An extraordinary collaboration between Irish Children's Laureate, Eoin Colfer, and picture book superstar, Oliver Jeffers! Sometimes, with a little electricity, or luck, or even magic, an imaginary friend might appear when you need one. An imaginary friend like Fred... Fred floated like a feather in the wind until a lonely little boy wished for him and found a friendship like no other. The perfect chemistry between Eoin Colfer's text and Oliver Jeffer's artwork make for a dazzlingly original colour gift book.

Rudger is Amanda's best friend. He doesn't exist, but nobody's perfect. Only Amanda can see her imaginary friend – until the sinister Mr Bunting arrives at Amanda's door. Mr Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumour says that he eats them. And he's sniffed out Rudger. Soon Rudger is alone, and running for his imaginary life. But can a boy who isn't there survive without a friend to dream him up? A brilliantly funny, scary and moving read from the unique imagination of A.F. Harrold, this beautiful book is astoundingly illustrated with integrated art and colour spreads by the award-winning Emily Gravett.

A boy observes the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with his family.

Bedtime is a special time for you and your children or grandchildren! One part of your routine may be reading aloud! These three delightful stories from author Fred Olds, all in Volume 1, present the adventures a child longs for while providing parents and grandparents a wise voice similar to Aesop's fables from when they were kids.The three stories in this volume, along with a story image to spark children's imaginations, are:Ben and the Terrible Red CardThe Hobbling HermitSammy and the Cross-eyed CrowBen and the Terrible Red Card tells the story of Ben, who talks to readers about why his teacher doesn't understand him, and he keeps getting in trouble at school. The Hobbling Hermit reminds us that when you have a friend-especially one who is a smart, tiny mouse-all your problems can be solved. Finally, this volume of Read-Aloud Stories with Fred introduces children to Sammy, who lives in the jungle with his mother and can talk to animals in Sammy and the Cross-eyed Crow. During this adventure, Sammy decides to help a friend in need which requires him to break a promise to his mom and face some consequences.These stories are for fun before you say good night to your little ones, but you'll also find plenty of conversations around these tales about friendship, loyalty, decision making, and kindness. Are you looking for some material to get your little ones thinking about our big, complicated world we live in? Get your copy of Read-Aloud Stories with Fred, Vol 1. today.

Fred Olds is back with volume 2 of Read-Aloud Stories with Fred. If you're a fan of the first book, this collection has more of the kind of stories you love with recurring characters. If you're new to Fred Olds's masterful storytelling, then you can start with this book! In Volume 2, readers begin with another story about many kids' favorite character, Ben (from "Ben and the Terrible Red Card") in his new story, "Ben and the Bully, Billy Bob." This time, Ben starts the story, waiting in front of the principal's office, and of course, he has an excuse of how he ended up there. Next is "The Cheerless Chairmaker." Why is the chairmaker cheerless and how does his kindness and good singing voice help him out of a tight spot? Will he still be cheerless in the end? You'll have to read to find out! And finally, Sammy is back, and so is his good friend, Jonathan the crow. This time, Sammy talks to a rabbit, a royal rabbit, or so the bunny thinks in "Sammy and the Royal Rabbit." Snuggle up with your favorite child and read this collection to them at bedtime--or anytime really. This collection will soon become a much-asked for book, just like volume one!

Peter and his father are moving to a new house beyond the dark unfriendly woods. When they arrive at their new home, Peter wants to turn back. Fortunately, he has Harold for company, but Harold is just a dog and can't help Peter. Scared of the things hidden in the woods, Peter makes a tall pile of pillows. He stitches and sews. He pushes and pulls. And when he is done, he has Lenny, Guardian of the Bridge, to protect him and Harold. Lenny is a good guard but Peter worries that Lenny will get lonely out by the woods all by himself, so he makes Lucy, who is a good friend. Together, Lenny, Lucy, Peter, and Harold discover that this new place isn't so scary after all. --

In the highly-anticipated next installment of the Serafina series, Serafina must confront the darkest threat she's ever encountered at Biltmore Estate. She knows she can face anything with her best friend and closest ally, Braeden Vanderbilt, by her side. But when a sinister force tears them apart, Serafina scrambles to uncover the mystery of her most formidable challenge yet...and about herself and the destiny that awaits her.

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER B is for Beautiful, Brave, and Bright! And for a Book that takes a Bold journey through the alphabet of Black history and culture. Letter by letter, The ABCs of Black History celebrates a story that spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy. It’s a story of big ideas––P is for Power, S is for Science and Soul. Of significant moments––G is for Great Migration. Of iconic figures––H is for Zora Neale Hurston, X is for Malcom X. It’s an ABC book like no other, and a story of hope and love. In addition to rhyming text, the book includes back matter with information on the events, places, and people mentioned in the poem, from Mae Jemison to W. E. B. Du Bois, Fannie Lou Hamer to Sam Cooke, and the Little Rock Nine to DJ Kool Herc.

From the illustrator of the #1 smash The Day the Crayons Quit comes another bestseller--a giggle-inducing tale of everything tossed, thrown, and hurled in order to free a kite! When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he's determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now it's stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that's only the beginning. Stuck is Oliver Jeffers' most absurdly funny story since The Incredible Book-Eating Boy. Childlike in concept and vibrantly illustrated as only Oliver Jeffers could, here is a picture book worth rescuing from any tree.

Fred Olds is back with three fall-themed tales, perfect for Halloween or anytime, when nights are cooler and kids are asking for stories around a campfire or before bedtime.In this collection, Ben returns and this time with his friends. Ben's friends double dare him to sneak out of his house at night to get a bite of a big, juicy watermelon growing right by a cemetery. It's a classic tale of kids playing a prank that goes a little wrong-but in a surprising way. Check out, "Ben Takes a Dare," to find out what he learns about life in this latest adventure.Next in "Moses and the Mysterious Manuscript," Fred Olds takes readers back to 1959, when Joel, a young boy, inherits two books from his much older friend Moses when he dies. Through one of these books-secured with a strap-he meets quite an interesting character who tries to help Joel when a fellow classmate goes missing.Finally, Sammy, who lives in the jungle with his mom and can talk to animals, is back for more fun in "Sammy and the Blameless Bat." During this tale, the mayor of Joyville, where Sammy lives, is sure he sees a vampire bat on a walk, and this surprises Sammy. Do vampire bats really live in the jungle by Joyville? Sammy and his friend Jonathan the Crow are determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.These stories are full of fall fun with a little bit of Halloween spirit thrown in. But they can be read anytime-if you are a fan of Fred Olds and his Read-Aloud Stories with Fred series, then this latest installment will thrill you and your family.