Booklists

Not so long ago, in a town not far away, on a shelf marked ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN, sat a book waiting to be read. Arabella's Alphabet Adventure was the most borrowed book in the library but Arabella dreamt of a more exciting life... A timeless story about an alphabet, a daring adventure and a book who learns she is perfect, just the way she is.

Gazpacho, roast pollo, empanadas - a Spanish mother's lunchtime meal is not complete unless the whole family is together. One day, mum is the missing family member at lunchtime in this story of the daily life of a Spanish family.

Errol is a penguin who refuses to come when his mother counts to three. What happens next is a bright and playful adventure.

Murgatroyd really, really hated having his hair washed. When his parents tried, Murgatroyd's screams were so loud that they could be heard by everyone, everywhere. So, his parents stopped washing his hair. Murgatroyd smiled, quiet descended and a magnificent garden began to grow on his head.

Ten fat sausages were sizzling in the pan but they're disappearing fast. Count along and find out where the sausages have gone.

At the seaside, Harry, the little black and white dog, gets tangled in a bunch of seaweed and comes out of the water looking like a monster, frightening everyone on the beach.

The delightful story of Harry, the little white dog with black spots, who tries very hard to avoid having a bath.

Everyone loves the coat with roses on it that grandma has knitted for Harry, the little black and white dog. Everyone, that is, except Harry, who can't bear it. Losing the coat proves to be more difficult than Harry imagined.

Mr Crocodile loves his job. Every morning he gets up with an alarm. He brushes his teeth. He chooses the right tie to match his outfit, eats a quick slice of toast, and heads off to work on a crowded train. But what is his job? The answer may surprise you.

A little girl doesn't know what to give her mother for her birthday but Mr Rabbit helps her with ideas based on her mother's favourite colours.

An alligator dancing ballet? When the reptile takes her place at the barre, Mrs Iraina and her dancers are very surprised. But since they can't communicate with the alligator, and she is able to follow along, they just decide to name her Tanya and let her stay. (Would YOU say no to a 450-pound alligator?) Mrs Iraina even creates a special ballet to showcase Tanya's larger-than-life talents . . . and super-swishy tail. Then, without warning, Tanya disappears.

Jack is looking forward to playing in his first ever concert. But, on the big day, Jack finds he has a Worry. His Worry follows him, and it grows bigger and bigger.

This is the story of Lu-Lu who wants to do something specially creative in the world. But, no matter how hard she tries, she seems to find that being special is not for her. She finds an ordinary stone in the creek which becomes very special and it turns into a love heart which she wears with pride.

A young boy is the number one fan of his Dad who is a storeman by day, and a keen but unsuccessful wrestler by night. Known as The Percolator, Dad is far from pretty but, to his son, Dad is a hero just like those in the Greek myths he learns about at school.

A family moves into their new house. As they grow older, the one constant is 'Steve', a massive tree in their backyard sharing their lives, their ups and downs.