In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she is struggling to decide between following her Alchemist teachings — or her heart. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch, a former Alchemist who is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for the person attacking powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood — or else she might be next. Praise for Richelle Mead: We're suckers for it! (Entertainment Weekly). An obvious pick for the literary lover of all things bloodsucking. (Hollywood Crush, MTV.com). Richelle Mead is the New York Times bestselling author of Vampire Academy, Bloodlines and the adult urban fantasy series Succubus Blues. She is a self-professed coffee addict, runs on a nocturnal schedule and lives in Seattle, Washington.

Percy Jackson fought Greek Gods. Now the Gods of Egypt are waking in the modern world...'I Guess it started the night oue dad blew up the british museum...' Carter and Sadie Kane's dad is a brilliant Egyptologist with a secret plan that goes horribly wrong. An explosion shatters the ancient Rosetta stone and unleashes Set, the evil god of chaos...Set imprisons Dr Kane in a golden coffin and Carter and Sadie must run for their lives. To save their dad, they embark on a terrifying quest from Cairo to Paris to the American South-West and discover the truth about their family's connection to the House of Life: an Egyptian temple of magic that has existed for thousands of years. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt are far from dead and buried. And so, unfortunately, are their gods...

How Many Sleeps till my Birthday is the perfect birthday countdown book! It's hard to be patient when you're only a very little bear, and Little Pip cannot wait until his birthday. And he's driving Papa Grizzle nuts! Every day he wakes up and asks the same question. Poor Daddy Grizzle... and poor Pip! How will he be able to wait until the big day? Luckily, Pip has his big Daddy Grizzle there to help. An hilarious and endearing story that every parent will recognise! Mark worked in printing and as a bookseller before turning his hand to writing. He has now written a number of picture books including the fabulously funny Captain Buckleboots on the Naughty Step and Father Christmas on the Naughty Step. From quirky to lyrical, Mark has a real talent for capturing the familiar moments in children's everyday lives with warmth and humour. Mark lives in Bristol. Sebastien is French and studied fine and applied arts at Strasbourg University before becoming a freelance illustrator. He moved to London in 2000 and has since worked exclusively on children's picture books.

Two especially good stories about animals including I Completely Know About Guinea Pigs and a brand new story, the poignant and heartwarming I Will Not Ever Never Forget You Nibbles, published in this collection for the very first time.

Charlie and Lola: I Completely Love Winter — by Lauren Child. This really very good Charlie and Lola book includes two wintery stories: Snow is My Favourite and My Best and I Really Need Actual Ice Skates. This wonderful book is perfect for fans of Charlie and Lola, and for cold winter bedtimes. Based on the award-winning books by Lauren Child,Charlie and Lola is now a top-rated BBC children's television show and a huge international hit. Lauren is also the multi-talented prize-winning creator of Clarice Bean. Charlie and Lola is produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, one of the UK's most successful and prolific independent television producers.

In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest of secrets...There is a girl. Slowly, she pulled the hood from her head. Green eyes, black hair. Lena Duchannes. There is a curse. On the Sixteenth Moon, the Sixteenth Year, the Book will take what it's been promised. And no one can stop it. In the end, there is a grave. Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and on her sixteenth birthday, her fate will be decided. Ethan never even saw it coming.