Ben Baxter Investigates the Haunted Vicarage and Other Mysteries

As Ben Baxter continues to write his diary, we find him faced with several more curious crimes and the odd mystery. He is helped as usual by his pal Johnny, his sister Katie and Chippy. Ben and Johnny return to being store detectives; this time, however, they have been invited back by the store manager. Knowing they have solved crimes in the past, the manager has offered to show them his store’s crime prevention set up. However, things don’t run as smoothly as expected, which leads to a certain amount of danger and excitement all round!

Soon after this, Ben’s detective team gains a new assistant in the form of Millie. She is an ex-police sniffer dog who was injured during the course of her work. Although largely recovered from her injuries, the police decide she should be retired and rehomed. What better home to go to than Ben and Katie’s, where she will be well-loved and possibly help sniff out the odd crime? She does indeed prove valuable in this respect.

When it comes to investigating a haunted room in a local vicarage, even Millie’s hair is seen to stand on end. What on earth is behind this spooky business which we are told has been happening on and off over the last one hundred years?

Benevolence the Tree

Benevolence is a tree that helps everyone who comes to her. But who will help Benevolence when she is in need? 

This is a fun, short, wholesome rhyming story that endeavours to educate young readers about the important role of trees in our world.      

Benjamin's Birthday

Everyone loves toys, although nowadays they are becoming more and more sophisticated and electronic.

But for really young children, the old favourites are still the best. Teddy bears and all forms of cuddly toys are what toddlers seek. So, what would they give to be able to play with them if they came to life.

Benjamin Roy is a typical fun-loving five-year-old who can’t believe his eyes when a glove puppet in the form of a grey and white rabbit gives him a wink and comes to life.

Benjamin’s Birthday is the fourth in the series, following Benny’s Arrival, Benny and Teddy’s Day Out, and Benny’s Sports Day.

Benji Yahoo And His Friends: The Disco

The summer break has ended, so Benji and his friends return to Crossom Dale School for a new semester. On arrival, they receive the news that the school is including a drama class in the new term. The pupils are thrilled with the news, especially when Principle Sannen announces that there is a disco on the forthcoming Friday to introduce the new drama teacher Sylvester Appleyard. Benji and his friends are really excited, for they have never been to a disco before. But when Benji's school rival, Victor, begins to taunt Benji on his lack of dance skills, plus, along with his wily friends, puts on an amazing disco dance display in the canteen, making the girls cheer loudly in admiration, Benji and his friends feel humiliated. The pressure is on. Can Benji, Denny, Quarter, Qui Qui and Millie learn to dance by Friday? ... Or will Victor and his wily friends laugh them off the dance floor?

Benjy and the Butterfly Air Show

Being a beautiful butterfly is a lovely existence – spending your days fluttering from flower to flower and supping tasty pollen. But it can also be a pretty scary existence since you represent a tasty meal for many birds, dragonflies, spiders and lots of other adversaries.

There is a lot of danger out there and you have to be very careful, very watchful and very skilful in your manoeuvres to avoid being picked off.

In this little book, children will learn to name many of the butterflies they see each summer in England and also learn about the hazards that butterflies face on a daily basis – including coping with the British weather!

The book is designed to be proactive for young children when read with an adult and involves the child taking a role in each page, responding verbally and physically as well as singing along with the butterfly song!

Bertha Spankle

Bertha Spankle is a clumsy soul who dreams of seeing the world. These tales take her on heart-stopping adventures, which teach her to follow her dreams.

Bertha finds herself in many life-changing situations, but manages to persevere… you never know what you are capable of until you try!

Bertie’s Amazing Tales

Dear Reader,

Bertie was inspired by my own daughter, Ellen, whose daddy always called her ‘Bertie’ when she was little (and indeed, even when she was not so little!)

These stories are often, but not always, based on things that happened to Ellen as she was growing up ... I will leave it to you to decide which events are real, which are made up and which are a mixture of both.

Great-Aunt Jacinda’s house was a very real place ... as are Bertie’s many, many cousins. Again, I have mixed reality and imagination with most of the characters in the stories ... and as before, it is for you to decide where reality ends and imagination takes over – or should that be the other way around?

So, I hope you enjoy reading about Bertie and I hope Ellen’s memories of her childhood are as magical as Bertie’s.

With love ... and keep reading!

Moya Banks

X

PS: Pirates for ever!

Betty’s Bedtime Adventure

Betty has been told that her grandad is gone forever, but she knows that he isn’t. She believes he is up in the stars. So instead of lying in bed, asleep, she is looking through her telescope, fuelled by chocolate biscuits, hunting the night sky for him.

But Betty quickly realises that there is a problem.

A big one!

All the stars look the same. So, full of disappointment she makes a wish upon a star...

Follow Betty on her adventure to find her beloved grandad, learning the comforting lesson that people we love will always be with us, no matter how far away they may seem.

What do you wish upon a star?

Between Two Homes

Ben and his sister, Beth, live with their parents by the beach. They love walking together with their dog, Toby. Suddenly, one day Ben's father tells them he is moving. Ben's life is shattered as he realises his parents are separating, but gradually he learns to adjust to the situation. The story follows his, and his family's journey while presenting a positive and optimistic perspective about the whole situation. It is a story of developing resilience, and gives children an opportunity to discuss this situation, and how to cope with stressful situations while coming out on top. A great resource for schools and parents.

Beyond the Garden Gate

THE SAPPHIRE BELL

The Sapphire Bell has fallen silent…

Its hammer has been stolen and must be returned by sunset,

or the power of sleep will be lost forever.

In a race against time, a gang of heroic friends set out in search

of the precious object.

There are tough decisions, brave acts, and strange magic, but

evil stands in their way at every turn.

The sun is setting with relentless gravity and the hammer is

still beyond reach.

Time is running out and no-one wants to be awake forever.

Bigger

There once was a pony,

He was ever so small.

He wanted to grow,

To reach the mark that said ‘tall’.

This is the story of one little pony who wants to be as big as a thoroughbred horse. It’s not too much to ask for, is it? With the help of his farm friends, and a naughty mouse, will he finally reach up to the sky or will he learn something quite unexpected instead?

Billy Bookley and My Book of Magic Tricks

Billy Bookley and His Book of Magic Tricks is a fantastically fun story, full of warmth, adventure and the rising of an underdog.Billy Bookley is a poor and lonely young boy, whose long school days are cruelly spent being teased and bullied by the horrible boys and girls in his class just for the way he looks. Then one day, a magical twist of fate and fortune gives him the opportunity to finally turn the tables on his bullies – once and for all! This will change both his and their lives forever.Will he triumph against the odds? Will Billy take advantage of this chance at glory? Will he risk being brave? Will he dare to grasp this chance to take revenge on his bullies? Or will it all prove too much for this one quiet young boy to handle alone?Only time will tell what the future holds for Billy Bookley!