Johnson, Gillian

Thora: A Half-Mermaid Tale

Thora's no ordinary girl. She's got scales on her legs, purple feet, and a blowhole that squirts water from the top of her head. Thora's a half-mermaid. And as mermaid law commands, Thora must spend ten years at sea and ten years on land. In a houseboat called the Loki, Thora sails the seas with her mermaid mother, Halla, and guard ian, Mr. Walters. But following her tenth birthday, Thora heads to the seaside town of Grimli, where her father grew up.

In Grimli, fat-cat tycoon Frooty de Mare will stop at nothing to expand his Tooty Frooty Enterprises. With the help of new friends and her pet peacock, Thora has her work cut out thwarting Frooty's evil plans -- not to mention doing a bit of exploring into her own Grimli roots.

Gillian Johnson's fanciful tale captures the unflappable spirit of an exceptional young heroine who, despite being half-mermaid, somehow always manages to land on her feet.

Thora and the Green Sea-Unicorn: Another Half-Mermaid Tale

Thora isn't your average ten-year-old. She's half-mermaid and half-human. Now that Thora's living in London with her mermaid mother and human caretaker, Mr. Walters—not to mention a pet peacock and a rare green sparkling sea-unicorn—it doesn't take long for things on land to go awry. Especially the disturbing disappearance of their houseboat, the Loki, and her sea-unicorn, Shirley!

When Mr. Walters's friend at Snug Harbor invites her family for a respite, Thora discovers more snags—like a girl named Louella who doesn't believe in mermaids. While Louella tries to stop Snug Harbor from being converted into a croquet park, Thora thinks she can help. But will she be able to get to the bottom of her own troubles and find her beloved Shirley?

The second book about Thora is another enchanting tale of a good-humored, extraordinary young girl with a knack for unraveling fishy mysteries.

My Sister Gracie

Fabio is an only dog. He longs for a brother to play with him, to share his toys, and to show off to his friends. His owners agree that Fabio should have companionship. The time has come to get another dog.

Much to Fabio’s horror, the dog they bring home is not the frisky brother he envisioned. It is fat old Gracie, fresh from the pound. She’s tired, she’s shy, and worst of all, she’s a girl. Fabio does everything he can to get rid of the interloper. But while it’s all right for him to complain about Gracie, just watch the fur fly when the other dogs make fun of her. Fabio realizes that families, and love, come in all shapes and sizes.

This story will be familiar to any child who has wanted a brother or sister and is surprised to find that what arrives is not the full-fledged playmate he or she expected.


From the Hardcover edition.

James the Dancing Dog

James the beagle was a real dog. His master and mistress worked with the National Ballet of Canada, and between 1961 and 1972 he went with them to the studio, the rehearsal hall, and the theater where the dancers performed. Perhaps this is what James dreamed about when he lay quietly on the floor, his eyes fastened on the twirling dancers.

From puppyhood James wanted to dance. Now, he certainly helped the dancers. He practiced their lifts with them. He helped them keep their figures trim by sharing their lunches. He allowed himself to be patted as a good luck talisman before the dancers went on stage. But this was not enough for James. In his heart he longed to be a dancer himself, to soar across the stage, the spotlight on him.

One day the notice is posted that the company is to perform Giselle. The ballet includes a meaty role for a hunting dog, and James is sure that his moment has come. But the role goes instead to a long-legged wolfhound. James is left out in the cold. That is, until the wolfhound gets stage fright.

Princess Bun Bun

Eugene, Winifred, and baby Bun Bun are off to visit their uncle who lives in a Great Big Apartment building called Castle Apartments. Could it be a real castle? When Bun Bun, who’s just learned to walk, toddles into the elevator alone, big sister Winifred comes to the rescue. As they go up and up and up in the modern-day tower, they meet a scary monster, a witch, and even a beautiful princess. Or do they?

Bun Bun's Birthday

A birthday party for baby Brenda, or Bun Bun as she’s called, is a wonderful thing – unless, of course, you’re her older sister. Poor Winifred is put out. She thinks the party should be for her.

Winifred learns that she too had a first birthday, and a party of her own. What’s more, she has a special job: to help Bun Bun remember her first birthday party in years to come. Now in paperback, Bun Bun’s Birthday is sure to delight a new gang of little tykes.

Gracie's Baby Chub Chop

…Baby Chub was full of flaws.
He had no tail, no fur, no paws.
He lay about
On back and tummy,
Sucking on
A rubber dummy.
His head was bald.
He had a rash.
He ate the most disgusting mash.

Baby Chub Chop has come to visit, bringing chaos in his wake. Gracie and Fabio have their doggy noses out of joint. Chub Chop is getting all the attention. What’s worse, Baby Chub Chop is just about to walk. The big moment comes when he is alone. On his first independent walk/rampage he breaks things, he hides things, and generally creates a mess. Who gets the blame? Not cute baby Chub Chop but innocent Gracie and Fabio.

It is up to Gracie to sniff out the clues and prove that Baby Chub Chop is the culprit.

Told in hilariously rhyming couplets in the tradition of Dr. Seuss, embellished with delightful illustrations, Gracie the hound, first introduced in My Sister Gracie, continues to win readers’ hearts from Iceland to Tasmania.

Ma Soeur Bibi

Thora and the Green Sea-unicorn (Thora)

Eugene's Story

Eugene’s story is the story of almost every child who has found himself in the middle. All day, he finds himself trying to tell his own story. He wants to talk about how nicely he can pour his cereal. His sister Winifred interrupts to point out he is spilling. He wants to tell about the shoes he can put on. His sister points out that he has them on the wrong feet. When he tries to say that he’d like to walk the dog, Winifred is quick to interrupt: “We don’t have a dog!” In short, Eugene’s story is that he cannot tell his story. At least not until it is bedtime when he can dream – that he is an only child.

Richard Scrimger evokes a gentle and realistic family life in his tales of Bun Bun, Winifred, and of course, Eugene.