Books in Tales from the First Kingdom series

"A romp filled with language play and just plain nonsense. . . . Everyone gets his, her, or its due; goodness is rewarded; and evil punished oh-so-wickedly."– The Horn BookHigh above the mountain village of Fracture, trouble is brewing. The sorceress Lady Lamorna wants a skull-studded gown of deep black velvet, but her treasure chest is empty of gold. That doesn’t stop her, however, from kidnapping, blackmailing, and using more than a little magic to get what she needs. Will her plans be foiled by the heroic Gracie Gillypot, two chatty bats, a gallant (if scruffy) prince, the wickedest stepsister ever, a troll with a grudge, and some very ancient crones?

The madcap, macabre, and maddeningly funny Tales from the Five Kingdoms continue — with an oddly heart-warming adventure. It’s a fine day for dwarf watching! At least that’s what Gracie Gillypott and Prince Marcus innocently think as they set out, unaware that Princess Marigold has honed her sights on Marcus and plans to follow him to the ends of the earth — fan, frilly petticoats, and all. As for the dwarves, it’s not a fine day at all: they’re overworked and underpaid, rushing to produce extra gold to make crowns for a royal wedding. The Chief of Works has no choice but to send for some trolls to deal with the problem, but they have their own agenda: finding a princess for their lonely king. Throw in the faithful Gubble, a slinking goblin, four chatty bats, and a heart of glass that will give its owner absolute power and you have a hilarious adventure rife with mistaken identities — and the ever-compelling search for the perfect match.

What do you know about Jesus? Was He: . . .the Son of God? . . .the man who gave sight to the blind, made the lame to walk, and raised people from the dead? . . .the One who died so that we might live? . . .all of the above? Journey along with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee, on the hill called Golgotha, in the very center of God’s amazing power! This biblically accurate story of Jesus, the Son of God, created just for the kids in your life, explores the life of Jesus while drawing 8- to 12-year-olds into a fascinating time and place as they learn about the One who gave sight to the blind, made the lame to walk, raised people from the dead, and who died so that we might live. Featuring three key sections—a Fact File, an Action File, and a Power File—kids will enjoying learning about the life of Jesus while coming to understand that an ancient Bible story really does apply to their lives today. Dozens of captivating line art pieces add depth and interest to every chapter.

What do you know about David? Was he: . . .a shepherd boy turned king? . . .a faithful harp player? . . .a brave giant slayer? . . .all of the above? Journey along with David in a field of sheep, in the presence of a towering giant, in the very center of God’s amazing power! This biblically accurate story of David, created just for the kids in your life, explores the life of this shepherd boy turned king, while drawing 8- to 12-year-olds into a fascinating time and place as they learn about this faithful harp player and courageous giant slayer. Featuring three key sections—a Fact File, an Action File, and a Power File—kids will enjoying learning about the life of David while coming to understand that an ancient Bible story really does apply to their lives today. Dozens of captivating line art pieces add depth and interest to every chapter.

The good witches of Wadingburn are worried - there's a new witch in town with a bag of magic bones, and she's so evil she makes their toes ache...This is another fun-filled fantasy in the "Tales from the Five Kingdoms" stories that started with "The Robe of Skulls".Truda Hangnail is a very wicked witch, banned from the Five Kingdoms because of her use of deep magic. Then she comes up with a fiendish plan to restore evil to the Five Kingdoms, transforming the good witches of Waddingburn into shrivelled, wicked old witches who will help her take over King Frank's kingdom on his fiftieth birthday. Luckily, a sweet-natured half-human, half-elf named Loobly is witness to Truda's evil spell and sets off to fetch help. As the birthday party looms and Truda's evil gathers strength, Loobly enlists the help of Prince Marcus of Gorebreath and Gracie Gillypot, as well as old friends Gubble the troll and Marlon and Alf the bats, to stop Truda and send her packing to the house of the Ancient Crones to face her just deserts.

The web of power looks smooth and peaceful — until a new threat looms — in the fifth tale from the Five Kingdoms.Prince Albion expects a unique occasion when he starts planning Cockenzie Rood Day to celebrate his kingdom — and himself. What he doesn’t expect is boppings on the head and kidnapping, all because a zombie wants to play his fiddle in the talent contest. With a misbehaving path, a romantic bat, and a greedy butler to set them on their way, Gracie Gillypot and Prince Marcus are off on their fifth adventure. It’s up to a Trueheart, a resourceful prince, and Gubble the troll to stop the zombie before he does some giant damage to the Five Kingdoms.