Description

New York Times Bestseller!

This never-before-published collection of fourteen funny and inventive tales by acclaimed author Sir Terry Pratchett, creator of the beloved and bestselling Discworld fantasy series, features a memorable cast of inept wizards, sensible heroes, and unusually adventuresome tortoises.

Including more than one hundred black-and-white illustrations, the appealingly designed book celebrates Pratchett’s inimitable wordplay and irreverent approach to the conventions of storytelling. These accessible and mischievous tales are an ideal introduction for young readers to this beloved author. Established fans of Pratchett’s work will savor the playful presentation of the themes and ideas that inform his popular novels.

Read more of Sir Terry's silliest stories in The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner!

About the Author

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) was the acclaimed creator of the globally revered Discworld series. In all, he authored more than fifty bestselling books, which have sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any.

Mark Beech has illustrated numerous books for children, from picture books through young novels. He lives in England. Visit him at markbeechillustration.format.com.

Praise For…

"Feature[s] characters heroic or hiss-worthy, pranks and battles aplenty, sly twists on the familiar tropes and [Pratchett’s] trademark mix of silly humor and accurate moral commentary." — Kirkus Reviews

"It's a pleasure to read Pratchett's reflections in his introduction and to see his signature warmth, wit, and intelligence light up these simple stories." — Booklist

"Accompanied by Beech’s wiry Quentin Blake–like illustrations, as well as numerous typographical flourishes, this volume will please both its intended audience and older Pratchett completists." — Publishers Weekly

"Middle grade readers who enjoy Pratchett's other works or Dahl's tales are bound to enjoy this one." — School Library Journal

"Highly enjoyable fare."  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"My son and I discovered Terry Pratchett's books together, when he was about eleven years old. He'd be reading on his own and would start to laugh, and then eagerly read the passage aloud to me—and I'd do the same to him! Pratchett's books became a shared source of delight for us back then, and they still are today."  — Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author