Natasha Farrant

What will two children risk to steal an island? From Costa-winning author of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk. Skylar's old friends felt sorry for her but they were too afraid to talk to her. Yakov's old friends were far away, blown across continents by war . . . When Skylar meets Yakov she is still reeling from the news of her grandfather's stroke. Yakov is just desperate to go home. They recognise something in each other: a need for friendship, but something else fizzy beneath the surface. A refusal to accept what life has dealt them; a reckless desire to change things up for the better. So when there's a competition to own nearby Golden Island, it's no surprise they want it. But how can two children possibly win an island? And what will they risk to call it their own? Exquisitely told, with compassion and empathy: an unmissable, life-affirming novel from the inimitable Natasha Farrant. Natasha Farrant's book Voyage of the Sparrowhawk won the Costa Children's Book Award 2020.

Guardian Books of the Year 2019. Here are eight princesses for the Rebel Girls generation: bold, empowered, full of curiosity, adventure and determined to be true to themselves. Natasha Farrant's original stories are set in different times all around the world, blending modern and traditional storytelling with glowing full colour illustrations by debut artist Lydia Corry in a glorious gift book. 'Mirror, mirror on the wall... what makes a princess excellent?' An enchantress flings her magic mirror into our universe. Reflected in it are princesses who refuse to be pretty, polite or obedient. Through the centuries and around the world these girls are fierce, brave, and determined to do the rescuing themselves. The desert princess protects her people from the king with the black and gold banner. The forest princess takes a crocodile for a pet. An island princess explores the high seas. A mountain princess puts kindness above being royal. And in a tower-block in a city, Princess saves her community garden from the hands of urban developers.