Based on real events, this is a miraculous story of a boy who befriends a famous elephant during a race against time and villains! When young pickpocket Danny accidentally buys an elephant at an auction, he finds himself swept up on an unforgettable adventure. Offered a job by a zookeeper, all he has to do is ride Maharajah from Edinburgh to Manchester in one week.Everyone in the country is watching, even the Queen, but the journey soon proves to be filled with drama and danger. A rival zookeeper will stop at nothing to make sure they fail, and soon Danny's shady connections from his past threaten to overturn the mission...Can Danny win the trust and friendship of the elephant and guide him home? Can the two of them stick together through the odds and win the day?

The most significant works in recent New Zealand theatre, Krishnan's Dairy, The Candlestickmaker, and The Pickle King form a loose trilogy connected by theme and theatrical style that explores three eternal questions: Will I find love? How can I find happiness? and What is worth preserving? Western theatrical traditions fuse with Indian flavors in the telling of three stories that are accessible to all cultures.

When magically gifted Arisha runs away from an army camp with her elephant Hami in order to save him from death in battle, she thinks she's in deep trouble. However, she soon discovers that things can always get worse.Escaping across a war-torn country, they are captured by the enemy's leader. Rhys, known as the Eagle and with a reputation as a cold blooded killer, wants to use the elephant to take revenge on Arisha's people and needs her to control Hami.Arisha is ready to fight him every step of the way, but to her annoyance, instead of throwing her in a rat-infested prison, he behaves with honour. Grudgingly she comes to respect him and they find themselves drawn to each other despite their differences.But can Arisha bridge the gap between opposing countries and personalities before the decisive battle is joined?A tale of elemental magic, almond eyes, daring escapes and feathers.

Danny is happy working at Belle Vue Zoo. But then the animals start escaping and, as a former street urchin and pickpocket, suspicion falls on him. Now, he must untangle the mystery of the great animal escapade in order to clear his name.

Thief. Rebel. Bandit. Hero? Chaya usually has an answer for everything. But stealing the Queen's jewels, even for the best of reasons, is not something she can talk her way out of. So she makes her great escape on the back of a gorgeous, stolen elephant and leads her friends on a noisy, fraught, joyous adventure through the jungle where revolution is stirring and leeches lurk. Will stealing these jewels be the beginning or the end of everything for the intrepid gang?

A collection of Chinese folktales and fables reflecting home and school life.

Chet has smelled a lot of unusual things in his years as trusted companion and partner to P.I. Bernie Little, but nothing has prepared him for the exotic scents he encounters when an old-fashioned traveling circus comes to town. Bernie scores tickets to this less-than-greatest-show-on-earth because his son Charlie is crazy about elephants. The only problem is that Peanut, the headlining pachyderm of this partiuclar one-ring circus, has gone missing--along with her trainer, Uri DeLeath. Stranger still, no one saw them leave. How does an elephant vanish without a trace into the dark desert night? Some very dangerous people would prefer that Chet and Bernie disappear for good and will go to any lengths to make that happen. Across the border in Mexcio and separated from Bernie, Chet must use all his natural strength and doggy smarts to try and save himself--not to mention Bernie and a decidedly uncooperative Peanut, too.

Kirsty Jenkins adores the allotment her grandfather lovingly tends and, just before he dies, he asks Kirsty to look after it for him. But when horrible Mr Thomas from the council insists it must go to the next person on the waiting list, Kirsty is determined to find a way to keep her promise. After pleading with Mr Thomas and demonstrating at the council offices, Kirsty and her half-siblings undertake their most daring plan of all: to 'borrow' the stuffed elephant from the museum that Mr Thomas loves so much, in a last-ditch attempt to gain his attention and understanding. Perhaps this risky ruse might also shake Kirsty's dad from the quiet sadness he has fallen into ever since her grandfather died. A warm, funny and moving novel about family relationships, dealing with bereavement, green beans and marrows.

A New York Times Bestseller! Perfect for fans of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, The Leaf Thief is a funny picture book that teaches kids about autumn, adapting to change, and the seasons. Squirrel loves counting the leaves on his tree—red leaves, gold leaves, orange, and more. But hold on! One of his leaves is missing! On a quest to find the missing leaf, Squirrel teams up with his good friend Bird to discover who the leaf thief could be among their forest friends. With vibrant art and captivating characters, the magic of autumn is captured beautifully on each page as readers tag along Squirrel's forest adventure. Is there truly a leaf thief afoot, or is something else going on in Squirrel's forest? A perfect exploration of change—both seasonal, and the anxiety that change sometimes causes. Bonus material explaining about the changing of the seasons. Poised to be a new fall classic. Pick up The Leaf Thief if you are looking for: A classic read for ages 4 and up Back to school books, ideal for your classroom, homeschool curriculum, and more! Seasonal and educational stories about the changing seasons

Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire is the first book in a spellbinding fantasy adventure series by screenwriter John August. Some trails lead to magic. Some lead to danger. As Arlo looked around, the walls of his room began to vanish, revealing a moonlit forest. Only his bed remained, and the frame of his window, through which he saw the girl. The world on her side of the glass was sparkling with silver and gold, like a palace made of autumn leaves. She looked off to her right. Someone was coming. Her words came in an urgent whisper: "If I can see you, they can see you . . . Be careful, Arlo Finch.” Arlo Finch thought becoming a Ranger meant learning wilderness skills, like camping and knots. But upon arriving in the tiny town of Pine Mountain, Colorado, Arlo soon learns there's so much more. His new friends Indra and Wu teach him how to harness the wild magic seeping in from the mysterious Long Woods—a parallel realm of wonder and danger. First he must master the basics, including snaplights, thunderclaps and identifying supernatural creatures. But Arlo Finch is no ordinary Ranger, and this is no ordinary time. A dark and ancient force is sending threats into the real world . . . our world. Through perilous adventures and close calls, Arlo is awakened to his unique destiny—but the obstacles he faces will test the foundations of the Ranger's Vow: loyalty, bravery, kindness, and truth. A Junior Library Guild selection