Alfie And The Magic Puddle

'Reminded me of the very best of the Harry Potter books' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild 'A thrillingly wild adventure - bold, breathless and beautifully told' Jonathan Stroud 'No one does edge-of-seat action like Abi Elphinstone' Emma Carroll, author of The Girl Who Walked on Air 'Famous Five or, rather, four, but with messier clothes and fewer home-baked treats for tea' The Times, Children's Book of the Week Moll Pecksniff and her friends are living as outlaws in a secret cave by the sea, desperate to stay hidden from the Shadowmasks. But further along the coast lies the Amulet of Truth, the only thing powerful enough to force the Shadowmasks back and contain their dark magic. So, together with Gryff, the wildcat that’s always by her side, and her best friends Alfie and Sid, Moll must sneak past smugglers, outwit mer creatures and crack secret codes to save the Old Magic. With more at stake than ever before and the dark magic rising fast, can Moll and her friends stop the Shadowmasks before it’s too late? Perfect for fans of J.K Rowling, Piers Torday and Michelle Paver.

The 'Alfie's Magic Hat' illustrated children's story book series for babies and infants includes a range of sign language 'signs' that feature fundamental themes, such as eating, playing and sleeping, that the adult reading the story can teach the child. They are perfect for improving communication with a baby or infant. In the book, baby sign language, 'signing', British Sign Language and American Sign Language concepts are used alongside a beautifully crafted story that will educate and enchant young readers. This title is the first in the 'Alfie's Magic Hat' series, and is entitled 'Fun at the zoo'. The website for the book, which is published by Sirenia Books, is http: //www.sireniabooks.com

In his grandad's shed, Alfie finds an old book with magical powers. The book promises him a gift, but first he must take the crystal flower across Sleepy Meadows to the crooked tree guarded by giant hogweeds. If he succeeds, he will be able to do something he has never done before

Deep within Tanglefern Forest, Moll Pecksniff and her wildcat, Gryff, are waiting for a sign from the Old Magic before they continue their quest to find the last Amulet of Truth and free their world from the Shadowmasks’ terrible magic. Still missing fellow Tribe member, Alfie, and armed only with a mysterious set of clues, Moll sets out on an adventure across the northern wilderness with Gryff and her friend Siddy at her side. They must brave the Lost Isles, scale the Barbed Peaks and face witches, goblins and giants who lurk at every turn . . . while the Shadowmasks draw ever closer. Can Moll, Siddy and Gryff find the friend they think they have lost? And do the Tribe have what it takes to defeat the Dark magic once and for all? Catapult into this page-turning adventure from the author of Sky Song, perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling, Michelle Harrison and Eva Ibbotson. 'Abi Elphinstone’s books are full of adventure, wit, heart, and, above all, bravery’ Katherine Rundell, author of The Explorer ​ 'No one does edge-of-seat action like Abi Elphinstone' Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse 'Abi Elphinstone's glorious novels make you feel as if you're living the adventure yourself. They're pure adrenalin and joy’ Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe ‘Abi Elphinstone is proving to be a worthy successor to CS Lewis’ The Times 'A gifted storyteller... one of today's greatest children's authors' LoveReading Also by Abi Elphinstone: The Dreamsnatcher The Shadow Keeper Sky Song Winter Magic (anthology) Everdark (World Book Day) Rumblestar Jungledrop The Crackledawn Dragon Everdark

The first Tinker Tale popped out over fifteen years ago and they just keep a-coming. Die Schwarzwitwe (Black Widow) starts this collection, introducing Tinker and a couple of ongoing characters: Magic John-a gutter mage, and Red the Ted-a psychic bruiser of advancing years. It also introduces the theme of magic as Tinker begins his reluctant evolution into a magician with an exorcism. This one is for Vincent fans. Other characters follow. In Hard Iain a warrior Pict ancestor vectors into Tinker via a miscegenated motorcycle, precipitating a fiery immolation. Death, in the unlikely form of a young girl, thumbs a lift from Tinker in Free Ride and him to introduces Anarch, the irascible personification of Freedom. Problems with law and order follow, plus a gifting that effectively ensures a hands-off with Death. Iain resurfaces in Pictoglyph to tell the tale of his heroic demise, set Tinker a heavy task, and leave his mark. In Death in the Dam a cute little Reaper comes to claim an old friend from Tinkers misspent youth whos run out of road. Away with the fairies at Underhills annual market, Buyer Beware finds Tinker buying a pup, amongst other things, and rescuing a maiden from goblins. Bonzo, the pup, shows his stuff in Boodgie Woodgie when Tinker takes him busking and the Law butts in. The next tale, Alfie, has Tinker acting as advocate for an old sinner while a demon prosecutes and Death sits in judgement. Lastly, in Time Passages, a trip to the past discovers Tinker confronting his younger self and Jean, the ill-fated love of his life. A choice to make and a life at stake. Sadder, wiser hopefully, Tinker faces the future--perhaps in Tinker Tales Two? Regular readers of Back Street Heroes magazine may have seen some of these stories before, some of the characters may even seem vaguely familiar. Actually, there is a fair bit of reality in the mix, fact frequently being no stranger to fiction. Resemblance to anyone living, dead, or ethereal is but coincidental. Anyone offended by Tinker, or any other character, should remember theyre the stuff of which dreams are made, and who can claim to control a dream? Literate biker fiction may seem oxymoronic, some may be surprised they can actually read. Tinker Tales attempts, not only to entertain, but to counter the negative reputation motorcycling and magic has acquired. If the author succeeds in that, it is enough.