Special Collections

Today I'm Strong

An uplifting and empowering audiobook about finding your inner strength when school life gets tough, from the winner of The Great British Bake Off and national treasure, Nadiya Hussain.I love to go to school. Well, most days I do.There are some days when what I really wantis to stay at home with you.A touching story about building the courage to overcome bullying, with a powerful reminder to always be kind. (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Date Added: 04/25/2022

Bobby Dean Saves Christmas

Meet Bobby: an ordinary kid with an extraordinary voice!Sent off to school for the first time in his life, nine-year-old Bobby Dean is busy making new friends, learning lines for the Nativity Play, and trying to not laugh at the head teacher's terrible jokes. But then Bobby Dean discovers that when he sings magical things can happen! From rescuing kidnapped dogs, helping Santa, and even travelling back in time - Bobby Dean's first term is going to be one full of wonder, adventure, and the magic of song! Bobby Dean Saves Christmas is a magical and fun packed adventure for kids highlighting the importance of friendship, loyalty, accepting differences and above all being yourself it is perfect to be read aloud or for children to read alone.

Date Added: 05/23/2022

Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist

The magic ring that Emily Windsnap - half mermaid, half ordinary girl - finds buried in the sand belongs to Neptune, and he wants it back. But the ring, once on, won't come off, and Neptune sends Emily's boat spinning away across the sea. When it comes to rest, she and her best friend, Shona, can see a mysterious castle shimmering in the mist on the horizon. Another magical adventure full of fun and friendship!Read by Teresa Gallagher(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 04/14/2022

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

Emily Windsnap lives on a boat, but her mother has always been oddly anxious to keep her out of the water. It is only when Emily has her first school swimming lesson that she discovers why: as soon as she gets into the water, she grows a tail! Soon Emily discovers a glorious underwater world of fishes, coral, shipwrecks and mermaids, and, best of all, she finds a best friend! With mermaid Shona Silkfin by her side, Emily uncovers a surprising family secret and embarks on a quest to reunite her mum and dad. This enchanting fantasy deals with universal themes of family, friendship, love and justice - all handled with the lightness of touch for which Liz Kessler is so well known.Read by Teresa Gallagher(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 04/14/2022

Ember Shadows and the Fates of Mount Never

In a land trapped by fate, only courage can re-write the future.In the magical village of Everspring, everyone receives a fate card before their twelfth birthday, sent down from the mysterious Mount Never. It tells them their purpose, their profession and how old they'll be when they die.

Nearly 12-year-old Ember Shadows has always believed she is destined for great things. But when her fate card arrives, it's blank. What does that mean? Then, worse still, her sister's card decrees she will die before her next birthday. No way is Ember's going to let that happen.

Determined to challenge what—or who—is responsible for these cards, Ember sets off up the mountain, a place no one is allowed to go. She encounters forbidden realms full of magic, trickery and curious creatures. In a thrilling race through a magical landscape, Ember Shadows must uncover the secret behind the fate cards in order to save her sister….

But will Ember like what she finds at the top of the mountain?

With hints of Alice in Wonderland, shades of The Phantom Tollbooth and echoes of Pixar's Inside Out, this a thrilling, warm-hearted race through magical realms—a classic magical adventure.

(P) 2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Date Added: 05/12/2023

Jayben and the Star Glass

An incredible immersive fantasy series about a boy with no memories and a world that only he can save. Perfect for fans of Francesca Gibbons and The Land of Roar.Jayben has realised his destiny as the Ninth Great Dreamer; he is the only one with the power to defeat Null, the villain who has been making everyone in the elf world forget.A year has gone by since Jayben took half of Null's powerful crystals using the Golden Torch, but now the torch has been stolen. Without it, Jayben must find another way to harness his power.When Jayben finds a golden gemstone, he struggles to recall its significance. But a wise captain on board a great ship tells him that when the full moon shines on the stone a magical light will appear. If Jayben controls the light , he will become more powerful than Null; he will defeat his wickedness once and for all.But Null is on his way to Fellooz ... to a sweltering desert where there is an ancient tomb covered in crystals. He need only touch one of the precious crystals and he'll be three times more powerful.Can Jayben reach the tomb ahead of Null... and will he find the full moon before it's too late?

Date Added: 05/06/2024

Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse

Kiki Kallira can bring her drawings to life… but when a mysterious curse threatens her newly-created kingdom and friends, how can she use her powers to save them?

A fantasy adventure inspired by Hindu legends about anxiety, creativity and finding your own strengths. For 8+ fans of Abi Elphistone and The Land of Roar.

Fresh from the exciting discovery that the beautiful kingdom and band of rebel kids she drew in her sketchbook exists in another world, Kiki Kallira has an unexpected visitor. One of the rebels has come into the real world to ask for her help—the river Kaveri that is Mysore's only source of water has suddenly vanished! With no water to drink or grow food, Kiki's kingdom is doomed. When drawing a new river doesn't work, Kiki returns to Mysore and stumbles upon the origin of the Kaveri: a princess from long ago who was transformed into water by a terrible curse!

It's up to Kiki and her friends to restore the river without sacrificing the princess again. With her mounting anxiety, enemies seeking to stop her and a city growing weaker by the minute, Kiki's confidence falters. Will she be able to unravel the curse and save her kingdom before it's too late?

(P) 2022 Listening Library

Date Added: 05/12/2023

Ghostcloud

Twelve-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma shovels coal under Battersea Power station. He keeps his head down, hoping to one day earn his freedom and return to his family, while avoiding the wrath of the evil Tabatha Margate. When he tries to help new girl Jess, Luke is punished and sent to clean the sewers of the haunted East Wing, a place from which few return. Whilst serving his punishment, Luke realises he can see things others can't in the Power Station: ghostly things. He befriends a ghost-girl called Alma, who can ride clouds through the night sky and bend their shape to her will. But when Luke discovers the terrible truth of why Tabatha Margate is kidnapping children and forcing them to work in the Power Station, Alma agrees to help him and his friends escape. Will Alma convince the Ghost Council to help their cause? Will Luke's discovery about who he really is threaten their plans for freedom? And can Luke find his voice, while trying to find a way home?

Date Added: 04/25/2022

Alexandra the Royal Baby Fairy

Get ready for an exciting fairy adventure with the no. 1 bestselling series for girls aged 5 and up.

The whole of Fairyland is very excited—there's going to be a new royal baby! But when Foster the stork fails to deliver the new bundle of joy on time, the Royal Baby Fairy asks friends of the fairies, Rachel Tate and Kirsty Walker, for their help. Just where can the extra-special baby be?

Date Added: 05/12/2023

Shannon the Ocean Fairy

It's the summer holidays and Rachel and Kirsty are visiting Kirsty's grandma, who lives by the sea. After discovering a magical shell on the beach and being whisked away to Fairyland, the girls discover that the fairies need their help. Naughty Jack Frost has stolen Fairyland's three enchanted pearls and this is causing chaos in the oceans and mixing up daytime and night-time! The girls must help Shannon the Ocean Fairy explore a magical underwater world (meeting many strange and wonderful sea-creatures along the way!), outwit Jack Frost and his goblin henchmen, and return each of the enchanted pearls to their rightful place...(P) Orchard Books 2013

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Summer The Holiday Fairy

Summer the Holiday Fairy is getting all hot and bothered, trying to keep Rainspell Island the best place to go on vacation. Jack Frost has stolen sand from the beaches, and three magical shells. The fairies need Rachel and Kirsty's help to get them back!(P) Orchard Books 2013

Date Added: 03/30/2022

House At Pooh Corner

An award-winning production, with an all-star cast, including Stephen Fry and Judi Dench, brings to life one of the best loved children's books of all time in a full dramatisation with specially composed music. This brilliant audiobook is packed full of fun and adventure with Winnie-the-Pooh and all his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. This is a wonderful dramatisation of the second book about Pooh and friends, with an incredible cast and original music. This adaptation conveys all the magic and humour of AA Milne's classic stories.The cast includes Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Jane Horrocks, Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench. Perfect entertainment at home, in the car or anywhere.Dramatisation by David Benedictus and music composed by John Gould.For more amazing audio books featuring Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and other favourite friends, try:Winnie the Pooh: Tigger Comes To The Forest & Other Stories Winnie the Pooh: Piglet Meets a HeffalumpWinnie the Pooh: Pooh Invents a New Game and Other Stories (P) Hodder Children's Books 1997

Date Added: 04/21/2022

Piglet Meets A Heffalump and Other Stories

Join this all-star cast including as they go on adventures and look for heffalumps with Pooh, Piglet and friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.Performed by incredible talent including Finty Williams, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Robert Daws, Jane Horrocks, Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench, this classic Winnie the Pooh audiobook is perfect for keeping little ones entertained.Contains the following stories:In which Piglet meets a HeffalumpIn which Eeyore has a birthday and gets two presentsIn which Kanga and Baby Roo come to the Forest, and Piglet has a bathIn which Christopher Robin leads an expotition to the North PoleFor more amazing audio books featuring Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and other favourite friends, try:Winnie the Pooh: Tigger Comes To The Forest & Other Stories Winnie the Pooh: House At Pooh Corner Winnie the Pooh: Pooh Invents a New Game and Other Stories (P) Hodder Children's Books 1998

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Pooh Invents a New Game and Other Stories

Enjoy this classic Winnie the Pooh collection, voiced by an amazing all-star cast.Performed by incredible talent including Finty Williams, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Robert Daws, Jane Horrocks, Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench, this classic Winnie the Pooh audiobook is perfect for keeping little ones entertained.Contains the following stories:In which Rabbit has a busy dayIn which Pooh invents a new gameIn which it is shown that Tiggers don't climb treesIn which a search is organdizedIn which Piglet does a very grand thingFor more amazing audio books featuring Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and other favourite friends, try:Winnie the Pooh: Tigger Comes To The Forest & Other Stories Winnie the Pooh: Piglet Meets a HeffalumpWinnie the Pooh: House at Pooh Corner(P) Hodder Children's Books 1999

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Tigger Comes To The Forest & Other Stories

Join Pooh and Piglet as they make a new friend, Tigger, who bounces his way into the Hundred Acre wood, performed by an amazing all-star castPerformed by incredible talent including Finty Williams, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Robert Daws, Jane Horrocks, Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench, this classic Winnie the Pooh audiobook is perfect for keeping little ones entertained.Contains the following stories:In which a house is built at Pooh Corner for EeyoreIn which Tigger comes to the forest and has breakfastIn which Tigger is unbouncedIn which Eeyore finds the Wolery and Owl moves into itIn which Christopher Robin and Pooh come to an enchanted placeFor more amazing audio books featuring Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and other favourite friends, try:Winnie the Pooh: House at Pooh CornerWinnie the Pooh: Piglet Meets a HeffalumpWinnie the Pooh: Pooh Invents a New Game and Other Stories (P) Hodder Children's Books 1999

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Winnie The Pooh & House at Pooh Corner

An award-winning production, with an all-star cast including Stephen Fry and Judi Dench, brings to life one of the best-loved children's books of all time.Packed full of fun and adventure with Winnie-the-Pooh and all his friends in the Hundred Acre Forest. This is a wonderful dramatisation of Winnie-the-Pooh with original music. This captivating adaptation conveys all the magic and humour of AA Milne's classic stories.The cast includes the following stars:Pooh - Stephen FryPiglet - Jane HorrocksEeyore - Geoffrey PalmerKanga (and Narrator) - Judi DenchRoo - Finty WilliamsRabbit - Robert DawsOwl - Michael WilliamsChristopher Robin - Steven WebbDramatisation by David BenedictusMusic composed and played by John Gould(P) Hodder Children's Books 1997

Date Added: 03/30/2022

The Tree That Sang To Me

Some feelings are so big, they're hard to express ... A dyslexia-friendly verse story of friendship, family and self-discovery, perfect for listeners aged 9+, beautifully read aloud. When Kai's big sister Jenleaves the family home, Kai knows it's all his fault. His secret burns, but he tells no one, just keeps pulling at tufts of his hair. But in the broadbranches of a wasteland sycamore tree, Kai feels safe and free from his worries. Up there he feels he can be whoever he wants to be. And when a girl called Sky starts climbing Kai's tree, a friendship blossoms ... a friendship with the power to heal. Up hereit's likeI'm part of something elsethe windthe leavesthe airfree to bewhoever I want to be.

Date Added: 05/06/2024

Black Brother, Black Brother

A powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers - one who presents as white, the other as Black - and the ways they are forced to navigate a world that doesn't treat them equally.Donte wishes he were invisible. As one of the few black boys at his school, he feels as if he is constantly swimming in whiteness. Most of the students don't look like him. They don't like him either. Dubbed the 'Black Brother', Donte's teachers and classmates make it clear they wish he were more like his lighter skinned brother, Dre. When an incident with a white student leads to Donte's arrest and suspension, he's sure the only way to get even is to beat the student at the school's most valued game: fencing. With the help of a former Olympic fencer, Donte embarks on a journey to carve out a spot on the school's fencing team and to find a way to make people at school see past the colour of his skin to who he really is.From NYT bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes, another poignant and gripping story about how children and families face the complexities of race and racism in today's world.(P)2020 Little, Brown Young Readers

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Ghost Boys

A New York Times BestsellerThis was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read." - Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give'tender, timely ... surprising and hopeful' - ObserverA heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a white police officer, drawing connections with real-life, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes.ALIVETwelve-year-old Jerome doesn't get into trouble. He goes to school. He does his homework. He takes care of his little sister. Then Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat.DEADAs a ghost, watching his family trying to cope with his death, Jerome begins to notice other ghost boys. Each boy has a story and they all have something in common...Bit by bit, Jerome begins to understand what really happened - not just to him, but to all of the ghost boys.A poignant and gripping story about how children and families face the complexities of race and racism in today's world.(P)2018 Hachette Audio

Date Added: 04/21/2022

Paradise on Fire

From award-winning and bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age survival tale set during a devastating wild fire.Haunted by a tragic fire that killed her parents and best friend, Addy has grown up in the Bronx with her grandmother, who enrolls her in a summer wilderness program. There, she joins five other city kids of colour to spend a summer out West.Deep in the forest, the kids learn new skills: camping, hiking, rock climbing, and more. They overcome their suspicion of their white guides and mentors. Most importantly, they learn to depend upon each other for companionship and survival. Then comes the great Camp Fire of 2018 and Addy comes face-to-face with her destiny. Remembering her origins and grandmother's teachings, will Addy be able to use her street smarts, wilderness skills, and spiritual intuition to survive?From NYT bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes, another poignant and gripping story about how the complexities of race and racism in today's world.(P) 2021 Hachette Audio

Date Added: 03/30/2022

Wandi

A young cub is snatched from his family and home by a giant eagle, then dropped, injured and alone, in a suburban garden. This is where he meets his first Human, and begins his long journey to becoming the most famous dingo in the world. He will never see his mountain home again, or his family. But it is his destiny to save alpine dingoes from extinction, and he dreams of a time when all cubs like him can live in the wild in safety, instead of facing poison and bullets and hatred. A children's literary classic in-the-making from one of Australia's most-loved authors is brought to life by Helpmann and AACTA award-winning actress Marta Dusseldorp.

Date Added: 05/25/2022

The Forest of Moon and Sword

'A wonderful book' PIERS TORDAY'Very exciting' ANTHONY MCGOWAN When Art's mother is accused of witchcraft and captured, she is determined to get her back - at any cost. A lyrical adventure with folklore at its heart, for fans of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS.Twelve-year-old Art lives in a small village in Scotland. Her mother has always made potions that cure the sick, but now the townspeople say she is a witch. One cloudless night, Art's mother is arrested and taken to England. Art mounts her horse, taking a sword, a tightrope, and a herbal recipe book, and begins a journey through wild forests, using nature's signs and symbols to guide her.But will she spot the signs from the omens? Will she reach her mother, before it's too late?'Gripping. I raced through it' - A.M. Howell, author of The Garden of Lost Secrets(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Date Added: 04/25/2022

The Boy At the Back of the Class

Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it.He's nine years old (just like me), but he's very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help.That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan. . .(P) 2018 Hachette Children's Group

Date Added: 03/30/2022

The Lion Above the Door

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning and best-selling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes an incredible story about missing histories and the concept of a universal family, told with humour and heart.Leo and his best friend Sangeetha are the odd ones out in their school. In fact, they seem to be the odd ones out no matter where they go in their small town. But as Leo's dad is always telling him, it's only because he's extra-special, and Sangeetha is extra-extra-special. Only thing is, if they're so special, how come Leo never sees anyone who likes him in the history books he loves to read?But on a special class trip to a nearby cathedral one day, Leo's attention is drawn to a large marble slab high above the doors of the hall, featuring a short list of names. Because right there, bang in the middle of the list, Leo finds himself staring at his own name...Hungry to understand how a name like his could feature on a slab commemorating fallen war heroes, Leo and Sangeetha begin a search, and in doing so, uncover a missing story which changed the course of history, one which needs to be put right back into its missing pages.Touching on themes of historical racism, The Lion Above the Door shines a light on the stories our history books have yet to contain and the power of friendships that can last through generations. (P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Date Added: 04/21/2022

The Night Bus Hero

From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning and best-selling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes another incredible story, told with humour and heart. Told from the perspective of a bully, this book explores themes of homelessness, while celebrating kindness, friendship and the potential everyone has to change for the good. Inspired by Onjali's own childhood experiences of growing up in London and seeing the impact of homelessness on those around her, The Night Bus Hero follows an unlikely friendship between our narrator and Thomas - who lives in the park. Can they get to the bottom of some unusual thefts taking place across the city, and discover what it takes to be a real hero?

Date Added: 03/30/2022