An octopus is trickier (underwater with all those arms) but tickling a crocodile is the hardest one – with all those sharp teeth! This is a ticklish tale that children will love.

    When Polly Perkins starts work at the Hall, she finds it hard to learn the manners and etiquette expected of her. Life at Swallowcliffe is a whirl of shooting parties, picnics and balls, and an army of servants is required to look after the guests. Housemaids are meant to be seen and not heard, and nobody takes much notice of the quiet young girl who lights their fires and empties their slops. But Polly is sharp-eyed and quick-witted, and gradually she uncovers a secret lurking in the shadows of the Hall's elegant rooms - a secret that will end up breaking her heart. When a young American heiress arrives to stay at Swallowcliffe, Polly must decide whether the time has come for her to reveal what she knows.'At last I wiped my face and walked slowly back to the servants' hall. The family and their guests had begun filing out, already in pairs, for their procession into dinner... What if one of them had seen me, and even happened to glance at my face? "She has probably had some squabble with the parlourmaids," this person might have thought, "or perhaps the housekeeper has had reason to speak sharply to her, or someone left a smaller tip than she was expecting. That is the trouble with servants these days. They are never satisfied!"I was very bitter, which you will no doubt understand and forgive.'

    A beautiful collection of poems from around the world selected by renowned anthologist Naomi Shihab Nye.This award-winning multicultural compilation of poetry introduces more than 125 poems from sixty-eight countries around the world, many translated into English for the first time, and offers glimpses of similarities across people despite cultural differences.

    It can also be filled with meanness and cruelty. Black Beauty learns both sides of life in this classic tale by Anna Sewel. Told from the horse's point of view, Black Beauty's own story takes you into the mind and heart of a sensitive animal searching for love and understanding. From happy times as a young foal romping with his mother, Duchess, to harsh years as a cab horse in the city and finally to a peaceful old age, Black Beauty's life shows that horses have feelings too, and sometimes they even know things people don't.

    A biography of the nineteenth-century English novelist, Charles Dickens, emphasizing the value of an imaginative mind.

    The garden and nearby woods seem to beckon her to explore. Nini thinks the great outdoors is really, really, really nice . . . until night falls and strange animals begin sniffing and hooting and lurking about. Suddenly there is no place like home. This warm and reassuring picture book speaks to children whose curiosity has tempted them to “run away” from home. Caldecott Honor Book artist Anita Lobel’s illustrations have never been more beautiful. Endearing portraits of her own beloved Nini cat in a lush autumnal setting will gladden the hearts of cat lovers of all ages.

    An army of darkness marches from the north, crushing all who oppose it under its muddy black boot. The drums of war echo throughout Kraawn as the struggle between light and dark teeters in the balance, fueled on the one hand by the greed of the Forsworn, and on the other by the ultimate desire for all that is good to survive.Tarsis, the last city in the north, is laid waste, decimated by Malbeck’s army. Kromm, the King of Tarsis, battles for his life as the dark hunters of Malbeck relentlessly pursue him through the Tundren Mountains. His mighty army has been destroyed and its remnants are now scattered throughout the lands. But he is not alone. He is surrounded by his elite guard, along with Addalis, his court wizard, and Allindrian, the half-elf Blade Singer. But will that be enough to thwart that which hunts him?The road to Finarth is now open and few are left to stop the Dark One. The hope of the land rests in the combined power of its last remaining heroes. Jonas Kanrene, cavalier to Shyann, has been given his next mission. He must find King Kromm and bring him to Finarth. The bow of Taleen, cavalier to Bandris, and the sword of Fil Tanrey, warrior of Finarth, accompanies Jonas on this perilous task. Their quest is fraught with death, sacrifice, and courage. But will their courage see them through their mission? Can Jonas and his companions prevail against the Forsworn and protect the king? These are questions that can only be answered by the strength of their blades, and more importantly, the courage in their hearts.

    But he was also the creator of some astonishingly imaginative, outrageous, and wonderfully disgusting verses. From oozing grobes to slimy slugs, this extraordinary collection is bursting with Dahl’s poems, verses, and songs. And with full-color original illustrations from a distinguished group of more than twenty artists, including Quentin Blake,William Joyce, and Lane Smith, this lavish volume is a must-have for any Dahl fan’s library.

    When he's done, he put his books on the shelves. But when the children read the stories, they all wanted to meet the author... Will the library mouse finally share his secrets with his fans?