Children love jokes, so what could be a greater encouragement to reading than a BOOK OF RIDDLES? Every turn of a page brings a hilarious answer to a delightfully silly question fro beginning readers age 5-8. 'I can read it all by myself' is the Beginner Books motto, and behind it is an understanding of how important it is for children to take pride and pleasure in their early reading. Beginner Books have been designed to appeal directly to children through the use of humour, rhyme, and bright pictures that can be 'read' even by the non-reading child. Some Beginner Books are simple stories, others are hilarious nonsense: both types have been designed to give children confidence and make them want to go on reading.

The Book of Riddles

Cerf, Bennett

Children's Books

Harper Collins Childs

When a little bug sneezes a riot breaks out as one accident leads to another, and another! until the whole town is caught up in the ensuing chaos. Young readers will delight in this action-packed tale of mishaps and mayhem! This title belongs to the highly acclaimed Beginner Book series developed by Dr. Seuss, in which the essential ingredients of rhyme, rhythm and repetition are combined with zany artwork and off-the-wall humour to create a range of books that will encourage even the most reluctant child to learn to read. Originally published under the pseudonym of Rosetta Stone, Because A Little Bug Went Ka-Choo! is being relaunched with a stylish new cover design which reveals, for the first time, the true identity of the author -- Dr. Seuss himself!

Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo!

Rosetta Stone

Erica leaps into action, persuading her family and friends to get together a petition during the summer holidays to save the tree. But summer turns into autumn, and there is no response to the petition. Then one cold winter morning, the workmen turn up to chop down the tree. But Erica's efforts have not been in vain - her Dreaming Tree is transported to her very own front garden.

The Dreaming Tree

ALAN BROWN

Ben's dad wasn't getting much sleep. There were too many children in his bed. Not just Ben, but also his baby brother Billy. And then the twins, Beth and Bart, arrived. There was only one thing for it! Ben's dad fetched his tools, and set to work building the biggest bed in the world. At last he had enough room to sleep comfortably, even after the triplets, Briony, Bella and Boris were born. But, unfortunately for Ben's dad, he still had a problem. The biggest bed in the world was also the heaviest bed in the world and one night, in the middle of the night, it began to move! Lindsay Camp's hilarious tale will delight pre-school children, who will love the rhythmic, patterned language and the outrageous idea of a bed on the move with a whole family asleep on top of it. AGE 3-7

Biggest Bed in the World

Lindsay Camp

The badger has had a lovely day digging, but before he can have tea with Percy, Percy insists that he has a bath. The badger mysteriously disappears, but it's not long before Percy finds out with a splash where he's been hiding. Nick Butterworth is one of the most successful author/illustrators today. His humour and his beautiful illustrations have made him a household name, particularly for his well-loved Percy the Park Keeper series.

The Badger's Bath

Nick Butterworth

Literature & Fiction

Snuggle down and enjoy the best-loved nursery rhymes ever. Illustrated with both warmth and humour by Jonathan Langley, this is the perfect collection to share again and again. This collection brings together 26 of the most popular nursery rhymes from the Collins Nursery Treasury. The new format and treatment of the rhymes is perfectly suited to Jonathan Langley's charming illustrations.

Favourite Nursery Rhymes (Collins Picture Lions)

JONATHAN LANGLEY

Meet the Spooks -- a simply frightful family. The Spooks are a family of old ghosts who think it's a scream to do a spot of haunting in the middle of the night. While Mr Spook is out working as a travel agent organising horror holidays, the children Wilfred and Griselda and the twins Boo and Hoo, creep around the neighbourhood rattling windows and knocking on doors. But they're always home in time to hear a spooky bedtime story from Dad, before it gets light. People find them all a little bit scary, but really they are frighteningly nice. So come on in -- the family is dying to meet you! The Spooks are one family out of a range of spooky new characters created by the internationally renowned author and illustrator team, Colin and Jacqui Hawkins. Hilarious text and illustrations combine to put the giggles into Halloween for 2-5 year olds.

The Spooks

Hawkins, Colin

Paddington Bear is found at the station. The Browns first meet Paddington on a railway station -- Paddington station, in fact. He had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru with only a jar of marmalade, a suitcase and his hat. The Browns soon find out that Paddington is a very unusual bear. Ordinary things -- like having a bath -- become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is around.

Paddington Bear

MICHAEL, BOND

Don't Step on the Crack

Whatever you do, don't step on the crack! Because somewhere in a particular town on a particular street there is a particular crack that could bring you bad luck! You could turn into a pig, or your baby brother might grow fangs. Your mum might decide to go for a younger look, or worse still you might forget to put your trousers on before you go to school! Colin McNaughton explores, with characteristic wit and exuberance, the possible dangers of ignoring this familiar lore of childhood. Bursting with colour, 'Don't Step on the Crack' is guaranteed to feed the imagination and ensure a simple walk along the street will never be the same again!

MCNAUGHTON, COLIN

Mandy Small has trouble writing so Cat, her teacher, suggests that she tells her life story into a tape recorder. Third in Jean Ure's series of zany books with a message following SKINNY MELON AND ME and BECKY BANANAS, THIS IS YOUR LIFE. This is the story of how Mandy learns to cope with her untidy life and finally emerges triumphant. Her life with her loving but chaotic parents -- Dad, the Elvis look-alike, and Mum, whose idea of a special meal is burnt toast! Then there's school, where the horrible Tracey Bigg picks on Mandy and her timid friend, Oliver, not to mention Old Misery Guts, the landlady and Nan, who htinks that Mandy's parents aren't fit to look after her. With so many things to worry about, Mandy begins to think that she's in danger of turning into a real Fruit and Nutcase! Mandy's story, told in the form of diary into a tape recorder, is a funny and often moving account of a child's everyday life, with all its difficulties, and is hilariously illustrated by Mick Brownfield.

Fruit and Nutcase

Jean, Ure

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Harper Collins Childs publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Harper Collins Childs