Here are nine delightfully funny stories about the triumphs and tribulations of the citizens of Moominvalley. Readers will discover how the Moomin family save young Ninny from permanent invisibility, and what happens when Moomintroll catches the last dragon in the world. Some of the characters in these tales will be brand-new to Moomin fans, but there are lots of old friends to meet as well.

This is a contemporary myth of love, magic, and adventure that tells the story of how Matariki/the Pleiades star cluster came into being.Recommended for ages 5–9.

Moomintroll wakes up bursting with happiness on his birthday but his friends seem to have forgotten all about it!On his birthday, Moomintroll wakes up full of excitement. It will surely be the most wonderful day. But when his friends all seem to be too busy to help him celebrate, it doesn’t feel wonderful at all until a happy surprise comes knocking.

Perhaps the most beloved of all Japanese folk tales is the story of Momotaro, the boy born from a peach. Momotaro’s expedition to the Land of the Demons, accompanied by his faithful companions, the Dog, the Monkey, and the Pheasant, is filled with fun and excitement for all young readers.One of five of the best-loved stories from Kodansha’s Children’s Classics series, printed in a smaller format with the original Japanese beside the English translation – and all with the same delightful illustrations.

The black geese have been seen flying over the village, stealing children for the witch Baba Yaga, so Elena should be looking after her baby brother. But instead she runs off to play with her friends, leaving the baby alone on the grass.

Hello! This is Koiwai Yotsuba, Yotsuba Koiwai…um, YOTSUBA! Yotsuba moved with Daddy to a new house from our old house waaaaaaay over there! And moving’s fun ‘cos people wave! (Ohhhh!!) And Yotsuba met these nice people next door and made friends to play with (one of ’em acted like one of those bad strangers Daddy told Yotsuba not to go with, but it was okay in the end). I hope we get to play a lot. And eat ice cream! And-and-and…oh yeah! You should come play with Yotsuba too!

When Lillibutt The Kunekune Pig Decides To Walk From Cape Reinga To Auckland She Meets Others Along The Way And Overcomes Some Scary Challenges During Her Long Adventure.

Doctor Ouch tells the story of a gentle vet who travels from Russia to Africa to save the jungle animals.

In this beautifully illustrated retelling of a key Polynesian myth, Māui is a schoolboy who lives with his mother and four older brothers in a city where the day is never long enough to get things done.Māui grasps the mantle:Mum, I’m gonna catch that Sun for you.That Sun who’s always on the run.With their woven flax net, the brothers drive to the pit where the Sun lives, and make their play to slow the day.This bilingual book―in English and Māori―brings Māui into the 21st century in a fun and colourful retelling, combining some of the outstanding Māori talent in books today―author Tim Tipene, illustrator Zak Waipara and translator Rob Ruha.