Fiction
The Giants and the Joneses
Egmont,
isbn 1844405508
My longest book! And it is going to be made into a film by Warner Brothers and Heyday Productions (the team behind the Harry Potter films).
It’s for 7-11-year olds, and I hope will reach those who enjoyed The Gruffalo but now want something more challenging.
Inspired by my son Alastair, who as a child was an avid collector of anything and everything, it tells the story of three human children (or “iggly plops” in giant language) and a girl giant, Jumbeelia, who first collects and then neglects them. Stranded in the land of giants, the Joneses find themselves at the mercy of Jumbeelia’s sadistic brother Zab, and have to draw on all their resources to hatch an escape plan. The book features an invented language, Groilish, and there is a dictionary at the back. The line drawings are by Paul Hess. There is also an audio version, read by Helen Lederer
"so good in so many ways that it’s hard to know where to start… Donaldson’s stroke of genius is Groilish, the giants’ wonderfully onomatopoeic language… this adventure is set to be a giant hit." The Herald
There is also an audio edition read by Helen Lederer.
If you'd like to have a go at the the Groilish quiz and worksheet, click groilish.pdf to download it then print it out.
Princess Mirror-Belle
Macmillan,
isbn 0330415301
The idea for this book came from my oldest son Hamish whose reflection was his imaginary friend.
Ellen’s reflection announces that she is a princess, and she turns out to be a very boastful and bossy one, who climbs out of the mirror and gets shy Ellen into all sorts of unexpected adventures. There are six stories in the book, and in each one Mirror-Belle appears from a different mirror. The line drawings are by Lydia Monks.
There is also an audio version, read by June Whitfield, and there are plans for a television series. Mirror-Belle’s further adventures can be read in Princess Mirror-Belle and the Magic Shoes and Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse.
"A pinkly perfect story for all little girls with an imaginary friend and a hidden naughty streak." The Guardian
There is also an audio edition read by June Whitfield.
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Magic Shoes
Macmillan,
isbn 1405048670
“They’re magic shoes," said Princess Mirror-Belle. "As soon as I put them on, my feet start dancing and I can’t stop till the soles are worn out."
Six stories for 6-9-year-olds, recounting the further adventures of Ellen and her boastful mirror image, Princess Mirror-Belle.
There is also an audio edition, read by Sophie Thompson.
There is also an audio edition read by Sophie Thomson.
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse
Macmillan
isbn 0-330-43795-X
“My horse’s name is Little Lord Lightning. He’s been suffering from wing-ache recently.”
This book contains five new stories for 6-9-year-olds about Ellen and her unconventional friend who appears out of mirrors and claims to come from a mysterious, faraway palace.
There is also an audio edition read by Sophie Thompson.
The Dinosaur’s Diary
Puffin,
isbn 0-14-131382-X
When I was a child I went to a lecture about dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, and was amazed to learn that most of them were not giants but about the size of a hen.
The Dinosaur’s Diary is about one of these small creatures, who lives in perpetual terror of T Rex and the like. When she falls into a mysterious pool and finds herself on a modern farm, things don’t get any easier. How do you keep thirteen growing baby dinosaurs safe and secret?
The line drawings for this novel for 6-9-year-olds are by Debbie Boon. There is also an excellent audio version, read by Emma Chambers.
"canters along, full of fun and energy." The Scotsman
For a Dinosaur's Diary activity sheet, click dinosaur.pdf
There is also an audio edition read by Emma Chambers.