Frances Watts

This delightful CBCA award-winning picture book is about a friendship between an exuberant but loveable dachshund and his more retiring, tidy housemate.

Felix and Livia are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor. They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia's brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions - and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two! Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation. Will they save Livia's brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken's curse? A classic adventure of friendship, fate and fortune, from the winner of the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children's Fiction.

Fans of Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will love this funny and moving holiday story about giving and sharing--and believing in Christmas miracles. "We wish you a quacky Christmas " Samantha Duck is getting ready for Christmas. "I'm going to give presents to animals all over the world " But tortoise pal Sebastian is not so sure: "Christmas is not for animals " With the help of her farmyard friends, who all give something to help make and deliver the presents, this determined duck sets out to prove that Christmas is for EVERYONE--and to make sure animals all around the world have a very quacky Christmas. Families will enjoy snuggling up to read this warm and friend-filled Christmas tale of giving and sharing. It's a joyous reminder that with a bit of faith and the love of those around you, anything is possible. . . .

My friend Fred eats dog food for breakfast. I think dog food is disgusting. My friend Fred howls at the moon. I don't know why. He does a lot of funny things. But even though we are different, Fred is my best friend.

The only Christmas quacker you'll need this holiday season 'We wish you a quacky Christmas ...' Samantha Duck is getting ready for Christmas. 'I'm going to give presents to animals all over the world!' Her friend Sebastian tells her not to bother. 'Christmas is not for animals,' he says. But with the help of her farmyard friends, Samantha sets out to prove that Christmas is for everyone. A joyous tale of giving and sharing from two award-winning Australian creators. PRAISE 'Highly recommend this book all year round, not just at Christmas.' - CBCA Reading Time 'a lovely feel-good story, with a positive message. A Very Quacky Christmas can be enjoyed by the whole family.' - Kids' Book Review 'Throughout, loose linework reminiscent of Jules Feiffer's or James Stevenson's lends vitality to the animal characters; they are not fully anthropomorphic, but their human postures, particularly loyal friend Sebastian's, are winning. The scenes are warm and sunny, perhaps indicating a Southern Hemisphere setting familiar to the Australian author and illustrator.' - Kirkus

After discovering their parents are still alive and their homeland of Gerander is in danger, mouse triplets Alistair, Alice, and Alex, and their friend Tibby Rose, have joined the underground rebel organization FIG. In quick measure, FIG orders Alex and Alice go undercover in Souris to infiltrate Queen Eugenia's palace while Alistair and Tibby Rose are sent to discover Gerander's secret paths, which may be the key Gerandans need to triumph and for the triplets to rescue their parents. Enemy spies, attacking eagles, and blizzarding mountaintops seem all the more challenging when there is a lack of good cheese available, but these four young mice respond with endless creativity and determination. Cheeky and entertaining, The Spies of Gerander is an action filled sequel to the first book in The Song of the Winns series, The Secret of the Ginger Mice.

It's Lady Beatrix's birthday, and Sir Walter is planning a celebration at Flamant Castle. There will be games and competitions and a big surprise party. Everyone at the castle is excited . except the pigeon. But the pigeon is needed for a very special job - and when he goes missing, it looks like Sir Walter's plans will be ruined. Can Tommy find her friend and save the celebrations?

A trickster is turning life at Flamant Castle upside down. Someone has put sneezing powder in the knights' soup and itching powder in Sir Walter's sheets and changed the salt for sugar in Mrs Moon's kitchen. At first the tricks seem funny, but Sir Benedict is not amused. He thinks the trickster is Tommy - and unless the tricks stop, he will send her away from the castle! Can she find out who the real trickster is before she is banished forever?

Flamant Castle is having a tournament! But when one of the squires is injured during practice, Sir Benedict asks Tommy to take his place. He even offers her one of his own horses to ride. It's a dream come true for Tommy. There's just one problem: she has never ridden a horse before - and every time she tries to ride Bess, the horse throws her off! Time is running out. How will Tommy be able to compete?

When Sir Walter, Sir Benedict and the other knights go to nearby Roses Castle for a tournament, the enemy knights from Malice attack Flamant. The only hope of rescue lies in getting a message to Sir Benedict, a day's ride away. But the castle is surrounded and there's no way out! With the help of her friends, Tommy devises a daring plan. Can she save Flamant Castle before it's too late?

While on an errand to the smith in the town, Tommy overhears a plot to poison Sir Walter during a banquet and make it look like the work of a neighbouring nobleman. Tommy must foil the plot or Flamant Castle will be at war.Introducing a feisty new character for girls (and their parents and teachers) who love adventure and want an alternative to 'pink' books. Created by Frances Watts, a CBCA Award Winner and author of the huge bestseller Kisses for Daddy.