Books to Buy

Varjak Paw, SF Said

Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue kitten, who lives high up in an old house on a hill.

He’s never left home, until he receives a mysterious visit from his grandfather who tells him about The Way – a secret martial art for cats.

The Butterfly Lion, Michael Morpurgo

A lyrical and moving tale of a young boy growing up in Africa, and his lifelong friendship with a white lion, from a master storyteller

‘Will touch all hearts – both young and old’ Virginia McKenna, Born Free Foundation.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick

Twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity.

But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and her grandfather, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,  Roald Dahl

Mr Willy Wonka is the most extraordinary chocolate maker in the world.

And do you know who Charlie is? Charlie Bucket is the hero.

The other children in this book are nasty little beasts, called: Augustus Gloop – a great big greedy nincompoop; Veruca Salt – a spoiled brat; Violet Beauregarde – a repulsive little gum-chewer; Mike Teavee – a boy who only watches television.

The Children of Green Knowe, Lucy M. Boston

Tolly’s great grandmother isn’t a witch, but both she and her old house, Green Knowe, are full of a very special kind of magic. There are other children in the house – children who were happy there centuries before.

Running around Green Knowe’s moat, gardens and mysterious rooms, Tolly slowly discovers them, their toys and animals, and their wonderful stories . . .

The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, Philip Pullman

Lila doesn’t just want to be a Firework-Maker’s daughter, she wants to be a Firework Maker herself.

But although she’s learned a lot she still must get through the most difficult and dangerous part of her apprenticeship – and her father won’t tell her what it is.

Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat, Ursula Moray Williams

No one could mistake Gobbolino for a simple kitchen cat, with his sparky whiskers and magic tricks, but that’s just what the witch’s kitten wants to be.

Instead of learning how to turn mice into toads for the witch’s brew, Gobbolino sets out on an adventure to find a family and a home of his own.

Kestrel Island, A.B. Martin 

In a sleepy English seaside town, Sophie Watson is enjoying a peaceful holiday in the sunshine.

But when she befriends a mysterious and charismatic girl called Sienna, she is drawn into a heart-stopping adventure where the future security of the world may be under threat.

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat, Chris Riddell

No puzzle is ever too tricky for the two of them to solve . . .

Ottoline lives in a stylish apartment in Big City with a small hairy creature called Mr Munroe. Together they look after the Brown family’s eclectic collections – and dabble in a spot of detective work.