Monday 19 December 2011

The Sisters Grimm: Book Nine: The Council of Mirrors

The Sisters Grimm: Book Nine: The Council of Mirrors

The Sisters Grimm: Book Nine: The Council of Mirrors

by Michael Buckley, Peter Ferguson

Buy from Amazon

Book Description
In the final volume in the Sisters Grimm series, Sabrina, Daphne, and the rest of the Grimms and their friends must face off against the Master to decide the fate of Ferryport Landing and the world. When Mirror fails to escape the barrier using Granny Relda’s body, he turns to his plan B: killing all the Grimms so that the magical barrier collapses. In the meantime, Sabrina has gathered the other magic mirrors as advisors on how to deal with their mortal enemy. They tell her to join forces with the Scarlet Hand against Mirror, in exchange for offering all the citizens of Ferryport Landing their freedom. This final chapter is the end of the road for several beloved characters, but the conclusion is sure to satisfy devoted fans of the series.

About the Author
Michael Buckley is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sisters Grimm and NERDS series. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and son. Peter Ferguson is a comic book and editorial artist who has illustrated a number of young adult novels. He lives in Argentina.

War Horse

War Horse

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo

Buy from Amazon

Book Description
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

About the Author
Michael divides his time between his writing and running Farms for City Children, a charity which each year takes up to 3,000 children to a working farm for a week. Michael and his wife Clare were awarded MBEs this year for their work with the charity. Before the first farm opened 22 years ago, Morpurgo was a teacher and his knowledge of children's experiences, plus his experience of Farms enrich his writing enormously. Michael Morpurgo has won the Whitbread Children's Book Award, and the Smarties Book Prize.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

The 39 Clues

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 2: A King's Ransom

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 2: A King's Ransom

by Jude Watson

Buy from Amazon

Book Description
Amy and Dan are in a race for their lives . . . and the enemy may be even closer than they think.

When seven members of their family were kidnapped by a sinister organization known as the Vespers, thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, vowed they'd stop at nothing to bring the hostages home. But then the ransom comes in and the Vespers demand the impossible. Amy and Dan have just days to track down and steal an ancient map. The only catch? No one has seen the map for half a century.

Now Amy and Dan are on a desperate search that will lead them to the Nazis, spies, a mad king and some of history's dirtiest secrets. It's the race of their lives . . . and one misstep will mean certain death for the hostages.

About the Author
Jude Watson is the author of two 39 Clues books, BEYOND THE GRAVE and IN TOO DEEP, and the bestselling Star Wars: Last of the Jedi and Jedi Quest series. As Judy Blundell, she wrote WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED, the 2008 winner of The National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She lives in Katonah, New York.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales: Twelve Timeless Treasures

Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales: Twelve Timeless Treasures

Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales: Twelve Timeless Treasures

by Mary Engelbreit

Buy from Amazon

Book Description
With twelve beloved stories meant for reading aloud and more than one hundred glorious illustrations, Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales is destined to become a family favorite!

Every turn of the page brings fresh delight as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, the Little Mermaid, and others come to life as only Mary Engelbreit could have imagined them.

Images of Rapunzel alone in her tower, Cinderella’s pumpkin becoming a golden carriage, and Thumbelina's search for a home are unforgettable.

Richly sparkling art in splendid colors, warm humor, and all of the charm found in Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales make it a treasure with immediate appeal and long-lasting value. You’ll want to share it with those you love.

About the Author
Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary’s dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling the night before christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Other treasured additions to a child’s first bookshelf are her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose, Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery Tales, and Mary Engelbreit’s Fairy Tales.

Mary Engelbreit's Nutcracker

Mary Engelbreit's Nutcracker

Mary Engelbreit's Nutcracker

by Mary Engelbreit

Buy from Amazon

Book Description
It is the night before Christmas! When Marie receives a handsome wooden Nutcracker from her dear uncle, she’s thrilled. But during the night, something magical happens...and when her toy Nutcracker transforms into a handsome Prince, Marie is whisked off to Toyland on a winter adventure she’ll never forget!

The Nutcracker is one of the world’s favorite holiday stories. Now for the first time the beloved artist Mary Engelbreit offers her vision of that magical night, creating a picture book filled with joyful movement and rich detail that even the youngest child will enjoy.

About the Author
Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary’s dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling the night before christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Other treasured additions to a child’s first bookshelf are her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose, Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery Tales, and Mary Engelbreit’s Fairy Tales.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

by Nick Dowson, Patrick Benson

Buy from Amazon

Book Description
A passionate nature lover and a renowned artist trace the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic--the greatest journey on Earth.

At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic.

In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it brings with it animals from every corner of the earth. Gray whales, white cranes, wolves, and caribou begin their migrations as the snow melts, gradually making the long journey north. Once they reach their destination, they will raise their young, feast on the lush Arctic tundra, and bask in the sunlight that lasts all summer. Still, this season too must pass, and by the time winter grips the Arctic once again, the visitors have gone--only to return the following year. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the cyclical nature of the seasons, showcasing the barren and beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.

About the Author
Nick Dowson is the author of TRACKS OF A PANDA and TIGRESS. A teacher and naturalist, he lives in Suffolk, England.

Patrick Benson has received the Mother Goose Award, the Christopher Award, and the Kurt Maschler Award. He has collaborated with Roald Dahl, Russell Hoban, and Martin Waddell, whose book OWL BABIES has sold 12 million copies. Patrick Benson lives in Scotland.