England (UK)

The Mightiest Heart

Who can resist a story about a dog who so loved his master that he gave up his life? This exquisitely illustrated tale, based on the legend of Llywelyn, a thirteenth-century Welsh prince, and his loyal hound, Gelert, will keep young readers and listeners spellbound. Laurel Long joins the ranks of today’s premier illustrators in her debut, adding incredible power to Lynn Cullen’s spare but emotionally charged text. Each picture is like a precious treasure, revealing painstaking attention to detail, breathtaking color, and characters whose mutual love transcends the pages of this marvelous book. The Mightiest Heart is sure to be one of the best gifts to give young readers this fall. Lynn Cullen, author of several popular middle-grade novels, researched this story in Wales, where a monument to Gelert still stands. Laurel Long makes an outstanding debut as a picture book illustrator.

Pirate Treasure Map: A Fairytale Adventure

The creators of FAIRYTALE NEWS mix up favorite tales in a comical quest with a pull-out treasure map.Little Jack Hubbard can’t wait to set sail with Cap’n Horatio Hubbard on a hunt for long-lost treasure. But the ship’s wolfish crew are suspiciously big and bad, and soon Jack is diving into the waves to rescue a valuable treasure map. All seems lost until Jack is saved by the Owl and the Pussycat (in a beautiful pea-green boat) and passes a witch’s gingerbread cottage, where two kids are caught in a culinary plot. . . . With the help of a handy removable map, readers will happily follow Jack’s path to the treasure through a fractured-fairytale land.

The Fairytale Cake

“We make a cake, We bake a cake, And send it on its way! “Beloved characters from classic nursery rhymes — everyone from Humpty Dumpty to Little Bo Peep to Old King Cole — collaborate to bake the most perfect, towering, delicious cake . . . and roll it along to its special recipient — the birthday boy or girl! Mark Sperring’s spare but sweet text combined with Jonathan Langley’s bright, timeless artwork make for a fun, read-aloud book that allows readers to pick out their favorite nursery rhyme characters in the illustrations. Ideal for birthdays . . . or any occasion!

The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog: A Folktale From Great Britain

A rich man is rescued from harm by a smelly, slobbery dog. As a reward, he asks for the man’s beautiful daughter. In this tale from England, Margaret Read MacDonald puts a new spin on the classic story, Beauty and the Beast.

In Nineteenth-Century London With Dickens (Come See My City!)

Presents young readers with a journey back in time accompanied by the author Charles Dickens as he provides a tour of nineteenth century London, discussing the everyday life of the people and visiting the famous landmarks of the city.

Dexter Bexley And The Big Blue Beastie

Dexter Bexley has bumped square into a Big Blue Beastie. A bored Big Blue Beastie that ponders eating Dexter Bexley right up just for fun. Thinking quickly, Dexter suggests a much better idea. He and the Big Blue Beastie go into business together. No matter how many adventures Dexter can think up to distract him, the Big Blue Beastie continually finds himself bored and hungry. It seems that this might finally be the end for Dexter Bexley … or is it? Joel Stewart spins a darkly comic yet ultimately reassuring tale about friendship.

More About Boy: Roald Dahl’s Tales from Childhood

More About Boy is the expanded story of Roald Dahl’s childhood, with his original text augmented by never-before-seen material from behind the scenes, and some of the secrets that were left out.

Starting-point — Papa and Mama — More about Mama — Kindergarten, 1922/3 — A grand time — Llandaff Cathedral School, 1923/5 (age 7/9) — The bicycle and the sweet-shop — The great mouse plot — A life without sweets — Going to Norway — The magic island — A visit to the doctor — The last lap — St. Peter’s, 1925/9 (age 9-13) — First day — Writing home — The matron — Homesickness — A drive in the motor-car — The Maccano chariot — Captain Hardcastle — How I became a writer — Little Ellis and the boil — Goat’s tobacco — Repton and Shell, 1929/36 (age 13/20) — Getting dressed for the big school — Boazers — Painful punishments — The headmaster — Chocolates — Horrid little boys and girls — Corkers — Fagging — That awful cold bath — Games and photography — Goodbye school — P.S — Excerpt from Going solo — A Dahl-tastic quiz.

Fantasy Encyclopedia

With a foreword by the award-winning fantasy author Jonathan Stroud, and illustration by some of the world’s best illustrators including John Howe, the Fantasy Encyclopedia is a spectacular one-stop guide to the creatures and people of folklore and fantasy. From goblins and fairies to dragons and Dracula, this encyclopedia covers them all with sparkling, readable text and stunning illustrations. Discover how the magic of stories throughout the centuries has kept these creatures alive in traditions and cultures around the world. Using a highly visual approach, featuring more than 400 photographs and illustrations, this book will introduce readers to each fantasy character within its habitat and genre. Cross-reference boxes direct readers to popular books and movies starring these fantastical creatures. This is a must-have for any fantasy enthusiast!