Poetry

Little ones can join in the fun In the Jungle by pulling out the sliders, pushing up the tabs and counting all the animals! How many lazy lions are yawning? How many zebras are skipping?

Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text and beautifully illustrated by the award-winning Axel Scheffler. In the Jungle has been endorsed and recommended by Dr Amanda Gummer’s Good Toy Guide.

Discover more animal books from the illustrator of The Gruffalo with On the Farm and Freddy the Frog.

Read more

A brand-new storybook in the perennially popular Amazing Machines series from Tony Mitton and Ant Parker – over 1 million copies sold to date!

Patrol the streets with some cool animal drivers in this cheerful picture book all about police cars. Lively wordplay, vibrant art, plus a visual dictionary, make this title a must-have for bookshelves everywhere.

This book is filled with humorous rhyming text by the award-winning poet Tony Mitton, which perfectly complements Ant Parker’s bold, bright illustrations. A picture dictionary identifying police car parts builds vocabulary and makes learning about police cars exciting and fun.

Read more

The funny and joyful picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog.

‘Morning had dawned on the African plain.
The lion lay grooming his glorious mane.
The kudu looked cool and the rhino looked fine.
The bright pink flamingos looked simply divine.
The zebra looked graceful; the leopard look great.

Oh what a picture of beauty – but wait!’

Who’s that singing on the savannah?

The wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork swagger proudly across the savannah, rejoicing in their ugliness – and delighting their babies, who think they’re perfect just the way they are.

Inspired by the real-life Ugly Five safari animals, this gorgeous picture book is a celebration of animals who are often rather unloved.

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• A funny and comical picture book from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• Full of fabulous animals!
• Celebrates being yourself, family and friendship
• From the creators of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog, which have all been made into animated films
• The Smeds and the Smoos is on BBC One at Christmas with voice artists including Bill Bailey (comedian and Strictly winner), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Sally Hawkins (Paddington movies) and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey).
• Look out for The Baddies the wickedly funny new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Praise for The Ugly Five:

‘Donaldson’s exuberant verse and Scheffler’s strong, inimitable style are splendidly suited to these underrated, cheerful grotesques, and evoke the love between parents and children of every species’ Guardian

‘Another fabulous story for two- to eighty-year olds . What bliss from the creators of The Gruffalo’ The Oldie

‘Funny, catchy and gleeful . it’s irresistible rhymes trip off the tongue . Axel’s pictures are witty and full of character’ BBC Wildlife Magazine

Read more

“I’ve lost my mum!”

Where is Monkey’s mummy? It’s not too much fun being lost in the jungle, and little monkey wants his mum. Kindly butterfly is keen to help, but they don’t seem to be having much luck and keep finding the wrong animals! But eventually, they find . . . Dad! It’s just as well that he knows exactly where mum is, and she’s waiting with a well-deserved cuddle.

Monkey Puzzle is a clever, funny and charming tale from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. This edition features the classic story with a stunning, redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!

Also available with redesigned covers are The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, The Smartest Giant in Town, Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, and A Squash and a Squeeze.

Read more

Everyone’s favourite dragon, Zog, returns in this magical adventurous picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Smeds and the Smoos and Stick Man.

‘Meet the Flying Doctors – a dragon, knight and girl.
Their names are Gadabout the Great, and Zog, and Princess Pearl.’

Princess Pearl, Sir Gadabout and their trusty ‘air ambulance’, Zog the dragon fly around tending a sunburnt mermaid, a distressed unicorn and a sneezy lion.

But should princesses really be doctors?

Pearl’s uncle, the King, doesn’t think so – until he himself falls ill, and only Pearl knows how to cure him.

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• A fabulous picture book about dragons, knights and princesses from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator
• The sequel to the much-loved Zog is also a stand-alone story
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• Bravery, kindness, friendship and perseverance are at the heart of this heartwarming story
• Zog and the Flying Doctors has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from Sir Lenny Henry (Narrator), Hugh Skinner (Zog), Patsy Ferran (Princess Pearl) and Rob Brydon (The King).
• Tabby McTat will be on BBC One, December 2023
• Look out for The Baddies, the wickedly funny latest picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

‘Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the Lennon and McCartney of children’s publishing’ Sunday Times

Read more

The funny and fabulous rhyming picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog.

The smallest fish can tell the tallest tales …

‘”Sorry I’m late, Miss. I set off really early But on the way to school I was captured by a squid.

I wriggled and I struggled till a turtle came and rescued me.”

“Oh, no, he didn’t.”

“OH, YES, HE DID.”’

Tiddler is a little fish with a BIG imagination!

Every day he tells a tall tale.

But did he really ride a seahorse? Did he really meet a mermaid?

And who will believe him when he really does get captured in a net?

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• The fabulously funny bestseller from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• The ideal gift for children starting school
• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• From the creators of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog, which have all been made into animated films

• The Smeds and the Smoos is on BBC One at Christmas with voice artists including Bill Bailey (comedian and Strictly winner), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Sally Hawkins (Paddington movies) and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey).
• Look out for The Baddies the wickedly funny new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Praise for Tiddler:

‘Picture book perfection . It’s got laughs, drama and great rhymes . Beat that for a happy ending” Independent

‘A delightful rhyming tale . a potential classic of the future, with a little hero that all children will identify with’ Derby Evening Telegraph

‘Great illustrations. Wildly imaginative. Utterly absorbing . Just perfect’ Liverpool Echo

Read more

The rollicking adventurous picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog.

‘Give me your buns and your biscuits!
Give me your chocolate eclairs!
For I am the Rat of the highway,
and the Rat Thief never shares!’

Life is not safe for the other animals, as the villainous Highway Rat gallops along the highway, stealing their food. Clover from a rabbit; nuts from a squirrel – he even steals his own horse’s hay.

Will he finally meet his comeuppance, in the form of a cunning duck?

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• A fabulous, rollicking rhyme, in the style of the famous Alfred Noyes poem, ‘The Highwayman’, from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• Adventure, friendship and learning to be kind are at the heart of this story
• The Highway Rat has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from David Tennant (Highway Rat), Nina Sosanya (Duck), Rob Brydon (Horse), Tom Hollander (Squirrel) and Frances de la Tour (Rabbit)
• The Smeds and the Smoos is on BBC One at Christmas with voice artists including Bill Bailey (comedian and Strictly winner), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Sally Hawkins (Paddington movies) and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey).
  • Look out for The Baddies the wickedly funny new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

  Praise for The Highway Rat:

  ‘A classic picture book . great to read aloud’ BBC Radio 4 ‘Front Row’ ‘Donaldson’s ear for rhyme is unequalled and Scheffler’s busy, funny illustrations make this ideal for reading aloud’ Daily Mail

Read more

Soar into space with this glorious love story of alien folk, from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Stick Man.

‘By a loobular lake on a far-off planet
There lived a young Smed, and her name was Janet.
Not far away, on a humplety hill,
There lived a young Smoo by the name of Bill.’

The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue).

So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, their families strongly disapprove.

But peace is restored and love conquers all in this happiest of love stories.There’s even a gorgeous purple baby to celebrate!

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• With fabulous rhymes and breathtaking illustrations, this picture book from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator is literally out of this world!
• Friendship, love, adventure and togetherness are at the heart of this joyful story
• From the creators of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog, which have all been made into animated films
• Superworm is on BBC One at Christmas with voice artists including Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (narrator), Matt Smith (Superworm) and Rob Brydon (Crow)
• New for September 2022 – look out for The Baddies,the wickedly funny new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

‘Blast off with the most exciting book yet from the creator of The Gruffalo. Get ready for a wild and wonderful journey through space in a book that is perfect for reading together.’ The Sun

Collect the whole Scholastic picture book series by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler:

• • Stick Man
  • Superworm
  • Tabby McTat
  • The Highway Rat
  • The Scarecrows’ Wedding
  • The Smeds and the Smoos
  • Tiddler
  • Ugly Five
  • Zog
  • Zog and the Flying Doctors

Also available in hardback, board book, book and CD and early reader formats.

Each title also has a sticker activity book with over 300 stickers and pages of activities for hours of extra fun.

Read more

**A Christmas treat – Daily Mail**
_______________

THE BUNNY ADVENTURES: OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD!
DISCOVER THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES
_______________

We’re going on a sleigh ride,
HO! HO! HO!
Can you find the hidden gifts?
Whoosh! Off we go!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Climb aboard Santa’s sleigh and join the fun as four bunnies set off on a thrilling festive adventure. With ten presents to find hidden under the flaps, it’s an action-packed treasure hunt! You’ll need to watch out for the obstacles along the way – snowy clouds, church spires, flocks of flying geese – and help the sleigh back to the North Pole in time for Christmas!

The perfect Christmas gift, full of festive fun and winter magic, from the bestselling author of We’re Going on an Elf Chase.
_______________

The Bunny Adventures series is the perfect collection for young children, full of exciting adventures, fun lift-the-flap pages, and made of very sturdy paper for little hands. Collect them all for a wonderful gift to be read, re-read, and treasured for years to come.
_______________

Read more

The heartwarming modern classic from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog – perfect for sharing at Christmas.

‘Stick Man lives in the family tree
With his Stick Lady Love
and their stick children three.’

But it’s dangerous being a Stick Man.

A dog wants to play with him, a swan builds her nest with him. He even ends up on a fire!

Will he ever get back to the family tree in time for Christmas? Perhaps Santa can help…

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• A modern classic picture book about family, courage and adventure from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• This perfect gift book is a journey through the seasons with a gloriously festive Christmas Eve ending
• From the creators of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog, which have all been made into animated films
• Stick Man has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from Martin Freeman (Stick Man), Jennifer Saunders (Narrator), Sally Hawkins (Stick Lady), Russell Tovey (Dog) and Hugh Bonneville (Santa)
• Superworm is on BBC One at Christmas with voice artists including Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (narrator), Matt Smith (Superworm) and Rob Brydon (Crow)
• New for September 2022 – look out for The Baddies, the wickedly funny new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

‘A cracker of a book’ FT

Read more

The timeless Christmas classic from the iconic Dr. Seuss! Read this favourite story of joy, love and acceptance anytime, anywhere!

“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason…”

With a heart two sizes too small, the Grinch is the meanest creature you’ll ever meet. He hates Christmas and the whole festive season. But when he hatches a dastardly plot to steal Christmas, he’s in for a big surprise!

With hilarious rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this classic seasonal story has become a favourite for good reason and teaches readers the true meaning of Christmas.

Read more

“Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the Lennon and McCartney of children’s publishing” Sunday Times

This fabulous picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a riot of slapstick fun and silliness.

The Baddies are the meanest, nastiest ghost, witch and troll in the land.

They just adore being bad, and fight over who is the worst.

When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits.

But the little girl quickly shows them that you don’t have to be big to be brave, and baddies don’t always win.

• A brilliant paperback edition for new and old fans alike
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• Julia and Axel are the team that have created picture book favourites such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Zog and The Smeds and The Smoos – all of which have been made into animated films premiering on BBC1 Christmas Day

More praise for The Baddies:

‘[The Baddies] is every bit as charming and wonderful and funny as you’d imagine’ Nihal Arthanyake, BBC Radio 5 Live

‘A mean ghost, witch and troll try, yet hilariously fail, to frighten a girl in this brilliant new tale from the superstar picture book duo’ The Bookseller

‘Keeps little ones grinning and guffawing from the first colour-soaked page to the last hilarious line of this fresh, funny and exuberant rhyming story … With Donaldson’s heartwarming, inspirational messages about being brave and standing up to bullies, a wise and enchanting story in a rhyme perfectly created for reading aloud, and Scheffler’s stunning and richly detailed illustrations providing lots to spot on every page, this is a creative partnership made in children’s reading heaven!’ Lancashire Evening Post

Read more

Greg the Sausage Roll stars in this hilarious twist on everyone’s favourite Christmas rhyme!

Greg, Gloria and the mini sausage rolls are rounding up all their friends –

11 elves a-wrapping,
8 reindeer munching,
6 six baubles bouncing . . .

Join the festive countdown as they get ready for Christmas Eve – and the best Christmas party EVER!

Packed with laughs and festive silliness, this sturdy board book is the perfect gift for Greg’s youngest fans, introducing little learners to their first numbers in a fun and entertaining way. With colourful illustrations throughout and a surprise gatefold ending, this book is a joyful addition to the Greg the Sausage Roll Christmas collection!

Developed and written by the social media phenomenon that is LadBaby – the king and queen of Christmas and of sausage rolls – and creators of the hilarious No. 1 bestsellers Greg the Sausage Roll: Santa’s Little Helper, Greg the Sausage Roll: The Perfect Present and Greg the Sausage Roll: Wish You Were Here

Read more

Celebrate the 20th birthday of the bestselling classic The Snail and the Whale, with this special anniversary edition of the story, including bonus content.

“How I long to sail!” said the tiny snail.

One little snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and the little snail feels so small in the vastness of the world. But when disaster strikes and the whale is beached in a bay, it’s the tiny snail’s big plan that saves the day! This is a delightful tale of adventure and friendship by the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

The Snail and the Whale 20th Anniversary Edition features the classic story with a stunning foil cover as well as extra-special bonus content including a letter from the author and some early sketches from the illustrator to celebrate the anniversary year.

Read more

The magical and exciting picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Zog and Stick Man.

‘Madam Dragon ran a school, many moons ago.
She taught young dragons all the things that dragons need to know.
Zog, the biggest dragon, was the keenest one by far.
He tried his hardest every day to win a golden star.’

Zog is the keenest dragon in school. He’s also the most accident-prone, flying into trees and even setting his own wing on fire.

Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by and patches up his bumps and bruises.

But will she be able to help him with his toughest test: capturing a princess?

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• A magical picture book about dragons, knights and princesses from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• The perfect story for children starting school with bravery, kindness, friendship and perseverance at the heart
• Zog has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from Sir Lenny Henry (Narrator), Hugh Skinner (Zog), Tracy Ullman (Madame Dragon) and Kit Harrington (Sir Gadabout).
  • The Smeds and the Smoos is on BBC One at Christmas with voice artists including Bill Bailey (comedian and Strictly winner), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Sally Hawkins (Paddington movies) and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey).
    • Look out for The Baddies the wickedly funny new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

      Winner of the Galaxy National Book Award 2010

      Praise for Zog: ‘Heartwarming and hilarious. A book to make your heart soar and ‘zigzag through the blue’ Daily Mail

      ‘Humour, heart and a worthy heroine earn this story its own star’ New York Times

      ‘A delightful bedtime read with Donaldson’s witty versification and Scheffler’s usual assortment of lushly coloured, winsomely boggle-eyed characters’ FT

Read more

Greg the Sausage Roll stars in this hilarious twist on everyone’s favourite Christmas rhyme!

Greg, Gloria and the mini sausage rolls are rounding up all their friends –

11 elves a-wrapping,
8 reindeer munching,
6 six baubles bouncing . . .

Join the festive countdown as they get ready for Christmas Eve – and the best Christmas party EVER!

Packed with laughs and festive silliness, this sturdy board book is the perfect gift for Greg’s youngest fans, introducing little learners to their first numbers in a fun and entertaining way. With colourful illustrations throughout and a surprise gatefold ending, this book is a joyful addition to the Greg the Sausage Roll Christmas collection!

Developed and written by the social media phenomenon that is LadBaby – the king and queen of Christmas and of sausage rolls – and creators of the hilarious No. 1 bestsellers Greg the Sausage Roll: Santa’s Little Helper, Greg the Sausage Roll: The Perfect Present and Greg the Sausage Roll: Wish You Were Here

Read more

Lift the flaps and join in the winter fun with Squirrel’s Snowman, a story in the Tales from Acorn Wood preschool series by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo – perfect for sharing at Christmas!

It’s snowing in Acorn Wood, and Squirrel wants to build a snowman. Will she and her friends find everything they need to build? Lift the flaps to find out in this wonderful wintry tale.

With sturdy flaps on every spread and rhyming stories that are a joy to read aloud, Squirrel’s Snowman joins the bestselling Tales from Acorn Wood which have been delighting parents and children for over twenty years.

Enjoy more lift-the-flap adventures from Acorn Wood with Dormouse Has a Cold, Mole’s Spectacles and Badger’s Band.

Read more