The Cook and the King (Aziza's Secret Fairy Door, 293)

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In this story of hope and endurance, we follow a scientist and her team during their search for the elusive 'Giant Arctic Jellyfish'. Old folk were kids however, some even had the delight of reading to their children and in later life still the joy of sharing books with grandchildren. I might be getting old but I haven’t regressed into children’s story books and one single verb sentences.

but the king is very fussy; he tries all the cooks in the kingdom, but no one is good enough. Then he spots Wobbly Bob. Maybe Bob can whip up his favourite dinner? But how will Bob be able to cook for the king when he's scared of . . . well, everything?! A deliciously funny cooking adventure from the stellar picture-book partnership of Julia Donaldson and David Roberts. Discover how the hungry king helps Wobbly Bob face his fears on a cooking adventure across the land and sea. The ensuing story shows the king learning to take care of his own needs while teaching the squirrelly chef what really needs doing in the kitchen. The book is funny and a sly mini-documentary on getting people to help themselves. After all, we only truly appreciate a reward when we’ve earned it fairly and through our own efforts.

David Almond introduces his new picture book, A Way to the Stars, a story about perseverance and finding a way to make dreams come true. What follows is an insight into a modern way of working together; in the process both have fun and I’m guessing the king as never been more content with his monarchy and office. There's a hullabaloo at the seaside when a toddler takes his friends on a stroll to the end of the pier. There are buzzing bees, bicycle bells and a whole beachful of noisy fun. Even the smallest t... Read more This wasn't a problem as my six year old knew the story and was keen to asked to keep this book, The Cook And The King, which is a great story to read, the story tells how the King begins his search of finding a cook, but ends up employing Wobbly Bob who s anything but a cook! And what the king fails to realise is he does his own cooking but only once he’s caught his own fish, oh and dug up some potatoes to cut into chips to go with his fish. A very amusing, funny, witty and silly multi talented King indeed. Julia Donaldson is the author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was Children's Laureate 2011-13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.

A brilliantly funny story all about celebrating difference, from the stellar picture-book partnership of Julia Donaldson and David Roberts – perfect for young dinosaur fans everywhere! One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading. As with all brilliant children’s books the final words are missing. You will have to listen carefully but a little voice will say “Again.” and if not too tired “Again please.” One of my television songs, A Squash and a Squeeze, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. In Poems to Perform, Julia Donaldson has chosen poems with performance by children in mind, and her notes and ideas on performing them are included in a special section at the end of the ... Read more

There's harmony in the air when the animals get together to make music and put on a concert with a difference!

More about Julia: “I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him). There was once a very hungry king, who needed a cook like anything... the story begins. But none of the applicants seem to match his high standards. Enter Wobbly Bob, the chef who would love to attempt all of the King's culinary challenges if only he dared. His chant of "I'm scared! I'm scared! I'm terribly scared!" was enjoyed by my Reception class. They seemed to understand the humour of the ending, that it was actually the King who had managed to prepare the delicious meal by helping Bob with every stage of the process, yet he ends up hiring him because he believed it was Bob who was the fantastic cook. As one of my 5 year olds so shrewdly observed:- " he doesn't need a cook after all, he can do it all himself!" My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes. There's a commotion in the classroom as Goat and the other animals spend the day at playgroup. The musical instruments and the dressing up box are lots of fun, but - oh dear! - Goat gets into a mud... Read more The Paper Dolls is a stunning, lyrical story of childhood, memory and the power of imagination from Julia Donaldson, the author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Rebec... Read moreThe Cook and the King is a brilliantly funny story from the award-winning picture book duo Julia Donaldson and David Roberts, creators of Tyrannosaurus Drip. With fun rhyming verse and richly detailed illustrations, this is sure to become a firm favourite with children and adults alike. A brilliantly entertaining 'be-careful-what-you-wish-for' tale that's full of farmyard fun – from the bestselling Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Anna Currey in her charming, classic style. Read more Written by Julia Donaldson, the author of The Gruffalo, and illustrated by Karen George, Freddie and the Fairy is a delightfully witty, rhyming tale. I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married. Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.