Finlay finds it hard to concentrate at school and is usually thinking about something else when the teacher addresses the class. So, when asked to bring things in for the nature table, Finlay gets the wrong end of the stick. But it’s when he brings in the wrong kind of bark that the chaos really begins!

This is a lovely story, wittily told, which rolls along nicely and has a satisfying ending. Garry Parsons’ lively colour illustrations, accompanied by speech bubbles, illuminate every page and combine with the text to make a funny and heartwarming story for new readers.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

This book by the award-winning Gruffalo partnership is about a tiny snail who longs to see the world, and the enormous grey-blue humpback whale who gives him a lift on his tail.

Together they set off on a fantastic journey, passing frozen icebergs and fiery volcanoes and meeting all sorts of sea animals on the way, until the tiny snail finds himself oppressed by the vastness of the world.

But when disaster strikes and the whale is beached in a bay, it is the tiny snail who saves the day.

Written in a catchy rhyming style with wonderfully detailed illustrations on every page, this is a simple and touching story about making a difference.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

George is the scruffiest giant in town, so he buys a new outfit to smarten himself up. On the way home, however, he meets others who are in greater need of his clothes than he is, so he gradually gives away each new item of clothing.

His tie becomes a scarf for a giraffe and his shoe makes an ideal home for a family of mice. When he arrives home, the animals he has helped are all waiting for him with a thank you present.

The repetitive text in this lovely tale is great to read aloud and the colourful illustrations are full of amusing details.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Ellen, off school with chicken pox, gets a big surprise one day while examining her spots in the mirror: her reflection starts talking back to her, and even comes out of the mirror!

She is Princess Mirror-Belle, a magical princess from a faraway land, and she leads Ellen into all sorts of trouble. Princess Mirror-Belle, written in short, easy-to-manage chapters, is ideal for children who are just starting to read alone.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Jumbeelia, a young girl giant from Groil, the Land of Giants, loves the stories of the iggly plop who climbed up the bimblestonk and was chased back down again by a giant.

Growing her own bimblestonk, she climbs down it and finds a whole world of iggly plops - our world, in fact, where Colette, Stephen and Poppy are very surprised to find themselves collected up into a bag and carried off back up the bimblestonk.

Collette has many fun and scary adventures while trying to escape from Groil and because Donaldson has invented a whole new language for the Giants, this sort-of sequel to the Jack and The Beanstalk fairy tale is given a fun and interesting new twist.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Spinderella is desperate to learn how to count, but her spider family just don't want to know. That is until her Hairy Godmother helps her and, at last, she and her many siblings can play football, organise the teams and count the goals - all thanks to numbers!

An engaging story with facts and activities about football, counting and halving.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

This super collection of 17 original rhymes for joining in with has appeal for the new toddler and well into the nursery years. Carers will be able to interest younger children through shared reading, whilst older children can undertake the physical actions alone. Even undemonstrative older children will relish learning and chanting these rhymes. Alongside all the fun, there is unobtrusive early-learning taking place: simple counting, naming body parts, making animal noises and more complex ideas too, including cycles of growth, species of bird, encountering smells. Wriggle and Roar is less a noisy, dashing-about sort of action book, than one for playful shared fun. Nick Sharratt's cheery artwork enlivens the text with an air of gentle humour.

Wandering home from school, a boy finds a young pigeon, half starved, in a derelict warehouse in Glasgow. He takes him home, looks after him and even teaches him to fly.

His father initially insists that the bird should be freed, and although the boy wants him to stay for ever, eventually he reluctantly accepts that wild things must be free.

Beautifully atmospheric illustrations accompany the poignant and gentle text, which not only considers the developing relationship between lonely child and pigeon, but also the emotional effect on the family of the father losing his job, turning him from a loving and compassionate man into someone whose reactions the boy fears.

A thoughtful text, which sensitively addresses the complexity of relationships.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Although he looks small and ordinary, Tiddler is a fish who loves to tell tall tales. In school, he entertains his incredulous classmates with stories of diving with dolphins and meeting mermaids.

One day Tiddler is so absorbed in his day-dreams that he is swept up in a fisherman's net and then thrown back in to an unfamiliar part of the sea. He swims round in circles completely lost, until he hears a familiar story. His story-telling prowess has spread throughout the ocean and helps to lead him safely home again.

Julia Donaldson's rhyming text is as delightful as ever and there is much to discover in Axel Scheffler's detailed, colourful illustrations. Devotees should look out for the Gruffalo fish hidden amongst the pages.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

This delightful book follows the journey of a baby, a duck and their friends on a stroll to the end of the pier. We hear the sound each character makes as they are introduced – the baby ‘toddles’ whilst the duck ‘waddles’, the horse ‘clip clops’ and the train ‘choo choos’.

An ideal book for sharing - babies will love imitating the sounds in the text and pointing out details in the illustrations.

This is a fun book which is beautifully illustrated by Nick Sharratt and is sure to cause lots of giggles!

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Nick liked drawing from an early age. 'When I was nine,' he says, 'a picture that I'd drawn at school was pinned up in the hall, and the husband of one of the teachers saw it and offered me five pounds to do a similar picture for him. That's when I decided I was going to be a professional artist one day! I nearly always drew in felt tip pens then, and I liked drawing big crowd scenes. I'd start in the bottom left-hand corner of the paper and just let the picture grow, telling myself stories about each of the characters in turn as I drew them.'

A mouse walks through the woods and encounters a fox, an owl and a snake.

To fend them off, he tells them about the scary Gruffalo. When the mouse actually encounters the Gruffalo, he cleverly invents another tale and manages to escape from danger once again.

With suspense, rhyme, repetition and wonderful illustrations, this is the perfect interactive picture book.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

The award-winning creators of The Gruffalo now present us with a modern variation on a long-established folk tale theme, which details the perilous adventures of a stick.

To other animals and humans, poor Stick Man is seen as ideal for all kinds of uses. He ends up in a dog’s throw and fetch game, as part of Pooh-sticks, a swan’s nest, a snowman, as a sand-castle decoration, and a host of other ignominious possibilities, before facing the terror of the sitting-room fire.

He is rescued and returned to his grieving wife and family in the St Nick of time, to celebrate a happy Christmas.

A deliciously terrifying tale, further invigorated by equally funny, wonderfully spirited illustrations.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Tabby McTat is a purrr-fectly happy busker's cat, until one day he falls in love with Sock, a gorgeous green-eyed cat.

But when his busker Fred is hurt and taken away to hospital, Tabby can't find him and misses him terribly. Sock soon has three kittens, the littlest with a deafening miaow and powerful purr. When Tabby finally finds Fred, he is torn between Sock and the lonely busker. All is resolved when the littlest kitten begs to be the busker’s cat.

A poetic story of love, adventure and music that demands to be read aloud or possibly sung, depending on the power of the reader's purr. Young children can follow the whole story through the colourful, action-packed illustrations.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Monkey is lost in the jungle, so he asks Butterfly to help him find his mum. However, Butterfly cannot seem to understand that Monkey and his mum look alike, so attempts to reunite Monkey with an elephant, a parrot and even a bat!

This is another charming and witty story from this successful writer and illustrator team.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Zog is a keen dragon at Dragon School who aims to be the best in his class and win a golden star. The story follows his attempts at learning to fly, roar and breathe fire, leading to a series of minor injuries for which a mysterious girl provides assorted bandages and plasters.

There are numerous twists in the tale; the girl turns out to be a princess whose ambition it is to be a doctor rather than wearing silly dresses and hiding in castles, and the knight who comes to rescue her would rather ‘wear a twisty stethoscope’ than armour.

The illustrations are as vivid, imaginative and amusing as you would expect from the illustrator of The Gruffalo, with subtle details that children and adults will love. The perfectly crafted rhyming text is ideal for reading aloud. And the ambitious princess is a great touch.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

The animals on the farm are always noisy, all except for the ladybird who never says a word. But when burglars plot to steal the farmer's fine prize cow, it's the quiet ladybird who comes up with the perfect way to stop their dastardly plan!

This lively rhyming story is perfectly paired with stylish, vibrant farmyard illustrations by Lydia Monks. Children will love joining in with all the familiar animal sounds, as well as spotting the tiny glittery ladybird on each page.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Cave Baby is restless. With mum and dad too busy to play, Cave Baby sets about amusing himself. Unfortunately nobody except Cave Baby finds these antics very amusing, and he is warned that being naughty will mean 'A mammoth's going to throw you to the big brown bear!'

It isn't too long before Cave Baby encounters the mammoth… only to share an unexpected, and very fun, experience.

With Julia Donaldson's distinctive rhyming text and Emily Gravett's heartfelt illustrations, this book will delight those little ones with mischief at heart.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Emily Gravett was born in Brighton. After leaving school with few qualifications she spend eight years living on the road before getting a place on the BA Illustration course at Brighton university. She won the Macmillan Prize for illustration with Wolves which was published to great acclaim in August 2005, winning many prizes and making the beginning of an internationally stellar career creating extraordinary books for children. She now lives back in Brighton with her partner, daughter and two pet rats.

Emily is one of Booktrust's Best New Illustrators 2008.

Read an interview with Emily

Visit Emily's gallery of illustrations

Poor crab has lost his shell, and nobody wants to share. But when he finally finds a shell of his own, he is surprised to find himself being asked to move over! A story about sharing and friendship, this board book is both touching and amusing.
 
With glitter on every page, and atmospheric illustrations, Sharing a Shell makes for a fulfilling read:
 
'Three friends, sharing a shell/ Happy as housemates can be/ Rocketing all round the rock pool/ In their wonderful home for three!'

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Julia Donaldson's first ever picture book is the story of an anxious little old lady, whose house is just too small - but when she asks a wise old man for help, he suggests a rather strange solution to her problems.

Pairing Donaldson's jaunty rhyming text and charming, witty illustrations by Axel Scheffler, it's no surprise that this delightful picture book has become a classic. This beautiful edition of a much-loved favourite has been published to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the book, and contains extra material, including some of Scheffler's first sketches for the illustrations, and some background about how the book came about from both Scheffler and Donaldson.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Freddie is delighted when a fairy he rescues offers to grant him his every wish.  Although the fairy explains that she can't hear very well, Freddie launches into a series of excited wishes for different pets.  However he finds that his mumbled requests generate a succession of unusual and unexpected creatures. 

 

Freddie quickly becomes frustrated by her apparent inability to grant his wishes.  Luckily the Fairy Queen appears to help him understand that it isn’t the little fairy who is causing the problems – it is Freddie who needs to make some simple changes.

With attractive illustrations by Karen George, winner of the Waterstone's/Macmillan Children's Books 'Picture This' competition, this is a light-hearted story with a subtly delivered message.  As well as helping us better understand the needs of people who have difficulty hearing, the lessons about good communication are surely universal.  The Fairy Queen’s three golden rules represent perfect guidelines for encouraging children to speak clearly to make themselves understood.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

The ever-popular Gruffalo returns in musical form in this book of songs to sing and play from Julia Donaldson.

As well as the 'The Gruffalo Song', there are eight other songs to enjoy, some based on favourite Donaldson stories such as 'A Squash and a Squeeze' and 'Monkey Puzzle', others inspired by classic tales like 'The Hare and the Tortoise'.

With lively illustrations by Axel Scheffler and a CD featuring all the songs performed by Donaldson, this fun songbook will appeal to all young musicians, and is ideal for a classroom setting.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Clap your hands, tap your feet and join in the actions as you sing along to a selection of songs written by Julia Donaldson.

Bringing together a range of songs for children, based on books ranging from 'Room on the Broom' to 'The Snail and the Whale', and accompanied by witty illustrations from Axel Scheffler, this collection of music to sing, play and enjoy will appeal to all fans of Donaldson's work.

The book is also accompanied by a CD of Donaldson singing the songs herself.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Chack the blackbird and Apollo the Swallow are fledgling friends. Chack is brown but claims he will turn black and that the berries in the tree where he lives will turn orange, but Apollo doesn't believe him. Apollo says he will fly to Africa but Chack doesn't believe him either.

Then one day Apollo really does fly to Africa and when the berries really do turn orange, Chack sends a message to his friend to come back to see the orange berries. When Apollo returns he sees that Chack has also turned black and everything they both claimed has come true.

This quirky picture book about friendship and change is illustrated with delicate illustrations by Pam Smy.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

When Shen is given a magic paintbrush, she promises only to use it for the good of the poor. But how will she avoid painting for the greedy emperor? Follow her fable through rhyming stanzas and sensitive ink illustrations which weave the story together.
 
A traditional Chinese tale celebrating creativity, imagination and courage in the face of adversity. A story that will appeal to younger and older children alike.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Joel Stewart was brought up in a commune in the wilds of Yorkshire. From an early age he was knocked sideways by stories, and invariably lay on the floor drawing pictures to recover. Later, in the year 2000, he graduated with a first class degree in Illustration from Falmouth College of Art. Ever since graduating (and slightly before) he has been writing and drawing for a living, and has recently moved into animation design and directing for television (while not forgetting books!). He also plays a variety of musical instruments and lives with them and some fish in London.

Joel was selected as one of Booktrust's Best New Illustrators in 2008.

Read an interview with Joel

All Rabbit wants is to have a nap. But who is being so noisy? Lift the flaps to find out who is keeping Rabbit awake in Acorn Wood.

A high-quality, humorous board book from the well-known duo that won't fail to please.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustration, and his books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has illustrated many children's books including The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo Child's, The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

A troll who lives under a bridge is fed up of eating fish and on the look out for a tasty goat to cook. Tricked by different animals into going further down the river towards the sea, he sets off with his frying pan and cookery book in search of a goat.

Meanwhile, a bunch of fearsome pirates are searching for treasure and craving a well cooked dinner of fish as none of them know how to cook. Fate will bring the two parties together with hilarious consequences.

This fun and unusual picture book brings together two classic tales with a modern twist, which is great to read aloud and beautifully illustrated with David Roberts’ expressive drawings.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

David Roberts was born in Liverpool and studied a degree in fashion design at Manchester Metropolitan University. After university he worked as a milliner and began to get work as a fashion illustrator but always felt his true calling was in children's book illustration. After working as a shelf stacker, egg fryer, hair washer, film extra and coffee-maker David finally realised his dream of becoming a children's book illustrator when his first book Frankie Stein's Robot, written by Roy Apps, was published in 1998 and shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award for emerging illustrators.

Since then he has illustrated works by authors such as Philip Ardagh, Daren King, Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson, Tom Baker and Chris Priestley. He is also the creator of Dirty Bertie - a litle boy with bad habits.

This collection of eleven short plays for primary school-aged children to perform includes traditional stories like ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’ and ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ to new stories like ‘Books and Crooks’ and ‘Birthday Surprise’ as well as the dramatisation of the story of Persephone. Each play is infused with humour and fun as well as gently talking about issues like justice and fairness that children will understand.

Tried and tested and guaranteed to get children of all ages and abilities reading, performing and building their confidence, this collection of plays can be enjoyed at school or at home.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

The Rhyming Rabbit isn’t like the other rabbits, he likes to make up rhymes about the world around him but not everyone is interested in hearing them. Why can’t he just eat the grass and sleep like everyone else, the other rabbits grumble.

Feeling sad, lonely and unwanted, the Rhyming Rabbit decides to leave the burrow and heads off to the outer world, but no one else seems to appreciate his rhymes either, until he finds an unlikely companion – a sheep who also likes to rhyme, and together they make the perfect rhyming pair.

This lovely story about the importance of individuality and looking at the world around you is beautifully illustrated with Lydia Monks’ soft pastel paintings with glitter on every page.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

The mischievous Princess Mirror-Belle returns through the mirror in Ellen’s ballet class to create havoc in this fun sequel to Princess Mirror-Belle.

Ellen's life is turned upside down again as she and Princess Mirror-Belle have fairytale-inspired adventures with dogs, the Easter Bunny and at Halloween. Written in short, easy-to-manage chapters, this fun book is ideal for children who are just starting to read alone and also perfect to read aloud.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

When Jack’s granny falls ill with the moozles, the doctor tells him that the only thing that will cure her is the fruit of the mysterious flumflum tree which grows on a faraway island, the Isle of Blowyernose. Jack and his friends set sail in their boat to find the magical fruits, but their quest is rife with unexpected dangers. Luckily Granny has packed a patchwork sack full of eccentric items which prove surprisingly useful to help them find their way out of trouble.

There are hints of Edward Lear’s verse in this funny, appealing and imaginative picture book. Julia Donaldson’s engaging rhyming text is perfectly accompanied by beautiful and quirky illustrations by David Roberts.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

David Roberts was born in Liverpool and studied a degree in fashion design at Manchester Metropolitan University. After university he worked as a milliner and began to get work as a fashion illustrator but always felt his true calling was in children's book illustration. After working as a shelf stacker, egg fryer, hair washer, film extra and coffee-maker David finally realised his dream of becoming a children's book illustrator when his first book Frankie Stein's Robot, written by Roy Apps, was published in 1998 and shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award for emerging illustrators.

Since then he has illustrated works by authors such as Philip Ardagh, Daren King, Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson, Tom Baker and Chris Priestley. He is also the creator of Dirty Bertie - a litle boy with bad habits.

Following on from What the Ladybird Heard and The Rhyming Rabbit, Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks have teamed up for another engaging picture book, this time about a mermaid with an exceptional singing voice.

When Sam Sly invites the Singing Mermaid to join the circus, she is excited by the promise of fame and fortune. But things are not what they seem, and the Singing Mermaid soon finds herself confined to a fish tank, longing for the freedom of the ocean. Luckily a sharp-eyed seagull and a clever circus acrobat are on hand, and come up with a plan to help the Singing Mermaid escape.

Julia Donaldson's engaging rhyming text brings a hint of magic to this lively story that is perfectly complemented by Lydia Monks' vibrant illustrations. Young readers will enjoy exploring the bright and bold spreads, complete with sparkly glitter on each page, vividly recreating the Singing Mermaid's underwater home, and the colourful world of the circus.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Julia Donaldson sets to work to reassure newcomers to playgroups everywhere in this picture book with a simple rhyming text.

Through the story of Goat's active day, we are able to share the experience of the smallest children starting playgroup or nursery, suddenly encountering an environment with unfamiliar boundaries – where play is plentiful but controlled, and where we also occasionally have embarrassing moments like failing to make the toilet in time. Goat hasn’t yet fitted into this regime, and would often rather be doing something else - so when it comes to circle time he would rather be on the climbing frame!

Nick Sharratt’s bright, bold illustrations add immeasurably to the text, prompting plenty of conversations, offering up lots of details to explore, and carefully capturing a realistic playgroup setting. The final spread in which Goat's Mum arrives at the end of the day will be immensely reassuring for all.

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Nick liked drawing from an early age. 'When I was nine,' he says, 'a picture that I'd drawn at school was pinned up in the hall, and the husband of one of the teachers saw it and offered me five pounds to do a similar picture for him. That's when I decided I was going to be a professional artist one day! I nearly always drew in felt tip pens then, and I liked drawing big crowd scenes. I'd start in the bottom left-hand corner of the paper and just let the picture grow, telling myself stories about each of the characters in turn as I drew them.'

A little girl makes a string of paper dolls with her mother, and then takes them off to play in an imaginative world of her own in this lyrical picture book from Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson, exquisitely illustrated by Rebecca Cobb. The dolls jump, dance and sing on their fantastical adventure through the house and out into the garden, avoiding a toy dinosaur and an oven-glove crocodile along the way - but then an all-too-real pair of scissors threatens to spoil everything.

Evoking both a sense of childhood loss, and the power of memory and the imagination, The Paper Dolls is a gentle, moving story that marks something of a departure from Julia Donaldson's usual style. This is the first time she has been paired with Rebecca Cobb, but the combination is evidently a winning one: Cobb's sensitive illustrations have a childlike, wistful feel that provide a perfectly-pitched companion to Donaldson's rhyming text. With beautiful page spreads to pore over together, this lovely picture book is ideal for sharing and will touch both children and adults alike. 

Julia Donaldson is one of today's most popular writers. Her bestselling titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Although she is best-known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. She lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time on stage performing her brilliant sell-out singalong shows!

Julia Donaldson is the Children's Laureate 2011-13.

Rebecca Cobb grew up in Buckinghamshire and Somerset, surrounded by coloured pencils, felt pens, wax crayons, poster paints and pieces of paper. She studied illustration at Falmouth College of Arts and has been living in Falmouth and working as an illustrator ever since.

She has illustrated books by Richard Curtis and Julia Donaldson, and her client list includes The Child Bereavement Charity, Continuum Publishing Group, Cornwall Editions, The Guardian, The Independent, Mabecron Books, Marion Boyars Publishers, Waitrose Food Illustrated and You Magazine.