Books published by publisher Melrose

'The Dreamcatcher' and 'The Sleeping Giant' by Philip Nicklin are two enchanting stories aimed at children aged 6 years and up. 'The Dreamcatcher' tells of Richard, a young boy who has nightmares. Richard is scared by monsters and ghosts trying to take him away to a distant land and keep him there forever. Richard visits a market with his mother where an unusual item on one of the stalls intrigues him. The stall holder explains that it is a 'dreamcatcher', which can collect and banish Richard's nightmares. He then tells an extraordinary tale of how it came into his hands but Richard wants to know more. Staying up late to see how his dreams are collected, he meets a Cherokee Indian medicine man, Running Wolf and is taken to the special place where bad dreams are safely stored. A magical journey, 'The Dreamcatcher' dispels a child's fear of bad dreams in a tale sure to help children troubled by nightmares. 'The Sleeping Giant' is the charming tale of Mungo Macgregor a kind-hearted, although very lazy giant. As a giant prone to falling asleep at inopportune moments, Mungo is taken to task by the other giants for his laziness. After missing the giants' annual Madrium Naturum festival for several years in a row, Ogle Mcvie convinces Mungo to attend; that is of course if he doesn't fall asleep! Based on a Scottish legend, 'The Sleeping Giant' captivates the reader with tales of giants using willow trees as toothbrushes and combing their hair with porcupine quills.

The troop of meerkats in the zoo live a happy life until oneday the eagle owl next door tells them the van has come totake some away. Who is going to go and where? Would theybe split up? There was only one thing to do – make a breakfor freedom and see what happens. Which is exactly whatMolly’s family and friends do.Off they go into the big wide world with all its dangers andexcitements – cars, bright lights, humans and monsters –and where, best of all, they discover a taste for pizza andchocolate!Follow the naughty meerkats’ adventures as they leave atrail of mayhem wherever they go …

A reclusive old lady has collected orphaned animals on her small farm for many years and needs astrong horse to help with the heavy work. She bids for a horse at auction but soon realises she’s bought more than she bargained for. He is strangely gifted, arrogant and refuses to perform the tasks normally expected of a horse. Through a series of funny, infuriating and sad events, her life and the horse’s life are changed forever.

Few people knew the vast Okavango Delta better than Willie Phillips. He first ventured into the swamps to hunt crocodile in 1958, aged only 22. Here he learnt the bush skills that would serve him well as the first non-white professional hunter in Botswana. He gained a reputation as competent, tough and quirky, and his clients returned regularly. He later became a conservationist, championing causes to protect his beloved Delta. His first job was as a bricklayer. Then he bought a truck, delivering goods along the sand tracks that passed as roads. With his second wife, he established the first commercial maize farm in the region. In 2004, he became an independent councillor to help the impoverished residents of Seronga, where he lived with his third wife and ran a mobile shop. Willie touched the lives of many and was widely loved and respected, though he was not without flaws. This book tells the story of his fascinating life, set in the context of the times - the end of the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland and the first four decades of independent Botswana.

This wonderful book comprises of a collection of ten short, magical stories for young children. Molly is eight years old and has pretty yellow hair and two cute little dimples . At the bottom of her garden is a forest where, according to her grandmother s tales, fairies once lived. Join Molly in her adventures with the fairies in her magical garden.

As the title implies, all 26 poems have been dedicated to a letter of the alphabet. The brevity and stylistic charm make these poems perfect for children, as each tells a story for each animal. Open the pages to explore something of a new Mother Goose, and read about Patty the Polar Bear's bewilderment over her colour, Mary the Moorhen's burglary or Stanley the Starling's lost fortune in the steal industry! The naitivity and simplicity of these poems will make this book a favourite for any young child, who will no doubt ask for the book to be read to them again and again!

Conky the Magic Kangaroo is a very Australian story about a giant red kangaroo named Conky who has magical super powers and who can even talk with humans. Conky is a story of adventure, humour, courage and friendship. In truth, the story will never ever really end as long as there are children with hungry imaginations and native animals still living in the bush. There are two wonderful Conky tales in this book that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike and provide endless wonderful descriptions of the Australian outback in all its splendour and harshness. There is also a strong message regarding the conservation of the native animals. Conky the Magic Kangaroo is the first in a magnificent series. So start your collection today.