Lari Don

Travel to the magical Celtic lands to meet shapeshifting selkies, duelling dragons, a terrifying waterhorse, a cheeky changeling, a cunning fairy and a bloodthirsty giant...In this sumptuously illustrated new collection, award-winning Scottish author and storyteller Lari Don retells classic tales of myth, magic and mischief. Elise Carmichael's exciting and luminous illustrations bring the rich shared folklore of the Celtic lands -- Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany -- to life in an outstanding collection that will enchant younger and older readers alike.

"Long ago, when giants lived in Scotland and Ireland, they stood so tall they could see clearly across the wide water between the two lands."One day, Irish giant Finn McCool spots Scottish giant Benandonner across the sea and they immediately begin arguing about who is the best giant of all. Despite the wise advice of Finn's wife Oona, they decide the only way to settle their feud is to fight. But to meet, the daft and boastful giants must first build a causeway across the water... Inspired by Celtic folklore, best-selling Scottish children's author and storyteller Lari Don weaves a tall tale of rivalry and foolishness that recounts the origins of Northern Ireland's world-famous Giant's Causeway and its connection to Scotland's Isle of Staffa. Emilie Gill's light-hearted, characterful illustrations of the legendary giants will captivate young children.

Big Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has been developed in collaboration with Wandle Learning Trust and Little Sutton Primary School. It comprises classroom resources to support the SSP programme and a range of phonic readers that together provide a consistent and highly effective approach to teaching phonics. Hazel, Cashew and Conker are squirrels who have hidden their nuts somewhere safe – but they can’t remember where! Will they ever find them again? This fun story was written by Lari Don. Pages 22 and 23 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Reading notes within the book provide practical support for reading with children, including a list of all the sounds and words that the book will cover.

A brilliant, inclusive collection of traditional tales from around the world featuring amazing women and girls.Once upon a time, there was a handsome prince who – no, that's not right! Once upon a time, there were strong, fierce women who plotted, schemed, took action, showed kindness, used magic and trickery, and made their own destiny. From the long-haired Petrosinella who escaped the tower and broke the spell that the ogress had cast over her and Nana Miriam who beat a hippo using politeness and magic, to Kate Crackernuts who tried to save her stepsister from her mother's curse, these are stories of girls doing it for themselves!With stories drawn from all over the world, including China, Scotland, Armenia, Italy and Nigeria, Lari Don presents heroine stories that don't leave girls sitting around waiting to be saved by the handsome prince.Book Band: Dark BlueIdeal for ages 9+

Once upon a time in Scotland, a young prince had lost his smile.It seemed nothing could raise a smile from Prince Donald, not the baker's treats or the bard's songs. The court magician tried to make a new magical beast for the prince, but it was so awkward he let it go. Hana, the magician's granddaughter, was still determined to help Donald. Using her grandfather's magic, she invented a majestic creature with the body of a horse and the horn of a gazelle, and called him 'a unicorn'.Hana and Donald playfully chase the unicorn through the forest, and it seems that this magical animal might hold the key to the prince's smile. But then they discover a darker beast, lurking in the trees.The unicorn, magical and strong, is Scotland's national animal and heraldic symbol. Renowned Scottish children's author and storyteller Lari Don weaves an enchanting tale, inspired by local folklore, about the origins of the unicorn.A perfect companion to bestselling picture book The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster, this stunning and authentic tale is atmospherically brought to life by Nata?a Ilincic's rich illustrations, and is destined to become a classic.

When a draught leaves all the animals hungry, one by one they try to discover the name of the magical tree that will give them its fruit if asked by name but only one animal will succeed. This illustrated chapter book retelling of folktale from Zambia is available individually and as part of the Stories from around the World: 4 Tales of Persistence & Grit set.

When young Masha gets lost in the woods, a friendly bear welcomes her into his home. . . only to insist she stay forever to keep his house tidy. Masha, however, has other plans. This illustrated chapter book retelling of an Russian folktale is available individually and as part of the Stories from around the World: 4 Tales of Persistence & Grit set.

A merchant and tiger debate whether or not life is fair and whether the tiger can eat the merchant who has just rescued him. This witty, critically acclaimed illustrated chapter book retelling of a folk tale from Korea is available individually and as part of the Stories from around the World: 4 Tales of Problem-Solving & Wit set.

When a hungry young wolf spots a tasty-looking animal in the field above the river, he thinks he has found some dinner . . . but the fluffy little lamb is more clever than he has bargained for. Will the lamb become a tasty snack, or will she escape the wolf's hungry jaws?

Hazel, Cashew and Conker are squirrels who have hidden their nuts somewhere safe â?? but they canâ??t remember where! Will they ever find them again? This fun story was written by Lari Don.

Ishbel and Kenneth need to save their family from going hungry, so when they remember the old local tale about treasure under Urquhart Castle, they set off across Loch Ness in a rowing boat. But the loch may be hiding its own secrets. There's another ancient story about a giant monster living in the depths... Legends of the Loch Ness Monster abound, but this new tale from renowned Scottish children's author and storyteller Lari Don sidesteps the modern Nessie to create a new Loch Ness Monster myth inspired by local folklore.A perfect companion to bestselling picture book The Secret of the Kelpie, also by Lari Don, this timeless tale of Scotland's most famous creature, atmospherically brought to life by Natasa Ilincic's stunning illustrations, is destined to become the classic Loch Ness Monster story.

Meet the Vikings and enter their enchanting world full of warriors and battles, heroes and heroines, Berserkers, monsters and zombies, and of course, lots of magic. Illustrated throughout, these eleven amazing stories bring the Viking Sagas, tales they themselves told, to vivid life. A fantastic introduction to Viking mythology, these illustrated tales will have children captivated.

Molly's shape-shifting curse is getting stronger and more unpredictable. Becoming a hare she could cope with. At least she could run... fast. But now she's turning into the prey of any predator she hears. Life's pretty dangerous if you become a worm whenever you hear a bird tweet.As Molly and her friends search for a stone that can curb the Promise Keeper's powers, and each one of them must face their own monster, Molly is forced to choose: is she prepared to use dark magic to break her curse? Will she become a witch and enter into magical combat? And if she does, will she lose the friendships she most cares about?In this third and final thrilling instalment of the breathtaking Spellchasers trilogy the team faces a blizzard of powerful threats. Can they bring balance to the magical world, defeat the creatures that pursue them and finally break Molly's curse? Or will darkness triumph over friendship?

Molly's curse is getting worse.The curse-breaking workshop hasn't exactly turned out how Molly and her friends had hoped. And now something is going wrong with the way curses work.The team need to find the Promise Keeper who controls all curses, but the Keeper is guarded by Atacama the sphinx and his riddle. The five friends set off on a quest that takes them past the misty giant grey men of the mountains, to spar with an ancient snake and battle terrifying Nuckelavee. Can they discover what's wrong with the Promise Keeper and stop the world of curses from spinning out of control?Magic, adventure and danger collide in the second dramatic book of this brilliant new fantasy adventure Spellchasers trilogy by award-winning author Lari Don.

Molly Drummond is cursed: whenever a dog barks, she turns into a hare -- which can make life quite dangerous... So she does the sensible thing and attends a curse-lifting workshop, run by a local witch. She tumbles into a world of magical beings, all desperate to reverse their curses. But will the power that feeds on the curses prevent them from returning to their normal lives?By the author of the bestselling Fabled Beasts Chronicles series, this is the dramatic first installment in the brand new, long-awaited Spellchasers trilogy. Lari Don has once again created a world of brilliant magic, dark danger and extraordinary friendship which will enchant children of upper primary age.

A shaman hunts a silver fox through the frosted snow. A brave little robin defies a polar bear. The blind Viking god of winter plays a dangerous game with his brother, the god of summer. . . Explore wintertime through the eyes of cultures around the world with this chilly collection of traditional tales. From the frozen tundra of Canada to the far off islands in the Pacific Ocean, explore how diverse peoples have told the story of winter.

"Every loch in Scotland, however beautiful, has its cold, dark depths.And every loch in Scotland has its kelpie.But it's easy to forget those dangers on a sunny afternoon..."Flora is playing with her brothers and sisters by the loch when she notices a stunning white horse. While her siblings clamour for a chance to ride the beautiful animal, Flora is worried. Where has this strange horse come from? Why are its hoof prints wet?Too late Flora realises this is no horse! It's a kelpie: a shape-shifting water horse from Scottish folklore known to steal children. Can Flora reveal the secret of the kelpie in time to save her family?The kelpie, once a lesser-known creature of Scottish mythology, is now enjoying legendary status as Andy Scott's magnificent Kelpies statues have become a world-famous tourist attraction.The classic tale of the kelpie is wonderfully retold for 4-7 year olds in this gripping adaptation by renowned Scottish children's author and storyteller Lari Don, with breathtaking illustrations by artist Philip Longson.

Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right level A classic tale of the Irish legend Finn McCaul, as he strives to fulfil a challenge to free his jailed uncle. The question is, is it even humanly possible?! Find out in this non-stop, funny story of perseverance, imagination – and a bit of speed, written by the Canongate Prize winner Lari Don. Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina.Text type: A retelling of a traditional taleCurriculum links: English: fairy stories, myths and legendsIdeas for reading at the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activitiesThis book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

A brilliant collection of folk tales: from the girl whose stepmother turned her into a dragon, to the werewolf's bride, and the god who became a fish but was caught in his own net...Stories from the Americas, Asia, Scandinavia and Europe make this a wonderfully inclusive anthology, stunningly illustrated in papercut style.

Janet is forbidden from visiting the woods near her father's castle because legend says that long ago a local boy called Tam Linn was stolen there by the fairy queen and never returned. But Janet isn't afraid of fairy stories...Deep in the woods, by a well, she meets a fairy knight -- the famous Tam Linn, forbidden to leave by the evil queen's spell.Janet decides to save him, but when the queen and her army appear, fairy magic turns Tam Linn into a whole host of Scottish creatures. Can Janet hold on long enough to rescue him?A sharp and intelligent retelling of the traditional Scottish fairy tale of Tam Linn, which originated in the Scottish Borders, adapted for a young audience. Award-winning author Lari Don's fresh take on this well-known story is perfectly complemented by artist Philip Longson's breathtaking illustrations.The Tale of Tam Linn is one of the first titles released in the new Picture Kelpies: Traditional Scottish Tales range of picture books that bring classic Scottish folk and fairy tales to life for young children.