A Little Look at Bottoms

Designer Tom Karen gives us a delightful series of drawings to amuse and inspire young readers. Children love to laugh at bottoms, and with this little book they will go back to their favourites again and again – from giraffes to jellyfish and bumblebees to bears.

Andrew and the Midnight Ape

Most children in the world like to play and have fun. Many children have pets that they like to play with, usually a dog, a cat, a hamster, or a guinea pig.

Some lucky children even have a horse or a pony to play with.

But what if you were a nine-year-old boy or an eight-year-old girl, and you had a big, male silverback gorilla to play with? What would you do? Where would you go?

Well, this dream becomes a reality for Andrew Tyler and his sister Gemma.

Their adventure of a lifetime began when they went to stay with their grandparents, as they often did. You see, Andrew’s grandad has a menagerie in his back garden, a large and exotic menagerie.

However, there was a secret enclosure in the garden, which contained a big, hairy surprise for Andrew and Gemma…

…A large male gorilla named Fudge.

So now, at the stroke at midnight, the children secretly go outside and have the times of their lives with their new friend Fudge…

Araminta Malarkey: Lion Tamer Extraordinaire

This is a girl who wears pink silk pyjamas and drinks from a bone china cup. She has every single designer to boot and a butler to wake her up. Do not be mistaken, dear reader, that this is a tale of a well-behaved girl, who keeps every toe in line. In fact, quite the opposite you will find, during the tale I had in mind. You see when we encounter a spirit of fire, especially in this day and age, we must all be willing to put judgement aside and prepare to be amazed.

Araminta Malarkey should have been happy with her life, a beautiful house, beautiful things, and adoring parents. Alas, she wants more, to be exact she wishes above all else to become a lion. This story follows Araminta as she behaves very badly, runs away from home, and joins the circus in a bid to become what she has always dreamt of.

Darling Untold

Lovely Jan,

With her radio, knee-high socks, and curls.

In some ways she was different to other lovely girls.

She had two wonky eyes that made things hard to see.

If you held up two fingers, Jan most likely saw three!

But Jan didn’t mind,

Not one little bit,

It made her ears better at listening to trumpets...

Dragons Out!

Learn about software testing in a fun way, by reading stories about dragons and knights. The book is a great read for children on their own, with their parents, or as an additional reading in schools. It is also for anyone who wants to know what software testing is, they will enjoy this book tremendously.

The book talks about adventures of two children, Laura and Tom, who tumble into dragons annoying villages and castles. They learn about different dragons and how to defeat them with the help of knights. The children grow into exceptional dragon experts.

Stories are explained in information technology and software testing terms and concepts, e.g. a dragon represents a software defect, and knights represent testers and developers. Reading parallels is an easy-to-understand way of learning.

In this book, Kari Kakkonen combines his passion into fantasy and software testing in a new and fascinating way, creating an enjoyable experience for the readers.

The book is suitable for ages of 9-99, although it is written for children.

“I love the idea of bringing testing and dragons together. Explaining testing ideas in this way is great for new testers to give them a broad idea of the depth of testing. The stories can sit on their own for children as well, and may encourage them to think about how they could test some of the apps they use.”

Janet Gregory, DragonFire Inc, co-author of three books on agile testing.

Faerie Tale

When the forest fairies notice the changes in the forest, the Oracle declares that they must recover the four fairy treasures from the elemental fairies;

“The darkness that has grown for many years,
the terror that every fairy fears.
But with the fairies’ growing plight,
hope is returned by a single light.
One chance we have to correct this wrong,
this hope will need to grow strong.
Because if the four races cannot unite,
the one will fail in the final fight.
You will need the earth’s wisdom to have its say,
You will fail without a flame to guide your way,
You need the air’s knowledge that is kept
You will fail without the water’s emotional depth.
These four elements are needed for all fairies’ creation,
to twist them is the darkness’s motivation.
To stop it collect the Tuatha De Danann’s four treasures,
even though the darkness will try to stop these measures.”

The Oracle sees that Elizabeth is the only fairy with a chance. The Dark Fairy tries to thwart their friendship and collection of the treasures, even invading their dreams with pixie magic.

Meeting friends along the journey and gaining wisdom from the elemental races, Elizabeth learns the true meaning of being a fairy. Can Elizabeth and her friends collect the treasures, unite the races and defeat the dark fairy to save the forest?

I Am Different, I Am Me

I am unique – I am one of a kind!

Children growing up today are about to learn that being ‘one of a kind’ is what makes life so special and our world a better place. Celebrating all that you are and embracing everything that makes you unique will help children to love themselves for who they are and encourage them to explore all the wonderful adventures life has to offer with confidence.

A book of understanding, appreciation and most importantly celebration.

Jake the Crocodile

In today's society it is easy for adults and children alike to get swept up in social media expectations around what somebody should look like. It is also incredibly easy to jump to conclusions and make judgements about others.

Jake the Crocodile is about taking a step back to not only look at the outside of a person (or crocodile!) but what is on the inside.

It is more important than ever to teach our children to be empathic and Jake will form a special place in your child's heart so they stop and think about their judgements of other people and take the opportunity to see past external appearances to open a whole new world of opportunity for friendship.

Imagine a world where we didn't judge and people were valued for their individual characteristics. Jake will help your child see that there is beauty in everyone, if you just take the time to look.

Mischievous Benjamin Does It Again

Benjamin was a lonely child; never received love, didn’t know how to give it. He only gained attention by being a very naughty and unruly boy. It meant the townsfolk had no time for him; they never had a chance to see his inner beauty and thoughtfulness until one eventful night!

Benjamin was brought up by his older brother, after an accident involving his parents. He moved in with his brother who lived in a magical town. He refused to be like the townsfolk, and liked laughing, poking fun, and ridiculing them.

Mother Nature and the Agent

Mother Nature has issued human beings various warnings over the years, some subtle, some not so subtle; messages she intended to wake us up with, ones that would stop us from directing the planet onto a path that, some say, might already be irreversible.

Unfortunately, these messages have largely gone unheeded up until now, which is why Mother Nature has decided to create something new: an Agent that is absolutely unpredictable. Her hope is that humanity will finally wake up and not only begin to preserve the planet, thus saving it from death and destruction, but bringing us humans back to the knowledge that we are one regardless of race, class or colour, and that by working together we can finally attain our freedom.

Mother Nature and the Agent is about paying close attention to the greatest signs she has ever given us, so we can ultimately bring about change and welcome in a new era.

Mr Naughty Nine Legs

“Hi, I’m Mr Naughty Nine Legs. In case you haven’t guessed, I’m a spider with nine legs. Yes, you read it right, nine legs! I get into all sorts of trouble. I’m a very naughty spider. I see you have my book in your hand. Why not open it up and take a look? Read about my adventure if you dare. I meet my biggest fear, maybe it will give you a scare.”

My Favourite Colour is Seven

“It’s okay.”

7-year-old Alfie just lost his mummy and he is pretty sure she is not coming back. Alfie is struggling to understand if what he feels is okay. He is unsure how to ask about something he cannot name.

One day, after school, Alfie decides to be brave. He asks his teacher Mr. Miggins, "is it okay?"