The Boy, the Witch and the Cuckoo Cheat

A boy and a witch fly off on a magic broomstick to Africa for an adventure. They befriend two small birds – reed warblers. A cuckoo then cheats on the birds by laying an egg in their nest. But the witch magics a way for them to dupe the cuckoo and raise their own chicks.

The Bricken Arch

The lives of two teenage sisters and their cousin boyfriends are forever changed by the mores of their time, by separation to different parts of the world, by relationships with others and by a cruel tragedy. When, after seventeen years, there are reunions and liaisons over two decades, in furtive circumstances, none can imagine that the questionable and consequential actions of one of the lovers will lead to savage repercussions for all: repercussions that will bring on further catastrophic tragedies but more importantly, risk fulfillment of their enduring loves as a foursome.

The Broken King

Far from his home in the Kingdom of Ferinatia, Thorn continues his journey through the dying world of Elcina and the plan to bring the disunited realms and peoples together that he may guide them from the dying world into the safety of his own. With the kingdoms of Isthia and Taroth behind him, and the unexpected departure of the Ranee, Thorn enters the land of the Keegan nomads accompanied by the wolf pup Rark and the living crystal Lorak Ledel intent on finding a way to unify the tribes to his cause and find Princess Ranee who fled here after the destruction in Rata.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Varth prepares for their invasion of his world and his own kingdom. Secretly controlled by the Sorcerer Tarna, now emboldened by the murder of Thorn’s friend Penias, who was known as the Crown Prince Jarel Whitethorn. As Thorn enters the nomad lands, the Varthians stretch out their hand against the nomads and all other kingdoms and peoples who would stand against them, and their sorcerous leader.

The Bronson Escapades

Meet the Children:Kennedy, 17 – The Fashionist!(Always telling others what’s wrong with their outfit)Chloe, 15 – The Bookworm!(Never Stops Reading)Edwin, 12 – The Explorer!(Often starts sentences with ‘did you know…’)Bridget, 11 – The Pretentious Snob!(Usually speaks in a false poncy accent)Al, 9 – The Chatterbox!(Quite frequently refers to something outside the current context of conversation)These, along with their mother and father, make up the Bronson family, and together they get into all sorts of trouble – from causing havoc in town, to being locked outside their own house! Join the ride as these five unlikely siblings embark upon some truly epic adventures of a lifetime; including: searching for their mother’s lost ring, helping the mayor, and even giving the garden fence a fresh coat of paint. Read along and see how Kennedy, Chloe, Edwin, Bridget, and Al manage to muddle along through everything that tumbles their way.

The Brumby of Summerhill Park

Alexia and her brother, Brad, travel to the Snowy Mountains, where they rescue a starving brumby whom they name Prince of the Brumbies. When Alexia wants to enter in the annual Stockman's Bush Race over the old gold fields, her hopes are dashed when her chosen ride, the retired race horse Stormy, proves too big and naughty for her. Alexia and her best friend Enya work hard to try and prepare the bush brumby Prince in time for the contest.

The Caledonians

Scottish history master Mr Petrie has the gift of eternal life. Working for a group of mystical superior beings, his time-travelling missions land him in all sorts of death-defying scrapes and encounters, sometimes with famous and ruthless people. To help him in his dangerous work, he's told to find a young apprentice. Duncan Dewar could be a candidate but has his own secrets too, and without realising it, their lives are indelibly linked.

The Camel Who Wanted to Play the Saxophone

This is a gentle story thought of a time I was practising playing my saxophone, looked upon by inquisitive camels. They are beautiful, gentle creatures, and even quite intelligent. So why couldn’t one of them have an adventure alongside some of the really friendly local people? They too live a much slower pace of life than some of us, but they seem to be far more content. I hope it gives an idea of how we should value people in their diversity.

The Casebook of Sheared-Locks Holmes

There is a crisis at the farm! 

Some bales of wool from the sheep shearing have been stolen during the night, and the bad-tempered farmer is threatening to withhold food from all the animals until the theft has been solved.

At the request of the Wild Wood Constabulary, the woolly Master Sleuth, Sheared-Locks Holmes, discovers that the caper was an inside job, though his first suspect is subsequently cleared.

In a brilliant piece of detective work, and a masterful cross-examination, Sheared-Locks reveals the criminal conspiracy, the animal (and human) culprits are identified, and the case is resolved in poetic style.

The Caterpillar and the Butterfly

From Michael Rosenblum, the bestselling author of Happily Ever Always: A Guide to Personal Transformation, Security, Confidence, and Healthy Self, comes a debut book for beginning readers. This ageless story introduces us to a caterpillar named “Fear”. Fear is afraid of everything – the other critters who share the garden, lightning storms, being bullied and making new friends. A chance encounter with a wise butterfly named “Faith” helps Fear find the courage within to experience the world in a bolder and more joy-filled way. Rosenblum’s message for children is simple yet profound: fear is just faith turned inside out.

“Children will realize that changing fear to faith is up to them as they explore this magical story. Bravo, Michael Rosenblum!”

Dr. Kathleen Hagstrom

Principal

Walt Disney Magnet School

Chicago Public Schools

The Cats' Book of Christmas Carols

We cats truly enjoy Christmas activities, such as opening presents when you are out and re-arranging decorations, even at the top of the tree.

We also love carol singing and have our own words. Jan Stewart, who understands and speaks a little MEOW, has kindly written down our most popular lyrics.  

You may sing the human version or practise cat language by repeating our favourite word, ‘meow’, in time to the music. But do listen as you do so, for somewhere nearby, a cat may be joining in the chorus.

The Cedars of Beckenham

The Mystery of an Antique German Doll reunites members of a family torn apart during The Third Reich of Nazi Germany.

This family saga, starting in the leafy suburb of Beckenham on the borders of Kent and London, begins in 1930 in the comfortable world of four British upper-middle class families blind to the impending changes that are about to threaten not only their world, but everyone else’s world, too.

A doll belonging to the Abuthnott family becomes the catalyst that brings about two sides of the Rubenstein family, who were able to escape from Germany in the late 1930s finding refuge in the United States of America and in the British Mandate of Palestine.

Along the way, the horrors of the Blitz and the British struggle for survival are enacted out against the parallel Germanic horror of holocaust separation. The survivors in the United States, Great Britain and Israel adapt to a new world as it unfolds through the second half of the 20th century, until by the chance sale of a German Biedermeier doll at Sotheby’s in New York, their separate paths are brought together in 2017.

The four Beckenham families adapt to their changing lifestyles witnessing a rich tapestry of 20th century history taking the reader all over the world with its beauty, passion and prejudices.

The Chameleon Which Lost Its Colour

On the island of Madagascar, Blaze the chameleon is the most colourful of all the animals. But Blaze has one flaw: he’s quite mischievous, which makes it hard for him to make friends. One day his colours have vanished and it’s up to him to get the other animals on the island to help him find them! Will he succeed?