Borka

by John Burningham

Published 1 January 1963
Odd appearances don’t get in the way of adventure in a jubilant new edition of John Burningham’s very first picture book, back by popular demand.

Mr. and Mrs. Plumpster are delighted when their six eggs hatch into adorable baby goslings. But one has them worried: Borka, who was born without feathers. The doctor encourages Mrs. Plumpster to knit Borka a fuzzy sweater, but while it helps keep out the cold, it doesn’t keep all the other young geese from teasing Borka — until, come migration day, her siblings fly off without her. What is the tearful goose to do? In a brand-new edition of his debut book for children —awarded a prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963 — the incomparable John Burningham turns a sad beginning into a whimsical tale of pluck and serendipity, kindness and kindred spirits, as he celebrates the rare birds among us.

Mr Gumpy's Motor Car

by John Burningham

Published 1 January 1975
It's a lovely day and Mr Gumpy decides to go for a ride in his motor car. But everyone else wants to come too! As the motor car and its passengers makes its way across the field, the rain begins...Mr Gumpy asks for volunteers to push the car, but everyone has an excuse, until it gets so bad that they all have to get out and help. Eventually, the sun shines once more as they drive across the bridge - and there's time for a swim on the way home.

Humbert

by John Burningham

Published November 1965
This is the story of Humbert, a working horse, Mister Firkin, his master, and the Lord Mayor of London. Mister Firkin was a scrap-iron dealer and he would travel the streets of London with Humbert, shouting 'Any scrap, any old iron for sale?' The Brewery horses are terrible snobs and show off about how important they are because they are used in the Lord Mayor's Show. But when disaster strikes, it's Humbert who rushes to rescue and escorts the Mayor to Mansion House.

Granpa

by John Burningham

Published June 1988
Granpa nurses his granddaughter's dolls, mistakes her strawberry-flavoured pretend ice-cream for chocolate, takes her tobogganing in the snow, and falls in with her imaginary plans to captain a ship to Africa, like all good Granpa's should. It is a friendship that children who read this book will long remember.

Cannonball Simp

by John Burningham

Published 22 November 1979
A small dog, abandoned near a trash dump and captured by a dog catcher, finds a home for herself when she is befriended by a circus clown whose act needs improving.