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Frances Watts Frances Watts i(A85384 works by)
Writing name for: Ali Lavau
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Works By

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1 y separately published work icon The Chicken's Curse Frances Watts , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2020 18269087 2020 single work children's fiction children's fantasy historical fiction

'Felix and Livia are two runaways who are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor. They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia's brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions—and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two! Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation. Will they save Livia's brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken's curse?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 y separately published work icon Say Cheese! Frances Watts , Marjorie Crosby-Fairall (illustrator), Gosford : Scholastic Australia , 2020 17200744 2020 single work picture book children's

'Maxwell Mouse the photographer is trying to take school photos at South Furriest Public School. But some students just won’t stay still! And others won’t look at the camera! Can Maxwell get all of the students to SAY CHEESE?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 The Farmyard of Horrors Frances Watts , Andrew Joyner , 2019 single work short story
— Appears in: Funny Bones 2019;
1 y separately published work icon Leonard Doesn't Dance Frances Watts , Judy Watson (illustrator), Sydney : ABC Books , 2019 15931154 2019 single work picture book children's

'All the birds are excited about the Big Beaky Bird Ball - except Leonard. His warble-warble waltz with the magpies is more wobble-wobble, and his caw-caw can-can with the crows is a can't-can't. The puffins are prancing, the rosellas are rocking and you should see the flamingo go-go-go! Everyone is jumping and jiving, but not Leonard.

'Leonard doesn't dance.

'Then an unexpected encounter changes everything ...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 y separately published work icon My Friend Fred Frances Watts , A. Yi (illustrator), Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2019 15521718 2019 single work picture book children's

'My friend Fred eats dog food for breakfast. I think dog food is disgusting. My friend Fred howls at the moon. I don't know why. He does a lot of funny things. But even though we are different, Fred is my best friend.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 Pirate Dance Party Frances Watts , 2018 single work short story
— Appears in: Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat 2018;
2 y separately published work icon It's a Story, Rory! Frances Watts , David Legge (illustrator), Sydney : ABC Books , 2018 13534347 2018 single work picture book children's

''Hey, Milly, why are we on this blank page?'

''It won't be blank for long. We're going to be in a STORY, Rory!'

'Rory has never been in a story before and he's not even sure how one works. Luckily, he and his friend Milly have a helpful voice on the page (that's me, the narrator) to guide them on an amazing adventure as they encounter an exciting plot, spectacular settings and some very funny characters.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 y separately published work icon A Very Quacky Christmas Frances Watts , Ann James (illustrator), Sydney : HarperCollins Australia , 2017 12139593 2017 single work picture book children's

We wish you a quacky Christmas …' Samantha Duck is getting ready for Christmas. ‘I'm going to give presents to animals all over the world!' Her friend Sebastian tells her not to bother. ‘Christmas is not for animals,' he says. But with the help of her farmyard friends, Samantha sets out to prove that Christmas is for everyone. A joyous tale of giving and sharing from two award-winning Australian creators.'  (Publication summary)

1 Best in Show Frances Watts , 2016 single work children's fiction
— Appears in: Laugh Your Head off Again 2016;
1 Amelia Bucket and the Rockin' Rock Frances Watts , 2015 single work children's fiction
— Appears in: Laugh Your Head Off : Funny Stories for All Kinds of Kids 2015;
1 3 y separately published work icon The Peony Lantern Frances Watts , Sydney : HarperCollins Australia , 2015 8537050 2015 single work novel young adult historical fiction

'When Kasumi leaves her remote village for the teeming city of Edo, her life is transformed. As a lady-in-waiting in a samurai mansion she discovers a rare talent for art and falls in love with a young samurai. How could she ever return to the life of a simple mountain girl?

'But Kasumi must set aside her own concerns. Her country is on the brink of change and Edo is simmering with tension. And her mistress has a dangerous secret-a secret that Kasumi is gradually drawn into...

'Set against the vivid backdrop of nineteenth-century Japan, THE PEONY LANTERN is a powerful story of art, love and friendship, and finding your own path.' (Publication summary)

1 1 y separately published work icon The Raven's Wing Frances Watts , Sydney South : HarperCollins Australia , 2014 7465521 2014 single work children's fiction historical fiction

'From bestselling and award-winning author Frances Watts comes the first in an incredibly exciting new series of standalone historical novels. Set in Ancient Rome, The Raven's Wing tells the story of Claudia, who is wrenched from her happy life with her aunt and uncle to return to the home of her senator father, whom she hasn't seen since her mother died when she was very young. Soon Claudia starts to uncover the true reasons behind her father's newfound interest, and finds herself an unwitting pawn in her new stepmother's plots and schemes. Full of intrigue, romance and humour, The Raven's Wing takes you back to life in Ancient Rome, but with a voice that is entirely fresh and relatable for young women today.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon The Secrets of Flamant Castle : The Complete Adventures of Sword Girl and Friends Frances Watts , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2014 7204511 2014 selected work children's fiction children's
1 y separately published work icon Pigeon Problems Frances Watts , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2013 7204395 2013 single work children's fiction children's

'It's Lady Beatrix's birthday, and Sir Walter is planning a celebration at Flamant Castle. There will be games and competitions and a big surprise party. Everyone at the castle is excited ... except the pigeon. But the pigeon is needed for a very special job - and when he goes missing, it looks like Sir Walter's plans will be ruined. Can Tommy find her friend and save the celebrations?' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon The Terrible Trickster: Frances Watts , Crows Nest : Pan Macmillan Australia , 2013 7204315 2013 single work children's fiction children's

'A trickster is turning life at Flamant Castle upside down. Someone has put sneezing powder in the knights' soup and itching powder in Sir Walter's sheets and changed the salt for sugar in Mrs Moon's kitchen. At first the tricks seem funny, but Sir Benedict is not amused. He thinks the trickster is Tommy - and unless the tricks stop, he will send her away from the castle! Can she find out who the real trickster is before she is banished forever?' (Publication summary)

2 2 y separately published work icon The Fearsome, Frightening, Ferocious Box Frances Watts , David Legge (illustrator), Sydney : ABC Books , 2013 6119049 2013 single work picture book children's

'At first your eyes will not believe, Such terrors they can scarce conceive, But come, look closely; you will see Horrific creatures just like me. Open the box, if you dare, But danger lies within: Beware! ' (Publisher's blurb)

1 1 y separately published work icon The Secret of Zanzibar Frances Watts , Sydney : ABC Books , 2012 Z1904226 2012 single work children's fiction children's adventure ''So many secrets ...so many lies ...' Time is running out, as Queen Eugenia prepares to crown herself the absolute ruler of Greater Gerander. And so Alistair and Tibby Rose travel deep into dangerous territory on a daring mission to stop her, while Alice and Alex risk their lives by returning to the enemy stronghold they so recently fled. They must act now to restore Zanzibar to the throne, or lose their homeland forever. But Zanzibar has a secret. And it may cost Alistair his life.' (Publisher's blurb)
1 1 y separately published work icon The Siege Scare Frances Watts , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2012 Z1890173 2012 single work children's fiction children's

'When Sir Walter, Sir Benedict and the other knights go to nearby Roses Castle for a tournament, the enemy knights from Malice attack Flamant. The only hope of rescue lies in getting a message to Sir Benedict, a day's ride away. But the castle is surrounded and there's no way out! With the help of her friends, Tommy devises a daring plan. Can she save Flamant Castle before it's too late?' (Publication abstract)

1 1 y separately published work icon Tournament Trouble Frances Watts , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2012 Z1890169 2012 single work children's fiction children's Flamant Castle is having a tournament! But when one of the squires is injured during practice, Sir Benedict asks Tommy to take his place. He even offers her one of his own horses to ride. It's a dream come true for Tommy. There's just one problem: she has never ridden a horse before - and every time she tries to ride Bess, the horse throws her off! Time is running out...How will Tommy be able to compete? (Libraries Australia)
1 2 y separately published work icon The Poison Plot Frances Watts , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2012 Z1870286 2012 single work children's fiction children's While on an errand to the smith in the town, Tommy overhears a plot to poison Sir Walter during a banquet and make it look like the work of a neighbouring nobleman. Tommy must foil the plot or Flamant Castle will be at war (Libraries Australia).
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