Author Profile
Margaret Mahy
9 Books
Margaret Mahy was a distinguished New Zealander author of children's and young adult literature, twice winning the Carnegie Medal for her contributions to fiction. She is celebrated for classics such as 'The Haunting' and 'The Changeover', which blend supernatural elements with profound insights into human nature. Her prolific career saw her become one of the most beloved figures in international children's literature.
Running a house is supposed to be hard work, but Mr. Castle is so incredibly fast at doing chores that he suddenly finds himself with absolutely nothing to do. While Mrs. Castle is off working as a brilliant atomic scientist, the house is completely spotless and the kids are perfectly cared for. Just when boredom starts to set in, the giant plum tree in the backyard sparks a wonderfully sticky idea. Get ready for a hilarious, mouth-watering adventure as one super-efficient dad turns a simple afternoon into a delightfully sweet and messy family project.
6-8 Years
25 Pages
Leaving your kids with a babysitter is normally quite boring, but the Terrapin family is in for a massive surprise. Across the city, a crew of restless, landlocked pirates is desperately longing to throw a massive, spectacular party. When a retired pirate answers the call to babysit the Terrapin children, their quiet evening instantly turns into the wildest celebration the neighborhood has ever seen. Grab your cutlass and join this incredibly fun, high-energy story filled with delightful chaos, unexpected friendships, and enough piratical mischief to make anyone want to sail the seven seas.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
50 Pages
Pushing papers at a quiet, incredibly boring office job is no way for a man to spend his days, especially when his mother happens to be a fierce, retired pirate. Sam is tired of his completely ordinary, perfectly predictable routine. One morning at breakfast, a brilliant idea strikes, and the two of them decide to abandon the city and run off to sea. Trade your uncomfortable work shoes for a sturdy pair of sea boots in this hilarious, joyful adventure. Discover what happens when you finally break the rules and follow your wildly adventurous pirate heart.
6-8 Years
51 Pages
When your dad loses his car keys, there is only one place left to look. Down the back of the chair! But reaching into the cushions of this particular chair is no ordinary search.
Instead of dusty old crumbs and lost coins, your family is about to pull out the most surprising things imaginable. We are talking about hairy monkeys, sneaky pirates, wild panthers, and maybe even a roaring dragon or two. As the pile of ridiculous treasures grows taller and taller, you will realize this magical piece of furniture might just hold exactly what your family needs to turn a tough day into a wild celebration.
Get ready for a bouncy, laugh-out-loud adventure that proves you never really know what is hiding right beneath you.
6-8 Years
35 Pages
Sometimes the most ordinary people end up causing the most spectacular trouble. In these two wonderfully silly stories, you will meet a retired pirate who is desperate for a proper party and a brilliant librarian who accidentally crosses paths with a bumbling band of robbers. From wild pirate babysitters causing chaos in a quiet neighborhood to clever tricks played on unsuspecting thieves, there is never a dull moment. Get ready to laugh out loud at these high-energy adventures packed with ridiculous mischief, clever heroes, and villains who have absolutely no idea what they are in for.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Tom is a very hungry, three-legged cat with a massive dream. While his owner, the nearsighted Mrs. Gimble, prefers to stay quiet and cozy indoors, Tom desperately wants to roam the wide, exciting world outside. His chance finally arrives when Mrs. Gimble's adventurous, drifting brother comes for a visit and needs something to keep his head warm. Thanks to a gloriously funny mistake, the brother scoops up Tom, thinking the fuzzy cat is actually his winter hat. Read along to see how one ridiculous mix-up brings unexpected happiness and a wild journey to a very lucky feline.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
Walking home from school is usually quiet, but not when a herd of giant hippopotami decides to follow you all the way to your front door. Robert cannot seem to shake his new, heavy, and very hungry friends, no matter what he tries. In a desperate attempt to get things back to normal, he takes a special pill from a local witch that promises a guaranteed cure. The hippos finally leave, but Robert quickly discovers that magic always comes with a very surprising and totally hilarious disadvantage. Discover what happens when you trade one giant animal problem for another.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Blowing bubbles is usually just harmless fun, until little Mabel accidentally blows a megabubble that is big enough to capture her baby brother. Before anyone can stop it, the giant bubble wafts up into the air, carrying the baby high above the houses. Suddenly, the entire neighborhood is sprinting, leaping, and shouting in a wild, frantic chase to bring him back down to the ground safely. Jump right into this bouncy, fast-paced adventure filled with giggles, teamwork, and the most ridiculous rescue mission your street has ever seen.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
When you spot a massive, roaring, yellow, whiskery lion hiding out in the tall grass of the meadow, you run straight to your mother to tell her all about it. But when she does not quite believe your amazing discovery, she decides to play along by making up a magical story of her own. To help you feel brave, she hands over a tiny matchbox that supposedly holds a fierce, protective dragon inside. Step into a beautifully imaginative tale where the line between pretend and reality blurs in the most wonderful, roaring, and magical way imaginable.
6-8 Years
58 Pages
