Templar's Teen Fiction Christmas Raffle!

Roll up, roll up! Enter Templar's Teen Fiction Christmas Raffle and Santa might fill your stocking with some fantastic young adult fiction. The raffle will run for one week only so don't hesitate to enter or the elves might forget you this year...

Winners will be picked out of an elf's hat at random and prizes chosen at random from Santa's sack. So here's a look at what you could be burying your nose in this Christmas:

Down Under Pack

Here are two incredibly moving stories from the other side of the world, brought to you by Templar earlier this year. A Small Free Kiss In The Dark by Glenda Millard hails from Australia while The 10pm Question by Kate De Goldi is a tale from
the heart of New Zealand.

Historical Pack

Delve into past with these gripping reads: VIII by H. M. Castor and Wickedness by Deborah White. Plus two VIII postcards and a bookmark.

Jack Christie Adventures Pack

Johnny O'Brien's time travel adventure series has gone down a storm this year with their new-look jackets and the latest release, Day of Vengeance. Enjoy all the thrills
of the series so far!

Stephanie Burgis Pack

Like magic, adventure and Regency England? Love Stephanie Burgis! Follow the escapades of feisty Regency heroine Kat Stephenson with the first two books in the series, A Most Improper Magick and A Tangle of Magicks.

Teresa Flavin Pack

Escape to another world through a magical painting and fall through a painted door into 18th century London. Prepare for your imagination to take you into your wildest dreams with The Blackhope Enigma and The Crimson Shard by Teresa Flavin.

North America Pack

There are some fantastic stories being told on the other side of the Atlantic and this year Templar have worked hard to bring you the best of the best. This pack contains a limited edition of the heart-stopping survival thriller POD by Stephen Wallenfels and a copy of the side-splitting coming of age comedy Swim the Fly by Don Calame, complete with Swim the Fly drawstring bag, towel, postcards and a pair of goggles
for all those aquatic emergencies!

So, how does it work? Well, it's just like a raffle! Everyone can enter once for free but you can "buy" extra tickets by fulfilling certain tasks. Just follow the steps in the Rafflecopter form below - you never know, you may already qualify for extra tickets so make sure you click as many "I Did This" buttons as you deserve. Please be aware that this raffle is for UK and ROI residents only. GOOD LUCK! You can also enter the Children's Books Raffle here.

Templar's Children's Books Christmas Raffle!

Roll up, roll up! Enter Templar's Children's Books Christmas Raffle as we're giving away a sackful of unmissable prizes. The raffle will run for one week only so don't hesitate to enter and be in with a chance to win some gorgeous gifts and splendid stocking fillers this Christmas.

Winners will be picked out of an elf's hat at random and prizes chosen at random from Santa's sack. So here's the bit you've all been waiting for - the prizes:

Alison Jay Pack

Win a gorgeous selection of Alison Jay books including Touch and Feel Toys, Welcome To The Zoo, Fairy Tales and Christmas Time plus an Alison Jay cloth bag
to keep your books in.

Amazing Baby Pack

Make your amazing baby's Christmas special this year with the latest Amazing Baby books, Incy Wincy Spider! and Round and Round The Garden!. Plus, sing along to your favourite Christmas songs with Jingle Bell Baby! while playing with these fun toys.

Bob, Man on the Moon Pack

Get set for some incredible galactic adventures with children's favourite, Bob, Man on the Moon. This pack includes Simon Bartram's award winning picture book Man on the Moon and Bob's Best Ever Friend as well as Bob's latest lunar adventure in Clone Choas. Plus a poster, stickers and a build your own rocket pack!

Grahame Baker-Smith Pack

We're so proud that Grahame Baker-Smith won the 2011 CILIP Kate Greenaway Award for his beautiful and moving picture book, FArTHER, so we're giving away a copy along with another Grahame Baker-Smith illustrated picture book, Leon and the Place Between.

Nanette Newman Pack

This year Templar have been extremely fortunate to publish some fantastic picture books from Brubaker, Ford & Friends and here are two picture books from the unforgettable Nanette Newman.

Shaun Tan Pack

It's been a brilliant year for the unique talent that is Shaun Tan winning an Oscar and the 2011 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award no less for Eric. These are definitely little treasures to keep on your bookshelf forever!

Snappy Pack

Ever a favourite with children, this set of Snappy Play Set Pet Shop, Snappy Sounds Toys, Snappy Felt Fun Farm and Snappy Little Christmas will keep creative minds occupied for hours!

StoryWorld Pack

Be inspired and create your own Christmas stories with StoryWorld and the StoryWorld Christmas Tales pack. Pick a card, any card, and see where your imagination takes you. Plus a luxurious McQueens scented candle for mum or dad!

So, how does it work? Well, it's just like a raffle! Everyone can enter once for free but you can "buy" extra tickets by fulfilling certain tasks. Just follow the steps in the Rafflecopter form below - you never know, you may already qualify for extra tickets so make sure you click as many "I Did This" buttons as you deserve. Please be aware that this raffle is for UK and ROI residents only. GOOD LUCK! You can also enter the Teen Fiction Raffle here.

Tessa's TEMPLAR CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS!

December is on our doorstep; the Dorking Christmas lights are now switched on and I finally found where I’d stashed my mittens over the summer. We’ve been working hard this year to produce a bumper list of Christmassy books, and here are my five festive favourites...

First up is Follow the Star: a lavish pop-up book with a foil silver star on every spread, and a sparkly red cover that will look fab under any Christmas tree.

Next is Black Dog, by the incomparable Levi Pinfold, last year’s winner of the Booktrust Early Years Best Emerging Illustrator award. When the Hope family wake up one morning to find a big scary dog outside, they are understandably a little alarmed... but it’s no good hiding from your fears, and only the littlest member of the family has the courage to go out and face the overgrown visitor.

As you can probably tell, we do like a shiny cover here at Templar, and we’re especially proud of our sumptuous retelling of Aesop’s The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. With its glorious golden cover, this classic will really stick out on the bookshelf, and features stunning mousy artwork by Templar favourite Helen Ward.

Poor old Santa’s got an awful lot on his plate at this time of year, so the elves have put together a Santa’s Christmas Handbook to make sure nothing gets forgotten. Get to know Rudolf & co., study the Skyway Code (always keep left when overtaking Jumbo Jets) and for goodness’ sake watch out for skylights...

And my final favourite is the wonderful Bumper Book of Bob. It’s packed with stuff to do for all you Bob fans out there: puzzles, colouring-ins, masses of stickers, some super-stellar recipes and a new mini-lunar adventure! Perfect to keep you occupied on those long, boring space-trips to visit the relatives at Christmas!

HAPPY 'NEARLY' CHRISTMAS FROM TEMPLAR!

Behind the Scenes at Illusionology Filming

On Monday, there was an opportunity for the Illusionology team to escape from the office to take a road trip. The shiny sparkly lights of Hove, not Hollywood, was the destination.

The scripts had been prepared, props accounted for and a moustache grown!

Lights, camera... action!

Consultant and master magician, The Deceptionist, readies himself in front of a magical green screen and the camera starts to roll...

Illusionology tricks were performed and secrets were revealed to the camera. With some added magical effects, The Deceptionist materializes on a old theatre stage.

He starts to guide you through classic tricks from magic's illustrious history. Amazement is followed by enthusiasm and precious knowledge is gained.

Watch out for these special Illusionology films, but remember... IN SECRECY LIES WONDER.

Teresa Flavin in Sussex

Teresa Flavin ended her week in Sussex on a high - well on top of Devil's Dyke!

Teresa on Devil's Dyke

 Flying in from Glasgow to Gatwick on Sunday the 6th November, she was off to Hassocks, Steyning, Angmering, Goring, Haywards Heath, Ardingly, Burgess Hill and Brighton.

As a shortlisted author in the West Sussex Children's Book Award all the schools she visited were taking part in the voting and discussions on their favourite books. Lots of great feedback and happy children - especially for those who had never met an author before - it was a terrific tour. Thanks to all at West Sussex Library service for making it run so smoothly.

Teresa with year 7 at Oathill Community College

Vanessa and Julie from The Book Nook in Hove, Brighton finished off Teresa's visit to Sussex with a flourish - her largest school event to date - over 100 children who were thrilled with their special visitor.

After calling into the Just Imagine Story Centre in Chelmsford on Saturday for her last event in the south, Teresa heads back to Glasgow - and our thanks for all her hard work.

Teresa and Jayne enjoy the view