Here is our selection of books that have a little bit of the 'wow' factor about them that make them almost irresistible to hold in your hands...
From Werewolves to Merpeople, Griffins to The Sphinx, this is a captivating book of folklore, myths and spellbinding stories of 16 favourite mythical creatures from around the world.
Discover why griffins collect a gem called agate, how to put out dragon fire, how mischievous elves can cause terrible nightmares, and why giants have been with us every step of recorded human history.
The best part of the book is the illustrations though. There are beautiful (and fold out) illustrations from some of our most talented artists and illustrators including David Wyatt, Helen Ward and Gary Blythe. We reckon this is a beautiful gift for any fantasy lover, young or old.
The physicist Richard Feynmann once observed that his best work came as a direct result of teaching young people - and Julia Donaldson cut her teeth as a teacher, telling stories and writing songs way before becoming one of our most cherished and bestselling children's authors we have ever produced.
Julia is a gifted songwriter for children, and this Treasury of Songs contains over twenty of her best-loved songs, including fun-filled action rhymes, Aesop's fables, and songs based on Julia Donaldson's best-loved picture books, from Room on the Broom to The Gruffalo. Illustrated throughout with Axel Scheffler's warm and wonderful artwork, with a CD of all the songs performed by Julia herself, which will be familiar to anyone who has heard them on TV or radio or enjoyed one of Julia's live performances.
Celebrate your year from New Year's Day to Christmas Eve with this treasury of 52 best-loved stories from around the world. This rich resource collects together folk tales from home and legends and myths from distant lands to commemorate the changing seasons, cultural events and international festivals throughout the year. Stories include 'Father Frost', 'The Magic Porridge Pot', 'The Frog Prince', 'The Runaway Pancake', 'The Pot of Gold', 'The Hare in the Moon' and 'One Dark and Stormy Night'.
And if you want to mix it up a bit with poetry and stories, take a look at the gorgeous 'A Poem for Every Night of the Year', a wonderful collection edited by Allie Esiri, inventor of the poetry app 'iF Poems'.
This gorgeous edition of Lewis Carroll's famous children's classic is a fabulous book that opens out into a carousel shape, showing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in six visually enchanting 3-dimensional scenes.
Using original artwork by Sir John Tenniel and an abridged version of Lewis Carroll's original text, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Carousel Book is a delightful introduction to the story for younger readers. Peep into the story as Alice falls down the rabbit hole, grows and shrinks, meets the Cheshire Cat, joins the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, plays croquet with the Duchess, and attends the trial of the Knave of Hearts.
Big Picture Press scored a huge hit with Animalium (described by one of our customers - who also happens to be a scientist - as possibly the most inspiring science book she'd ever read). Now the same team has produced 'Botanicum', and is another awe-inspiring addition to their 'Welcome to the Museum' series.
It's a stunningly illustrated guide to plant life, curated by Professor Kathy Willis, with artwork from Katie Scott (who also did the artwork for Animalium). Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.
Prepare to be spellbound by Jim Kay's dazzling full-colour illustrations in this stunning new edition of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Breathtaking scenes, dark themes and unforgettable characters - including Dobby and Gilderoy Lockhart - await inside this fully illustrated edition.
With paint, pencil and pixels, award-winning illustrator Jim Kay conjures the wizarding world as we have never seen it before. Fizzing with magic and brimming with humour, this inspired reimagining will captivate fans and new readers alike, as Harry and his friends, now in their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, seek out a legendary chamber and the deadly secret that lies at its heart...
Next we have three titles, all previously published favourites, now produced with illustrations by Children's Laureate Chris Riddell.
In 'The Lie Tree', Riddell is the perfect illustrator to bring Frances Hardinge's collision of Victorian social injustice, twisted science and dark magic spilling out onto the page and cover in a very special hardback edition. The Lie Tree was one of our favourite books of last year - and winner of the 'Costa Book of the Year' 2015. Find out more when we reviewed the book on BBC Radio Oxford right at the start of this year.
Here, Riddell's illustrations are combined with jacket designs and metallic ink to turn Gaiman's thrilling, wintry Nordic epic into an icy bookish treat.
It's a tale of legend, magic and adventure in which Odd, a young Viking boy, is left fatherless following a raid on his village. And in the pitiliess Viking world there is no mercy for an unlucky soul with a crushed foot and no one to protect him. Fleeing to the woods, Odd stumbles upon and releases a trapped bear ...and then Odd's destiny begins to change.
Finally, in our Chris Riddell triple-bill, Riddell's illustrations perfectly complement Lewis Carroll's famous nonsense rhyme.
They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care;
They pursued it with forks and hope;
They threatened its life with a railway-share;
They charmed it with smiles and soap.
First published in 1876, it features a cast of unlikely characters from The Jabberwocky. And whilst stocks last we have signed copies - even better!
A gorgeous gift collection of eight Christmas stories. Filled with festive fun and magical illustrations from best-loved illustrators including Tina Macnaughton, Tim Warnes and many more!
This collection has a tactile cover with holographic foil, and is the perfect present for little ones who are excited about Christmas!
Celebrate 90 years of Winnie-the-Pooh with The Best Bear in all the World, the official sequel to the original stories by A.A. Milne. With brand-new stories from some of the most beloved children's authors writing today: Paul Bright, Brian Sibley, Kate Saunders and Jeanne Willis - each will transport you back into the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures with Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and the rest of the gang.
With decorations by Mark Burgess, in the style of the cherished illustrations by E.H. Shepard. This book will delight fans old and new. Perfect bedtime reading for ages now-we-are-six and up.
We've already included 'The Storm Whale in Winter' as one of our favourite picture books, but this is a beautiful slipcase edition of the original 'The Storm Whale' as well as 'The Storm Whale in Winter' from award-winning author and illustrator Benji Davies.
It's a poignant and moving tale about making new friends and learning that sometimes we have to let the things we love go.
‘We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re going to catch a...
Oh!
Small cuddly fluffy one
In Mostly Books!
We all have our favourite classic childrens picture book, and many people will fondly say that theirs is 'We’re going on a Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen with the gorgeous and timeless illustrations by Helen Oxenbury. This Christmas, along with the Channel 4 adaptation of the book, you can get your hands on the bear himself, in the form of an adorable plush toy. Perfect for children to curl up with on the cold winter nights, or even for the adults to stage their own bear hunt with!
Also: We have a special limited signed edition in hardback of the original story - email us if you'd like to reserve a copy!
When Nicola Davies produced ‘A First Book Of Nature’ in 2012, it was one of most popular books to recommend (you can read about it here). Now she has written ‘A First Book Of Animals’, a glorious collection of factual information presented in a poetry format covering everything from Barn Owls to Beavers and beautifully illustrated by Petr Horacek to capture a child's imagination. Split into five sections, Big and Small, Colours and Shapes, Animal Homes, Animal Babies and Animals in Action this is a perfect first poetry book for your little animal lovers.
As a bonus we have a limited number of copies signed by both Nicola and Petr in stock. Email us to reserve yours!
"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."
(With thank to