Best Selling Books by Margaret Bateson

Masha''s mother sells eggs at market, and Masha loves to paint their smooth shells. One day, deep in the forest, Masha meets the magical Firebird, guardian of the eggs of the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. The Firebird asks Masha to paint its eggs so that they blend with the elements, hiding them from the vicious witch, Baba Yaga. At first, the plan works well, but Baba Yaga finally gets her hands on the last egg, and Masha sets off on an amazing journey to find it. This original folktale blends elements of the Firebird legend and traditional European folktales in a bilingual English and Russian text, along with suggestions to inspire children to paint their own eggs.

Retelling of a folktale from the Lakota indians of North America in which a young girl and her grandmother make a star quilt as a celebration of their friendship, love and community. Includes brief factual information on the Lakota indians and instructions for making a star collage. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Everyone''s favourite fairies are off to the Spectacular Spell Competition at the Three Wishes Fairy School, an amazing magical castle set high-up in the mountains. There''s an ice crystal waterfall, a balloon ride to enjoy, magic flying lessons and so many amazing rooms to explore. Read the story, press-out the characters and take them on a tour of this gloriously glittering pop-up school.

A greedy emperor demands an impossible task from Lao Lao, a peasant woman who makes beautiful shapes from paper. Includes instructions for making traditional Chinese paper-cuts.

Presented in the style of traditional folktales of India and Europe Chanda finds herself reduced to a servant in her stepmother''s house when her mother dies and her father marries again. All the lonely girl can do is seek peace walking along the near-by river and gazing into the magical mirror her mother left her as a parting gift. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Little Leah is very concerned about the couple who come seeking a room at her father''s inn. The woman is about to have a baby - and there is nowhere for them to stay except the stable. Here is a heartwarming retelling of the traditional Nativity story. It remains faithful to the gospel accounts but allows us to view them through the eyes of a child. In a deft and utterly convincing conclusion, the reader is drawn into Leah''s belief that the tiny baby in her arms is in fact holding her with unshakeable love.

Bethlehem has never been so busy! Leah, the innkeeper''s daughter, is rushed off her feet. Then in the starlight, miracles begin. This beautiful, fresh new telling of the Nativity story, through the eyes of a young girl, brings a wonderful humanity to this familiar tale. Karin Littlewood is a UK-based illustrator, author, and educator who has illustrated more than thirty books for kids.

Everybody knows and loves this traditional rhyme about 5 intrepid ducks who head off into the hills for adventure. But what happens to them whilst they are away? And why have they gone? Just lift the flaps and find out in this new and endearing interpretation by the talented Roberta Angeletti and Margaret Bateson-Hill. This wonderful picture book is highly interactive, perfect for use in nursery and pre-school. Moreover it helps to promote counting and observational skills and now comes with a CD of nursery rhymes.

Fantasy fiction. A fabulous story about dragons and growing up, for fans of National Velvet.

An imaginative reworking of the popular children''s rhyme.

A winter wonderland! Lily and Rosie are off to the glittering Ice Palace party. Join them as they skate their way through a magical, snow-filled day. Drawer pieces include characters, costumes and dazzling accessories and a host of snowy animals!

Jump aboard the Cherryblossom Balloon and float over meadows to Blossom Orchard. This is where the Cherrytree Fairies live. With several pieces, including a twirling dancer on a stage, a miniature recipe book (with a secret recipe for Fairy Fizz!), this is a pop-up fairy treehouse.

A 3D carousel fairy garden with press-out figures. Come and visit the fairies at the bottom of the garden - everyone is busy for a wedding. Peep inside the house and take the fairy figures through the enchanted garden, where they can sail across the brook and dance until dawn.

Open all four sections, tie back the two blue ribbons, and a fully constructed eight-room dollhouse emerges from between the two slim covers. An affordable taste of the Victorian era, A Victorian Dollhouse is perfect for anyone who cherishes Victorian ephemera.

It''s a dream come true for everyone''s favourite fairies - they are going to be bridesmaids! Join Petal, Poppy and Rose as they put on their pretty dresses, throw confetti and dance the night away at Princess Crystal and Prince Felix''s wedding. Read their story, then unfold this incredible pop-up fairy castle and explore the fairies'' world.

Joanna Morris has no idea that her life is about to change once she shoots to stardom as the youngest racing dragon flyer in the country. Flying Excelsior, the stunning silver spiked-back dragon is more exciting than anything she''s ever known and he''s soon her closest friend in the world. But beneath the glitz and glamour of dragon racing lie burning ambitions and a greed that threatens to consume anything and anyone that stands in the way - including the sport''s rising stars.

A greedy emperor demands an impossible task from Lao Lao, a peasant woman who makes beautiful shapes from paper. Includes instructions for making traditional.

Pages pop open to reveal a castle, complete with fountains, stairways, gardens, and arbors.

Jasper is so busy during his summer on Acorn Farm that he does not notice that a lamb is missing. The reader is invited to press out pieces and use them on the pop-up farm to help find the lost lamb. Includes a pocket for holding the pieces.

This pop-up farm comes complete with panoramic views, pastures, fields, gates, a well preserved period farmhouse, stables, pigeon loft, stream, mill house, working waterwheel, pigsty and many other delightful details.

Pages fold out to create a Victorian market scene, with free standing figures, stalls, etc.

A tired and hungry little girl helps herself to the belongings of three bears in the woods.

This ingenious, fold-out doll''s house is strong enough to hold additional free-standing furniture. The house contains a master bedroom, nursery, hallway, living room, dining room, conservatory, kitchen and luxury bathroom.