Author:Wendy Cooling,Steve Cox
The Puffin Book of Stories for Five-year-olds edited by Wendy Cooling brings together stories perfectly suited for every five-year-old.
A brimming collection of exciting stories, full of adventure and magic, by much-loved writers, including Margaret Mahy, Ted Hughes and Malorie Blackman.
From a naughty pirate to a very lonely lion, children will love the amazing characters they meet in this timeless collection.
Perfect for five-year-olds to share or read aloud.
Wendy Cooling was educated in Norwich and then spent time travelling the world. On her return to England she trained as a teacher, and taught English in London for many years. She left teaching to work on the promotion of books and reading as Head of the Children's Book Foundation (now Booktrust), and later founded Bookstart, the national programme that helps to bring books to young readers.
A remarkable range of materials... satisfying to nibble at, or provide a rich blend of flavours if attacked at one or two sittings ... worth the investment
—— The Times Educational SupplementA little nostalgia never goes amiss at Christmas. So, if you remember Dogger, Alfie and Lucy and Tom, they are all here, in this vast collection. Ranging from early stories and rhymes to longer tales for older juniors, this lavishly illustrated collection makes a lovely family gift.
—— CarouselJamila Gavin is one of our most consistently good writers of fiction for children young and old […] the feel is timeless, but the stories are all original, touched with the magic of Gavin’s vibrant and varied imagination.
—— Independent on SundayGavin’s six stories are spooky, engaging and refreshing in their originality. Complemented by Richard Collingridge’s atmospheric illustrations, this lovely book deserves to become a classic.
—— Marilyn Brocklehurst , BooksellerAbsolutely gorgeous . . . Perfect for sharing and for reading alone, I can't recommend Blackberry Blue and Other Fairy Tales highly enough.
—— The BookbagAll the traditional elements of fairy tales are here, making this storytelling at its best.
—— Vanessa Lewis , BooksellerBeautifully told, magical, dark and mysterious in the best fairytale tradition . . . these are exactly the stories a 21st century classroom needs. The stories will be a joy to read aloud but the beautiful illustrations by the talented Richard Collingridge are crying out to be appreciated by an individual reader tucked away in a classroom book corner.
—— ReadingZoneThe collection of stories were fantastic. There are six altogether and I would have problems picking out my favourite to be honest, I loved them all.
—— readaraptor.co.ukThe quality of the stories is second to none and adults will enjoy reading them with their children just as much as the kids themselves. A real winner, and should be up for several literary prizes
—— Books MonthlyA stunning collection of mystical fairy tales, Blackberry Blue is packed with picturesque moments that will bewitch readers
—— BooktrustSix enchanting examples in the best tradition of storytelling . . . A treat for the
nines-plus.
I fell in love with it . . . an important, essential, beautiful collection of stories.
—— thebooksmugglers.comThe talented Jamila Gavin is an author to watch and these refreshingly original and exciting stories are guaranteed to enchant children of every age.
—— Lancashire Evening PostBlackberry Blue and Other Fairytales is a beautifully written collection of stories that belongs on pretty much everybody's bookshelf. The descriptions that the author gives of these wonderful worlds are just magical and it is so easy to lose yourself in those words. Even though the stories are fairly short I fell deeply into the world created by the author every time and ended up feeling disappointed at the end of each story because I didn't want it to end . . . These stories are beautiful and magical and are perfect for older children and grown-ups alike.
—— onceuponaseries.blogspot.co.ukAn extraordinary and charming read for any young girl or boy.
—— Formby BooksIt is the storytelling and the language that gives the collection the power to entrance; to be drawn into the spell of the story . . . I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the reading.
—— Teaching English Magazine