Books in Kingfisher Book Of... series

Bringing together all of the most popular girl characters from children's literature, this gorgeous anthology features feisty heroines such as Ramona Quimby, Alice in Wonderland, Pippi Longstocking, and Anne of Green Gables. The attractively illustrated extracts offer the perfect introduction to stories that have enchanted generations of young girls.

From traditional tales to Yuletide legends from around the world, this timeless collection of fourteen Christmas classics is perfect for the whole family to share aloud. This festive anthology includes favorite stories such as "The Fir Tree," "The Nutcracker," and "The First Christmas," tales by Louisa May Alcott and L. M. Montgomery, and extracts from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Each specially selected story features an introduction by award-winning author Ian Whybrow, and is beautifully illustrated to complement its mood and style.

Today's children experience many different types of families in their own as well as in their friends' lives. This exuberant collection includes more than 150 poems from some of today's best poets to reflect the enormous diversity of modern family life. Poems about individual family members are deftly interwoven with themes of belonging and togetherness, family feuds, shared memories, play, loss, and love. Holly Swain's delightful illustrations add sparkle and charm throughout. Bubbling with attitude and affection, this is a true celebration of families everywhere and a perfect collection to share.

Soccer is one of the most universal sports, and the Kingfisher Book of Soccer Skills by Clive Gifford is a fantastic one-stop guide to learning and playing the game. Featuring dynamic step-by-step design, practical advice on all aspects of the game from an expert author, and action-packed photography featuring today's leading pros, this book is a practical and accessible guide that will help young players of all levels improve their skills. Starting with the basics such as the rules and equipment, and moving through passing, heading, goal-keeping and scoring to more advanced topics such as volleys, swerves, and attacking―this book lays out the entire game in accessible, easy-to-follow instruction. Features on the all-time great players, the FIFA World Cup, and unusual versions on the sport enhance the core tutorials. Whether it's a young child just learning the game, a more experienced player building their skills, or a parent or coach who wants a good kid-friendly reference, this book is perfect for soccer fans everywhere.

Embark on an exciting and educational tour of the cosmos in this information-packed guide -- from the first few seconds after the Big Bang to the remote-controlled Pathfinder expedition to Mars and beyond. The journey begins with an introduction to space exploration and humanity's relationship with the stars, from the astronomers of the ancient world, to the day-to-day work of orbiting satellites. Next is a tour of our own solar system, the Milky Way, and Galaxy: atmospheric planetscapes reveal the frozen methane seas of Pluto, while the carefully timed trajectory of the Voyager Probe provide stunning pictures from Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Full color photographs and computer-generated illustrations are carefully balanced with a succinct, informative text to provide curious young astronomers with a far-ranging understanding of the Universe. This cutting-edge guide is a visual and educational treat for children ready to seek the outer limits of their imaginations. Also includes a highly accessible factfile and glossary.