The Jazz Catz: The Swingin’ Tale of The Catz That Put Jazz on the Map

Almost exactly a century ago, jazz was born. It would quickly become the defining sound of change in American culture. At the heart of this musical revolution was a band called The Catz, the earliest pioneers of this new sound. The Jazz Catz tells the swinging tale of jazz’s origins, as it moves from New Orleans, its birthplace, to mainstream popularity in Chicago, as seen through the Catz’ eyes – Blues, Tom, Slim and Kitty, the coolest cats in town.

Blues, Tom, Kitty and Slim are The Jazz Catz, New Orleans’s pioneers of America’s newest form of musical expression, jazz. In a society controlled by the powerful, but bad, Dogz, the Catz struggle to be heard. After running for their nine lives away from their own underground club in New Orleans, the Catz find themselves playing at Boss Dog’s upmarket club in Chicago, hoping to find fame and fortune with their music without losing their souls. When the group discover that Boss Dog is exploiting the Catz, the band are forced to leave everything behind again. Will the Catz ever land on their feet? Or will the Dogz have their day?

The Lunch Order

Today is a special day! I am having a yummy hot lunch order and a sparkling red drink too. I told my friends about it. 

This is my first ever lunch from the school canteen! I can hardly wait for lunchtime. I hope Miss Jones will let me take the lunch basket to the canteen.

This special day is turning out to be kind of strange and my teacher looks kind of funny. Where is my yummy hot lunch order and sparkling red drink? 

What has happened to my teacher, Miss Jones?

The Snow Dome Storybook

Have you ever gazed into a snow dome and wondered what it would be like if the world inside was real? Well, 12-year-olds Ali Wiseman and James Newman don’t have to wonder. When they stumble across a secret storey of Rose Cottage, they discover a magical snow dome and are swirled into the world within.

The Story of Inky Pinky

Inky Pinky is Fairyland’s favourite elf. With his rainbow-coloured paints, he brings life to all the birds, flowers and trees. When he upsets the fairy queen by having fun with a feather, she sends him away. Whatever will happen next?

The Truth Tie and Other Stories

Barbara Steel-Knowles presents three fun-filled children's tales with captivating illustrations by Simon Knowles.

In The Truth Tie, eight years old Henry tells lots of lies. When some elves see his behaviour, they decide to teach him a lesson!

Four Pairs of Shoes for Ollie follows a group of sea creatures as they swim to the surface and spot some humans. Ollie, the octopus, decides he wants to wear shoes too, but how will he find four pairs?

Finally, in The Glass Slippers, Ellie puts on some magical shoes and finds she can't stop tapping her feet! Follow her on a unique, magical adventure!

The Turkeys Who Had a Happy Christmas

In the depths of winter, turkeys are hatching on the farm. By next Christmas, they will have grown and will be delicious Christmas dinners for lots of people. But Bertie is a very clever turkey, who has learnt a lot. When the lorry carrying Bertie, his friends Tulula and Charlie and the rest of the flock to market overturns, Bertie leads their escape. He has a clever plan to get their freedom. But will it work, or will they end up on the Christmas dinner table?

Tyler’s Bike Adventure

Tyler has an accident on his bike. He yells to his parents for help. Then he remembers previous times his parents have helped. He uses their usual questions and realizes that he can evaluate the situation himself.

A story for kids that reminds us that with some help from our loved ones, we can always find ways to help ourselves.

Young Samuel, An Ancient Story Retold

Can you imagine a time many hundreds of years ago when you slept on a pallet on the floor, ate fruit, yoghurt and flatbread that your mother baked in a small outdoor adobe oven, and you travelled everywhere by foot or donkey back?

Come along with me on this journey to this far-off time and land and watch young Samuel begin an extraordinary life that can still affect people today. His story might even make a difference in your life. Who knows? Would you like to see for yourself?

Adventures With Sir Maxwell

Sir Maxwell may not be the smartest or the strongest knight that ever lived, but he certainly knows a thing or two about adventure. Or so he likes to think. His trusty steed, Ringo, and faithful valet, George, know all too well that Sir Maxwell's glory days are well behind him, but that doesn't stop him from coming to the aide of the residents of Brooklands whenever his particular brand of foolish bravery is called for.Whether it be searching for giant blue gems in the mines below the dwarf kingdom, escaping from bears in a giant snowball, or just battling dragons and witches with complete disregard for his own safety; Sir Maxwell is always ready to lend a hand.So why not join Sir Maxwell on his hilarious and exciting adventures, and prepare yourself for battle.

Grandma's Water Tower Tales

Introducing Watty, a huge water tower on the edge of a seaside village in Norfolk. Watty finds that by being helpful to others, he makes friends himself.

Monsieur Claude's Great French Adventure

Monsieur Claude, the 'Beanie Baby' crab, is upset and worried. His family lives in France and he would dearly love to visit them because his mum hasn't been well. His owner, Jamie, is going on holiday to Paris but only two of Jamie's 'Beanie Babies' can go with him. And Monsieur Claude isn't chosen to be one of them… However, the rest of his 'Beanie Baby' friends devise a cunning plan to smuggle Monsieur Claude into Jamie's backpack! But disaster strikes at the airport when Monsieur Claude falls from the bag! Will he be rescued? Will he ever see his owner again? The little crab has a thrilling series of adventures along the way, but will he ever be re-united with his mum?

Myriam Von Bacterium

Somewhere in a human’s intestine, in the middle of a busy city of bacteria, a mother is sending her daughter Myriam to her first day of school. Despite being quite hopeful about her first day, things don’t turn out as she expected. Myriam will learn how to make friends and deal with bullies, all while learning more about types of bacteria.