New Releases by Gillian Shields

There once was a bear who was very fine. He was so polished and clean and proud. And that made him the Do Not Touch bear. As time passed, he become worn and gray and much less fine. But he was also loved by a little girl. And that made him the Perfect Bear.

A snowy, sparkly story perfect for cosy winter days. Its Christmas Eve and Sams dad has set off into the forest. He promised to be home when the first flakes of snow started to fall, but now its cold and dark and theres no snow . . . And no sign of Dad. Sam makes a special snowflake, but will it help Dad to find his way home for Christmas morning?

The six mermaids speed their way to the glowing underwater volcanoes where they plan to wrest the stolen Snow Diamonds from Mantora''s clutches. Poppy, knowing she has one last chance to prove herself as a worthy Sister of the Sea, organises a courageous stand against Mantora and lifts her friends'' spirits as they succeed in winning the precious Snow Diamonds back. However their adventures are not over until they have returned the Snow Diamonds to a casket in Ice Kingdom. They must combine the special magic from their Stardust Lockets to release Princess Arctica from an evil spell and restore Ice Kingdom to its former glory.

The waters by the Golden Coast are already getting warmer and the six brave Sisters of the Sea must move quickly to ensure that they find the third Snow Diamond. But the riddle Mantora has left for them to solve is very puzzling and the mermaids need to use all their ingenuity if they are to succeed . . .

The evil Mantora has stolen six precious Snow Diamonds from Ice Kingdom. If they are not found quickly, and returned to their rightful place, then Ice Kingdom will melt, causing devastation to many creatures'' habitats - including that of the Merfolk''s. However, with each hidden Snow Diamond, Mantora has left a clue to where the next one can be found. It is up to six young mermaids to solve all the riddles in time for Ice Kingdom to be saved. Amber leads her friends to the first Snow Diamond and the next clue. When they help a young Inuit girl to save her friend, a beluga whale, the mermaids are introduced to a humpback whale who will carry them swiftly to their next destination aboard the Whale Express.

The water levels are rising and it has become more and more apparent to the mermaids that they must act fast to find the remaining two Snow Diamonds and return them to Ice Kingdom. Becky works out from the riddle left by Mantora with the last Snow Diamond that they will have to find a young human girl in order to retrieve the final Diamond.

Riding on the back of Monty, the Whale Express, to the Beachcomber Islands, the mermaids come under attack from a whaling boat. Jess devises an ingenious plan to outwit the whalers and to help the smaller sea life at the bottom of the ocean as well. Jess puts herself into a lot of danger to save her friends, but her actions also lead the brave mermaids towards the next Snow Diamond.

The starlight baby cries out in the night for a mother to care for it.

Welcome to the world, Angel Baby! ''Angel Baby is fast asleep, dreaming of heaven and counting sheep.'' But watch out...when Angel Baby wakes up he becomes Hungry Baby, Busy Baby and Soapy Baby!

There''s quite a difference between being big and being little… Whilst Big Sister roller skates, Little Sister hesitates, and whilst Big Sister plays princess, Little Sister holds her dress. Nevertheless, Big Sister and Little Sister can''t help but have fun together. With thoroughly appealing central characters and a simple rhythmic text, this is a delightful book to share with the very young and a joyful celebration of sisterly relationships.

Zara can’t wait for the new baby – he will be just like her friend’s baby brother, Max. But when Zack finally arrives, something isn’t right – he has stripes instead of spots, and he doesn’t look anything like Max. Zara wishes Zack was the same as everyone else, until she sees just how special and perfect he is at being Zack . . . A warm, gentle story about learning to love difference in others.

Ben''s favourite person in the whole, wide world is Gran, and Gran''s favourite person is Ben. There is only one problem -- they live a whole, wide world apart. Now Gran is coming to visit. But with rocky rivers, scorching deserts and seasick cats to contend with, will she ever reach Ben''s in time for tea? The split page design allows children to follow Gran''s amazing journey at the same time as watching Ben busy making his preparations for her visit.