"Thrilling... action-packed. Russell uses elegant prose and well-timed humor"Publishers Weekly"I couldn't get my son to turn out the light!"Elisabeth Easther, playwright, actor, critic"Action-packed, and truly charming."Radio New ZealandA best-selling, rip-roaring, page-turning tale of dragons and their brave child guardians, with mind-blowing, interactive augmented reality content accessible via free app AR Reads.The Dragon Defenders novel series follow the adventures of Flynn, Paddy, Briar and Beth as they strive to protect their paradise island home - and the dragons that live there - from the clutches of an evil boss. Book One:Flynn and Paddy's family live on a paradise island in the middle of the ocean with their dog, Coco, their horse, Clappers, and Lightning, their pet falcon.But their island also holds an incredible secret: dragons live there!When evil boss The Pitbull finds out, he decides that he wants one for himself. Get ready to be swept away on an unforgettable journey as Flynn and Paddy's world is turned upside down. Will their bravery and skill be enough to protect the dragons from The Pitbull's clutches? The Dragon Defenders series is an adrenaline-fueled saga of epic proportions that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In the following four books, the brothers are joined by the brave, fierce and wonderful Briar, who helps the boys thwart The Pitbull's evil plans. Read them all!Not just a book...Prepare to unlock a whole new level of immersion through the awe-inspiring augmented reality experiences found through the free AR Reads app. Eavesdrop on conversations, crack codes, meet the bad guy face-to-face, all the while interacting with a book like never before.Experience the phenomenon that has captivated readers across New Zealand, where The Dragon Defenders has soared to incredible heights, selling over 50,000 books in that country alone. Author James Russell weaves a tale that embraces themes of family, resourcefulness, teamwork, conservation, and the power of standing up for what you believe in. If you're a fan of Tui T. Sutherland's Wings of Fire series or Christopher Paolini's Eragon, get ready for a new adventure that will ignite your imagination and leave you breathless.Note: the app is not necessary to enjoy the books; they're designed to be read either with or without the use of the app - it's your choice.One more thing to note: This book has a dyslexic friendly font, developed with advice from the Dyslexia Association of New Zealand."An utterly charming story about two young boys who live off the grid, in a way most kids couldn't imagine. They are, of course, independent, brave and resourceful, and completely admirable. The interactive app helps build a spellbinding world."Joan Mackenzie, head book buyer, Whitcoulls"A rollercoaster, laugh-out-loud adventure!" Rachel Eadie, book critic"The best books imaginable to encourage kids to read."Melissa Haslam, parent."Catnip for reluctant readers."Sheila Shelford, parent"Incredibly exhilarating!"Doris Mousdale, Arcadia Books“So gripping...”Finn Buckley, age 11“The bomb!”Seamus O’Sullivan, age 11“Awesome!”Ari O’Malley, age 10“Exciting from the very start!”Theo Head, aged 11“As good as Harry Potter...”Pippa Montgomerie, aged 9

Every night, children look to the sky and wish upon the brightest stars. But high above the world, one little star named Violet wonders why no one ever chooses her.As she watches wish after wish drift toward the biggest stars, Violet begins to believe that being noticed is the same as being important. Maybe she simply doesn't shine brightly enough.Then an unexpected encounter changes the way she sees herself--and the sky forever.The Overlooked Wishing Star is a heartwarming children's picture book for ages 3–7 about self-esteem, confidence, belonging, and discovering the unique light each of us has to share. Through Violet's journey, young readers discover that comparing themselves to others can keep them from seeing the gifts they already possess--and that every child has something meaningful only they can share.Whether your child is naturally shy, struggling with confidence, feeling left out, or simply learning to believe in themselves, Violet's story offers reassurance that their value isn't measured by how much attention they receive, but by the difference they make.

One little girl. One big dream. And hundreds of elephants who needed her.From the moment Daphne discovered the wonders of Africa’s wild animals, she knew they would always hold a special place in her heart. But when orphaned baby elephants began arriving in need of help, Daphne faced a challenge no one had ever solved before.Could she become the mother they had lost?Based on the extraordinary life of Daphne Sheldrick, Mother to Elephants is a heartwarming and inspiring true story about courage, compassion, determination and the remarkable bond between humans and animals.Join Daphne on an unforgettable journey from caring for her first orphaned animals as a child to creating a place where baby elephants could grow strong, learn from one another, and one day return to where they belonged...Wild and free.Beautifully told for young readers, this is a story that will make children wonder, care, and perhaps look at elephants in a whole new way.

Gus is a bus driver with a BIG problem… his bus is missing!Join the fun adventure as Gus races around town looking for his missing bus. Written in lively rhyme, this story will keep children laughing and asking, “Have YOU Seen My Bus?”. Get ready for a wild ride – and a surprise ending you won’t forget. Filled with playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations, this whimsical tale with interactive storytelling encourages participation, sparks the imagination, and turns story time into a fun-filled experience. Children ages 3-7 will love following Gus's journey as they laugh out loud and ask to read it again and again.Perfect for family story time or classroom read-alouds, this story encourages: Kindness to othersProblem-solving skillsListening and comprehension skillsA love of books and readingAdd this fun-filled rhyming adventure to your bookshelf and make story time even more memorable.

The Odd Dog is the story of a quirky stray learning to live with a family for the first time. After being discovered in the wild, Odd finds herself with a loving family but finds her odd dog skills don't get quite the reaction she was expecting. Learn what happens in this silly, sweet story about love, acceptance, and finding where you belong.

At the first coding academy on the moon, constant surveillance doesn’t stop the smartest misfits from plotting their escape—even if it costs them their freedom.Life at the Lunar Coding Complex is boring, not that thirteen-year-old Moon Girl cares. She finds comfort in its predictability—her first real friend and her love of AI coding keep her anxiety in check. When a harmless prank with her charismatic bestie attracts the attention of rebel hackers led by Moon Girl’s crush Dovrin, she’s thrilled to join their crew. But as they uncover Big Smile Corp’s dangerous secrets, Moon Girl faces impossible choices: her friendship, her crush, or everyone’s safety. Even if they crack the system, do they want to escape back to Earth? And if they fail, what will the sinister corporation do to silence them?Fans of The Last Cuentista and His Dark Materials will enjoy How I Hacked the Moon, a thrilling science fiction adventure for middle grade readers from ages nine to adult. Available on Kindle Unlimited.