'Once upon a time there were three little foxes Who didn’t wear stockings, and they didn’t wear sockses, But they all had handkerchiefs to blow their noses, And they kept their handkerchiefs in cardboard boxes.' The sheer fun of AA Milne’s poems, with their child’s view of the world and irresistible wordplay, has easily survived the century since they first appeared, while remaining evocative of British life in the 1920s. This book presents a selection from the two volumes of poetry on which Milne and his illustrator, EH Shepard collaborated: Now We Are Six and When We Were Very Young.

Aimed at adults, these hardback gift titles showcase the wit and wisdom of AA Milne through the observations of his best-loved creations, complemented by EH Shepherd’s original illustrations. Each book offers carefully selected quotations that highlight the most distinctive traits of the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood – from Pooh’s endearing greed to Eeyore’s stoic misery. The four titles included in this set are: Deep Thoughts and Ponderings for the Wise (Read more...)Little Somethings and Smackerels for Food Lovers (Read more...)Doubt and Disquiet for Worriers (Read more...)Gloom and Doom for Pessimists (Read more...)

The two titles included in this set are: Mr Wolf and the Three Bears (Read more...) Mr Wolf and the Enormous Turnip (Read more...)

The two titles included in this set are: Betsy Goes to School (Read more...) Betsy Visits Her Grandparents (Read more...)

The two titles included in this set are: First Term at Malory Towers (Read more...) The Twins at St Clare's (Read more...)

Slightly off-mint.

These extracts remind us that while Piglet may enjoy crunching on a haycorn and Eeyore is partial to a freshly picked thistle, Pooh is primarily defined by his insatiable appetite.

Deep thinker Eeyore’s glass is always half empty. Lightened by his friend’s (mostly thankless) attempts to cheer him up, this is a selection of his most melancholy remarks. Off-mint.

We all have moments when we catastrophise, but this soothing collection of quotations by and about Piglet, a Very Small Animal, are sure to reassure even the most cautious of us.

A Bear of Very Little Brain he may be, but Pooh has a knack for making surprisingly astute observations on a variety of subjects which often leave his more erudite friends lost for words. Slightly off-mint.

Night Monkey and Day Monkey may live in opposite worlds, but they soon learn to be the best of friends. This sturdy magnet board book includes ten reusable magnetic pieces to help little ones interact with the story. Age 3+

The three booklets in this box set explore possibilities for building in Minecraft’s creative mode, from concepts and tips for design to example builds for impressive structures such as a medieval castle. The set also includes press-out character models and a poster. Age 6+

In Minecraft you can choose how to play, do what you like and have your own adventures – but where to begin? With clear illustrations, game-play instructions and hints, this guide from Mojang (the Swedish company that developed the game) shows how to survive in the Overworld. The guide is designed for a single player in Survival mode, and covers all the basics from game controls to defending against the bad guys and mining underground. Age 8+

For players of the challenging survival mode of Minecraft, the four books in this collection give specific advice on exploration and coping with hostile mobs, setting up farming systems, creating potions and enchantments and navigating the Nether and End dimensions. Age 9+

These simplified editions of the books about the kindly Viking King Noggin the Nog are based on the BBC series by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, the creators of The Clangers, Bagpuss and Ivor the Engine), and were written especially for emergent independent readers. Age 6+ The eight titles included in this set are: Noggin the King (Read more...) Noggin and the Whale (Read more...) Noggin and the Storks (Read more...) Noggin and the Money (Read more...) Noggin and the Dragon (Read more...) Noggin and the Moon Mouse (Read more...) Nogbad and the Elephants (Read more...) Nogbad Comes Back (Read more...)

When the King of Southland sends a bejewelled baby elephant as a present for Little Knut, Noggin is worried about how sad it seems, while Nogbad is plotting to steal it.

In this search and adventure book, six globe-trotting llamas and their cacti travelling companions play hide and seek in intricately designed locations including an airport, a beach and a pet show. Age 6+

When Noggin decides that he wants to be King of the Birds, he must venture into the dark forest to ask his feathered friends if they will accept him as their ruler.

Noggin invites all the village children to bring their instruments and join him on a musical boat trip to celebrate his birthday, but a passing whale seems determined to spoil their fun.

When a flock of sooty storks decide to nest on the Nogs’ chimneys, filling their houses with smoke, Noggin tasks his court inventor Olaf the Lofty to find an ingenious solution.

When a shiny silver thing carrying a visitor from far away falls from the sky, Noggin must try and persuade the Nogs that their diminutive guest is a friend, not a foe.

The Nogs exchange the things they have for the things they need, but when Olaf the Lofty has a brainwave and invents money, his pieces of copper cause great confusion.

Brave Thor Nogson knows that dragons no longer roam the Land of Nog, so when he takes Noggin’s son Little Knut to hunt for one, he is alarmed to come across a strange beast with flaming eyes.

Noggin’s wicked uncle Nogbad has returned from exile to enter the village animal and vegetable show. The Nogs are impressed by his fine exhibits, but Queen Nooka suspects that he is cheating.

This sturdy board book retells five traditional nursery rhymes, including 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' and 'Baa Baa Black Sheep', placing Mr Men in the leading roles. Age 0+

Written in consultation with a literary expert, this simple story for new readers follows Mr Happy as he attempts to cheer up Mr Grumble, with a little help from Mr Strong. Age 3+

Little Miss Trouble causes upset wherever she goes. But when she starts making mischief in Seatown, she must answer to a very annoyed Mermaid Queen, who imposes an unusual punishment. Age 3+

Plenty for young Star Wars fans to do: things to make, including a Chewbacca hand puppet, a stormtrooper helmet, and the Yoda decoder (Aurebesh alphabet provided); characters to draw, a full-size art pad to draw on and a page of stickers. Age 8+

Hungarian physician and polymath Alexander Lenard made this translation of Winnie-the-Pooh while working as a tutor of English and Latin. An instant bestseller, it has continued to delight readers young and old for six decades, as they revisit the adventures of Christopherus Robinus around Silva Centum Jugerum (Hundred Acre Wood) in the company of Porcellus (Piglet), Ior (Eeyore), Bubo (Owl) and the rest – not forgetting, of course, the horribilis heffalumpus.

Three children, Joe, Beth and Frannie, and their cousin Rick, live in a cottage deep in the country, near the Enchanted Wood where the Faraway Tree grows. High in the tree live the children’s friends Silky the fairy, Moon-Face and Saucepan Man, and at the top there is always a new magical land to explore. First published in 1943, this famous adventure story has new, colourful illustrations by Mark Beech and large print for young readers. Age 5+

The Teletubbies visit the Tiddlytubbies in this entertaining board book. Young readers can join in with simple actions, such as clapping, knocking and waving, and have fun repeating the names of all the ‘Tubbies’. Age 1+

The friends in these ten stories include a milkman on a rescue mission; kind Mrs Cocoa, who produces a get-better box for a ‘cross, spotty child’; and the chimney sweep, whose visit has a very unexpected result.

Bad Harry is usually at the centre of the mischief in these short stories, whether he is breaking plates, hiding unwanted crusts or being suspiciously quiet in the library.

In these three illustrated stories, Gordon teaches Thomas a lesson, the little engine visits London and meets the queen, and his new wheels enable him to race Bertie the Bus. The book includes a map of the island of Sodor. Age 2+

Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends set off on their adventures – some of them as dangerous as looking for the North Pole – in this collection of 17 stories from Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner.

Cherry is swept out to sea and encounters ghosts from a mine; two children rescue a strange old man caught in an animal trap… Five mystical, sometimes dark, short stories are connected by their location: Zennor, on the coast at the edge of Britain. With beautiful colour illustrations, these are haunting, magical tales. Age 9+

Originally published in 1949, this was one of the first titles written by Reverend Awdry. Reprinted in a small format hardback and with its original illustrations by C Reginald Dalby, the book contains four short stories about Thomas’s adventures on the branch line. Age 4+

The activities in this book encourage good behaviour. Stickers are awarded for tidiness, helpfulness or being good at bedtime. Parents can use the charts and certificates to set and reward specific challenges. Age 2+

Left alone to mind the flock while the other shepherds go to Bethlehem to see the new Messiah, one young shepherd boy has an astonishing encounter with the Angel Gabriel.

High in the Swiss mountains, a village lives in fear of a terrible dragon; then Mimi finds a baby dragon in the woodshed, reunites him with his mother, and happiness returns to the mountain.

Having stowed away in a suitcase, Mary arrives in Dover and makes her way to London, where she has fun at a dance class, plays with toy boats and orders an enormous quantity of cake. Age 6+

Add a sticker to each spread, colour the pictures, then read the story. In A White Christmas the Mr Men and Little Miss characters try to help Santa bring snow to Australia; in A Christmas Carol, Mr Mean experiences the pleasure of giving. Age 3+

As Thomas chugs from station to farm to docks, readers lift the flaps to answer questions and spot surprises: a mouse on the tracks, the inside of a lighthouse… Last stop is the circus, but what’s under the big top? Age 2+

This board book invites readers to sing new lyrics involving Thomas and his friends to the familiar tune of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. Each sturdy page features a different engine, while the gifts include snowmen and candy canes. Age 2+

Age 3+

This easy-to-carry book uses spotting, counting, colouring and tracing activities to help young children learn numbers, shapes and colours. Stickers are included and can be used to complete some of the pictures. Age 2+

Christmas draws near, and on the farm the fate of Gertrude the goose seems sealed; but can young Charlie face killing his beautiful white goose?

This Star Wars activity set contains press-out parts to build both an X-wing fighter (as piloted by Luke Skywalker) and a distinctive Empire TIE fighter. There are games, puzzles and activities in the accompanying booklet. Age 7+

Explore Han Solo’s Corellian light freighter in this detailed activity set, comprising a book containing games and information about the ship and its passengers, and robust press-out parts to make a large model. Age 7+

As a boy Adam Hargreaves inspired his father, Roger, to create the Mr Men, and this book is written and illustrated by him. These 20 stories have fairy-tale themes, feature ogres, witches, and fairies, and include a range of Mr Men and Little Miss characters. Age 2+

Look at the step-by-step instructions in the How to Draw book, and practise drawing the characters on the blank pages of the sketchbook. You’ll soon be ready to colour and add details to the sketchbook pictures with the help of the stencils and stickers. Age 5+

A goose that didn’t get roasted; the nativity play that banished Princess Serafina’s sadness; a letter for Christmas from the First World War; one young shepherd boy’s astonishing meeting with the Angel Gabriel; and mother and baby Mountain Dragon reunited on Christmas Day... These five timeless stories by one of today’s greatest storytellers are illustrated by equally renowned children’s illustrators, including Sophie Allsopp, Michael Foreman and Quentin Blake. Age 4+.

Living in Berne Zoo, Mary Plain is an orphan bear with an appetite for adventure. In this story, she goes on a ‘svisit’ and tries lots of new things. First published in 1931, this new edition has contemporary black-line illustrations by Clara Vulliamy. Age 6+

First appearing in the 1920s, the enduringly popular Rupert the Bear comic strip still features in the Daily Express today, and this is his 82nd annual. The stories include an adventure from 1939, as well as a brand new tale, ‘Rupert and the Christmas Birds’, and there are games and instructions for making Christmas decorations. Age 7+

This three-novel collection examines conflict from different perspectives: two boys evacuated to the country in Friend or Foe, Jewish children fleeing the Nazis in Waiting for Anya and animals at the front in War Horse. These stories do not avoid the horrors of battle, but reflect the bravery and heroism of ordinary individuals caught up in events beyond their control. Age 8+

Based on the original Winnie-the-Pooh stories and illustrations, this full-colour picture book tells of the invention of Pooh Sticks. Pooh is in the middle of a game, when a large grey, Eeyore-shaped stick floats down the river… Age 2+

A gang of jewel thieves is operating in the village. One of the Five Find-Outers dons a clever disguise as part of their investigation.

The Find-Outers are on the trail of a thief who is robbing houses in Peterswood and leaving huge footprints as big as those of Mr Goon, the village policeman.

Mr Goon’s nephew Ern is coming to stay and the Five Find-Outers make up a mystery for him; but when Ern disappears, the pretend mystery turns into a real one.

This second volume of Thunderbirds adventures contains the first twelve comic strips from the 1960s, beginning with Blazing Danger, which introduced Lady Penelope and Parker to International Rescue, and including the great classics, Talons of the Eagle and Atlantic Tunnel. All the strips in this volume were illustrated by the legendary Frank Bellamy. (Please note two pages are duplicated in the book due to an editorial error.)

Narrated by Joey, a horse who witnesses the horror of battle in the First World War from both sides of the trenches with his owner Albert, this contemporary classic has been adapted for the stage with great success and filmed by Steven Spielberg, and is presented here with sensitive watercolour illustrations. Age 10+