Penguin Lost finds Viktor Zolotaryov sneaking back into Kiev under an assumed identity to undertake a dangerous mission: He wants to find Misha, his penguin, whom he fears has fallen into the hands of the criminal mob looking for Viktor himself. Guilt-ridden and determined to do what it takes, Viktor falls in with a Mafia boss who employs him in an election-rigging campaign, in return for introducing Viktor to other mobsters who can help him find Misha. And as Viktor goes from mobster to mobster, trying to survive in Kiev’s criminal underground, the evidence mounts that Misha may be someplace even worse: the zoo of a Chechen warlord. What ensues is for Viktor both a quest and an odyssey of atonement, and for the reader, a stirring mix of the comic and the tragic, the heartbreaking and the inspiring.

Plip is on his own, looking for his lost toy. What will become of poor little Plip, out in the snowy storm?

"No summary can do justice to the strange appeal of this unusual, short book, which is at once a crime novel, a comic novel and a serious political satire on contemporary Ukraine." —Anne Applebaum, The Wall Street Journal With the collapse of the Soviet Union, newly-free Ukraine is a shell-shocked land . . . In poverty-and-violence-wracked Kyiv, unemployed writer Viktor Zolotaryov leads a down-and-out life with his only friend, Misha, a penguin that he rescued when the local zoo started getting rid of animals it couldn't feed. Even more nerve-wracking for Victor: a local mobster has taken a shine to Misha and wants to borrow him for events. But Viktor thinks he’s finally caught a break when he lands a well-paying job at the Kyiv newspaper writing “living obituaries” of local dignitaries—articles to be filed for use when the time comes. The only thing is, the time always seems to come as soon as Viktor finishes writing the article. Slowly understanding that his own life may be in jeopardy, Viktor also realizes that the only thing that might be keeping him alive is his penguin.

From the illustrator of the #1 smash hit The Day The Crayons Quit comes a humorously warm tale of friendship. Now also an animated TV special! What is a boy to do when a lost penguin shows up at his door? Find out where it comes from, of course, and return it. But the journey to the South Pole is long and difficult in the boy’s rowboat. There are storms to brave and deep, dark nights.To pass the time, the boy tells the penguin stories. Finally, they arrive. Yet instead of being happy, both are sad. That’s when the boy realizes: The penguin hadn’t been lost, it had merely been lonely. A poignant, funny, and child-friendly story about friendship lost . . . and then found again.

The welcome return of Oliver and Patch - this time with Ruby and a lost baby penguin too! Everyone fell in love with these special characters in Oliver and Patch, finding their way in a big city and making new friends. In this story the three friends visit the zoo. They growl at the tigers, smile at the meerkats and laugh at the funny penguins. But when Peep, a little penguin who’s new to the zoo, goes missing, the friends must set off together to bring him home. But it isn't always easy to agree on a plan, and the friends have to overcome some disagreements before everything works out. Another heartwarming tale of friendship and working as a team from the wonderful picture book partnership of Claire Freedman (author of the ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS series) and the brilliant Kate Hindley. 'A touching story about the importance of friendship ... Another heartwarming tale of friendship and working as a team from this bestselling duo. Relaxing and reassuring, this is a gentle read.' Parents in Touch 'A sweet, thoughtful tale of friendship and teamwork, with plenty to linger over in Hindley's detailed artwork' Fiona Noble, Bookseller Praise for Oliver and Patch: ‘Children will enjoy this moving addition to their picture book library that leaves jokes aside to say something a little more thoughtful’ Books for Keeps ‘This is a beautiful story about the power of friendship, but also of love for animals’ Once Upon a Bookcase ‘This is a sweet story about friendship and new beginnings that children will warmly appreciate’ Kids’ Book Review

Dashing detective Mr. Penguin and his Adventuring gang are in for a wild ride when they're hired to find a treasure before bandits do! From Alex T. Smith's delightfully illustrated, mystery-detective series. When Bouddica Bones from the Museum of Extraordinary Objects calls for help in locating prized valuables, Mr. Penguin and his kung fu spider sidekick, Colin, swing into action. Following a map and clues, Mr. Penguin stumbles onto secret staircases, alligators, and falling toilets. Things really take a turn for the worse when Mr. Penguin learns the real crooks are closer to snatching the loot than he thought! Can Mr. Penguin foil this perilous plot and get home in time for a fish finger sandwich? Alex T. Smith's Mr. Penguin is a page-turning, illustrated middle grade series that is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good adventure and major laughs. Two color illustrations throughout.

From Dickens to Wilde—literary criticism and personal reflections by a master “unmatched . . . in his uncanny psychological insights” (The New York Times). Graham Greene shares his love affair with reading in this collection of essays, memories, and critical considerations, both affectionate and tart, “[that] could have come from no other source than the author of Brighton Rock and The Power and the Glory” (The Scotsman). Whether following the obsessions of Henry James, marveling at the “indispensible” Beatrix Potter, or exploring the Manichean world of Oliver Twist, Graham Greene revisits the books and authors of his lifetime. Here is Greene on Fielding, Doyle, Kipling, and Conrad; on The Prisoner of Zenda and the “revolutionary . . . colossal egoism” of Laurence Stern’s epic comic novel, Tristram Shandy; on the adventures of both Allan Quatermain and Moll Flanders; and more. Greene strolls among the musty oddities and folios sold on the cheap at an outdoor book mart, tells of a bizarre literary hoax perpetrated on a hapless printseller in eighteenth-century Pall Mall, and in the titular essay, reveals the book that unlocked his imagination so thoroughly that he decided to write forever. For Greene, “all the other possible futures slid away.” In this prismatic gallery of profound influences and guiltless pleasures, Greene proves himself “so intensely alive that the reader cannot but respond to the dazzling combination of intelligence and strong feeling” (Edward Sackville West).

From the bestselling author of the ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS series and award-winning illustrator Kate Hindley comes a lovely new adventure. Oliver is finding the big city a lonely and scary place but when he finds a little lost dog he makes his first friend in the city. The trouble is, he knows that somewhere out there someone is missing the little dog just as much as he is loving having him, So, with a heavy heart, Oliver sets about doing the right thing. "Anyone, really, would enjoy this lovely friendship story." The Bookbag "Kate Hindley's absolutely gorgeous illustrations take kids on a whimsical adventure" Kids' Book Review A beautifully told story with a lovely, uplifting ending that will warm hearts everywhere. Praise for The Great Snortle Hunt: 'Kate Hindley is a newcomer in the picture book world but definitely one to watch. Her style is sleek and child-friendly, with plenty of detail throughout.' Armadillo 'This charmingly illustrated book is guaranteed to make reading time extra exciting.' Creative Steps 'Will delight young readers. The beautiful illustrations by Kate Hindley are modern and scenic…a real treat for word lovers of all ages.' We Love this Book 'Young readers will love the build-up of excitement... Freedman knows what children like and her words are well-matched by Hindley's spikey images' Books for Keeps Praise for Claire Freedman's Underpants series: 'Will make kids laugh' The Sun 'This fantastic rhyming story [...] is simply pantastic!' Galaxy British Book Awards 2008 'Daft and absurdly amusing book.' Prima Baby & Pregnancy

Dashing detective Mr. Penguin and his Adventuring gang are in for a wild ride after they crash-land on a snow-drenched mountain. From Alex T. Smith's delightfully illustrated, mystery-detective series. After escaping a plane wreckage unscathed, Mr. Penguin and his kung fu spider sidekick, discover strange noises coming from an old, ruined fortress nearby. New friends, twins Dieter and Liesel, are convinced it's related to the pets in their village going missing. When one of Mr. Penguin's pals disappears in the middle of the night, the gang leaps into action and unveils an evil hypnotist's plan to take over the world. Can Mr. Penguin foil this perilous plot and get home in time for a fish finger sandwich? Alex T. Smith's Mr. Penguin is a page-turning, illustrated middle grade series that is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good adventure and major laughs. Two color illustrations throughout.

There's an egg on the ice and it's about to crack! When a fluffy, little penguin chick hatches out, he doesn't know what he will find in the big, wide world. Will there be adventure, or is he in for some scary surprises? Come and see what happens in this touching tale about family and friendship that's perfect for snuggling up and reading together.