Bestsellers

Deep in an enchanted forest, the animals talk and magic grows on the trees. There are mysteries the woodland friends can't solve alone, and someone nearby who doesn't understand the forest at all. Putting it right means learning the forest's own rules first. Grows curiosity, courage and care for the world around them.

One step through a portal and it's somewhere very, very old. The giants here turn out to be gentle, curious and busy with lives of their own, and getting home can wait a little while. Sparks curiosity, bravery and a fascination with the natural world.

The little bus at the corner has room for one more. Every stop brings someone new aboard and another corner of the city into view. A warm first look at community life that encourages friendliness, curiosity and the joy of going places together.

Behind a door that wasn't there yesterday is a kingdom with nobody in charge of it. There are gardens gone wild, people with requests, and decisions that turn out to matter. Ruling well, it seems, has very little to do with the crown. Builds self-belief, kind leadership and thoughtful decisions.

Cold outside, and the rink is waiting. Skates to lace, a team to meet, passes that go astray, and a friendly game where everyone gets a turn. The ice is fast, the falls don't hurt much, and the afternoon flies past. Inspires team spirit, resilience and the courage to try.

On the night before Christmas Eve, a tiny elf taps on the frosty window with an urgent request. A sled ride through snowy forests and northern lights leads to Santa's workshop, where the magic star that guides the sleigh has gone dark. Only one child can light it again. A warm Christmas adventure about kindness, wonder and the joy of giving.

High in the mountains, a sanctuary where baby dragons are learning to fly. Some are fearless; some won't leave the ledge at all. Helping each one find its own way up takes patience, and a friend. Grows empathy, patience and the confidence to encourage others.

Shirt on, stadium ahead. There's a warm-up with the team, a coach with useful advice, and a match where the ball doesn't always go where it should. It ends the way good afternoons end: muddy and happy. Inspires team spirit, confidence and a love of playing for its own sake.

Suitcase packed, passport in hand. There are landmarks that look impossible, foods worth learning the names of, and greetings that fit strangely and wonderfully in the mouth. Grows curiosity, openness and a warm respect for people everywhere.

A train that gleams a little more than trains usually do pulls in, and it's time to climb aboard. Countryside rolls into cities, friendly passengers share their stories, and the journey turns out to be the best part. Sparks curiosity, wonder and a love of seeing new places.

On the first of December, a tiny elf moves into the house, and nothing is quite the same again. Secret notes, sticky gingerbread, a missing sock and a lot of giggling: one small adventure every night, all the way to Christmas Eve. A bedtime advent story to read one evening at a time.

Boots clicked in, goggles on, and the slope waiting. Skis that feel far too long, a lift that takes a few tries, and an instructor who makes the snowplough look easy. There are tumbles into soft snow, a mug of hot chocolate halfway through the day, and then one run all the way down without stopping. Builds courage, perseverance and the pride of not giving up.

Santa has a problem: this year, half the homes on his list don't have a chimney. On Christmas Eve he needs a co-pilot with big ideas. Your child steers the sleigh to a tall apartment block, a houseboat frozen in the ice, a lonely lighthouse and a hospital where children are spending Christmas, finding a clever way in every time. The last stop? Home.