The Magic Bookcase

Hans Christian Andersen Medalist Robert Ingpen brings classic stories to life in a collection that serves as his magnum opus to the imagination. Featured in New York Times Book Review "8 Picture Books About Books" World-renowned illustrator Robert Ingpen begins his magical journey through the world of classic children's stories with a mural he worked on for years, inspired by the great storybook characters. The original mural is more than 20 feet long, but Mr. Ingpen knew he had to find a way to turn that work into a book in its own right. This book contains some of his favorite quotations from the stories that inspired him, as well as an eye-popping fold-out centerpiece with a reproduction of the full mural. This book is an eye-popping illustrated celebration of the power of imagination.

Six year old William, with the help of his pet frog, Filo, are regularly to be found on the 'naughty step' but their adventures are only just beginning when William takes a book from a bookcase to reveal a secret passageway which leads him back in time to London in 1874. William makes friends with a climbing boy, Feather, who shows him a glimpse of Victorian life. Filo can't help but cause mischief getting William into more trouble. William is led from an upper class mansion through the streets of London to a Victorian school. Eventually he is brought back to 'the naughty step' when he leaves the school room making him realise that maybe his school isn't so bad after all. Throughout the book the readers have to find Victorian artefacts that appear on most pages thus extending their Victorian knowledge. After his adventure William researches his Victorian history producing his 'worth knowing' facts. The readers get to extend their learning by deciding whether the facts are true or false. In subsequent books William goes back in time to other periods in history relevant to the various Key Stages. He is an actor in the Company of William Shakespeare in Elizabethan times. He is a servant in the kitchen to Henry VIII, a gladiator in Roman times, part of the ambulance crew in WWII and so on. In each book, artefacts of the era need to be found within the pictures and there is also a present day object that should not be in one of the pictures so that the children learn by comparison.

This easy-to-use guide not only offers help on how to get your children to read, but also shows you what they sould be reading and explains why.

Join Maggie and Granda on their second adventure with The Magic Bookcase! It's the summer holidays at last and that can only mean one thing - plenty of time for more magical adventures for Maggie and Granda. Journeying into the past again, they continue their quest to learn about Scotland's history following on from their Stone Age adventure with a foray into the Metal Ages, just as the Romans are arriving on the shores of Britannia. Maggie has a lot to learn about the Romans and their ways - and just as much to learn about the Caledonian tribes they came to conquer. The stakes are now raised because in such unstable times, the past-peoples won't mess around if they catch our intrepid adventurers where they shouldn't be. Meanwhile, Wally is off on an adventure of his own... With plenty of magic, a good dash of danger, lots of learning, (and even a couple of elephants!), this adventure is sure to be as exciting as the last, but what Maggie and Granda really need to learn is the art of blending in... For there's a rumpus brewing and Maggie, Granda and Wally are about to get themselves caught-up right in the middle of it!

Alyssa spent the summer in London with Lucy, best friends united at last! But only hours before she’s set to return to America, Alyssa is nowhere to be found. And neither is the magic loom. Alyssa has run off to the magic world beyond the bookshelf, and Lucy is going to have to follow. In the magic world, Lucy traces a path Alyssa has left behind until she arrives at the tallest tower of a castle. Alyssa is locked in and has been taken prisoner of an evil king! The tower is filled with toys and games to entertain her, but she’s scared she’ll never see her friends or family again. It’s up to Lucy to come to her rescue! Lucy tries many different ways to rescue Alyssa, but the king expertly thwarts all her best efforts. But when things get serious and Lucy is stuck in one of the king’s booby traps, he comes to her rescue. Maybe things are not all as they appear. This fun adventure story is about trying to find the best in people and learning that the world isn’t always black and white and things aren’t always as they seem. This story has a happy ending, and readers will delight in another adventure with Lucy and her magic loom. Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Jump inside Book One of The Magic Bookcase series, the latest in Scottish History for young readers! Maggie thinks Granda might be pulling her leg when he reveals that the huge bookcase sitting in his living room is, in fact, magical. Not until they lay one of its books open on the carpet and jump inside does she start to believe - and then their adventure begins! Join Maggie and Granda as they take a step inside Scotland's history to meet some of its first inhabitants, making a life for themselves after the last Ice Age. They'll have to watch their step, however, because it won't be easy explaining their presence to people who still use stone tools and make their living from the land... Whilst safety may not be guaranteed, one thing is for sure: Maggie is about to embark on the most hands-on history lessons any kid has ever had!

Includes Part 1, Number 1: Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals (January - June)