There are No Cats in This Book

Viviane Schwarz
Walker Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781406316896

There are No Cats in This Book

Peek-through eyes on the cover and three surprised cats on page one confirm that there are in fact cats in this book, but these cats are desperate to escape the book and to see the world.

When we open the book, the cats are in the middle of packing; but how will they get out?. Escaping isn't easy and neither pushing nor jumping works but at last they hit upon the answer - wishing their way out, helped by young readers.

Youngsters will be delighted when the cats return from their holiday on the last pages. Like every good holidaymaker, these moggies bring back a little present for the reader, too.

Full of humour and packed with adorable cats, adults will enjoy this as much as their children. See also, There are cats in this book, which is equally appealing.

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Dinosaur Chase!

Benedict Blathwayt
Random House Children's Books
ISBN: 9781862309456

Dinosaur Chase!

This is a story about bullying, played out by some fearsome dinosaurs and a younger dinosaur called Fin who gets the better of the bullies.

Fin has spindly legs, knobbly ankles and a bony tail but he can still run, swim and climb and does each of these as he tries to escape the four bullying dinosaurs chasing him.

However, when his escape route ends at the edge of a cliff, Fin is forced to discover one more hidden talent that finally puts him out of the reach of the other dinosaurs. He can fly!

There are some explanation notes about dinosaur discoveries at the end that young dinosaur fans will enjoy. This edition also has an audio CD with music, sound effects and page-turn sounds. See also Dinosaur Disaster by the same author.

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Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

Richard Scarry
HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780007357383

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

The Pig family has decided to pile into the car and head for the beach but on their way they are distracted by lots of different kinds of vehicles. From tractors to trucks and sports cars to unicycles, there is plenty to see and talk about.

There is also a lot happening on the road - as well as (for adults) the all-too-familiar roadworks and broken-down cars, there's a tipped-over water melon truck, a tractor in the pond, a tank, and a car being dropped off the side of a boat.

Any child (and especially boys) will be fascinated by the detail and the variety of vehicles and activities taking place on every page. This is definitely one to pack in your holiday suitcase.

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"Shrek Forever After": The Movie Storybook

Random House Children's Books
ISBN: 9780553822373

"Shrek Forever After": The Movie Storybook

This full-colour picture book gives a simple outline of the story and is a great introduction to the film. Shrek is living in his swamp with his family but is bored - and makes an unwise deal with Rumplestiltskin.

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The Sunflower Sword

Mark Sperring
Andersen Press Ltd
ISBN: 9781849390576

The Sunflower Sword

When a little knight asks his mother for a sword to 'woosh and swoosh' in the air and pretend to slay dragons, she gives him a sunflower instead. Disappointed but philosophical, the little knight climbs Dragon Hill and slays three imaginary dragons - but when a real dragon appears, little knight only has a sunflower to defend himself with...

This story is bound to be a favourite with young readers not just because of its theme of dragons and brave knights, but because a small boy changes the world around him when he and the dragon become friends.

Despite its theme, the illustrations are very contemporary and there are nice touches of humour, such as the colander on the boy’s head, his imaginary helmet, and the expression of the dragon who gets the first sunflower. Ideal for sharing with children aged three years plus.

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Sir Laughalot

Tony Mitton
Hachette Children's Books
ISBN: 9781408302743

Sir Laughalot

'Sir Laughalot is a very brave knight, He needs to find some foes to fight.' Sir Laughalot is on a quest to find a foe. Children will enjoy seeing traditionally 'scary' fairytale characters turned on their heads - the huge, green and mean dragon has hairy nostrils, which makes Sir Laughalot laugh. The big, tough and bristly giant has a funny hat, which also sets him off. Finally, Sir Laughalot confronts a mean sorceress who isn't funny at all...

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Jacob O'Reilly Wants a Pet

Lynne Rickards
Hachette Children's Books
ISBN: 034098838X

Jacob O'Reilly Wants a Pet

Jacob O'Reilly really, really wants a pet but cats make Mum sneeze and Dad's sure that dogs have fleas. So Jacob turns to pet-sitting. Before long he is looking after four dogs, five hamsters, six cats, one mouse, a python, and donkeys, sheep and a horse. With a kitchen full of rabbits and a zebra blocking the stairs, Jacob finally decides that pet-sitting isn't for him. And that is when he finds the perfect pet - a snail!

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Six Dinner Sid: A Highland Adventure

Inga Moore
Hachette Children's Books
ISBN: 0340988940

Six Dinner Sid: A Highland Adventure

Remember Sid, the irrepressible black cat who enjoyed six dinners every day with his six different owners? In this story, a sequel to the original Six Dinner Sid, all Sid�s owners want to go on holiday at the same time. But what should they do about Sid?

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Hodge the Hedgehog

Amy Sparkes
Meadowside Children's Books
ISBN: 1845394240

Hodge the Hedgehog

Tongue-twisting, rhyming story about a grumpy Hedgehog who learns to share and make new friends.

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Eeeek, Mouse!

Lydia Monks
Egmont Childrens Books
ISBN: 1405232595

Eeeek, Mouse!

A mouse needs a new house, since the father is out to trap him (humanely) and the cat wants to eat him. Can the daughter save the day....?

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Dogs

Emily Gravett
Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 0230704220

Dogs

For those that love dogs - good dogs, bad dogs, big or small - and those that don't. This is a wonderful introduction to opposites that will have children and grown-ups alike giggling at the illustrations and the twist in the tail....

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The Star Faced Crocodile

David Melling
Hachette Children's Books
ISBN: 0340930462

The Star Faced Crocodile

A gentle story about making friends and being loved for who you are, with an environmental theme. Other books by David Melling include 'The Kiss that Missed' and 'Scallywags'. This book was created following a class visit to his daughter's school, St Nicholas Primary School in Abingdon.

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Farm Fun

Fiona Watt
Usborne Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 0746089228

Farm Fun

This book offers a series of fun activities, created by specialists in preschool playing and learning. Download an extract to see one of the 11 activities included.

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