{"title":"Books by Nicholas Allan","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781839133626","title":"The King's Pants","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShortlisted for the British Book of the Year Awards, a hilarious story jam-packed with royal pants from the author of the award-winning, bestselling, funny family favourite \u003ci\u003eThe Queen's Knickers\u003c\/i\u003e!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe King cannot rule without his Royal Pants. He has a pair for every occasion: coronation pants (he can't be crowned without them), organic pants (edible in royal emergencies) and even inflatable space-pants (because one never knows when they might come in handy). But in a boxer-shorts blunder at the Royal Mail, the King's undies have been posted to his subjects nationwide! With his Y-fronts gone wandering, how will the King possibly cope?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A delightful tale' \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eT\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003ehe Queen's Knickers\u003c\/i\u003e has been a bestselling family favourite for 30 years, and won The Sheffield Children’s Book Award and The Coventry Inspirational Award. Praise for \u003ci\u003eThe Queen's Knickers\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e'Made my four-year-old son hoot with laughter' \u003ci\u003eDaily Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Cheerily irreverent' \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Pure fun' \u003ci\u003eThe Mail on Sunday\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Naughty and charming' Evening Standard\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43128016830642,"sku":"9781839133626","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781839133626.jpg?v=1786028451"},{"product_id":"9780099413141","title":"The Queen's Knickers","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt's a busy year for the Queen - she has lots of important events to attend. Meanwhile, a little girl is wondering what knickers Her Majesty will choose to wear on a school visit! Will they be her 'at home' knickers - adorned with corgis - or her 'garden party' knickers, or perhaps her woolly Balmoral ones...?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth children and adults will love this very special and endearing insight into a child's imagination, from the best-selling author-illustrator of \u003ci\u003eFather Christmas Needs A Wee\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eJesus' Christmas Party\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecently, the Queen visited a nursery in Norfolk and enjoyed a display based on the book:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"...just to make it special, there was one element that was not quite so traditional: pants. These were not just any pants, either. They were the Queen's Knickers, and at Dersingham Infant and Nursery School, in Norfolk, they were put on special display in honour of their royal visitor\" ~ Valentine Low, \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43201371013298,"sku":"9780099413141","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780099413141.jpg?v=1786011532"},{"product_id":"9780099495369","title":"Picasso's Trousers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA child-friendly picture book biography, featuring reproductions of Picasso masterpieces and a foldout representation of Picasso at work\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePeople were always saying, \"No! No! No! Picasso!\"\u003cbr\u003eBut Picasso said . . . \"Yes!\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this funny and accessible introduction to Picasso and art, children learn that daring to be different can be rewarding. Picasso doesn't listen when people tell him \"No!\" Instead, he paints all-blue pictures, all-pink pictures, plus pictures from the front and side all at the same time. He makes art out of bike parts and he can draw pictures in less than 60 seconds. Soon he becomes one of the greatest painters in the world, but he still wants to be different.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43201396310194,"sku":"9780099495369","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780099495369.jpg?v=1786011450"},{"product_id":"9780099456483","title":"Where Willy Went","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA simple introduction to reproduction. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery single day, Willy, a small sperm, practices for the Great Swimming Race. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut, when the day arrives, will Willy be able to swim faster than his 300 million friends? He'll have to if he stands a chance of meeting the marvellous egg.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJoin Willy on his biggest adventure yet! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHilariously funny, warm, and playful, this is a picture book that appeals to both children and grown-ups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Fresh, original, and imaginative. . . . Allan's achievement is in couching fascinating facts within the construct of a gentle, direct narrative. A little knowledge is a wonderful thing, and as the rest of the facts of life fall into place, Allan's readers will look back on this book with a mixture of fondness and wry amusement.\" -\u003ci\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43206006538418,"sku":"9780099456483","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780099456483_62844881-29f7-4391-ba6f-c0fcdb799ead.jpg?v=1786011068"},{"product_id":"9781910533635","title":"When Dreams Collide","description":"When Dreams Collide is Nicholas Allan's intimate pilgrimage across the former states of Yugoslavia. Shedding the received knowledge of headlines, he explores the splintered co-evolution of these lands over the last ten centuries, guided by the inimitable Rebecca West's masterpiece, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon. Written 80 years in the past, West's account serves as a fascinating reference for the optimistic interwar years of the 20th century between the Ottoman decline and the Nazi onset. The evolving balancing act of Tito's Yugoslav experiment and the atrocities following its break-up were still to come.   Collapsing empires and proud young nations, monasteries and mosques, brotherhood, hatred, war, music, frescoes, food, costume, people, mountains, rivers and seas, the distant rumbles of the centuries take many forms. At a turning point in his own life, Allan is drawn to explore this complex area, through the lens of his part Eastern European heritage. He records personal encounters and richly drawn characters interwoven with history and art, politics and religion (too often one and the same).   Enhanced with delightful hand-drawn maps of the Balkans including Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia.  73 informative photograph's showing some the areas key historical figures including Ibrahim Rugova, Hitler, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, Tito, Draza Mihailovic, Slobodan Milosevic, Alecksandar Vucic, Alija Izetbegovic, Radovan Karadzic, Ante Pavelic, Franjo Tudjman, and Fitzroy Maclean.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43599508177074,"sku":"9781910533635","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781910533635_f25baac4-73f8-42fb-963a-1650d9106bcc.jpg?v=1786029401"},{"product_id":"9780099262732","title":"Jesus' Day Off","description":"Jesus worked hard to make the world beautiful. He performed miracles, told fabulous stories - all for free - and generally spent his time spreading joy and light around the world. A tiring business, as Jesus had to admit when, one day, he had trouble getting out of bed. And worse - the miracles start to go wrong! But help is at hand. 'Take the day off, Jesus,' said the doctor. 'Relax.  Have some fun!' So Jesus had some fun - but was it worth it? Dad, as usual, has the answer!","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56222844846453,"sku":"9780099262732","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780099262732_732fa5a2-ac68-4c3b-b0c5-2371433b8bf6.jpg?v=1786011247"},{"product_id":"9780099438632","title":"Cinderella's Bum","description":"\u003cp\u003eA big sister is horrified when she can't fit into her swimming costume. Her BOTTOM IS SOO BIG! But her little sister has some good advice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere follows a wonderful romp through history and fairyland, as the little sister explains exactly why a big bottom can be useful. Father Christmas needs one for crash landings and, if you are a queen, a big bum is vital to keep you comfy while sitting on your throne . . . \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnce again Nicholas Allan combines laugh-out-loud humour with real insight that cannot fail to raise a smile.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56223824118133,"sku":"9780099438632","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780099438632_7e9a90d8-e8b2-4b53-98d2-2d84c22fa984.jpg?v=1786010959"},{"product_id":"9781782952572","title":"The Prince and the Potty","description":"\u003cp\u003eA jolly escapade through the world of potties, royalty and tiny accidents in this hilarious romp from the bestselling creator of \u003cb\u003eThe Queen's Knickers\u003c\/b\u003e, Nicholas Allan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt's time for the prince to use his potty, so it's off to the Royal Potty Workshop! There are singing potties, potties pulled by corgis, and even super-duper flying Royal Robo-Potties!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut it's hard work finding the perfect potty for the job ... especially when disaster strikes. Can the Royal Baby find his own solution?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Royal Nappy:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Lots of fun\" \u003ci\u003eThe Sun\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56304456434037,"sku":"9781782952572","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781782952572_da3ee79e-d714-4462-910f-db35a8e707af.jpg?v=1786025618"},{"product_id":"9781782951667","title":"Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps!","description":"\u003cp\u003eFather Christmas is back, and this time he's had three helping of sprouts! As he tries to deliver the presents, his tummy rumbles, gurgles and groans, but Father Christmas knows he must keep it in - he doesn't want to wake anyone up!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWill he come up TRUMPS?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56304727556469,"sku":"9781782951667","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781782951667_402401dc-f73c-4d72-be37-d2e27fb9ce2f.jpg?v=1786025583"},{"product_id":"9781782953999","title":"Loo Queue","description":"In this riotous rhyme from Nicholas Allan, the queue for the loo gets very long indeed, as a series of multi-coloured animals impatiently join!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCount, spot colours, spot animals, and all join in to find out who's in the loo...","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56304975446389,"sku":"9781782953999","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781782953999_f7e976f8-e75b-4de2-a9bd-e06457978e00.jpg?v=1786025632"},{"product_id":"9781782955306","title":"My Dad's the Best","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the creator of \u003ci\u003eThe Queen’s Knickers \u003c\/i\u003ecomes a hilarious and charming look at what makes each dad different, and why dads are the very best!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis dad can't sing like a pop star or cook like a chef...but, he can help with tricky homework, tell amazing bedtime stories and give \u003ci\u003ethe best\u003c\/i\u003e piggybacks! Find out what else makes dads the best in this special celebration of fathers everywhere!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth children and adults will love this hilarious insight into the special relationship between father and child.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56305002774901,"sku":"9781782955306","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781782955306_064062ff-99e3-4069-ae74-365c90a775e6.jpg?v=1786025644"},{"product_id":"9781849415262","title":"Jesus' Christmas Party","description":"A special new enlarged edition of the bestselling Christmas story told from the point of view of the grumpy innkeeper. When a night of angels, shepherds and bright stars keeps him from his sleep, is there anything that will cheer him up?","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308533297525,"sku":"9781849415262","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781849415262_87ac85fa-b677-4fb0-beb2-fd482136b4a7.jpg?v=1790607949"},{"product_id":"9781862308251","title":"Father Christmas Needs a Wee","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Father Christmas needs a wee.\u003cbr\u003eHe's been drinking drinks since half past three . . .\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt each different house that he visits Father Christmas drinks and eats all the goodies left out for him. Before long he really, really, really needs a wee. So much so that he even forgets to leave the presents behind. But he dashes back, delivers all the pressies and flies home at high speed to avoid an embarassing accident . . . there's just one tiny problem . . . he's lost his house key!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFind out what happens and whether Father Christmas ever gets to relieve himself in this brilliant and fabulously funny counting book from the talented author\/illustrator Nicholas Allan!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308654113141,"sku":"9781862308251","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781862308251_5bbbcc87-3d71-455a-9258-801d23c772c9.jpg?v=1786029340"},{"product_id":"9781782953050","title":"Heaven","description":"\u003cp\u003eDill the dog knows his time is up so he packs his case and tells Lily, his owner, that he's off \"up there\". \"Can I come too?\" asks Lily. \"Er . . . not yet,\" replies Dill. \u003cbr\u003eWhile he is waiting for the angels to collect him, Dill explains to Lily what he thinks heaven is like: hundreds of lampposts to pee against, lots of whiffy things to smell and bones everywhere - with meat on them! But Lily completely disagrees, she thinks heaven is quite different. Luckily, they agree to disagree just in time for a fond, and very poignant, last goodbye. \u003cbr\u003eNicholas Allan is unique among picture book creators for his combination of off-beat humour and child appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312826724725,"sku":"9781782953050","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781782953050_817f5702-23b5-4962-8e8b-01ed64c217e6.jpg?v=1786025624"},{"product_id":"father-christmas-goes-to-the-nativity","title":"Father Christmas Goes to the Nativity","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOn the first ever Christmas Eve, Santa is raring to go! He must deliver the first Christmas present to a very special baby, but the Angels know it's not quite time yet...\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe baby Jesus hasn't been born yet, the star hasn't appeared in the sky, and the Shepherds and Wise Men haven't even set off, but Santa is ready to get going on his journey to bring the Baby Jesus the first ever Christmas present! Will the Angels be able to keep him from arriving too soon?\u003cbr\u003eA welcome return to the story of the nativity following on from Nicholas' much loved \u003ci\u003eJesus' Christmas Party \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e Father Christmas Needs a Wee.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57510272926069,"sku":"9781839136870","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781839136870.jpg?v=1787130616"},{"product_id":"the-true-secret-history-of-a-cave-painter","title":"The True Secret History of a Cave Painter","description":"Suggs is a Cave Boy who wants to be an artist. With help from his unlikely best friend Proper Dog, he discovers a lot about painting such as perspective and differences of interpretation! But when one day his drawing hand is injured, he finds that his left hand is a ‘no-drawing hand’. Proper Dog won’t let him give up though, and believes that ‘practice makes perfect’. Wind on 30,000 years, and current day children visiting Suggs’ cave are amazed by just what he achieved!Pre-historic cave painting is a topic everyone finds fascinating, and this book connects us to real artists who lived 30,000 years ago, more specifically in the Chauvet Caves in France, as filmed by Werner Herzog in Cave of forgotten Dreams.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57680264823157,"sku":"9781836300366","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-nicholas-allan.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}