Caroline Pitcher

Rory is afraid of the darkness of winter. He thinks that monsters and demons might creep out from the shadows and get him. So he makes a dragon of emerald green with a brilliant red crest. Each night the dragon comes alive to tell Rory stories of knights and battles, and of elf-kings and treasure hoards. Through his dreamtime adventures, Rory grows brave.

After being told that she cannot leave her winter den until spring arrives, Una the bear cub goes out early, meets various animals, gets in trouble, and eventually finds out what spring is.

A childless old woman is given a merbaby to raise until the child can safely return to the sea.

Nico rescues a small octopus and takes it home to keep as a pet, caring for it until one day, he learns some sad and wonderful news. Includes a factual section on octopuses.