Author Profile
Liz Kessler
10 Books
Liz Kessler is a bestselling English author best known for her engaging middle-grade and young adult fiction. She is widely celebrated for her popular Emily Windsnap series, which follows the enchanting underwater adventures of a young half-mermaid. In addition to fantasy series like Philippa Fisher, Kessler explores compelling, realistic themes and time travel in standalone novels such as Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins? and North of Nowhere.
It is Mom's birthday, and the whole family is getting ready to celebrate! Tim and Suzy are planning a very special pirate show just for her. Poppy the dalmatian has the most important job of all. She is the fierce pirate dog in charge of guarding the treasure.
But disaster strikes while Poppy is on duty. She accidentally hurts her eye and has to visit the vet. Instead of coming home with a cool pirate eye patch, she has to wear a big, embarrassing plastic cone around her neck! To make things even worse, Dad's special birthday present for Mom, a sparkly necklace, has completely vanished.
While the rest of the family searches frantically for the missing jewelry, Poppy sits outside feeling sorry for herself. Suddenly, she spots something twinkling in the grass. This could be her big chance to save the day and prove she is the greatest pirate dog ever!
6-8 Years
65 Pages
Best mermaid friends Emily, Shona, and Aaron are happily exploring the ocean when they spot a boat advertising exciting new attractions at a place called Sea Park. They think they have finally found the perfect way to spend their afternoon. But as the trio swims closer to investigate, they stumble upon a pair of frantic dolphins helplessly tangled in heavy fishing nets. Working quickly together, the friends carefully set the beautiful animals free. But the adventure is just beginning. The grateful dolphins immediately block their path to the Sea Park boat, warning the mermaids that the park is actually a terrible trap. Emily and her friends must act fast to show the boat's crew that majestic sea creatures are meant to swim free in the open ocean, not perform in a tiny glass tank.
6-8 Years
64 Pages
Aaron feels like the odd one out. As a semi-mer, he wishes he were truly special just like his best friends. But when his precious pendant suddenly goes completely missing, everything changes. Aaron and his mermaid friends must dive into action to track down the lost necklace before it is gone forever. Their frantic search leads them through the bustling underwater world, but what they uncover is much bigger than a simple piece of jewelry. Together, the group stumbles upon a deeply hidden family secret that changes how Aaron sees himself and his place in the ocean. This exciting underwater mystery teaches newly independent readers that true bravery and belonging come from within. Jump into the colorful sea with Aaron and his friends to solve a wonderful mystery about family, self-discovery, and accepting exactly who you are.
6-8 Years
64 Pages
It is a very special day in Poppy's house because it is Mum's birthday. To celebrate, the entire family is putting together a spectacular pirate show, and everyone has a special job to do. Poppy the dog is thrilled to be chosen for the most important role of all: the official treasure keeper. Her job is to guard the precious pirate loot and make sure nothing goes missing before the big performance. There is just one tiny problem. Poppy is not very good at guarding things, and the treasure is looking awfully tempting. Will this playful pup manage to keep her paws off the shiny loot, or will the birthday pirate show end in a hilarious disaster? This delightful and funny story is perfect for young readers building their confidence, offering plenty of giggles and puppy mischief along the way.
6-8 Years
80 Pages
Jenny the pony is known for being a bit mischievous. No matter how hard she tries to be good, she always seems to find herself tumbling right into trouble. Everything changes the day she meets James, a kindhearted little boy who uses a wheelchair. From the moment they meet, James and Jenny understand each other perfectly. They form an unbreakable bond, proving that the very best friends bring out the greatest qualities in one another. When the big Spring Gala approaches, James and Jenny decide to team up and show everyone what they can do. Together, they train hard to compete in the exciting event. This inspiring and gentle story shows young readers that true teamwork can help us overcome any obstacle, celebrating the special magic that happens when a child and an animal find their perfect match.
6-8 Years
66 Pages
A wave of excitement is sweeping through Shiprock School because the big talent show is finally here. Every mermaid and merman in class is eagerly signing up to show off their special skills. Everyone, that is, except for Shona. Even though she has a beautiful singing voice, Shona's stomach is doing flip-flops at the mere thought of performing in front of a crowd. She is entirely too nervous to put her name on the sign-up sheet. Fortunately, true friends never let you hide your shine. With a little bit of gentle encouragement and a lot of support from her best friends, Shona must decide if she can summon the courage to take the stage. This relatable underwater school story perfectly captures the jittery feelings of stage fright and the wonderful power of having friends who believe in you.
6-8 Years
57 Pages
Despite living on a cozy houseboat, Emily Windsnap has never learned how to swim. Her mother has always strictly warned her to stay entirely out of the water. But standing on the shore while everyone else splashes in the waves makes it incredibly hard to make friends. When swimming lessons finally start at school, Emily is thrilled to jump into the pool. As soon as she touches the water, a strange and startling sensation washes over her. It feels exactly as if her legs are suddenly stuck together. Desperate to figure out what is happening to her body, Emily gathers her courage and dives deep into the glittering ocean. When she looks down, she makes the most magnificent discovery of her life. Her legs have completely vanished, replaced by a beautiful, sparkling mermaid tail!
6-8 Years
56 Pages
Summer is officially over, and Poppy the pirate dog is feeling very lonely. Her kids, Suzy and Tim, have gone back to school, and Mom and Dad are busy working all day. Being a pirate dog is no fun at all when there is nobody around to help you dig up the backyard and bury your treasure.
To cheer her up, Poppy's family decides to bring home a brand-new friend to keep her company. Poppy is absolutely thrilled! She cannot wait to meet her big, brave new shipmate. But when the new arrival finally walks through the door, Poppy is shocked. Her new crew member is a tiny, fluffy kitten named George!
George is definitely not the fierce pirate partner Poppy wanted. He tries to steal her treasure and takes the best sleeping spot right by the warm fire. What is a pirate dog to do when her new shipmate is driving her crazy?
6-8 Years
58 Pages
Poppy the dalmatian cannot wait to go on a fun seaside vacation with her family! When they tie a cool skull-and-crossbones scarf around her neck, Poppy knows exactly what she is meant to be. She is going to be a fierce pirate dog, ready for a life of exciting adventures on the high seas.
There is just one huge problem. To be a real pirate dog, Poppy needs a pirate ship. But boats bob up and down, big waves splash over the sides, and the water is full of strange, scary creatures. Poppy tries her best to be brave on a fishing boat, a pedal boat, and even a fast speedboat, but she is terrified of all of them!
Feeling like a failure, Poppy is ready to give up her pirate dreams entirely. Will this scared little puppy ever find her sea legs and the perfect pirate ship before it is time to go back home?
6-8 Years
65 Pages
Amy's beloved pony, Jenny, feels completely alone when she moves to a brand new stable yard. Everything is unfamiliar, and she misses having a companion to share her days with. But Jenny is a very clever pony, and she is determined not to stay lonely for long. Soon, she sets out to discover some wonderful and surprising new friends all around her new home. From a friendly fellow pony named Peanut to playful kittens, clucking chickens, and even a tiny family of baby sparrows, Jenny learns that wonderful companions can come in all shapes and sizes. This sweet and encouraging story helps newly independent readers build their skills while enjoying a heartwarming adventure about finding friendship in unexpected places.
6-8 Years
64 Pages
