Books

Perfect for starting those all-important conversations, It''s OK to Cry includes colourful illustrations, child-friendly strategies and vocabulary for managing feelings and helpful notes for parents, carers and practitioners.

The My First Five Years team defines 'toddlerhood' as 'beginning the moment that your child pulls themselves to standing and takes their first steps', and this book supports you right from this point up until you're starting to think about sending them to school. The book covers six streams of development - social and emotional, gross motor, fine motor, sensory, language and cognitive - and each chapter includes a summary of the underlying science followed by simple, fun and low-cost play ideas you can do at home with your child. From pizza portraits to 'whose voice is that?', the ideas fit neatly into daily life and focus on turning play into a solid foundation from which all learning grows. There are also QR codes featured throughout, linking to free additional related content.

If you're starting to think about your child starting school, there can be all kinds of things on your mind. Are they ready to hold a pencil and learn to write? Will they be able to pay attention in a classroom? Will they know how to make friends? This book breaks down exactly what skills are important for your child to be 'ready for school', and how you can support their development using simple, fun and low-cost activities.

Everyone knows how difficult it is to get young children to share with others and we need strategies to help them understand why it''s important – this book will help! Penny Tassoni, leading Early Years education consultant, author and trainer, presents a picture book with simple words and delightful full-colour illustrations by Mel Four that encourages children to share in a positive way.

Eid al-Fitr is Aisha’s favourite festival and this year her family have promised her and her brother an epic treasure hunt to find their gifts. But between all the chaos and celebrations, will Aisha ever get her presents? From breaking fast to going to the mosque, painting your hands with henna to sharing tasty treats, Aisha’s story is the ideal introduction to explore the story of Eid with your children, family or pupils and would make a beautiful gift for Eid.

This time around, Rosie finds herself among the best and brightest codebreakers and spies - from Noor Inayat Khan to Alan Turing and the Hut 8 codebreakers themselves. While Gandhi''s Quit India movement is rising against the British Empire, Rosie and her spy father are working with British agents to keep the Nazis at bay. But with a rumoured Nazi spy working undercover at Bletchley park, who can Rosie trust? And when her father is put in serious danger, will she be able to save him?

July, 1941. Rosina Raja is half-Indian and half-English. She has always lived in India, so when her mother passes away and she moves to England (where it rains all the time) she is miserable and doesn’t have any friends. Life changes dramatically for Rosie when she discovers that her army captain father is actually a spy for the British government. She can’t bear to be left behind so she stows away in his plane.

This time around, Rosie finds herself undercover in the magnificent and scorching city of Cairo, officially to make sure Egypt''s amazing historical artefacts are kept safe from the Nazis... but really to root out a traitor in the British ranks. With the stakes higher than they''ve ever been, can Rosie and her father keep each other safe?

The Fatal Fire Mary is terrified to accompany her master into the big, scary city of Rome. Then she finds herself the only witness to a terrible crime, and suddenly there’s danger at every turn… The Captive CeltRome is thrilled by the news that the infamous British chief Caratacus has been captured. Little does Bran, a feisty young Celtic slave, realise that this event is going to change his life. The Goose Guards Rome is under attack and the barbarian army is now preparing to besiege the home of Brutus, a trainee priest. Will rescue ever come and will Brutus know who to trust? The Grim GhostPertinax is helping his grandmother when the great Pliny himself tells him a ghost story set in the very garden they’re standing in. But there''s no truth in ghost stories... right?

The boys at school are excited. The Olympic games are coming to the city. They may be too young to compete, but their teacher suggests the school should have its own games. Of course, girls have no part at all in these festivities but Elena discovers her twin brother, Cypselis, has made a bet with Big Bacchiad (the school bully). If Cypselis wins he will get a new goat. If he loses then Elena will become Bacchiad''s slave. Elena''s freedom is at stake - she needs all her cunning to make sure her brother wins. But will he?Terry Deary’s Greek Tales explore the world of Ancient Greece through the eyes of children who could have lived at the time. These stories feature real people and take place in some of the most recognisable Greek settings. This new edition features notes for the reader to help extend learning and exploration of the historical period._