Little Gems

An unexpected family secret has hilarious consequences in this action-packed story from Phil Earle and illustrator Steve May-perfect for superhero fans. An unexpected family secret has hilarious consequences in this action-packed story from Phil Earle and illustrator Steve May-perfect for superhero fans. Plane crashes, robberies and fires were not what Stanley was expecting on a day out at the seaside with his nan and the other residents of her care home! Nan doesn't know about his superpowers, so Super Stan can't step in to help as it would blow his cover. Luckily, though, another mysterious superhero seems to be on hand, saving the day. But who could it possibly be?

A little mouse searches for the courage to save her home and make her squeak heard, in this touching Little Gem from the award-winning author of “Izzy Gizzmo.” Crumbs on the counter, morsels on the floor, there should be plenty of food for Minetta the mouse to eat in Hollyhock House... But the Ruling Rats are running rampage every night, taking the best of everything for themselves. Minetta has decided that enough is enough, it's time the rats learn to share. The trouble is, Minetta is so small and her voice just a squeak. How will she ever make them listen...?

A missing budgie inspires an unlikely friendship between a young boy and his elderly neighbour in this touching Little Gem from award-winner and Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho. A lost little budgie brings together a young boy and his seemingly grumpy older neighbour in this touching Little Gem from award-winner and Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho. Mr Buxton is always having a go at Miles and his friends for climbing the trees outside their tower block. Miles thinks he's just a grumpy old man but when he finds a lost little budgie, Miles also discovers that he and Mr Buxton have more in common than he could ever have imagined.

A sausage dog discovers that, despite being small, she has strengths of her very own in this adorable gem from bestselling author Pip Jones, perfect for dog lovers. A little sausage dog discovers that she has strengths of her very own in this adorable gem from bestselling author Pip Jones, perfect for dog lovers. Peggy the sausage dog feels really sad when she finds she's too small to really compete with the other dogs at puppy school. Her little legs and long body make it hard for her to jump high or run very fast. But when one of her school friends has a dangerous fall, it's Peggy who comes to the rescue, proving that heroes come in all different sizes!

Mysterious meowing from the empty flat upstairs sets Liam and Sav on a quest to find the ghost cat in this charming gem from award-winning author Pamela Butchart. The flat upstairs from Sav is empty, so who or what is making the strange yowling noises she can hear at night? Could it be a ghost cat?! Sav and her best friend Liam decide to investigate, but their ghost hunt takes a very strange turn when Liam gets stuck in the stinky bin room of the flat and it's a new feline friend who helps to get him out. Nothing is quite as it seems in this brilliant new addition to the Little Gems list.

Girls can't play tennis as well as boys? What a lot of Nonsense! Lottie Dod is Determined to show that girls can be just as good as sports as boys. She runs and jumps and leaps after the ball—playing tennis makes Lottie feel Wonderful. After beating her brothers, she eventually goes on to reach the finals of the most important tennis competition of them all—Wimbledon! Can she continue her winning streak to become the world's first female sports Superstar? Never underestimate what little girls can do!

A lovely celebration of father—son bonds and the importance of family, wrapped up in a wonderful extraordinary story that is sure to appeal to young superhero fans! Stanley is a normal little boy, whose dad just happens to be the greatest superhero on the planet. Six days a week, Dad saves the world from disasters, aliens, and bad guys. Friday is his day off and he always spends it with Stan. But one Friday, Dad and Stan meet a series of people desperately in need of Dad's help. Soon Stan finds himself saving a lion stuck up a tree, rescuing a monster truck from a ditch and taking on shark-infested floodwaters. That's right: Stan is a chip off the old (superhero) block! High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

A baking nightmare makes for slapstick comedy gold in this hilarious Little Gem from a bestselling author and illustrator team. Albert's dad needs help in the family bakery, but all his son can think about is sport. So, he builds a machine like no other: the Doughmaster 5000. It seems to have solved all their problems, until one night, Dad's miracle solution turns into a rampaging disaster. It's up to Albert to fix the mess—but will his sporting skills save him now?

Dimple the gnome is upset and he doesn't know how to talk about it—but then along comes the Boo... A charming new Gem from the bestselling author of Squishy McFluff. Dimple the gnome is upset and he doesn't know how to talk about it—but then along comes the Boo... A charming new Gem from the bestselling author of Squishy McFluff. Yucky cabbage pie! Mean Mrs. Miskin! Stupid spelling test! Oh dear, “Dimple the Gnome” is having a very bad day, and he just can't find the right words to tell anyone how he's feeling. Then Dimple finds the Boo, who lets everyone know what's going on. But the Boo's rude words and naughty noises just get Dimple into trouble. Can Dimple find another way to express himself?

Annie is really excited about her new pet rabbits and can't wait to welcome them into the amazing new home her dad has built for them. But when Annie is in a rush to get to school the next morning, she doesn't check that the door to the hutch is shut properly, and one of the rabbits, Humbug, escapes. Can Annie find Humbug in time to save her from the neighbourhood fox...?

Porky Pies is always telling lies, trying to terrify his brothers and sisters into believing that the Big Bad Wolf is back. But when the biggest fibber in the litter tries to plan his most daring prank yet, the joke is on him this time. So, who will have the last laugh?

Worldwide bestseller Holly Webb makes her Barrington Stoke debut with a truly adorable sausage dog tale! Ruby's dad has arrived home with a wonderful surprise, Coco the sausage dog puppy! And when the family go on holiday to the seaside, of course Coco will be coming too. The beach is a thrilling place for a dog—so many sights, smells and holes to dig! Ruby and Coco can't wait to spend the day splashing in the waves and playing in the sand. But disaster strikes when Coco disappears. Suddenly she's lost and all alone on the huge, busy beach... Will she ever find her way back to Ruby? Worldwide bestseller Holly Webb makes her Barrington Stoke debut with a truly adorable sausage-dog tale!

An adorable stray kitten might be just what Lucy and her dad need in this gentle and heartwarming animal story from worldwide bestseller Holly Webb. Lucy and her dad are still feeling sad about the loss of their lovely cat Patch, who had been part of their family for such a long time. So, when a little lost kitten turns up in their garden, Lucy doesn't want to tell her dad in case it upsets him. But she grows to love the little kitten, and she doesn't seem to have a home, so Lucy is really upset when she disappears and finally she has to tell her dad the truth. Will her dad be able to help Lucy find the little kitten, and can they offer her a new home?

A fun football tale for little readers packed with laughs, friendship and a spot of superstition... Ridiculous injuries... strange illnesses... cancelled games... Everything's going wrong for the Saints this season, and Stanley's team-mates believe they finally know why. Their football kit is cursed! But the team's attempts to break the curse take things from bad to worse. Soon, they're ready to call it quits. Stanley's still got some tricks up his sleeve... but will his curse-cracking ideas save the team in time for the last game of the season?

A thwarted thespian must use his talents to save his flock from a woolly situation in this hilarious gem from bestselling children's author Ross Montgomery A thwarted thespian must use his talents to save his flock from a woolly situation in this hilarious gem from bestselling children's author Ross Montgomery. William the lamb just can't stand still. His feet are always tapping, ready to dance, and he loves nothing more than bursting into song. But his talents aren't always appreciated at Sheep School. Cast out of the flock, he wanders miserably away only to witness the rest of the sheep being captured by the Big Bad Wolf. Can William find a way to put his artistic skills to use to save the day?

Big Goat Gruff is always in trouble for eating things on the farm. So when the farmer discovers that the birthday cake he made for his wife has a hug e bite taken out of it, Gruff is naturally the first suspect. But he didn't do it! C an Gruff find the culprit and clear his name before the farmer and his wife get home and turn him into goat pie?!

A furry, funny and very cute Little Gem that's full of heart from King of Comedy Jeremy Strong Cats in the bath. Cats in the cupboards. A hundred cats everywhere! Everyone in Jack's class has a pet, but all Jack has is his little brother Freddie. And little brothers don't make very good pets. But when Jack meets The Man with The Top Hat and his lovely cat Mrs. Wilson, he's about to get the pet he's always wanted—and many, many more... A furry, funny and very cute Little Gem that's full of heart from King of Comedy Jeremy Strong!