AustLit

'Launch title for the Second Look imprint of Christmas Press, this hilarious collection of nine short plays for kids, written by popular author Duncan Ball, ranges from a comic monologue to a play that can involve a whole class, and everything in between. It will suit use both in the classroom and on stage, as well as being lots of fun to read at home. Capturing the imagination and tickling the funny bones of young readers and actors, the plays range from spoof mystery to fantasy to school capers, all with a great zing of humour. The book also includes tips on staging the plays. Originally published as Comedies for Kids in 1988, this fabulous collection has been fully revised and updated by the author, and with a brand new play, The Teeth of a Vampire', added. The lively cover and internal illustrations are by well-known illustrator Craig Smith. Recommended for children aged 7-12.  '  (Publication summary)

'Japanese folklore is full of stories about the tengu, magical beings who grant wishes to those who ask them. But watch out–wishes don't always turn out as you expected!

'In this lively, engaging retelling of two fantastic tengu tales, Duncan Ball introduces young readers to the folk world of old Japan, while David Allan's beautiful illustrations set an atmosphere inspired by classic Japanese art.' (Publication summary)

'In these thrilling new adventures, Emily - the girl with an eye on the end of her finger - is chased by mysterious gargoyles in Paris, rescues a runaway movie star, disguises herself as a baby elephant to catch 'the ghost gang', outsmarts the master criminal Arthur Crim, creeps into a super-computer to catch the world's smartest mice and flies to the middle of the ocean with her Great Aunt Olympia in search of the long-lost secret of the Sea People. Ages: 7+' (Publisher's blurb)

With the help of those around her, Emily eventually finds pride in her 'bit of difference' and acknowledges that sometimes it's better to leave things as they are.

Duncan Ball's Emily Eyefinger is a light-hearted joyous work with resonating themes of identity, respect, self worth and friendship.

''This dog has no nose.' 'How does he smell?' ' Terrible' Join Selby and Gary Gaggs, Bogusville's craziest comedian, with this gathering of giggles and gut-busting gags. Watch Gary tackle life on a leaky boat with a bad history. Chuckle as he gets involved in a film romance with a difference. Be part of the epic 'Poem that Stopped Bogusville'. And when an unseen heckler beats him to the punchline every time, Gary's in trouble. Selby must not only discover who the phantom gagster is, but stop himself laughing at Gary's terrible jokes ... and blowing his own secret! For the first time in one book, readers can find, and fans can rediscover, all the hilarious stories starring Gary Gaggs, Selby's favourite funnyman. And Gary's own great jokes can be found in Selby's Joke Book and Selby's Side-Splitting Joke Book.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Selby, the only talking dog in Australia, and perhaps the world, is desperately seeking Santa, while trying to keep his extraordinary abilities a deep dark secret. Can Selby survive the hair-raising ride in Dr Trifle's Super Santa Sleigh Simulator, and does he escape from the crazy Dr Schnipskin who wants to slice and dice him? Will the mysterious super spy, Blake Romano, live or die? And can Selby defy the deadly coils of the biggest and hungriest python that ever came to Bogusville? And if you've ever wondered if Santa is real, read on ... This fifteenth collection of jaw-dropping stories in the bestselling Selby series will give you laughs and thrills with a sackful of sagas and gags to keep you guffawing long after the last Christmas cracker goes pop. Ages 7-12' (Publisher's blurb)

'The Search for Selby Society is hot on his trail and eager to tell the world his secret. And, as if that isn't bad enough, there are shipwrecks, evil curses, ghostly gagsters and - worst of all - the Triple Terror out to get him. Oh woe woe woe - what is a dog to do? Read this book and see! Ages 7-12' (Publisher's blurb)

'Duncan Ball's Selby books have repeatedly been winners of 'children's choice' book awards. Selby - the only talking dog in Australia, and perhaps the world - returns with more stories to entertain and amuse in the thirteenth book of the series. Between being coated in chocolate and almost eaten by those horrible brats Willy and Billy, falling in love with the world's first talking cat, pretending to be a seeing-eye dog and maybe - just maybe - changing the recipe of Dry-Mouth Dog Biscuits, Selby is in a right shemozzle. But the biggest shemozzle of all is when he becomes invisible... This hilarious collection of stories in the bestselling Selby series is guaranteed to leave you gasping with laughter. Ages 7-12' (Publisher's blurb)