{"title":"Gillian Cross","description":"\u003cp\u003eGillian Cross’s works offer a rich blend of imaginative storytelling and timeless themes, perfect for young readers exploring adventurous tales and classic mythology. Her books often weave together elements of fantasy, friendship, and mystery, inviting children into captivating worlds where ancient stories meet modern creativity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom retellings of \u003cem\u003eHomer’s Iliad and Odyssey\u003c\/em\u003e to original creations like \u003cem\u003eAmber's Song\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Monster Snowman\u003c\/em\u003e, Cross delivers narratives that both entertain and inspire curiosity. 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On his journey, he encounters all manner of perils, from the man-eating Cyclops and the evil sorceress Circe, to the deadly lure of the Sirens and the wrath of the sea-god Poseidon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNeil Packer’s striking imagination, and his extraordinary use of colour and dramatic silhouettes, capture the terrors of Odysseus’s travels as well as the dangers faced by his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus at home. The illustrations perfectly complement Gillian Cross’s beguiling narrative, transporting the reader effortlessly into Homer’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46517352923372,"sku":"9781406345353","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19650013482688.jpg?v=1748939234"},{"product_id":"ambers-song-by-gillian-cross-9781781125601","title":"Amber's Song","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMusic is king in this wonderfully charming story of bandmates and babies from legendary children's author Gillian Cross.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic is the most important thing in Mark's life and he never misses band practice... until new baby sister Amber turns life upside down. She screams all day and all night and nothing Mum, Dad, or anyone else does makes a difference!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut when Mark is left holding the baby, he turns to the only thing he can to help him through—music. And it might just be that it's the key to Amber's happiness too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46676578533612,"sku":"9781781125601","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3956633482822.jpg?v=1752995871"},{"product_id":"homers-iliad-and-odyssey-by-gillian-cross-9781406379204","title":"Homer's Iliad and Odyssey","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGillian Cross's brilliant retellings and Neil Packer's clever illustrations bring to life \u003cem\u003eHomer's Iliad and Odyssey\u003c\/em\u003e, two of the greatest stories ever told.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen first published, Walker’s versions of the \u003cem\u003eIliad\u003c\/em\u003e and the \u003cem\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/em\u003e attracted attention both for the quality of the writing and for their amazingly stylish artwork. Multi-award-winning author Gillian Cross makes two of the greatest stories in the world come alive for children in her strong, clear, deceptively simple retellings. These retellings are faithful to the spirit and structure of Homer’s epic poems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis new bind-up in a friendly format comes complete with an introduction and a generous selection of Neil Packer’s fabulous illustrations in black and white.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46688201441516,"sku":"9781406379204","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19988523482688.jpg?v=1753348628"},{"product_id":"mozarts-banana-by-gillian-cross-9781781123676","title":"Mozart's Banana","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA charming village story about a little girl, a dare gone wrong, and one crazy horse! From bestselling author Gillian Cross.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlice Brett moves from the city to a little village school, and she's never seen a real live horse before. Famous village resident \u003ci\u003eMozart's Banana\u003c\/i\u003e is not just any old horse – he's crazy! The children are banned from riding him, but when Sammy Foster dares Alice to get on \u003ci\u003eMozart's Banana\u003c\/i\u003e's back, she takes it very seriously. Just what does she have up her sleeve?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46693410636012,"sku":"9781781123676","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/73eedbcd35d4b40954ceaea06345c629.jpg?v=1753657589"},{"product_id":"the-cupcake-wedding-by-gillian-cross-9781781127957","title":"The Cupcake Wedding","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMia and James are getting married! When a tight budget means no wedding cake, Mia’s sister Holly plans a surprise…\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Holly's sister announces her engagement, wedding planning begins in earnest. But a tight budget means missing out on some wedding essentials – like the cake! Holly decides to put her baking skills to the test and surprise the happy couple with 1000 cupcakes! What could possibly go wrong?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Cupcake Wedding\u003c\/em\u003e is particularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46697372909804,"sku":"9781781127957","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3980193482822.jpg?v=1753706126"},{"product_id":"the-ghost-tower-by-gillian-cross-9781781128374","title":"The Ghost Tower","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCuriosity saves the bat in this fun and quirky adventure story from beloved author Gillian Cross.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe night Dot and Ryan take a sneaky Halloween visit to a condemned tower, they discover more than they bargained for when they catch a glimpse of an endangered species of bat. It's clear that the bat colony and the tower need to be saved, but Dot and Ryan were never meant to be there and it's not going to be easy to get the grown-ups on side. Can they find a way to stop the demolition and save the bats before it's too late?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Ghost Tower\u003c\/em\u003e is particularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46697821667564,"sku":"9781781128374","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3984363482822.jpg?v=1753724283"},{"product_id":"the-iliadthe-odyssey-boxed-set-by-gillian-cross-9780763698133","title":"The Iliad\/The Odyssey Boxed Set","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis handsome boxed set of Homer’s epics — powerfully retold by Gillian Cross and strikingly illustrated by Neil Packer — belongs on every reader’s bookshelf.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEpic and thrilling, Homer’s two age-old classics have been revisited countless times. Gillian Cross and Neil Packer’s exquisite versions of \u003cem\u003eThe Iliad\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Odyssey\u003c\/em\u003e make up an essential set for both Homer collectors and readers who have not yet made the acquaintance of Odysseus, Achilles, or Hector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDepicting their actions, and those of the gods they invoke, are vivid, stylistic illustrations reminiscent of Greek pottery, giving these large-format volumes an extra measure of authenticity and appeal. From the raging battles outside the walls of Troy to the strangely surreal ten years it takes Odysseus to journey home, these bold re-envisionings of Homer’s stories are told with simplicity and style—perfect for fans of graphic retellings and mythology enthusiasts alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46698105798892,"sku":"9780763698133","price":56.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24823723482459.jpg?v=1753737021"},{"product_id":"jason-banks-and-the-pumpkin-of-doom-by-gillian-cross-9781781128138","title":"Jason Banks and the Pumpkin of Doom","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA charming and witty tale of bullies, pumpkins and unlikely friendships from award-winning author Gillian Cross.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJason Banks and the Pumpkin of Doom\u003c\/em\u003e introduces us to Jason Banks, a notorious bully. No one likes him, and even the teachers are scared of him! It's time that Jason learns a lesson, and he might just meet his match in the strange pumpkin that keeps appearing on his doorstep. Will Jason ever learn the error of his ways? And can he crack the case of the dreaded Pumpkin of Doom?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46995587563756,"sku":"9781781128138","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3982003482822.jpg?v=1763116239"},{"product_id":"five-ways-to-make-a-friend-by-gillian-cross-9781781129081","title":"Five Ways to Make a Friend","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA touching tale of friendship, understanding and finding the confidence to be yourself, from one of the UK’s most beloved authors.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt's Ella's first day at her new school and that can only mean one thing: making new friends. But the challenge is even tougher than Ella thought, as the girls in her class just don't seem interested in her. When she stumbles across the book 'Five Ways to Make a Friend' in the library, it's like all her prayers have been answered. With five excellent ideas up her sleeve, Ella will be friends with the girls in no time … Right?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut what if things don't quite work out as planned? And what if the friend Ella really needs has been there all along?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47417809600748,"sku":"9781781129081","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/814F4V5h0lL._SL1500.jpg?v=1774310671"},{"product_id":"the-monster-snowman-by-gillian-cross-9781781120095","title":"The Monster Snowman","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJack and his friends have loads of fun building the greatest, scariest snowman in the whole world. But the last thing that they expect is for it to come alive!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eJack wakes up on his birthday to find an extra special present – everything is covered in fluffy, white snow! He and two friends Sam and Ryan decide to build the biggest, scariest snowman in the world. But when they all receive a mysterious text in the middle of the night, the last thing they expect is to be chased up a tree by the monster snowman! But is the snowman as scary as he seems?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47417827950828,"sku":"9781781120095","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7194ccr8IhL._SL1500.jpg?v=1774311425"},{"product_id":"homers-odyssey-and-iliad-by-gillian-cross-9781529539011","title":"Homer's Odyssey and Iliad","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGillian Cross's\u003c\/em\u003e brilliant retellings and Neil Packer's clever illustrations bring to life Homer's \u003cem\u003eIliad\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/em\u003e, two of the greatest stories ever told.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMulti-award-winning author Gillian Cross makes two of the greatest stories in the world come alive for children in her strong, clear, deceptively simple retellings, which are faithful to the spirit and structure of Homer’s epic poems. 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