Once, a long time ago, in a town called Nazareth, a little donkey was born. As the wonderful events of the Nativity unfold, Brian Wildsmith tells of the journey of a little girl and a donkey to Bethlehem. It is their perspective on the Christmas story that gives the book such an intimate, innocent, and child-centred appeal. This classic story from one of our most internationally acclaimed picture-book writers and artists has deservedly become an enduring favourite with children at Christmas time. Now presented as a beautiful gift edition which includes a nativity scene to make and display in your home during the festive season.

The story opens with a familiar Biblical image-of Mary being visited by the angel Gabriel. In Brian Wildsmith's imagining of this scene, Mary is shown with her cherished cat and dog. When Mary and Joseph set out for Bethlehem, her pets are left behind. But the cat and dog miss their mistress and decide to make the journey to find her. Along the way, they stop to help various other animals who join them on the road to Bethlehem. Arriving at the stable, the animals share in the joy of the birth of Jesus. Mary is delighted to be reunited with her pets and be able to present her new baby to them. This appealing story from one of our most internationally acclaimed picture-book writers and artists has deservedly become an enduring favourite with children at Christmas time.

Here are five of the best-loved fables of La Fontaine simply retold and sumptuously illustrated by Brian Wildsmith, an internationally acclaimed picture-book writer and artist. We meet a boastful hare as he challenges a slow-and-steady tortoise to a race. We see how a bag of coins threatens to rob a simple shoemaker of his happiness. We discover that the Sun's gentle warmth is more than a match for the North Wind's bluster. We join a miller, a boy, and a donkey on their eventful journey. And we witness a little rat's kindness and courage in helping a mighty lion. These are lovely stories for adults to share with children over and over again.

Discover a lepe of leopards, a company of parrots, and a stream of minnows in this glorious visual introduction to the animal kingdom sumptuously illustrated by internationally acclaimed picture-book artist, Brian Wildsmith. This beautiful book will delight young animal lovers. Through evocative paintings, children are brought face to face with wildlife from around the world. Brian Wildsmith has captured the essence of each animal — from the playfulness of otters to a noisy gathering of parrots. His panoramic pictures also give a real sense of the animals' habitats — from a sun-soaked plain where elephants roam to icy Antarctica where penguins huddle together. Collective nouns — some familiar, others wonderfully surprising — are used to describe each group of animals. This is a book that will inspire a love of nature and a respect for animals from the earliest age.

Once, a long time ago, a little donkey was brought to Jesus. The story of Easter is told here through the eyes of the donkey that carried Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. He watches the Last Supper, he sees Jesus brought before Pontius Pilate, he is there when Jesus is crucified, and he witnesses the joy of the resurrection. Every year, as these events are remembered, this beautiful retelling from Brian Wildsmith is a lovely book to share with children. Brian Wildsmith is one of our most internationally acclaimed picture-book writers and artists. This classic Easter retelling now has a stunning new cover design to appeal to a whole new generation of young Wildsmith fans.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, now available for the first time in paperback, Brian Wildsmith tells the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a series of wonderful scenes, framed by gold. We read the touching story of Mary's parents, Anna and Joachim, the birth and childhood of Mary, her marriage to Joseph and the visit by the angel Gabriel. We then travel with Mary to Bethlehem and witness the magic of the Nativity. We watch Jesus growing up in Nazareth and Mary's sadness as he leaves to preach the gospel. We join Mary as she is plunged into grief by the cross and then share her joy in the resurrection. Finally we see Mary's assumption into heaven.

'I am sure to win, but we will race if you like.' So laughs the hare when a slow tortoise challenges him to run all the way to the old cart. His speed is never in doubt but perhaps it is the hare's boastfulness that should make us question the likely outcome of the race? The simple message of this La Fontaine fable — that modesty and perseverance will always be rewarded — is gloriously told in this lovely picture book from Brian Wildsmith, an internationally acclaimed writer and artist for children. His simple words and sumptuous illustrations bring a freshness to this timeless fable and the stunning new cover design and imaginative interior typography will delight a whole new generation of young Wildsmith fans.

The story of Exodus and the rescue of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt is one of the greatest stories in the Old Testament. In this brilliantly illustrated picture book, the distinguished artist, Brian Wildsmith, captures all the incidents of this powerful and dramatic tale: Moses in the bulrushes, the burning bush, the plagues that afflict Egypt, the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, the journey through the desert, the Ten Commandments, and finally the arrival in the Promised Land. Brian WIldsmith brings this ancient story to life with stunning pictures of Ancient Egypt and the vast expanses of the wilderness and mountains.

A truly beautiful picture book, in which Brian Wildsmith sets out the life of Jesus: his birth, his childhood in Nazareth, his baptism and temptation, his teaching and miracles, and finally the entry in to Jerusalem, culminating in his death and resurrection.