TERRY BURROWS: FIRST GUITAR TUTOR (Carlton PB)

Ever dreamed of being a rock superstar or the lead guitarist in a pop band? Then "First Guitar Tutor" is the perfect tool to help you start to make your dreams come true. "First Guitar Tutor" introduces you to the instrument at the heart of modern music - taking a fun, easy approach to guitar-playing for beginners. "First Guitar Tutor" puts music first, showing you how to read and understand written music and to master chords, with illustrated hand and finger positions. You will also learn to play tunes by following exercises that help you develop your music skills. And, if you find that it's all a bit tricky, the plucky plectrums offer helpful and entertaining hints and tips as you go along. "First Guitar Tutor" is the perfect introduction for children who want to learn to play the guitar. Introduction, How an Acoustic Guitar Works, Guitars Get Louder!, How to Choose a Guitar, Back to Basics, Sitting or Standing?, Left-Hand Techniques, Get in Tune!, Take your Pick!, Pick Some More!, Fingerpicking Good!, Strike a Chord!, Chord Fluency, Get that Rhythm, Note Values, Note Perfect!, Time Signatures, Playing Some Tunes, What Next?, Chord Finder, Special Effects!, Keep it Clean!, Home and Away, Glossary, Index. Sensationally good - photographs showing how your hands should be positioned on the frets, how to read music, how to read guitar tabs, all fantastically well illustrated and with clear, concise diagrams and instructions - you can't go wrong!

CARLTON'S EASTER SPECTACULAR!

DEREEN TAYLOR: TREASURE ISLAND (Illustrated by Carlos Fonseca) (Carlton HB)

Young Jim Hawkins and his companions set sail in search of buried treasure. Each spread is an action-packed scene that leads the reader through the story to the final, thrilling conclusion. It includes features such as pull out maps, booklets, charts and secret letters bring to life the swashbuckling adventure. It also features: eye-catching cover; ingenious pull-tab raises the Jolly Roger; buried treasure island map; pirate code of conduct booklet; message in a bottle; gatefold flap for cast list; and, game pieces for the Pirate Attack! Jim at his father's inn - the arrival of pirate Billy Bones; Billy Bones is scared to death, Jim discovers the map and sets sail to look for the treasure; Jim overhears plans for mutiny on the ship; the ship reaches Treasure Island; the mutiny begins; Jim meets the Ben Gunn who has been alone on the island for three years; the pirates attack; a bloody battle rages; Jim fights and kills a pirate; Long John Silver and Jim in combat; will they find the treasure; Game - Pirate Attack! One of those spectaular books that Carlton do so well - beautifully illustrated, and retelling the story of Treasure Island, but with flaps, maps, and a terrific pirate game, with character cards, spinning wheels, everything you need. This is utterly brilliant!

The Big Book of Puzzles and Paradoxes" is a fantastic puzzle book. A follow-up to 2009's "The Big Book of Riddles", it looks like an ancient tome that's been sitting on a castle shelf for hundreds of years. Illuminated lettering, tasteful illustration and contemporary style make this book a highly original product. The puzzles inside range from simple riddles to highly challenging logic puzzles that will have you scratching your head for hours! The Big Book of Puzzles and Paradoxes contains nearly 200 superb puzzles that are guaranteed to get your brain spinning and your mind whirring. All are set in the olden days, and Merlin the Magician, Avalon, King Arthur and other mythical people and places feature prominently. And that's what makes this book special; it's not just another dull puzzle book. It is a superbly crafted, unique piece of publishing that brings joy as soon as it is picked up. The fonts, the paper, the design, the page decoration, even the language used - everything has been carefully planned and executed. This book is simply amazing. Giaranteed to get your brain working, your head spinning and your mind doing somersaults - a spectacular collection of fantastic puzzles and problems to solve - ideal for parties, or just to relax with after a hard day - brilliant!

DAVID ROSS & BOB CATTELL: STRIKERS - YOUNG BLOOD (Carlton PB)

When you're slipping down the Premiere League and picking up speed, it's time for drastic action. Sherwood Strikers belong at the top, but now they have more than bad results to worry about. It seems some of the team are keener on fighting each other than beating the opposition. And, when accusations of match-rigging start to fly, the nightmare of manager Joss Morecombe is complete. Can Thomas Headley and the other Morecombe Babes really turn it round for the Strikers? With the world cup just weeks away, Carlton kicks off with a fantastic new series of children's football noevlettes that are guaranteed to get you in the mood for world cup action - reminiscent of Roy of the Rovers - terrific stories, beautifully told. Essential reading for anyone who loves the beautiful game!

DAVID ROSS & BOB CATTELL: STRIKERS - BIG DEAL (Carlton PB)

Thomas Headley, new idol of the Sherwood Strikers fans, thinks he can handle the limelight, and is getting used to the attention, the offers, the photo-calls. But there's another side to being a football star, as Thomas soon discovers. The pressure mounts as media mogul Redman Forster attempts to enlist Thomas' help to oust the club's management. As a potential buy-out looms, loyalties within the team are sorely tested and Thomas begins to realize that sometimes you need better footwork off the pitch than you do on it...