A magical treasury of festive animal tales, starring a little donkey, a naughty kitten, a special reindeer and even a talking turkey. Featuring stories from celebrated authors Adele Geras, Michael Broad, Vivian French, Maeve Friel, Anna Wilson, Penny Dolan, Holly Webb, and Alan Durant.

Poor Callie feels totally ignored when a new baby arrives in the house. Even David - her special friend - pushes her away and no-one seems to appreciate the efforts she makes to welcome it. Even her carefully chosen gift (a dead bird) is greeted with horror rather than delight. And when she is banished to the kitchen, Callie sadly resolves that she is no longer wanted. She has no choice but to run away...

Geejay - a striking ginger tom with a thirst for adventure - takes matters into his own paws when he discovers a little boy next door who isn't allowed to play outside because of his allergies...

Cecily is enchanted when she meets photographer Rosalind, and soon longs to learn more about this "art of the future" and become a famous photographer herself. Believing Rosalind to be the perfect match for her widowed father, Cecily conspires to unite the pair, but her father's friend keeps spoiling her plans. Will Cecily's dreams ever come true?

Eva was once a legendary fashion designer until, mysteriously, she retired. Now widowed, she lives with her family in Salix House, the home she's owned and loved for forty years. When the family announces it's time to sell, Eva is deeply reluctant. The house contains memories and secrets that are part of her, although she never shares them.Megan is a fashion journalist working in London who interviewed Eva for a magazine. Torn apart by the brutal end of a love affair, Megan is drawn back to Salix House and Eva.Decades apart in age, the two women share a bond. Both are hiding something, but perhaps together they can confront their fears, their past pain and their uncertain futures—and discover the truth of Salix House's secrets.

1895: Cecily longs to learn the new art of photography and is determined that her widowed father will come to love it too, especially when she realises that her new friend and photographer, Rosalind, would be a perfect match for him. Will her dreams of uniting them ever come true? A touching and beautiful tale set at No.6 Chelsea Walk. Adele Geras has previously been shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book Award and Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal. "Dramatic stories with a real sense of atmosphere." - The Guardian

When six brothers are turned into swans by an evil queen, their fate falls into the hands of their younger sister. Can she save them - and herself - before it's too late? This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

As featured on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour.1914: war has broken out across Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever be the same again for those caught up in the conflict. This collection of short stories explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever. A courageous nurse risks her life at the Front Line; a young woman discovers independence and intrigue in wartime London; and a grief-stricken widow defends her homeland amidst the destruction of war. Through these and other tales, War Girls presents a moving portrait of loss and grief, and of hope overcoming terrible odds.

When Constance Barrington dies, she leaves behind a wealthy estate and a complex family network. But when the whole family gathers to hear her last will and testament, they are in for a terrible shock. Constance—possessed of a long memory and a spiteful disposition—altered her will shortly before her death. The new provisions are far from fair; some benefit hugely and others hardly at all. Constance's granddaughter, Louise, is bequeathed the copyright for her late grandfather's novels (barely remembered, long-since out of print and valuable only as a reminder of the man she loved). It is a paltry inheritance and one that comes to symbolise the inequity at the heart of the Barrington family. Soon, old family feuds and long-hidden resentments come to the surface, and with them, secrets start to emerge. But it is through Louise's inheritance—those dusty, long-forgotten books—that the most explosive secret of all will come to light, bringing with it a very...

Cecily is enchanted when she meets photographer Rosalind, and soon longs to learn more about this "art of the future" and become a famous photographer herself. Believing Rosalind to be the perfect match for her widowed father, Cecily conspires to unite the pair, but her father's friend keeps spoiling her plans. Will Cecily's dreams ever come true?

Louisa (known as Weezer) is determined to become a ballet dancer. She starts lessons locally and with her typical self-assuredness, soon sees herself in the role of class-star. So when it comes to putting on a performance, Weezer knows there's only one place for her prima ballerina or bust!

LOUISA'S SECRET When Louisa's ballet class have to choose partners, her new neighbour Tony is the perfect choice. But Tony thinks ballet lessons are for wimps! LOUISA IN THE WINGS A Russian ballet company comes to town and Louisa is desperate to see them. She tries to raise the money for the tickets but it's all sold out! Can anyone help her? A RIVAL FOR LOUISA At first, Louisa doesn't like Phoebe, the new girl in her ballet class. But they soon find out they have more in common than they thought...

1857: On an extended visit to her cousins in London, country girl Lizzie struggles to adapt to her new life of stiff manners and formal pastimes at No. 6 Chelsea Walk. And her dream of becoming a gardener is certainly frowned upon. But like her elder cousin, who wants to defy her middle-class upbringing and become a nurse, Lizzie has the strength of will to act against stifling Victorian conventions. And the chance to visit the newly opened Kew Gardens presents her with the ideal opportunity to start working towards her grand ambition... Adele Geras has previously been shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book Award and Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal. "Dramatic stories with a real sense of atmosphere." - The Guardian

An extended family gathers in late August to celebrate the seventy-fifth birthday of its formidable matriarch, Leonora. She is the daughter of the famous Edwardian painter Ethan Walsh, whose paintings are kept at the family home, Willow Court in Wiltshire. At Leonora's house party will be her daughters, Gwen and Rilla, whom she raised alone after she was widowed in her late twenties; Rilla's stepdaughter Beth; and Gwen's husband and three children with their spouses and lovers. One outsider joins the group: Sean Everard, a television director who's making a documentary about the life and work of Ethan Walsh. All families have their dark side and Leonora's is no exception. By the time the marquee is dismantled and all the guests have gone their separate ways, two shocking past events have come to light, to rock complacency and change for ever the lives of Leonora and her daughters.