GREAT BOOKS FOR:- > SOPHISTICATED PICTURE BOOKS

Through charming verse and glowing illustrations, Judith Kerr takes us on a magical and moving journey that proves love really does conquer everything. A truly special picture book destined to be loved and treasured by children and adults alike for years to come. "It's things we've never tried before That are the greatest fun, Like riding on a dinosaur, Which I had never done." Married couples are used to little trips together. Henry's wife can see no reason why they should stop just because one of them is no longer around. In fa... read more

This is the diary!of a worm. Surprisingly, a worm not much different from you and me. Except that he eats his homework, oh and his head looks a lot like his rear end! This is the diary! of a worm. Surprisingly, a worm not much different from you and me. Except that he eats his homework, oh and his head looks a lot like his rear end! Written by Doreen Cronin, the New York Times best-selling author, and illustrated by Harry Bliss, this book is laugh-out--loud funny. Follow the adventures of Worm and his friend Spider as they face ... read more

Le Quesnoy is a town in northern France. It is surrounded by high walls and deep trenches. In World War I it was occupied by the German army for four long years. In November 1918 the town was liberated by soldiers from far-away New Zealand. Because these men used a bit of kiwi ingenuity they were able to take the town back without a single civilian life being lost. This has become one of the most famous stories in New Zealand military history and the relationship between Le Quesnoy and New Zealand continues to this day. This book t... read more

Gaul was divided into three parts. No, four parts - for one small village of indomitable Gauls still held out against Roman invaders. A group of Vikings comes to Gaul to learn what fear is. Their visit coincides with that of a real expert on the subject, Vitalstatistix's trendy nephew from Lutetia, Justforkix...

Far, far away in Ancient Egypt, Jackal and Ibis are brought before the Cat Pharaoh to be punished for stealing from the town market. In a merciful moment, the cat Pharaoh decides to give the friends one last chance. She tells them they must journey up the River Nile to the temple of Karnak and bring back something that has been taken from her - a beautiful and precious Jewel Fish. But she has a warning for the two prisoners: 'Do not take anything else while you are in Karnak. And be warned that the Jewel Fish is magical. Be sure it... read more

Great for boys, with a huge collectability factor bolstered by the collectors’ cards in the back of the books, and links to an excellent interactive website. Evil Wizard Malvel has stolen the treasured Warlock’s Staff! If he reaches the Eternal Flame in the mysterious realm of Seraph, he will rule all the kingdoms. Tom must stop him, but first he must defeat a giant Beast: Ursus the Clawed Roar!

Murgatroyd was happy when his parents finally gave up trying to wash his hair … until a magnificent garden began to grow on his head. Murgatroyd hated, hated, hated having his hair washed. When his parents tried his screams were so loud they could be heard everywhere! So they stopped washing his hair, and a magnificent garden began to grow on his head. Murgatroyd’s Garden won Honour Book, Picture Book of the Year, at the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards in 1987. A great book about the struggle m... read more

The Night Before Christmas was first published in 1823 and is considered as being largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today. The enchanting poem tells the story of a man who, while his wife and children are fast asleep, awakens on Christmas Eve to curious noises outside of his house. As he looks out of the window he witnesses a sleigh, pulled by eight reindeer, flying high across the sky before landing, to the man's great surprise, on the roof of his very own house. The events th... read more

The circus bear spends her days in a cage and her nights performing for a crowd. The crowd taunts her as she dances - poking her with sticks or throwing stones. Can she ever break free? From the award-winning team of Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder comes a story with a powerful visual narrative.

No Description

Discover, or rediscover, a 'time machine' which takes the reader back into the past. It depicts the history of one particular piece of land in Sydney from 1788 to 1988 through the stories of the various children who have lived there. This new edition includes a new timeline, which traces the history of the characters in the book, as well as the history of Australia, and is right up-to-date with reference to the Australian government's apology to Indigenous Australians. Ages 6+.

Jack Simpson Kirkpatrick typifies the ANZAC qualities of bravery, patriotism, and sacrifice. As a veteran of the initial Gallipoli landing on 25th April 1915 he worked tirelessly in Shrapnel Gully carrying wounded soldiers from the battlefront to the beach hospital. In 24 days, under constant attack from artillery and sniper fire he rescued close to 300 men. Simpson and his Donkey traces the boyhood friendship of John Simpson Kirkpatrick and Billy Lowes - from their home in South Shields, North east England, where they walked d... read more

Tui and his cousin Jennifer are much too busy playing a video game to want to visit Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill. But then Nanny Marei tells them the mountain's got giants and fortresses, just like their game! Explore Maungakiekie with Tui and Jennifer as they travel back into its history - meeting the Goddess of Fire, Maori tribes, Chinese gardeners, Sir John Logan Campbell, and the tourists of today.

Tui and his cousin Jennifer are much too busy playing a video game to want to visit Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill. But then Nanny Marei tells them the mountain's got giants and fortresses, just like their game! Explore Maungakiekie with Tui and Jennifer as they travel back into its history - meeting the Goddess of Fire, Maori tribes, Chinese gardeners, Sir John Logan Campbell, and the tourists of today.

An endearing book all about friendship. Give and take, laugh and reflect along with Hamster and his ever-patient friends ...The friendship between a group of forest animals is brought to life in this enchanting book of comic-strips. Hamster is the selfish and narcissistic main character surrounded by affectionate friends who love him, warts and all. We all have friends or family members like this, who we love in spite of their annoying characteristics. Philosophical, ironic and terribly funny, The Reflections of a Solitary Hamster ... read more

A funky and fascinating book about contemporary architecture for children. Have you ever seen a house without walls? Is it possible to pack a house into a suitcase? Can a house behave like a turtle? What kind of house can homeless people have? Would you prefer to live in a moon, in a nut...or inside a sewage pipe? Architecture is amazing! HOUSE demonstrates that the space we live in doesn't have to be a dull cube. While it should meet the needs of its inhabitants and surroundings, it can also be distinctive, and sometimes utterly surprising.

This is the third story translated and published by Gecko Press about one of Sweden's most popular characters, the quirky and forgetful Farmer Pettson and his curious talking cat, Findus. Farmer Pettson tells the story of when Findus was little and came to live with him, and how he lost him and found him again. <br>It is a charming, warm and funny story with typical Sven Nordqvist detail in the story and in the pictures.

The impossible becomes possible ...In Maurice Shadbolt's only known children's story, published here for the first time and delightfully illustrated by Renee Haggo, Thomas saves his town from a wandering mountain and gives an insight into why people paint.

In days of old there lived a taniwha who was the guardian, the kaitiaki, of a very deep lake. This book tells the tale of how he became the guardian of Auckland's Harbour Bridge instead. First published in 1990, GUARDIAN OF THE BRIDGE has been much loved by children ever since. This new edition contains six extra pages of facts, figures and images of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and a brief history of the area.

Little Will can count lots of adult godwits, but why can't he see any godwit chicks? The answer is more incredible than he could possibly imagine.Beautifully illustrated by Jez Tuya, this delightful story explains the migration of this fascinating bird to the other side of the world to lay their eggs.
The heart-warming story is written by Jenny Pattrick, the best selling author of The Denniston Rose.
The book is accompanied by a CD of lyrical, toetapping songs, including a counting song. The lyrics are by Jenny Pattric... read more