Jo Jo The Melon Donkey - Tapa dura

‘Melons. Melons for sale!’

Every day, Jo-Jo brays the same message and carries the heavy melons through the streets of Venice. Bullied by his master and plagued by flies, Jo-Jo is loved by nobody.

But one day, somebody notices Jo-Jo. The famous Doge’s daughter herself! And when danger looms, the Venetians need a hero to save them . . .

From the master storyteller himself comes a story about an evolving friendship between Jo-Jo and the Doge’s daughter, who loves the donkey despite his lowly position.  A real feeling of of warmth and hope is created in this timeless, classical tale.

Helen Stephens has sold over one million books worldwide and The Big Adventure of the Smalls has already had a great reception in the UK, France and the US.  Her book Fleabag won The Dundee Picture Book Award, was commended at The Sheffield Picture Book Award, and won Silver at the Norfolk Libraries Children's Book Awards.

Michael Morpurgo’s skill as a storyteller is uncontested and his latest picture book It’s a Dog’s Life has sold has sold over 10 000 copies since publication in 2010. His bestselling book War Horse has been translated into 33 languages and has recently been made into a film by Steven Spielberg. Michael describes himself as "oldish, married with three children, and a grandfather six times over.”