Scratching Shed Publishing

Prepare to scream… with horror and mirth!

By Steve Nallon  – with illustrations by Scott Brooker

Comedy writer, actor and founding Spitting Image cast member Steve Nallon presents twelve Spooky Tales of Supernatural Strangeness …and Weirdly Wonderful Goings On.

‘These ghost tales are vivid, grotesque, funny and curiously believable. Compelling reading for the young, old and in-betweens… The Oath of Aesculapius is a lovely, twisty, gothic horror story about a dining club – think Bullingdon – where rich men eat rich food and – hallelujah! – get their just desserts.’ Jonny Maitland, Tonight television presenter and author of the play The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson

‘These are absolute GENIUS! Perfectly formed, individually wrapped treats, to be consumed by the fireside, a large sherry in hand, the fingers of long branches scraping across a window. A mixture of Wodehouse, Conan Doyle and fresh Nallon, these spooky tales chill and thrill in equal amounts.’ James Dreyfus, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and The Thin Blue Line

‘With a fine grasp of character and idiolect, Steve Nallon conjures up worlds with a great sense of authenticity and an even greater sense of imagination… Steve has an uncanny ability to find fresh and disturbing images – of life and death – in what we think are familiar worlds.’ Alistair McGowan, BAFTA winning comedian and actor

By George Griffin

Illustrations: Elly J Suggit and Jodie Kelley

He’s back! Hot on the heels of his first book, Harvey the Hippo now has a second. And in it, he and his friends are joining a marching band! But will he play the drums, saxophone, flute, trumpet or trombone, as Safari School prepares to take the stage?

Written by professional rugby league player George Griffin, this follow-up to Harvey Hippo Finds His Talent also has wonderfully colourful images that any child will love. Harvey 2 is a musical and poetic treat for children just learning to read.

by Lee Stuart Evans

The late 1980s.

Robin dreams of becoming Jim Kerr, singer in the best band in the world, Simple Minds, despite having no talent whatsoever.

Fliss is a musical genius, perhaps the East Midlands’ answer to Kate Bush, if only she had more confidence.

Until rock stardom inevitably descends upon him, Robin takes a job at the local garage, where for the first time in his life he finds a sense of purpose; while Fliss, pushed by her mother, reluctantly auditions for TV’s biggest talent show and proves an instant hit.

When dozens of fast cars are stolen, old mechanic Vern recruits Robin to help him investigate suspicious goings-on at a derelict railway yard on the edge of Sherwood Forest.

It’s all a bit of a lark until somebody gets killed and Robin and Fliss find themselves entangled in a police investigation.

But does death mean the end of their romantic and musical dreams, or is it only just the beginning?

‘Alive and kicking with big laughs and an even bigger heart…’ – Patrick Kielty

‘My favourite funny writer…’ – Harry Hill

Written by George Griffin. Illustrated by Bureta Faraimo

Harvey the Hippo is excited as he prepares for sports day at school. He is ready to throw, jump, run, climb and swim – but what will he be good at in this uplifting rhyming tale of perseverance and belief?

Find out by reading this charming children’s book, written and illustrated by professional rugby league players George Griffin and Bureta Faraimo, as they too reveal their hidden talents.

By Seth Burkett

“A great story for all football fans…” – Willian, Chelsea and Brazil

With an introduction by Sam Clucas, Swansea City

Alfie Bennett is going to be a superstar. He is absolutely sure of it. Every second of his life is dedicated to football. And when he gets signed up by the famous Borough Academy, it looks as if he’s well and truly on the way to achieving his dream. Yet life at Borough isn’t all that it seems…

‘A passion for the beautiful game shines through in this wonderful title…’ – International Soccer Network