The Beak Speaks/Chicken School

THE BEAK SPEAKS: Mark is concerned that his dad has too much to do since his mum left - looking after him and his sister Tammy, the house and his vet's practice. He advertises for a girlfriend for his dad and soon the surgery is full of eager women, including the beautiful, but evil, Divine and her ugly henchman, Jaundice. This pair of crooks are smuggling animals and need a vet to look after them. Mark's dad is a sucker for Divine, but just to make sure of his help, she kidnaps the children. Luckily Mark has made friends with one of the smuggled chimps, Arnold Teabag, who is a bit of an escape artist, and the chimp brings help.

CHICKEN SCHOOL: Tim's family is the Most Boring Family In The World and he's fed up. He wants fun! Thrills! Adventure! And school's just as boring too. But one day a phantom message about Tim appears and everything changes. Who is the day-glo scribbler - and what's so special about chickens anyway?

** Jeremy Strong is the award-winning author of The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog, My Brother's Famous Bottom and Cartoon Kid.
** He is one of the top 20 most-borrowed children's authors from British libraries.
** His slapstick humour appeals to both boys and girls age 7+
** Great value - two books in one!