"Thrilling... action-packed. Russell uses elegant prose and well-timed humor"Publishers Weekly"I couldn't get my son to turn out the light!"Elisabeth Easther, playwright, actor, critic"Action-packed, and truly charming."Radio New ZealandA best-selling, rip-roaring, page-turning tale of dragons and their brave child guardians, with mind-blowing, interactive augmented reality content accessible via free app AR Reads.The Dragon Defenders novel series follow the adventures of Flynn, Paddy, Briar and Beth as they strive to protect their paradise island home - and the dragons that live there - from the clutches of an evil boss. Book One:Flynn and Paddy's family live on a paradise island in the middle of the ocean with their dog, Coco, their horse, Clappers, and Lightning, their pet falcon.But their island also holds an incredible secret: dragons live there!When evil boss The Pitbull finds out, he decides that he wants one for himself. Get ready to be swept away on an unforgettable journey as Flynn and Paddy's world is turned upside down. Will their bravery and skill be enough to protect the dragons from The Pitbull's clutches? The Dragon Defenders series is an adrenaline-fueled saga of epic proportions that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In the following four books, the brothers are joined by the brave, fierce and wonderful Briar, who helps the boys thwart The Pitbull's evil plans. Read them all!Not just a book...Prepare to unlock a whole new level of immersion through the awe-inspiring augmented reality experiences found through the free AR Reads app. Eavesdrop on conversations, crack codes, meet the bad guy face-to-face, all the while interacting with a book like never before.Experience the phenomenon that has captivated readers across New Zealand, where The Dragon Defenders has soared to incredible heights, selling over 50,000 books in that country alone. Author James Russell weaves a tale that embraces themes of family, resourcefulness, teamwork, conservation, and the power of standing up for what you believe in. If you're a fan of Tui T. Sutherland's Wings of Fire series or Christopher Paolini's Eragon, get ready for a new adventure that will ignite your imagination and leave you breathless.Note: the app is not necessary to enjoy the books; they're designed to be read either with or without the use of the app - it's your choice.One more thing to note: This book has a dyslexic friendly font, developed with advice from the Dyslexia Association of New Zealand."An utterly charming story about two young boys who live off the grid, in a way most kids couldn't imagine. They are, of course, independent, brave and resourceful, and completely admirable. The interactive app helps build a spellbinding world."Joan Mackenzie, head book buyer, Whitcoulls"A rollercoaster, laugh-out-loud adventure!" Rachel Eadie, book critic"The best books imaginable to encourage kids to read."Melissa Haslam, parent."Catnip for reluctant readers."Sheila Shelford, parent"Incredibly exhilarating!"Doris Mousdale, Arcadia Books“So gripping...”Finn Buckley, age 11“The bomb!”Seamus O’Sullivan, age 11“Awesome!”Ari O’Malley, age 10“Exciting from the very start!”Theo Head, aged 11“As good as Harry Potter...”Pippa Montgomerie, aged 9

Living with his little brother, Fudge, makes Peter Hatcher feel like a fourth grade nothing. Whether Fudge is throwing a temper tantrum in a shoe store, smearing smashed potatoes on walls at Hamburger Heaven, or scribbling all over Peter's homework, he's never far from trouble. He's a two-year-old terror who gets away with everything—and Peter's had enough. When Fudge walks off with Dribble, Peter's pet turtle, it's the last straw. Peter has put up with Fudge too long. How can he get his parents to pay attention to him for a change?

The loveable duo of Gigi and little sis Birdie are back in Gigi: The Ballet Recital, which follows the tale of our bubbly heroine Gigi as she and Birdie prepare for the big annual ballet recital. Normally, this event is the highlight of Gigi’s year, but this time, something is different: Gigi has been put in the back row (gasp!) and now no one is going to be able to see her. Why even dance at all?? Gigi’s mojo has suddenly pirouetted off and left her with a case of the ballet blues. But, when the recital rolls around and first-timer Birdie panics out on stage, big sis Gigi rushes to the rescue and unexpectedly rediscovers the reason she loves to dance (spoiler alert: it doesn’t have anything to do with the audience!). This relatable story of how things don’t always meet our expectations is a perfect way to help kids deal with life’s inevitable disappointments. Gigi’s journey from sadness and self-pity to the selfless act that lets her find her joy and passion again is a great lesson in resilience. The beautiful illustrations will appeal to the budding ballerina (there are fluffy tutus and satin slippers galore!), and the silly antics of the sisters as they practice their dancing (doing a pointed toe high five at the dinner table or jumping “gracefully” on the bed) are a guaranteed belly laugh. And, even when the tale takes its sad turn, Gigi’s exaggerated glumness will elicit giggles of recognition from little readers. The simple and sweet storytelling is captivating for all ages, as at the heart of the story is the relationship between the siblings (a fun continuation of the glimpse we got in the prequel, “Gigi: Big Sister”), portrayed here with a joyfulness and warmth that jumps off the page. Gigi and Birdie are the best of friends, and it’s inspirational to see how they help each other through this toe-shoe trauma and come out stronger on the other side. No doubt these two will have many adventures to come!