New Releases by Laurence Anholt

A dazzling dawn breaks over the Stonehenge midwinter solstice, where the assembled new-age revellers are horrified to discover a green-painted human hand dangling from beneath a mound of snow, high on one of the stone lintels. Leading the investigation into this peculiar death is DI Shanti Joyce and her partner, Vincent Caine. To Shanti''s chagrin the pair have become known as ''the go-to team for weird stuff in the West Country'' and this festive fatality is the mother and Father Christmas of odd and ritualistic crimes. Amidst the swirling flurries of Salisbury Plain, the unlikely duo discover that the deceased is none other than Hector Lovell-Finch, the eccentric Earl of Lovell Court, known to all as ''Finch'' - and who also happens to be the father of the notoriously right-wing MP, Quentin Lovell-Finch. It is no secret that relations between father and son have become decidedly frosty since Finch''s acrimonious divorce from Quentin''s mother, his conversion to environmentalism, and second marriage to an indigenous Brazilian environmentalist half his age. Now there is the icy issue of who will inherit the ancient Lovell-Finch Estate. To make things more complicated, single mum Shanti has faithfully promised her son, Paul a magical Christmas with all the trimmings. Can this most knotty of English murders be untwined in just five days? And will the unlikely detective duo celebrate the season with merriment, mindfulness and mistletoe? Praise for Solstice of Death ''Quirky, engrossing and can be devoured at any time'' Devon Life Praise for Laurence Anholt ''A super start to the series'' Frances Brody ''An entertaining murder mystery . . . witty'' L C Tyler ''This quirky, fast-paced crime mystery is magically entertaining'' Dundee Courier ''Quirky, compelling and thoroughly enjoyable'' Kate Ellis

Discover the story of Mary Anning, the world''s best-known fossil hunter. As a baby, Mary was struck by lightning, then as a little girl she found a fossilised sea monster, the most important prehistoric discovery of its time. This spectacular tale of a little girl who dared to be different and who followed her dreams will inspire young children. Beautiful illustrations and narrative text help children to learn how Mary discovered new fossils – and how her observations rocked the natural history world. Be inspired by Mary''s work as a woman in the field of science – especially as her achievements weren''t recognised until after her death. Perfect for kids interested in dinosaurs and rocks, and for parents looking for strong female role models in science. If you liked this, you might like the Anholt''s Artists series.

''Quirky, compelling and thoroughly enjoyable'' Kate Ellis ''A super start to the series'' Frances Brody ''An entertaining murder mystery . . . witty'' L C Tyler Buddhism, love, art and murder - welcome to the world of the Mindful Detective When a famously narcissistic performance artist is found floating in a tank of formaldehyde at her own private view, suspicion falls on those closest to her . . . Leading the murder investigation is DI Shanti Joyce, recently transferred from London to Yeovil following the collapse of her marriage and a case that went wrong. She soon concludes that the mystery requires left-field thinking, and when a colleague at the station suggests Vince Caine, aka the Mindful Detective, Shanti tracks him down to his remote cabin on the Undercliff at Lyme Regis. The pair delve into the artist''s Bohemian circle and discover a hotbed of resentment and jealousy stretching all the way back to her scandalous art school days in Falmouth. But as they soon realise, the murderer is both canny and elusive - someone with a complex, warped motive who will do anything to point them elsewhere. Has Shanti made the wrong decision enlisting the unconventional and enigmatic Caine? Can the unlikely mix of her down-to-earth pragmatism and his otherworldly intuition really prove a winning combination? Or will a killer escape justice and leave Shanti''s reputation in tatters?

WINNER OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION''S YOUNG QUILLS AWARD 2017 Jack has left his native Ireland and is making a new life as Professor of Neurology at a university in the American South. He has certain skills, honed over his lifetime, that he mostly keeps hidden. Skills in hypnotism and mind control . . . Thirteen-year-old Pip is plucked out of an orphanage by a farmer, hired as a farm-hand, and as carer for the farmer''s wife. But Pip is black. The farmer and his wife are white. And this is 1960s America, where race defines you and overshadows everything. As racial tensions reach boiling point with a danger closer to home and more terrifying than either thought possible, Jack and Pip''s lives become inextricably linked. And Jack''s hypnotic skills are called on as never before . . .

The next title in the best-selling Anholt''s Artists series. When little Mariana goes to Frida Kahlo’s house to be painted by the famous Mexican artist, she is scared. She’s a bit afraid of the beautiful lady with her exotic pets and her ‘frog-toad’ — and she’s heard that Frida keeps a skeleton in her bedroom. But as Frida paints Mariana, their friendship blossoms. Frida tells Mariana about her life and the terrible accident that almost killed her, while Mariana discovers how love, creativity, determination and, above all, courage, can give you wings to fly.

Marie dreams of becoming the most famous ballerina in the world. When she joins the ballet school in Paris, she notices a fierce man sitting at the side, sketching the dancers. The man is the painter, Edgar Degas, and his clay model of Marie does indeed make her the most famous dancer of all.

Part of the highly-successful Anholt''s Artists series about great painters, which tells the stories of real meetings between world-famous artists and the children who knew them. When Julie''s dog disappears into a mysterious garden, Julie follows him - and finds herself in a beautiful garden-within-a-garden where the roses grow like splashes of paint and a Japanese bridge bows over a silent pool. There she finds not only her dog, but also Claude Monet. The famous artist introduces her to his work and his garden, giving her encouragement that the young would-be artist will never forget. Set against the romantic, world-famous backdrop of Monet''s garden at Giverny, the story is accompanied by reproductions of the artist''s most celebrated paintings and a biographical note on Monet.

New in Paperback. The twins Meret and Bella love their grandfather, Papa Chagall, and he loves telling them stories. One day, when they visit him in his studio, he tells them about his life - through four different stories, all told during a day they spend together. "Anholt''s colorful, squiggly artwork complements Chagall''s own paintings, six of which are reproduced in the story. Several of Anholt''s illustrations echo Chagall''s works--both in composition and style--which makes for a pleasing mix." - Booklist

A classic picture book story to reassure children who are nervous about starting school. Billy is not at all sure about starting school. In fact, he wishes he could stay at home with his mum. But with some gentle encouragement and the help of a new friend, Billy soon discovers that school can be a lot of fun! Young children and adults alike will enjoy sharing and talking about this much-loved classic picture book, with its delightful and amusing insight into the joys and trepidations of starting school. ''Full of reassurance, this is the ideal book for a child nervous about the big day'' - The Bookseller From the husband and wife team behind Babies, Babies, Babies, featured in the Sunday Times as one of their top 100 Children''s Modern Classics.

Meet Tina - the tiniest of all Ruby''s relations! Join Ruby and Tina as they continue the hilarious tour of their crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

Meet Bruno - the bravest of all Ruby''s relations! Join Ruby and Bruno as they continue the hilarious tour of their crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

Meet Harold - the hairiest of all Ruby''s relations! Join Ruby and Harold as they continue the hilarious tour of their crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

Meet Tina - the tiniest of all Ruby''s relations! Join Ruby and Tina as they continue the hilarious tour of their crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

Meet Ben - the bendiest of all Ruby''s relations! Join Ruby and Ben as they continue the hilarious tour of their crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

This is the sixth title in the highly-successful Anholt''s Artists series about great painters. Each book tells the story of real meetings between a world-famous artist and a child who inspired him in his work, with reproductions of some of the artist''s most famous works. This book describes the close relationship between Matisse and Monique, a young girl who wants to become a nun. Matisse develops a sketch drawn by Monique into a set of stained-glass windows and starts raising money to build a chapel for the nuns at Vence, in south-west France. Finally one morning when the chapel is finished, Monique sees the special magic of Matisse''s design: when the sun''s rays creep into the chapel, transforming its black and white interior into a fantastic sea of blue and green light!

Meet Boris - the brainiest of all Ruby''s relations! Join Ruby and Boris as they continue the hilarious tour of their crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

Meet Ruby - the rudest of all the relations! Join her for a hilarious tour of her crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

Meet Micky - the muckiest of all Ruby''s relations! Join Ruby and Micky as they continue the hilarious tour of their crazy family in this delightful new spin on Laurence Anholt''s much-loved series. With the original fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, these popular books have been refreshed for a vibrant and contemporary feel.

Tiny Tom Thumb may be a ghost the size of a stick of gum, but he knows how to make a lot of scarily MASSIVE mischief!

When Ghostyshocks messes with some mad, mangy and murderous mummies, she''s BOUND to get TANGLED up in all sorts of trouble!

Hansel and Gretel''s evil stepmother sends them into space - and into the clutches of the even more evil Space Witch!

Snow Fright loves being scared... and she''s in for the fright of her life when she gets locked in the terrifying ROLLER GHOSTER!

Jack trades his favourite creepy-crawly for a magic spider''s egg - and goes on a wriggly, wormy, gigantic insect adventure!

Cinderella''s not scared of ANYTHING - not even the ghastliest, ghostliest, creepiest, spookiest party of all time...

Traces the rags-to-riches journey of the artist from his topsy-turvy cottage life in Russia through the dark years of World War I and his emergence in southern France, in a portrait complemented by reproductions of Chagall''s work.

Once upon a time there was a football-crazy boy, a fun-free town and a girl who got lost in the forest - but did they all live happily ever after? Open up to find out what happens next in these brain-ticklingly brilliant Seriously Silly Stories! They''re scarily silly! Includes Cinderboy, The Fried Piper of Hamstring (Shortlisted for the Notts Children''s Book Award), Ghostyshocks and the Three Scares (Children''s Book Award Pick of the Year).

Once upon a time there was a Big Bad Girl, a miller''s daughter and a teeny-tiny turnip - but did they all live happily ever after? Open up to find out what happens next in these brain-ticklingly brilliant Seriously Silly Stories! They''re scarily silly! Includes Little Red Riding Wolf, Rumply Crumply Stinky Pin and The Rather Small Turnip.

A gentle sensitive story about family separation.

Once upon a time there were seven aliens, some giant knickers and a beastly bride - but did they all live happily ever after? Open up to find out what happens next in these brain-ticklingly brilliant Seriously Silly Stories! They''re scarily silly! Includes the Smarties Award-winning Snow White and the Seven Aliens, The Emperor''s Underwear and Billy Beast.

Once upon a time there was a silly-billy who carried a cow, a Bad Hair Witch and three pesky pigs - but did they all live happily ever after? Open up to find out what happens next in these brain-ticklingly brilliant Seriously Silly Stories! They''re scarily silly! Includes Daft Jack and the Bean Stack (shortlisted for the Sheffield Children''s Book Award), Shampoozel (Children''s Book Award Pick of the Year) and Eco-Wolf and the Three Pigs (shortlisted for Blue Peter Book Awards).