Search results for ""MACMILLAN""

Celebrate 40 years of the favourite lift-the-flap farmyard story from Rod Campbell, the creator of the bestselling preschool classic, Dear Zoo.Buster's staying with Grandma on the farm. But where will he find the eggs for breakfast? Not in the stable – oh dear! Young children will love lifting the flaps as they turn the pages and follow Buster around the farm.With bright, bold artwork, simple, catchy text and a whole host of favourite farm animals, Oh Dear! is a classic story to come back to again and again, and the thick board pages, chunky cased cover and sturdy flaps make it great for small hands.Rod Campbell, the creator of the preschool lift-the-flap classic Dear Zoo, has been a trusted name in early learning for over forty years, and Oh Dear! has been a firm favourite with toddlers and parents alike since it was first published in 1983.Enjoy more stories about Buster with two touch-and-feel books, Goodnight Buster! and Buster's Farm, and the search-and-find book Where's Teddy?.

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‘If you haven’t read Kate Morton before, do yourself a favour’ – Graham Norton, broadcaster and bestselling author of Home StretchA breathtaking mystery of love, lies and a cold case come back to life, Homecoming is an immersive, twisting epic from the bestselling Kate Morton, told with her trademark intricacy and beauty.Adelaide Hills, 1959. At the end of a scorching hot day, in the grounds of a grand country house, a local man makes a terrible discovery. Police are called, and the small town of Tambilla becomes embroiled in one of the most mystifying murder investigations in the history of Australia.London, 2018. Jess is a journalist in search of a story. Having lived and worked in London for nearly two decades, a phone call summons her back to Sydney, where her beloved grandmother, Nora, has suffered a fall and is seriously ill in hospital.Seeking comfort in her past, Jess discovers a true crime book at Nora’s house chronicling a long-buried police case: the Turner Family Tragedy of 1959. And within its pages she finds a shocking personal connection to this notorious event – a crime that has never truly been solved.An epic novel that spans generations, Homecoming asks what we would do for those we love and how we protect the lies we tell.Readers love Homecoming by Kate Morton . . .‘Will leave you glued to the very last page’‘Plenty of turns to keep you guessing’‘Heartbreaking, beautifully written and superbly constructed’

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'Important, compelling, and detailed . . . a superb analysis of the West’s policy missteps and the tragic consequences of them.' - General David PetraeusIn Assad: The Triumph of Tyranny, Con Coughlin, veteran commentator on war in the Middle East and author of Saddam: The Secret Life, examines how a mild-mannered ophthalmic surgeon has transformed himself into the tyrannical ruler of a once flourishing country.Until the Arab Spring of 2011, the world’s view of Bashar al-Assad was largely benign. He and his wife, a former British banker, were viewed as philanthropic individuals doing their best to keep their country at peace. So much so that a profile of Mrs Assad in American Vogue was headlined ‘The Rose in the Desert’. Shortly after it appeared, Syria descended into the horrific civil war that has seen its cities reduced to rubble and thousands murdered and displaced, a civil war that is still raging over a decade later.In this vivid and authoritative account Con Coughlin draws together all the strands of Assad's remarkable story, revealing precisely how a young doctor ensured not only that he inherited the presidency from his father, but has held on to power by whatever means necessary, continuing to preside over one of the most brutal regimes of modern times.

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You Can Do Anything, Tyrone! is a fantastic fun tale of imagination and adventure from the award-winning comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry.Tyrone is going to build a brilliant rocket ship out of building blocks and go on an adventure to the moon! There's just one problem . . . the blocks won't work, and Tyrone quickly loses his temper. Luckily, Grandad Cleveland is on hand to show him that with self belief, a bit of determination and a lot of imagination, there’s nothing Tyrone can't do. In fact, why stop at the moon when there's the rest of the world and a whole universe to explore!A highly entertaining rhyming story full of love, family and fun - brilliantly brought to life by illustrator Salomey Doku.

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The 91-Storey Treehouse is the seventh book of Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton's wacky treehouse adventures, where the laugh-out-loud story is told through a combination of text and fantastic comic book-style illustrations.'The kind of book I would have loved as a kid' – Tom Fletcher, author of The Danger GangJoin Andy and Terry in their 91-storey spectacular treehouse – it used to be a 78-story treehouse, but they keep getting ideas for new stories! They've added thirteen new levels, including the world's most powerful whirlpool, a mashed-potato-and-gravy train and a human pinball machine. Why not try your luck on the spin-and-win prize wheel or hang out in a giant spider web (with a giant spider), or you can always get your fortune told by Madam Know-it-all or eat a submarine sandwich the size of an actual submarine while deciding whether or not to push the BIG RED BUTTON . . . which they’re not sure whether to push or not because they can’t remember what it does.Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up!Climb more fun-filled levels by collecting all thirteen books in the seven million-copy-selling series – the perfect chapter books for reluctant readers.

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Can you help Little Hare find where the Easter Bunny is hiding? Lift the felt flaps to look for him. Who else will you meet along the way?Can You Find The Easter Bunny? is a chunky board book with soft flaps on every spread that are easy for babies to lift and help develop their fine motor skills. This gorgeous book by Axel Scheffler, bestselling illustrator of The Gruffalo, is the perfect Easter gift for little ones.Discover more adventures from Axel Scheffler: On the Farm, Who's Hiding in the Park? and Pip the Puppy.

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With over 250 easy-to-use stickers and loads of fun activities that are perfect for preschoolers, The Gruffalo Sticker Book is sure to delight fans of the picture book!The Gruffalo Sticker Book is packed full of sticker scenes, matching activities, simple puzzles, colouring, sticker games and more – plus all your favourite characters from the deep dark wood. The fun activities have been carefully designed to be just right for children aged 3 and over, with six pages of big, easy-to-use stickers – perfect for holidays, journeys and rainy days.Based on the bestselling picture book The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

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First published in 1907 and in print ever since, Hilaire Belloc’s Cautionary Tales for Children is a deliciously witty parody of the terribly serious moral tales for children, which were popular in Victorian times.Terrifying and funny at the same time, and with a true sense of the absurd, Belloc brings us the renowned 'Jim, Who ran away from his nurse, and was eaten by a Lion' and unfortunate 'Rebecca, who slammed Doors for Fun and Perished Miserably'.As well as these stories and many more, this edition includes a selection of mischievous poems from The Bad Child’s Book of Beasts and More Beasts for Worse Children. This volume includes the original illustrations by Basil Temple Blackwood, known as B.T.B.

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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.Let Jay Blades' words of wisdom – gleaned from his own triumphs over adversity – help you to find your best path through life. Filled with characteristic warmth and humour, Jay talks about the life lessons that have helped him to find positivity and growth, no matter what he’s found himself facing.Jay shares not only his adventures and escapades but also the way they have shaped his outlook and helped him to live life to the fullest. His insight and advice give you everything you need to be able to reframe your own circumstances and make the best of them.It’s very easy to be passive in life and just do what you know. But, believe me, you’ll be a lot more excited every day if you shape your own future.

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For all those who journey to Middle Earth, here is the definitive guide to its lands, legends, histories, languages and people.The Complete Tolkien Companion explains, translates, and links every single reference - names, dates, places, facts, famous weapons, even food and drink - to be found in J. R. R. Tolkien's world, which includes not only The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings but also The Simarillion and many other posthumously published works. A detailed explanation of the various Elvish writing systems, together with maps, charts, and genealogical tables, bring the remarkable genius of Toilkien and the unforgettable world and wonder of Middle Earth to life with focus and accuracy.First published in 1976, this is an indispensable accompaniment for anyone who embarks on the reading journey of a lifetime.

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Sunday Times Bestseller and Blackwell's Non-Fiction Book of the Month.Over one hundred years after its wreck, Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship, was found in the depths of the most hostile sea on Earth. The Ship Beneath the Ice is the astonishing story of the ship and its discovery, told by Mensun Bound, the Director of Exploration on the Endurance22 Expedition.'As thrilling as any tale from the heroic age of exploration . . . Bound’s account is a triumph' – Sunday TimesOn 21 November 1915, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, finally succumbed to the crushing ice. Its crew watched in silence as the stern rose twenty feet in the air and then, it was gone. The miraculous escape and survival of all twenty-eight men on board have entered legend. And yet, the iconic ship that bore them to the brink of the Antarctic was considered forever lost.A century later, an audacious plan to locate the ship was hatched. The Ship Beneath the Ice gives a blow-by-blow account of the two epic expeditions to find the Endurance. As with Shackleton’s own story, the voyages were filled with intense drama and teamwork under pressure. In March 2022, the Endurance was finally found to headlines all over the world.Written by Mensun Bound, maritime archaeologist and Director of Exploration in the search to find the Endurance, this captivating narrative recounts incredible stories of Shackleton and his legendary ship, and the journey to its rediscovery. Beautifully illustrated with Frank Hurley’s photos from Shackleton’s original voyage in 1914–17, as well as from the expeditions in 2019 and 2022, The Ship Beneath the Ice is the perfect tribute to this monumental discovery.'The story of Shackleton’s Endurance is one of the most extraordinary in the history of exploration. This is more than just an astonishing sequel. It is a tale just as powerful, and one which redefines the meaning of impossible' – Sir Michael Palin

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'A punchy and very funny campus novel which manages to satirise the culture wars without ever making too clear which side of the cancel-culture v anti-woke divide the author stands on' – Nicola Sturgeon'Taranto’s hilarious, provocative debut novel, is at once bracingly contemporary and reassuringly familiar . . . The novel’s peculiar genius lies in how you’re never entirely sure where Taranto’s sympathies lie.' – The Times'A hit, a very palpable hit' – The SpectatorJulius Taranto’s wickedly satirical and refreshingly irreverent debut novel, a young physicist follows her mentor to an island research institute that gives safe harbour to ‘cancelled’ artists and scientists.Helen, a graduate student on a quest to save the planet, is one of the best minds of her generation. But when her irreplaceable advisor’s student sex scandal is exposed, she must choose whether to give up on her work or accompany him to RIP, a research institute which grants safe harbour to the disgraced and the deplorable.As Helen settles into life at the institute alongside her partner Hew, she develops a crush on an older novelist, while he is drawn to an increasingly violent protest movement. As the rift between them deepens, they both face major – and potentially world-altering – choices.Hilarious, provocative and thought-provoking, How I Won A Nobel Prize approaches the issues of our times in a genuine and fresh way, examining the price we’re willing to pay for progress and what it means, in the end, to be a good person.‘A stunning new talent, announcing itself fully formed’ – Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn

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Achieve more with this fifteen-minute meditation programme.In Stress Less, Accomplish More Emily Fletcher shares an ancient meditation technique designed for busy lives. The focus of the practice is stress relief, mental clarity and improved productivity, so it's perfect for the fast pace of modern life. This style of meditation was developed specifically for people with a lot of demands on their time – those with busy jobs, lives and families – and so it has been designed to work anywhere, anytime. All you need is somewhere to sit, a little training and a few minutes to yourself. Throughout the book, Emily explains what meditation is, how you do it and the many exciting ways that it can change your life. Stress Less, Accomplish More destigmatises meditation for the average person, making it attractive, understandable and easy to implement for all. This book has a very simple message: do less – without the stress – and accomplish more.Emily Fletcher is a leading expert in meditation for high performance and has taught meditation to executives at global corporations like Google, Barclays and Viacom as well as busy parents, NBA players, Oscar winners, entrepreneurs and everyone in between.

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Reminiscent of the works of Margaret Atwood, Deborah Harkness, and Octavia E. Butler, The Women Could Fly is a queer feminist speculative novel that speaks to our times – a piercing dystopian tale, set in a world in which magic is real and single women are closely monitored in case they are shown to be witches . . .Josephine Thomas has heard every conceivable theory about her mother's disappearance. That she was kidnapped. Murdered. That she took on a new identity to start a new family. That she was a witch. This is the most worrying charge because in a world where witches are real, peculiar behaviour raises suspicions and a woman - especially a Black woman - can find herself on trial for witchcraft.Finally ready to let go of the past, Jo’s future is in doubt. The State mandates that all women marry by the age of 30 - or forfeit their autonomy by registering to be monitored. At 28, Jo is ambivalent about marriage, feeling she has never understood her mother more. When offered the opportunity to honour one last request from her mother's will, Jo leaves her regular life to feel connected to her one last time.'For fans of Margaret Atwood' - Elle'Thoughtful...wry, magical' - Guardian'Brimming with wonder' - Raven Leilani, author of Luster

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Nanny Wanted is a gripping thriller, as one woman faces ghosts from the past - and a deadly threat to her future. From the bestselling author of Out of Her Depth, Lizzy Barber.'Nanny Wanted is the perfect gothic suspense novel, with complex characters and a creeping sense of dread that will have you turning the pages long after you need to sleep.' - Clare Mackintosh, author of The Last PartyA remote Cornish mansion. The perfect couple. And the deadly secrets that bind them.When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life, and never have to see him again.The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the nanny who came before her? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want?As Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’s lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies . . .'A masterful read-in-one-sitting thriller' - B P Walter, author of The Dinner Guest‘Creepily atmospheric’ - Crime Monthly‘A hair raising read’ - Woman’s Own'Reminiscent of a modern Daphne du Maurier novel . . . an unsettling and gripping read.' - The People's Friend Magazine'A tense, slow-burn du Maurier style domestic noir. Loved it.' - Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet and The Cruise'A gorgeous setting that hides a multitude of dark secrets, I devoured this book in less than twenty-four hours.' - Nikki Smith, author of Look What You Made Me Do

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Meet Butterfly and explore her world in this eco-friendly board book with incredible spinning mechanisms.Move the pages to help Butterfly transform from a caterpillar and grow wonderful wings! Then discover how butterflies help plants to make new seeds. At the back of the book, you’ll find things that you can do together to help the butterflies near you.With a fun rhyming story, simple facts and stunning illustrations from Teresa Bellón, this book will teach little ones to love the natural world.My Little Green World is a series of environmentally-themed board books for pre-schoolers, made sustainably with FSC paper and printed with soya inks. Each book covers an animal that plays a key role in its ecosystem.Little nature-lovers can learn more with My Little Green World: Honeybee, Ladybird and Spider

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Learn to love nature, as you meet Ladybird and explore her world in this eco-friendly board book with incredible spinning mechanisms. Look under her hard wings, peer inside her eggs and discover where ladybirds go in winter. At the back of the book, you’ll find things that you can do together to help the ladybirds near you.With a fun rhyming story, simple facts and stunning illustrations from Teresa Bellón, this book will teach little ones to love the natural world around us.My Little Green World is a series of environmentally-themed board books for pre-schoolers, made sustainably with FSC paper and printed with soya inks. Each book covers an animal that plays a key role in its ecosystem.Little nature-lovers will also enjoy My Little Green World: Honeybee, Spider, and Butterfly.

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A reassuring story about losing (and finding!) something special, Alfie and the Angel of Lost Things is the fourth picture book from the beloved author of the Seven Sisters series Lucinda Riley, written with her son Harry Whittaker and illustrated by the award-winning Jane Ray.Because somewhere, an angel is listening . . .Alfie is going on holiday, and he can't wait! His favourite toy, Bertie, is coming too, of course. He can't wait to show Bertie the view from the plane, and play with him on the beach. But while Alfie is busy on the sand, Bertie goes missing. Luckily, Luna, the angel of lost things, is on hand to reunite Alfie and Bertie, and show Alfie that special friends come in all shapes and sizes!Discover more books in this heartwarming series:Grace and the Christmas AngelBill and the Dream AngelRosie and the Friendship Angel

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‘Beautifully written, sumptuously illustrated, constantly fascinating‘ The TimesOn 26 November 1922 Howard Carter first peered into the newly opened tomb of an ancient Egyptian boy-king. When asked if he could see anything, he replied: ‘Yes, yes, wonderful things.’In Tutankhamun’s Trumpet, acclaimed Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson takes a unique approach to that tomb and its contents. Instead of concentrating on the oft-told story of the discovery, or speculating on the brief life and politically fractious reign of the boy king, Wilkinson takes the objects buried with him as the source material for a wide-ranging, detailed portrait of ancient Egypt – its geography, history, culture and legacy.One hundred artefacts from the tomb, arranged in ten thematic groups, are allowed to speak again – not only for themselves, but as witnesses of the civilization that created them. Never before have the treasures of Tutankhamun been analysed and presented for what they can tell us about ancient Egyptian culture, its development, its remarkable flourishing, and its lasting impact.Filled with surprising insights, unusual details, vivid descriptions and, above all, remarkable objects, Tutankhamun’s Trumpet will appeal to all lovers of history, archaeology, art and culture, as well as all those fascinated by the Egypt of the pharaohs.‘I’ve read many books on ancient Egypt, but I’ve never felt closer to its people‘ The Sunday Times

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Push, pull and slide the moving mechanisms to meet all your favourite characters from the deep dark wood in this brilliant board book based on the bestselling classic picture book, The Gruffalo – and bring the story to life!Discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with a fox, an owl, a snake . . . and a hungry Gruffalo! Move the magical push, pull and slide mechanisms on every spread to join in the fun.With a short, simple rhyming text based on the original story, The Gruffalo: A Push, Pull and Slide Book is the perfect introduction for preschoolers to The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and a great gift for fans of the bestselling picture book.

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Whose Dog is This? is the action-packed, outrageously funny follow-up to Where Has all the Cake Gone? by Andrew Sanders and Aysha Awwad. When Albert's Dad opens the living room door to a scene of total chaos (think: mud-covered sofa, macaroni cheese on the walls), Albert blames it on the dog. The thing is . . . Albert doesn't have a dog. But there's definitely a dog in the living room. Will Albert be able to talk himself out of this very sticky situation?A laugh-out-loud picture book, perfect for imaginative children and long-suffering parents everywhere!

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In Sentient, Jackie Higgins assembles a menagerie of zoological creatures – from land, air, sea and all four corners of the globe – to understand what it means to be human.'Spellbinding . . . More than any other book, [Sentient] has made me think differently about the world this year.' – Financial Times Best Books of the YearThe peacock mantis shrimp can throw a punch that can fracture aquarium walls.The great grey owl can hear many decibels lower than the human ear.The star-nosed mole’s miraculous nose allows it to catch worms in as little as 120 milliseconds.In Sentient we also meet the four-eyed spookfish and its dark vision, the vampire bat and its remarkable powers of touch, as well as the common octopus, the Goliath catfish and the duck-billed platypus. Each zoological marvel illustrates the surprising sensory powers that lie within us and enables us to engage with the world in ways we never knew possible.'Lyrical and lucid . . . Higgins makes popular science accessible.' – Observer

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Lenny the Lemur is on holiday in the Amazon rainforest. He's just settling down for a nice snooze, when a very yucky smell wafts past . . .Poo-ie! What or who could it be?Lenny sets off to track down the source of the nasty niff . . . Along the way, he meets lots of stinky creatures, finding out about the different smells they make and why.Learn about sloths, skunks, stinkbugs and more in the whiff-tastic Poo! Is That You? written by Clare Helen Welsh and illustrated by Nicola O'Byrne. Cleverly interweaving facts throughout, it also contains an information page at the back of the book, with a photo of each animal.

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‘Carol Ann Duffy is the most humane and accessible poet of our time’ - GuardianIn this stunning anthology of ninety nine modern and classic poems, Carol Ann Duffy delves into the powerful and unique bond between parent and child. Empty Nest contemplates growing old, the love of a parent, the everyday of family life, as well as poems that explore darker terrains – grief, loss and estrangement. Some of our favourite poets are collected here, such as Elizabeth Bishop, Jackie Kay, Simon Armitage, Shakespeare, Imtiaz Dharker, Seamus Heaney and Don Paterson.These poems are by turns wry, moving, profound, funny, melancholic and wise; they will console and comfort those suddenly facing a house that may be much cleaner, but is also much quieter, than it once was. There is something here for every reader to treasure.‘Wonderful . . . a poet alert to every sound and shape of language’ - Telegraph

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Staying on track has never been easier. This three-month companion from the million-copy bestselling authors of Pinch of Nom – complete with a new ring-bound format and twenty-six exclusive Pinch of Nom recipes – gives you everything you need to chart diet progress, cook brand-new favourites and reach your goals.With a new style and a simple, handy ring-bound format, as well as gorgeous Nom stickers and tear-out pages for shopping lists, this planner is easily adaptable to your personal slimming guidelines.The twenty-six exclusive Pinch of Nom Everyday Light recipes are all under 400 calories – and they are all delicious, packed with flavour and designed to keep you full and satisfied.There is so much room to plan and celebrate your achievements. Beautifully designed and illustrated with line drawings and motivational tips, the diet diary-style planner doesn't have any photos of the recipes – you can find them on the Pinch of Nom website – which gives you more pages for writing up your goals and food plans. Whether you want to keep track of calories, jot down your shopping lists, record healthy treats or celebrate key achievements, this book is designed to help you stay organized and motivated.The Pinch of Nom food blog, created by Kate Allinson and Kay Featherstone, has a hugely engaged online following and has helped thousands of people to lose weight and cook incredibly delicious and varied recipes. Packed with advice for keeping to your goals and stories from community members, the Pinch of Nom Food Planner: Everyday Light is the perfect tool for your weight-loss journey.

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What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with First Facts and Flaps: Planet Earth? This lift-the-flap book is jam-packed with fun information, incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) topics. With over thirty flaps, a wheel and a pull-out ending, children will love learning in a hands-on, playful way.Find out what is inside the Earth, where rainbows come from and how to help look after the planet in this brilliant book. Pairing bold, colourful scenes from illustrator Naray Yoon with rhyming text and a page of informative fun facts, this is the perfect novelty book for children just starting to find out more about the world around them. Discover more of the First Facts and Flaps series: Giant Dinosaurs, Amazing Animals, Brilliant Body, Super Space and Mighty Machines.

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Dark and gritty, Witness is a heart-pounding thriller set in Manchester by bestselling author Mandasue Heller.Teenager Holly Evans and her over-protective mother, Josie, are living a hand-to-mouth existence, moving constantly from one squalid dump to the next. When they move into an illegally sub-let council flat in Manchester, Holly feels settled for the first time in her life – even if she is forbidden to go out, or even open the front door when her mum’s at work. What exactly are they hiding from?Then Holly has a falling out with her best friend, and suddenly finds herself becoming increasingly isolated and alone in the world. But she is about to make a new friend in Suzie – the glamorous woman who lives directly across the road, who Holly witnesses being beaten up by her violent boyfriend.But whoever Holly and Josie have been running from is about to find them, and nothing will ever be the same again.You can only run for so long. And some will kill for your silence . . .'Heller doesn’t mince words, her gritty plots create a Manchester underworld to rival Martina Cole’s raw and rough East End' – Peterborough Evening Telegraph

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Packed with make and do activities and over 200 stickers, The Singing Mermaid Make and Do Book is a great gift for any child – ideal for rainy days and holidays.Tempted by the promise of fame and fortune, the Singing Mermaid joins a circus. The crowds love her, but the poor mermaid is kept in a tank by the wicked circus owner Sam Sly, and she soon longs to return to the freedom of her ocean home. Join the mermaid's adventures and find out how to make a shimmering mermaid crown, a circus tent theatre, and a sparkling ocean in a jam jar.Based on the bestselling picture book The Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.

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Packed with make and do activities and over 200 stickers, What the Ladybird Heard Make and Do Book is a great gift for any child – ideal for rainy days and holidays.Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are two crafty robbers with a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But little do they know that the tiniest, quietest creature of all has overhead their plot, and she has a plan of her own! Join the farmyard adventures and find out how to make a clucking red hen, a farmyard playset, and your very own pair of flapping ladybird wings! Based on the bestselling picture book What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.

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Lift the flaps and join in the fun with this bestselling preschool classic, Postman Bear by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. Bear is writing letters to his friends. But what could his letters be about? Lift the flaps and join Frog, Squirrel and Mole for Bear's special surprise!With sturdy flaps on every spread and rhyming stories that are a joy to read aloud, the Tales from Acorn Wood series has been delighting both parents and toddlers for over twenty years.Discover more stories in the Tales from Acorn Wood series: Fox's Socks, Rabbit's Nap and Hide-and-Seek Pig, Cat's Cookbook, Squirrel's Snowman, Mole's Spectacles and Badger's Band. Look out for new Acorn Wood story Dormouse Has a Cold.

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Lift the flaps and join in the fun with this bestselling preschool classic, Rabbit's Nap by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. Rabbit is trying to get to sleep, but everyone is being so noisy. Lift the flaps and find out who is keeping Rabbit awake! Will she ever have her nap?With sturdy flaps on every spread and rhyming stories that are a joy to read aloud, the Tales from Acorn Wood series has been delighting both parents and toddlers for over twenty years.Discover more stories in the Tales from Acorn Wood series: Fox's Socks, Hide-and-Seek Pig, Postman Bear, Cat's Cookbook, Squirrel's Snowman, Mole's Spectacles and Badger's Band. Look out for new Acorn Wood story Dormouse Has a Cold.

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The Whittiers is a heartwarming story about the importance of family, home and being true to yourself, from the world’s favourite storyteller, Danielle Steel.Connie and Preston Whittier raised their six children in a once-grand Manhattan mansion. The children are now adults, but the house remains the heart of the family and somewhere they all love to return to, particularly in times of stress. But on Connie and Preston’s annual skiing holiday in Europe, an avalanche hits their resort, resulting in tragedy.In every family, each member has their own personal struggles. The Whittiers are no exception. Lyle is successful but has an unhappy marriage. Gloria is a genius on Wall Street but lonely. Twins Caroline and Charlie work all hours on their growing fashion brand, but have no time to enjoy life. Benjie has personal challenges and requires additional support. And rebellious Annabelle has fallen in with a bad crowd.The future of the family – and also their home – is now in question. The house is a refuge providing comfort . . . but each of them will learn that to move forward and face their challenges, they must be true to themselves and come together to support one another.

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Winner of the Booker PrizeWinner of 'Book of the Year' at the British Book Awards A BBC 'Big Jubilee Read'A heart-wrenchingly moving novel set in Glasgow during the Thatcher years, Shuggie Bain tells the story of a boy's doomed attempt to save his proud, alcoholic mother from her addiction.'An amazingly intimate, compassionate, gripping portrait of addiction, courage and love.' – The judges of the Booker PrizeIt is 1981. Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life, dreaming of greater things. But Agnes is abandoned by her philandering husband, and as she descends deeper into drink, the children try their best to save her, yet one by one they must abandon her to save themselves.It is her son Shuggie who holds out hope the longest. Shuggie is different, he is clearly no’ right. But Shuggie believes that if he tries his hardest, he can be normal like the other boys and help his mother escape this hopeless place.Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart lays bare the ruthlessness of poverty, the limits of love, and the hollowness of pride. For fans of A Little Life and Angela's Ashes, it is a heartbreaking novel by a brilliant writer with a powerful and important story to tell.'A heartbreaking novel' – The Times'Tender and unsentimental . . . The Billy Elliot-ish character of Shuggie . . . leaps off the page.' – Daily Mail'Douglas Stuart has written a first novel of rare and lasting beauty.' – Observer

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Winner of the Book of the Year, Children's Fiction at The British Book AwardsWinner of the Books are My Bag Readers Award, Children's FictionShortlisted for the FCBG Children's Book AwardAdventures on Trains is a major mystery series for young readers, from bestselling authors M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Beautifully illustrated by Elisa Paganelli.First stop is The Highland Falcon Thief, a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are enjoying the final journey of the Highland Falcon, Britain's most famous steam train. But when a precious jewel goes missing, Harrison and his new friend Lenny find themselves at the centre of the investigation. Can they solve the mystery and catch the culprit before they reach the end of the line?Hear whispers in the dining car, find notes in the library and unknown passengers among the luggage, as you help Harrison solve the mystery aboard one of the world's grandest trains.The Highland Falcon Thief can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Adventures on Trains series. Join Hal and Uncle Nat on the next stops in this thrilling series, Kidnap on the California Comet and Murder on the Safari Star.Praise for the Series:'Like Murder on the Orient Express but better!' – Frank Cottrell-Boyce on The Highland Falcon Thief'A thrilling and hugely entertaining adventure story' – David Walliams on The Highland Falcon Thief'A first class choo-choo-dunnit!' – David Solomons on Kidnap on the California Comet'A high-speed train journey worth catching . . .The best yet' – The Times on Murder on the Safari Star'This series just gets better and better' – Maz Evans on Danger at Dead Man's Pass

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Farm 123 is a first numbers book with a difference – young children will love lifting the flaps to discover their favourite farm animals, all the way from one cat to ten naughty rabbits!By Rod Campbell, the creator of the preschool lift-the-flap classic Dear Zoo, who has been a trusted name in early learning for over thirty-five years.With bright, bold artwork, a simple, engaging text and a whole host of favourite farm animals, Farm 123 is the perfect introduction to numbers and counting – and the chunky board book format and sturdy card flaps make it great for small hands.Little animal lovers will also enjoy Rod Campbell's Look After Us, a lift-the-flap animal book for toddlers with a positive message about conservation.

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"An absolutely fantastic book – just the thing to inspire future Lionesses!" – Beth Mead, LionessShoot for the stars with Sammy Striker! From Oscars Prize-shortlisted Catherine Emmett and bestselling illustrator Joe Berger, Sammy Striker and the Football Cup is an empowering story for young footie fans, about friendship, football, and having the courage to believe in yourself.Sammy Striker is NEVER found without a football at her feet, and one day at the park, she's spotted by Melissa McDream who coaches the Under 8s National Team! Sammy is a dribbler-extraordinaire, headed straight for the top. But, as the Football Cup gets closer, Sammy's shots on goal go a bit . . . wonky.Will Sammy work out that it's what makes her DIFFERENT that will help them win the final?

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In Blessing in Disguise, Danielle Steel’s wise, warm-hearted novel, an inspirational woman discovers the highs and lows of being a mother to three very different daughters.As a young intern at an art gallery in Paris, Isabelle McAvoy meets Putnam Armstrong, wealthy, gentle, older and secluded from the world. Her time at his Normandy château is the stuff of dreams, for when she learns she is pregnant, she knows that marriage is out of the question.Returning to New York, Isabelle enters a new relationship that she hopes will be more stable but before long she realizes she has made a terrible mistake and once again finds herself a single mother.With two young daughters Isabelle unexpectedly finds happiness and a love that gives her a third child, a baby as happy as her beloved father. And yet, life brings more change . . .Her three girls grow up to be very different women and Isabelle’s relationship with each of them is unique. When one final turn of fate brings a past secret to light. Will it bond mother and daughters closer, or could it tear them apart?

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Inspired by the hit TV show Downton Abbey, Beauchamp Hall is an uplifting story of an ordinary woman embracing an extraordinary adventure, from the international number one bestseller Danielle Steel.Winona Farmington once dreamed of graduating from college and moving away from her small Michigan hometown. Then real life got in the way, and now she’s in a dead-end job with a loser boyfriend.As she comes to believe that perhaps dreams are meant for others, at least she can console herself by escaping into the world of Beauchamp Hall, a hugely popular British TV series set on a Norfolk estate in the 1920s.When Winona is betrayed by both her boyfriend and best friend and loses her job, she feels that life can’t get much worse. So she impulsively buys a one-way ticket to the UK to visit the village where Beauchamp Hall is filmed. The colourful cast become her friends, and the behind-the-scenes affairs become a drama to match the show.What happens next, as Winona takes the boldest step of all, reminds us never to settle for second best – and to always follow our dreams . . .

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Whether he's getting into adventures with his band of Outlaws, or driving his family crazy, there's never a dull minute with William Brown around!This bumper edition features 8 Meet Just William stories from the "voice of William" Martin Jarvis, with illustrations by Tony Ross. Includes: William's Birthday, The Christmas Truce, William Leads a Better Life, William and the Musician, William and the Hidden Treasure, William and the Snowman, Violet Elizabeth Runs Away and William Goes Shopping.Meet Just William is perfect for newly confident readers.

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Twilight Robbery is the extraordinary sequel to the award-winning Fly By Night by Costa winner Frances Hardinge.The city at night is a dangerous place . . . Mosca Mye and Eponymous Clent are in trouble again. Escaping disaster by the skin of their teeth, they find refuge in Toll, the strange gateway town where visitors may neither enter nor leave without paying a price. By day, the city is well-mannered and orderly; by night, it's the haunt of rogues and villains. Wherever there's a plot, there's sure to be treachery, and wherever there's treachery, there's sure to be trouble – and where there's trouble, Clent, Mosca and the web-footed apocalypse Saracen the goose can't be far behind. But as past deeds catch up with them and old enemies appear, it looks as if this time there's no way out . . .'Everyone should read Frances Hardinge. Everyone. Right now' - Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls.

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The Summer Queen is an evocative and grand historical novel from Margaret Pemberton, the bestselling author of A Season of Secrets and Beneath the Cypress Tree.August 1879, Osborne House. Queen Victoria has occupied the British throne for over forty years. Bringing together her extended family from across Europe offers a chance for old alliances to be strengthened and new unions to be forged.May Teck, daughter of a Duke and Princess, is constantly reminded that she lacks the pedigree to be a true royal. Considering herself an outsider, she finds comfort in meeting two kindred spirits at Osborne; creating a bond with them that she thinks will last forever.Alicky lives in the shadow of her older siblings and has never recovered from the death of her mother. Until she meets Nicky, heir to the Russian throne, who sweeps her off to his homeland where life will never be the same again.And then there is Willy, destined to be the future Kaiser of Germany. Suffering from a birth defect, he’s always kept his true feelings locked away and all the world sees is the bombastic persona he projects. As shifting forces of power send warning ripples across Europe, an unavoidable war looms on the horizon . . .

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From real-life adventurer, Bear Grylls, Spirit of the Jungle is an exciting contemporary action-adventure inspired by Rudyard Kipling's classic, The Jungle Book.Could you survive in the jungle?After being washed away down the Wainganga River during a flash flood, Mak wakes up alone in the Indian jungle. The jungle is full of danger - poisonous snakes, cunning monkeys and desperate poachers - and every step Mak takes might be his last.Mak finds help and friendship from other jungle creatures, but he will need all his skill and luck to survive and make his way back home.

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One of those rare books that is immediately enjoyable yet will repay many re-readings' Poetry ReviewCarol Ann Duffy's highly praised second collection, for which she was given the Somerset Maughan Award, showcases the Poet Laureate's skill even at the very start of her career. Within are poems that reveal the full range of her interests: from the dramatic monologues, to meditations on death and art, to poems of protest and poems of love. Throughout it all, though, is a resounding determination to give voices to those who are usually voiceless, and always apparent is her inimitable wit, wisdom and imagination. At once tender and sharp, moving and humourous, Selling Manhattan has dazzled both readers and critics ever since it was first published in 1987.

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How the cat purred and how the witch grinned,As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind.A very funny story of quick wits and friendship, Room on the Broom is another smash hit from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom. It's a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn't used to such a heavy load and it's not long before . . . SNAP! It breaks in two! And with a greedy dragon looking for a snack, the witch's animal pals better think fast.This edition features the captivating classic story with a stunning, redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!Also available with redesigned covers are: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, The Snail and the Whale, The Smartest Giant in Town, Monkey Puzzle, Charlie Cook's Favourite Book, and A Squash and a Squeeze.

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Accidental Heroes is a heart-stopping thriller about ordinary people who embark on a journey they will never forget.On a beautiful May morning at New York’s JFK Airport, a routine plane departs for San Francisco. Security agent Bernice Adams finds a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge, with a worrying message written on it. Who left the postcard behind, which flight is that person on, and what exactly does the message mean? Desperate to get someone to listen, she knows lives could be on the line.Initially the passengers are unsuspecting of the threat to their lives. But their suspicions grow, and soon it's clear that someone on the flight is planning something devastating. With no-one to help them, the passengers must work together to avert tragedy.As the plane bears down on its destination of San Francisco, the futures of these strangers will be changed forever by a handful of accidental heroes . . .

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A gorgeous 20th anniversary hardback jacketed gift edition of Eva Ibbotson's award-winning, bestselling classic adventure. Fully illustrated in colour throughout by Katie Hickey.'The most perfect children's book . . . captivatingly told, funny and moving' – Nicolette Jones, Sunday TimesA joyous Amazon adventure set in the lush nature of Brazil, Journey to the River Sea is filled with mystery and extraordinary characters. It's perfect for girls and boys of 9+. Maia, an orphan, can't wait to reach her distant relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. She imagines a loving family with whom she will share great adventures. Instead she finds two spiteful cousins who see the jungle as the enemy and refuse to go outdoors. But the wonders of the rainforest more than make up for the hideous twins and their parents. And when Maia meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the wild river shores, she begins a spectacular journey to the heart of an extraordinary and beautiful new world. Winner of the Smarties Gold Medal.Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Award (now the Costa).

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Push, pull and slide the moving mechanisms to bring the story to life in this brilliant board book based on the classic picture book The Smartest Giant in Town by the creators of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.Meet George, a very helpful giant with a new, smart outfit! But what happens when he bumps into some animals who desperately need his help – and his clothes? Move the clever push, pull and slide mechanisms on every spread to join in the fun and find out.With a short, simple rhyming text based on the original story, The Smartest Giant: A Push, Pull and Slide Book is the perfect introduction for preschoolers to The Smartest Giant by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Celebrate twenty years of this much-loved classic story with this fun novelty book – a great gift for fans of the original picture book.Enjoy more books in the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler push, pull and slide range with titles based on all your favourite picture books including The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and The Snail and the Whale.

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The bestselling Richard and Judy Book Club pickThe Sunday Times Bestseller and BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick‘Dark, dramatic and full of danger’ - Daily MailFor readers of Circe and The Handmaid’s Tale, Kiran Millwood Hargrave's The Mercies is inspired by real historical events.The storm comes in like a finger snap . . .1617. The sea around the remote Norwegian island of Vardø is thrown into a vicious storm. A young woman, Maren, watches as the men of the island, out fishing, perish in an instant.Vardø is now a place of women . . .Eighteen months later, a sinister figure arrives. Absalom Cornet has been summoned to bring the women of the island to heel. With him travels his young wife, Ursa. In her new home, and in Maren, Ursa encounters something she has never seen before: independent women. But where Ursa finds happiness, even love, Absalom sees only a place flooded with a terrible evil, one he must root out at all costs . . .A story about how suspicion can twist its way through a community, about a love that could prove as dangerous as it is powerful.‘Gripping’ - Madeline Miller, author of Circe‘Took my breath away’ - Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl With a Pearl Earring‘A beautifully intimate story of friendship, love and hope’ - Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain ‘Something rare and beautiful’ - Marian Keyes, author of Again, Rachel‘Chilling and page-turning’ - The Times

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