Books published by publisher Monarch Books of Canada

This is an Intermediate Level story in a series of ELT readers comprising a wide range of titles - some original and some simplified - from modern and classic novels, and designed to appeal to all age-groups, tastes and cultures. The books are divided into five levels: Starter Level, with about 300 basic words; Beginner Level (600 basic words); Elementary Level (1100); Intermediate Level (1600); and Upper Level (2200). Some of the titles are also available on cassette.

Frank Peretti is a master storyteller. His novels stay with you a lifetime.' - Karen Kingsbury, New York Times bestselling author Dane and Mandy Collins have been a popular magic duo for close to thirty years. They plan to retire, but Mandy is killed in a devastating tragedy. Reeling from his wife's death, Dane reluctantly agrees when a friend suggests he review a new magic act. Dane is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot readily explain. But more than anything, he is stunned by the nineteen-year-old magician - who is in every respect identical to his wife, forty years ago. In a world where nothing is as it seems, anything is possible. Frank Peretti has crafted a riveting love story full of twists and mystery. Illusion is a rich, rewarding novel that transcends time and space to discover what death and life really mean. "Frank Peretti may just be the master storyteller of our time-using modern metaphors and fresh images, this remarkable writer helps us visualize the unseen world in ways we never quite pictured before." -Joni Eareckson Tada "Frank Peretti has a way of using fiction to draw our attention to the very real spiritual world around us. His stories are modern day classics.' -Michael W. Smith

John Robinson had the worst possible start in life. Taken into care at four months old, he was left in abusive foster homes for most of his childhood. At fourteen he was sent to a detention centre for arson. Gravitating towards a life of crime, he moved from borstal to the streets to psychiatric hospital, a scarred, tattooed, broken and angry young man. Yet God had plans for John. He would go on to run the Eden bus ministry: frontline youth buses which travel the toughest parts of Manchester with the gospel. The teams befriend young people and sometimes accompany them to court. 'My passion is, and I pray always will be, for those who feel downtrodden, hurt and rejected,' says John Robinson. 'They feel like scum, and wake up each day with nothing and no one. I know exactly what that feels like.'

This inspiring resource contains 48 of the world's greatest stories dramatically retold for reading aloud with children aged 5-11. They vary in length and topic, but all contain important Christian truths. There are a few Bible stories, but most are taken from classic literature or from folk tales. Drawing on the rich imaginations of master storytellers throughout the ages author Mark Griffiths brings their creations vividly to life. He includes three delightful tales from Oscar Wilde. His retelling of the Russian Shoemaker by Leo Tolstoy is enchanting and a must read for Christmas. There are other more traditional stories from around the world, such as Antonio the Juggler from Italy and the tragic tale of Gelert from Wales. Some of the stories are true the story of Gladys Aylward who rescued children in China and the delightful tale of how Amy Carmichael prayed for blue eyes others tell of wondrous adventure such as Ruth Sanderson's "The Enchanted Wood" and the delightful "Hugs and Kisses" contest. There are many, many more. This is a charming book that will be enjoyed time and again. It will hold the attention of both children and adults and will lead to fruitful discussions of bigger themes such as truth, courage and identity.

In Luke Aylen's The Mirror and the Mountain, a title released in association with Essential Christian, two 11-year-olds pass through a mirror and end up in a magical kingdom called Presadia. Trapped in a war-torn kingdom with no way home, Summer and Jonah are pulled into a strange quest to find the long-lost king, who alone has the power to restore peace to Presadia. Meeting strange and wonderful people along the way, including the dwarf high lord, the elf queen and a fire-breathing dragon, they learn important lessons about pride, greed, and the power of words as they embark on an epic journey to save the realm. The children and their new friends must be brave as they fly across the broken kingdom and climb a misty mountain. Can they fulfil their quest to find the king and restore peace to Presadia? And will Summer and Jonah ever make it back to their own world?

Barbie is a poor woodcutter’s daughter living deep in the woods of Misara, far from royalty and splendor. But Barbie’s kindness brings the royal palace down to her doorstep and now nothing can keep the brave and handsome prince of Misara from Barbie – not even Skink and Skank, two teeth-gnashing monster rats! Or the dark and deadly schemes of secret enemies lurking in palace corridors!

An act of courage almost cost 12-year-old Aboi his life – and changes him forever. He acquires strange powers and can become ant-size whenever he wants. Yes! Ant-size! And as Ant Boy he is armed with a mysterious sword that can immobilize people by making them laugh helplessly! That’s not all. Antar – a winged ant – flies him around! Ant Boy pledges himself to protect the rights of the child – and what thrills he has in his first adventure as he foils the schemes of a band of child-traffickers!

Bob Hartman has an enviable reputation as a performance storyteller. Here are his insights into how stories work; tips and techniques; and how to retell Bible stories - plus 50 great stories to practise on. This is a revised and expanded edition of the Lion volume first published in 2002, with many new stories and ideas. The book is structured by storytelling styles, with pull quotes and boxes to keep the central material clear. This book is both a training manual and a resource. All the stories are taken from the Bible. It is published in the same popular format as TELLING THE BIBLE and TELLING THE GOSPEL.