Books

SPLOOOOSH! We're off on an exciting underwater adventure in our submarine to meet the oceans and seas of our blue planet.

Join in with the rhymes and get ready to spot all the smiley-faced, friendly oceans, from the Atlantic and deep Pacific to the sparkling Mediterranean. Little ones will have a whale of a time (and be back in time for bed!) in this striking, story-led picture book.

This bold, bright follow-up to the acclaimed picture book Meet the Planets is packed with sea creatures from dolphins and beluga whales to turtles and manatees. Combining STEM learning with a rhyming twist, it's perfect for all would-be explorers!

Marnie Blue is shocked when lots of plastic rubbish starts to appear in Mermaid Lagoon. It's causing all sorts of problems and even harming the underwater animals. Marnie and her friends decide enough is enough and they must have a big green clean-up. But just where is all the plastic coming from? With the help of the local Brinies group, a new dolphin pal and a human friend, the mermaids come up with a plan to rid the lagoon of plastic junk for good.

Titles In This Set:

1. The Art of War
2. Six Secret Teachings
3. The Methods of the Sima
4. Wuzi
5. Wei Liaozi
6. Three Strategies of Huang Shigong
7. Questions and Replies
8. Notes

Description:

The Art of War
Taken from the experiences of Ancient China’s most brilliant warriors more than 2000 years ago, Sun Tzu’s famed The Art of War contains valuable lessons on strategic warfare that continue to be relevant today.

Six Secret Teachings
Written from a revolutionary perspective, Six Secret Teachings concerns itself with the topics of tactics, morality and effective communication, and contains valuable lessons on strategic warfare that continue to be relevant today.

The Methods of the Sima
Taking a philosophical approach to organisation, administration, discipline and the management of military campaigns, The Methods of the Sima contains valuable lessons that continue to be relevant today.

Wuzi
One of the oldest of the Seven Military Classics from Ancient China, Wuzi focusses on human nature and behaviour, and contains valuable lessons on strategic warfare that continue to be relevant today.

Wei Liaozi
Wei Liaozi takes a theoretical approach in exploring a governing state’s ideal values and the way it should behave. The text contains valuable lessons on strategy and management that continue to be relevant today.

Three Strategies of Huang Shigong
A later addition to China’s most influential military texts, Three Strategies of Huang Shigong takes a philosophical approach to governance and contains valuable lessons on strategic warfare that continue to be relevant today.

Questions and Replies
A later addition to China’s most influential military texts, Questions and Replies builds on the ideas raised in the earlier six of the Seven Military Classics from Ancient China and contains valuable lessons on strategic warfare that continue to be relevant today.

Notes
A personal notebook for readers to write their own notes.

The Lion and the Mouse by Susanna Davidson

It’s tough in the wild, whether you’re a tiny mouse or a big, scary lion. But friends can be found in the strangest of places. Aesop’s charming fable is specially retold for beginner readers in this lively retelling, and features beautiful illustrations by John Joven throughout.

Grasshopper sings all summer, happy and carefree. Ant is busy, busy, busy, collecting food for winter. But what will Grasshopper do when winter comes? Find out in this lively retelling of the classic Aesop's fable, specially written for beginner readers and with beautiful illustrations by John Joven throughout.

"I'm so fast!" boasts hare. "Humph!" says Tortoise, in a grump. "Hare, I challenge you to a race!" But who will win? Find out in this lively retelling of the classic Aesop's Fable, specially written for children who are just learning to read, with charming illustrations by John Joven throughout.

When Mother Duck's eggs hatch, one duckling is different from the others. He is big and scruffy. Wherever he goes, nobody wants the Ugly Duckling. Will he ever find any friends of his own? Find out in this retelling of the classic fairy tale, specially written for children who are just learning to read, with charming illustrations by Valentina Fontana throughout.

Sherlock Holmes returns! Facing beastly creatures, catching curious criminals and uncovering deadly secrets from beneath the sea are all in a day's work for this world-famous detective and his faithful biographer, Watson, as they face their final (and most dangerous!) cases.
An adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, illustrated to introduce children aged 7+ to mystery books and the classics. Includes 10 FREE audiobooks! (QR codes inside)

Titles in this set:

The Empty House
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Solitary Cyclist
The Dancing Men
The Dying Detective
The Beryl Coronet
The Devil's Foot
The Creeping Man
The Second Stain
The Lion's Mane

Description:

The Empty House
Mr Robert Adair was killed last night at his mansion in Park Lane. He had spent the evening gambling and his winnings were still on the table. His door was locked from the inside and his window was left open …
It has been three years since the death of Sherlock Holmes. Watson is now solving mysteries solo and he’s about to face his toughest one yet: the impossible murder of Mr Adair. What Watson doesn’t know is that this curious case will unearth secrets from beyond the grave …

The Hound of the Baskervilles
I, Sir Charles Baskerville, shall now reveal the truth of the legend behind the hound of the Baskervilles …
No Baskerville should ever cross the moor at night.
With a deadly phantom hound on the loose and a mysterious man living on the moors, Devon is a
dangerous place to be. But Holmes and Watson must put their fears aside. The country’s favourite crime-fighting duo need to unravel the strange case of Sir Charles Baskerville’s murder before his nephew meets the same fate.

The Solitary Cyclist
Dear Mr Holmes, It has happened again. The strange bearded man on the bicycle followed me this morning. I tried suddenly turning and racing towards him, but he was just as quick.
When Violet Smith gets a new job, a new friend and a new home, life seems almost perfect … until the solitary cyclist appears. He follows her every week, along the same stretch of road. Why? That’s what Holmes and Watson need to work out, before this seemingly simple case turns into something far more sinister…

The Dancing Men
‘These drawings have a meaning, I am sure of it, Watson. They are hieroglyphics of some kind. If we could crack the code, we could solve the mystery.’
When it comes to mysterious pasts, Elsie Cubitt certainly has one. So when she starts receiving secret coded messages around the house, her husband begins to worry and turns to Holmes and Watson to help. But can the genius detective and his trusty sidekick crack the code before these dancing drawings turn deadly?

The Dying Detective
‘Well, Watson, something bad has happened to me,’ Holmes said. ‘It seems I’m not indestructible after all.’
Watson’s worst fears have come true: his best friend, Sherlock Holmes, is dying! Watson is desperate to help, but Holmes is being his usual stubborn self and refuses to see a doctor. Yet with deadly traps, mysterious murder plots and a cunning coffee plantation owner to deal with, Watson begins to wonder whether everything is as it seems …

The Beryl Coronet
‘There are no other beryls like these in the world. They would be impossible to replace. I leave it with you, Mr Holder, trusting that it shall stay safe and sound.’
Mr Holder’s life is turned on its head when a piece of the priceless crown he’s been asked to guard goes missing. The police have no clues and only one suspect: Mr Holder’s own son. Everyone’s hopes lie with Sherlock Holmes. But can the genius detective find the missing treasure before time runs out?

The Devil's Foot
You should write about the case of the Devil’s Foot. I am sure your readers would love to hear about the day we almost died.
Holmes All Watson wants is a nice quiet holiday with Holmes, but that’s not what he’s getting. When Brenda Tregennis is found dead at her dinner table, with no clues as to how or why, all eyes turn to the detective duo to solve the mystery. And with deadly experiments, lethal poisons and a suspicious explorer to deal with, there’s no time for relaxation!

The Creeping Man
When Watson rushes to Baker Street only to find it is for a case about a professor’s misbehaving dog, he is not pleased. What he doesn’t know is that Holmes is really investigating the professor’s seriously strange behaviour – crawling through the hallways, hiding secret letters and even climbing the side of his house. No one knows why or how it is happening, but one thing is for sure: there’s something creepy about Professor Presbury …

The Second Stain
Holmes shook his head sadly. ‘You think that unless this document is found there will be war?’
‘It’s very likely,’ said the prime minister. ‘Then, sir, we must prepare for war.’
A secret government document has been stolen. It’s up to Holmes and Watson to find it and save the country from war! But with sly secret agents, mysterious murders and the question of a curious bloodstain to contend with, will Holmes and Watson be able to piece the puzzle together in time?

The Lion's Mane
Mr McPherson shook his head, squeezed his hands into tight fists and, using the last of strength, said:
‘The lion’s mane’. Retired now and living in Sussex, Holmes’ life should be perfectly peaceful. But when a local teacher drops dead in front of him, Holmes is thrown back into the world of dangerous detective work. With multiple suspects, mysterious wounds and no Watson around to help him, Holmes is going to be pushed to his limits to solve this strange case.

Titles In This Set :

1. A Study in Scarlet
2. The Sign of the Four
3. The Blue Carbuncle
4. The Speckled Band
5. The Red-Headed League
6. The Reigate Squires
7. The Naval Treaty
8. The Sussex Vampire
9. The Veiled Lodger
10. The Three Students
11. A Scandal in Bohemia
12. The Copper Beeches
13. The Six Napoleons
14. The Engineer's Thumb
15. Charles Augustus Milverton
16. Silver Blaze
17. The Bruce-Partington Plans
18. The Musgrave Ritual
19. The Stockbroker's Clerk
20. The Final Problem
21. The Empty House
22. The Solitary Cyclist
23. The Dancing Men
24. The Dying Detective
25. The Beryl Coronet
26. The Hound of the Baskervilles
27. The Devil's Foot
28. The Creeping Man
29. The Second Stain
30. The Lion's Mane

Titles in this set:

1. Earthquakes & Tsunamis
2. Sun Moon and Stars
3. Living in Space
4. Storms and Hurricanes
5. Volcanoes
6. Astronomy
7. The Solar System
8. Your Body
9. Planet Earth
10. Weather

Description:

Earthquakes & Tsunamis
This is a fantastic addition to the popular Beginners series, providing an informative introduction to the fascinating world of earthquakes for young readers. There are clear explanations of the science behind different types of earthquakes and their effects, including tsunamis and landslides. This title features real-life earthquakes, and describes how people are kept safe and rescued when disaster strikes. Striking colour photographs and step-by-step illustrations engage readers with the subject matter. This title is developed with a reading expert from Roehampton University to help young readers grow in confidence

Sun, Moon and Stars
What is the Sun made of? How did astronauts get to the Moon and what did they find there? For children beginning to read on their own, this book is an exciting introduction to space. Includes vivid, full-colour illustrations and photographs on every page, and easy-to-read text specially written with the help of a reading expert.

Living in Space
How do astronauts travel into space? Where do they live when they get there? What do they do all day? In this book, you'll find the answers and lots more amazing facts about living in space. This non-fiction series aims to encourage children to access the wonder of the world around them. The easy-to-read text has been specially written with the help of a reading expert.

Storms and Hurricanes
How do astronauts travel into space? Where do they live when they get there? What do they do all day? In this book, you'll find the answers and lots more amazing facts about living in space. This non-fiction series aims to encourage children to access the wonder of the world around them. The easy-to-read text has been specially written with the help of a reading expert.

Volcanoes
Did you know that somewhere in the world, a volcano is erupting right now? In this fascinating book, you can read about amazing eruptions and find out about fiery lava rivers, deadly ash clouds, steaming springs and much more.

Astronomy
A straightforward book telling you all a beginner needs to know about the planets, stars, moons, nebulae, galaxies, asteroids and more, through easy-to-read text, full-colour photographs and step-by-step visual explanations. Recommended websites accessed via Usborne Quick links provide further online resources.

The Solar System
What is the surface of Mars like? Why does Venus glow in the dark? How do scientists explore faraway planets? Beginner readers can find answers to these questions and more in this colourful information book.

Your Body
Have you ever wondered what's inside you? Take a tour around your amazing body and find out what your heart and lungs do, how you see and hear, where food goes and lots more.

Planet Earth
What makes planet Earth so special? It's the only planet to have anything living on it for a start. But it also has fiery volcanoes, magnificent mountains, scorching deserts and icy landscapes. Find out all about it in this fantastic book.

Weather
What makes the wind blow? How can rain sometimes be red? Why are tornadoes like vacuum cleaners? You'll find out the answers and lots more about weird and wonderful weather in this fascinating book. Usborne Beginners are colourful information books for children beginning to read on their own.