Felix and Livia are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor. They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia's brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions - and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two! Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation. Will they save Livia's brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken's curse?A classic adventure of friendship, fate and fortune, from the winner of the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children's Fiction.

The first book in a fun and exciting series by award-winning author Frances Watt and Kate Greenaway Medal winner Gregory Rogers, introducing Tommy - a feisty kitchen hand who longs to be a knight. When Tommy is finally promoted to Keeper of the Blades, will a missing sword ruin everything?Tommy, a kitchen girl at Flamant Castle, dreams of becoming a knight - and when she is made the Keeper of the Blades, caring for all the swords in the castle armoury, it seems like her dream might come true. But then Sir Walter's most valuable sword goes missing from the sword room. Will Tommy be able to find it before she is sent back to the kitchen in disgrace?Introducing a feisty new character for girls (and their parents and teachers) who love adventure and want an alternative to 'pink' books. Created by Frances Watts, a CBCA Award Winner and author of the huge bestseller Kisses for Daddy.

The second adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Tommy. Evil plans are stirring and it's up to Tommy to keep the peace at Flamant Castle!While on an errand to the smith in the town, Tommy overhears a plot to poison Sir Walter during a banquet and make it look like the work of a neighbouring nobleman. Tommy must foil the plot or Flamant Castle will be at war.Introducing a feisty new character for girls (and their parents and teachers) who love adventure and want an alternative to 'pink' books. Created by Frances Watts, a CBCA Award Winner and author of the huge bestseller Kisses for Daddy.

The spellbinding new historical novel from multi-award-winning Australian author Frances Watts Ages 12+ When Kasumi leaves her remote village for the teeming city of Edo, her life is transformed. As a lady-in-waiting in a samurai mansion she discovers a rare talent for art and falls in love with a young samurai. How could she ever return to the life of a simple mountain girl? But Kasumi must set aside her own concerns. Her country is on the brink of change and Edo is simmering with tension. And her mistress has a dangerous secret-a secret that Kasumi is gradually drawn into... Set against the vivid backdrop of nineteenth-century Japan, THE PEONY LANTERN is a powerful story of art, love and friendship, and finding your own path. Ages 12+ PRAISE 'Lyrical, fascinating and evocative, Frances Watts' work is always extraordinary' Jackie French, bestselling author of TO LOVE A SUNBURNT COUNTRY 'The beauty of Watts' writing leads us through an exciting narrative, the mystery's solution...

Another adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Thomasina. Tommy is invited to a tournament, but there's just one problem: she has never ridden a horse before.Flamant Castle is having a tournament! But when one of the squires is injured during practice, Sir Benedict asks Tommy to take his place. He even offers her one of his own horses to ride. It's a dream come true for Tommy. There's just one problem: she has never ridden a horse before - and every time she tries to ride Bess, the horse throws her off! Time is running out... How will Tommy be able to compete?

Ernie Eggers is thrilled when he wins a superhero contest and becomes Extraordinary Ernie (after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and all day Saturday). But his excitement turns to dismay when he discovers that his sidekick is a sheep. It doesn't take him long to realise, though, that there has never been another sheep quite like Marvellous Maud.PRAISE for Ernie & Maud:'a tale of patience, courage and, above all, friendship' Sunday Mail Adelaide'just right for newly independent readers, with plenty of interesting vocabulary ... [the] illustrations are terrific' Gleebooks gleaner zine'[a] super new series' Cooma-Monaro Express'Perfect for early readers with a sense of humour and a love of alliteration' Sunday Age Melbourne'a fantastic new series for young readers' Bendigo Weekly'very funny ... There is plenty to entertain proficient readers. Highly recommended' Aussiereviews.com'[a] snappy series debut ......

Another adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Thomasina. Evil plans are stirring and it's up to Tommy to save Flamant Castle!When Sir Walter, Sir Benedict and the other knights go to nearby Roses Castle for a tournament, the enemy knights from Malice attack Flamant. The only hope of rescue lies in getting a message to Sir Benedict, a day's ride away. But the castle is surrounded and there's no way out! With the help of her friends, Tommy devises a daring plan. Can she save Flamant Castle before it's too late?

′So many secrets ... so many lies ...′ Time is running out, as Queen Eugenia prepares to crown herself the absolute ruler of Greater Gerander. And so Alistair and Tibby Rose travel deep into dangerous territory on a daring mission to stop her, while Alice and Alex risk their lives by returning to the enemy stronghold they so recently fled. They must act now to restore Zanzibar to the throne, or lose their homeland forever. But Zanzibar has a secret. And it may cost Alistair his life ... Ages:9-12

After discovering their parents are still alive and their homeland of Gerander is in danger, mouse triplets Alistair, Alice, and Alex, and their friend Tibby Rose, have joined the underground rebel organization FIG. In quick measure, FIG orders Alex and Alice go undercover in Souris to infiltrate Queen Eugenia's palace while Alistair and Tibby Rose are sent to discover Gerander's secret paths, which may be the key Gerandans need to triumph and for the triplets to rescue their parents.Enemy spies, attacking eagles, and blizzarding mountaintops seem all the more challenging when there is a lack of good cheese available, but these four young mice respond with endless creativity and determination. Cheeky and entertaining, The Spies of Gerander is an action filled sequel to the first book in The Song of the Winns series, The Secret of the Ginger Mice.

Another adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Thomasina. Pigeon goes missing, and only Tommy can find her friend and save Lady Beatrix's birthday celebrations!It's Lady Beatrix's birthday, and Sir Walter is planning a celebration at Flamant Castle. There will be games and competitions and a big surprise party. Everyone at the castle is excited ... except the pigeon. But the pigeon is needed for a very special job - and when he goes missing, it looks like Sir Walter's plans will be ruined. Can Tommy find her friend and save the celebrations?

Someone's playing naughty tricks on the residents of Flamant Castle and the blame's fallen on Tommy! Can she find out the truth? Another adventure in the Sword Girl series featuring the feisty Thomasina.A trickster is turning life at Flamant Castle upside down. Someone has put sneezing powder in the knights' soup and itching powder in Sir Walter's sheets and changed the salt for sugar in Mrs Moon's kitchen. At first the tricks seem funny, but Sir Benedict is not amused. He thinks the trickster is Tommy - and unless the tricks stop, he will send her away from the castle! Can she find out who the real trickster is before she is banished forever?

Ernie and Maud are thrilled to be attending the National Superheroes Conference with the other superheroes from Baxter. But when the conference is disrupted by Chicken George-the most terrifying and villainous chicken anyone has ever seen-it will take more than just an ordinary superhero to save the day.PRAISE for The Greatest Sheep in History:'With themes of bravery, understanding and overcoming fears, this is a fresh take on the superhero ideal with plenty of giggles' Sun-Herald'There is a lot to enjoy ... not least the hilarious character-filled drawings by Judy Watson' Magpies magazine'blends reality and imagination in a giggle-full adventure' Aussiereviews.com

From bestselling and award-winning author Frances Watts comes the first in an incredibly exciting new series of standalone historical novels. On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, Claudia is unexpectedly summoned to Rome by the father she hasn't seen in ten years, a wealthy and powerful senator. She finds herself with both a new family and a luxurious new home in the capital of the world's greatest empire. But Claudia soon discovers a contest of power and ambition is secretly being waged - and she is the prize. torn between two rivals for her hand in marriage, she must choose between her duty and her heart ... a choice that could have deadly consequences. From multi-award-winning author Frances Watts comes a gripping mystery of love and intrigue set in Ancient Rome.

The adventures of Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud continue ... but what-or who-is making the usually cheerful and dependable Maud so grumpy? And why are she and Ernie arguing all the time? It seems to Ernie that being his sidekick just isn't important to Maud anymore. Then Valiant Vera says that if the two trainee superheroes can't work together, they will be thrown out of the Superheroes Society! Ernie and Maud must learn the value of teamwork (and how to get a sheep out of a tree) before it's too late.PRAISE for The Middle Sheep:'entertaining and unusual. I would recommend it for all ages' Illawarra Mercury'the bright cover promises what the book delivers. Altogether an attractive package' Magpies magazine'A 2008 favourite ... Extraordinary Ernie & Marvellous Maud and its sequel The Middle Sheep: Lighthearted Australian novels with infectiously likeable characters' Gleebooks gleaner zine