Search results for ""MACMILLAN""

Award-winning and bestselling illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his humorous illustrations, and his books have been translated into over eighty languages. He has enjoyed particular success in his picture book collaborations with Julia Donaldson and for the popular lift-the-flap series, Tales From Acorn Wood. He is also the bestselling illustrator of Campbell novelty books On the Farm and Noisy Jungle, and the Rhyming Stories series.

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Elaine Everest, author of bestselling novels The Woolworths Girls, The Butlins Girls, Christmas at Woolworths and The Teashop Girls, was born and brought up in north-west Kent, where many of her books are set. She has been a freelance writer for twenty-seven years and has written widely for women's magazines and national newspapers, both short stories and features. Her non-fiction books for dog owners have been very popular and led to her broadcasting on radio about our four-legged friends. Elaine has been heard discussing many topics on radio, from canine subjects to living with a husband under her feet when redundancy looms.

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Sarah Hilary's debut novel, Someone Else's Skin, won the 2015 Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and was a World Book Night selection. The Observer's Book of the Month (superbly disturbing') and a Richard and Judy Book Club bestseller, it has been published worldwide. No Other Darkness, the second in the series, was shortlisted for a Barry Award in the US. Her DI Marnie Rome series continues with Tastes Like Fear, Quieter Than Killing, Come and Find Me, and Never Be Broken. Black Thorn is her second standalone novel, following Fragile.

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Welcome to your new fantasy obsession . . .In a world where anyone can create life-destroying curses, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his talent, but uses it to help those who have been cursed, including his ally and closest friend, Nettle. But Kellen himself is cursed, and unless he and Nettle can release him, he is in danger of unravelling everything - and everyone - around him.For fans of Leigh Bardugo and Neil Gaiman comes Frances Hardinge’s spectacular novel Unraveller. Called her ‘best yet’ by the Guardian, Hardinge expertly weaves together mythology and mystery in a richly-detailed world besieged by curses.‘Exquisite . . . sheer perfection’– Liz Hyder, author of The Gifts‘Instantly engrossing, effortlessly clever, and completely magical’ – Freya Marske

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An inspiring story perfect for little stargazers.Luna loves the sky and finding out about all the wonders she can see above her. But the villagers can't stop worrying about the mythical Sky Dragon – a fearsome creature who is said to dwell in the sky.Can Luna share her love of the sky and show the villagers that the Sky Dragon is nothing to be afraid of?Featuring real constellations as well as facts about the milky way, eclipses, comets and other astronomical delights.Luna and the Sky Dragon is a warm and playful story with lots to learn and talk about from Bethan Woollvin, the New York Times-bestselling creator of Little Red, Rapunzel, I Can Catch a Monster and Three Little Vikings, and illustrator of Meet the Planets and Meet the Weather written by Caryl Hart.

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Discover the environmental heroes who are changing our world in My First Heroes: Eco Warriors! Push, pull and slide the scenes to find out about Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, Isatou Ceesay and John Muir, and be inspired by their incredible work.With scenes to explore, fun facts to learn and bright, bold illustration by Nila Aye, this is the perfect introduction for inquisitive preschoolers to these amazing earth heroes.The My First Heroes books have been endorsed and recommended by Dr Amanda Gummer’s Good Play Guide.Find out more in this remarkable autobiographical series with Explorers, Scientists, and Inventors.

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The 78-Storey Treehouse is the sixth book in 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 78-storey spectacular treehouse – it used to be 65 storeys, but they keep expanding! They've added thirteen new levels including a drive-thru car wash, a combining machine, a scribbletorium, an ALL-BALL sports stadium, Andyland, Terrytown, a high-security potato chip storage facility and an open-air movie theatre with a super giant screen . . . which is a very useful thing to have now that Terry’s going to be a big-shot movie star!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.Winner of the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year for Younger Children!

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From Dr Amir Khan, How (Not) To Have an Arranged Marriage is a timely, heartfelt novel which looks at all aspects of modern arranged marriages.'Full of the compassion, humanity and mischievous sense of fun you would expect from Dr Amir. This is a complete delight from a born storyteller' - Lorraine KellyHe’s the perfect catch (according to his mother).Yousef is the golden child to his strict Pakistani parents, overshadowing his younger sister, Rehana. As he finishes his medical degree in London, Yousef’s life appears to be mapped out for him: become a doctor, marry a suitable girl of his parents’ choosing and, above all, make his family proud. Then Yousef meets Jess.A fellow medical student, Jess presents a complication to the plan. Suddenly, Yousef finds himself torn between two worlds – keeping each a secret from the other.Then, as graduation day looms, Yousef’s mother informs him that she’s started looking for his wife . . .'A fascinating insight into modern day arranged marriages . . . filled with family, food and warmth' – Heat, Book of the Week'Heartwarming, hilarious and incredibly insightful. Writing with poignant honesty about the messy nature of life.' - J F Murray, author of Fling and Hitched'Fun' - The Times

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Funny Stories For 8-Year-Olds is a bright and varied selection of wonderfully entertaining stories by some of the very best writers for children. Perfect for reading alone or aloud - and for dipping into time and time againWith stories from Judy Blume, Anne Fine, Dick King-Smith, Morris Gleitzman and many more, this book will provide hours of fantastic fun.

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'Roger Phillips has written the best mushroom book I know.' - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, author of River Cottage Veg Every Day!The culmination of over thirty years' work, Roger Phillips's authoritative and superbly illustrated reference work is packed with information and original photographs. The essential illustrated mycological encyclopedia, this book is also clear, user friendly and will appeal to a wide range of readers. Unsurpassed in both illustrative and descriptive detail, Mushrooms contains over 1,250 photographs, often showing the specimens in various stages of growth, and includes all the latest botanical and common names as well as current ecological information on endangered species. Having sold more than 750,000 copies in Europe of his previous title on mushrooms, Roger Phillips's Mushrooms once again sets the benchmark. Quite simply, nobody with an interest in the subject can afford to be without this book.

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A parent’s deeply moving love letter to a daughter who has always known exactly who she is.‘Stunning . . . Built like a thriller, moving, wise and illuminated on every page with love’ - Joanne Harris, author of ChocolatWhen Carolyn Hays’s child made clear to the family that they were all wrong, he was not a boy, but, in fact, a girl, the Hays shifted pronouns, adopted a nickname and encouraged her to dress as she felt comfortable.One ordinary day, a caseworker from the Department of Children and Families knocked on their door to investigate an anonymous complaint about the upbringing of their transgender child. It was this threat that instilled in them a deep-seated fear for their child’s safety in the Republican state they called home. And so they uprooted their lives to the more trans-accepting Northeast United States, though they were never far from the hate and fear resting at the nation’s core.Intimate and thought-provoking, A Letter to My Transgender Daughter is an ode to Hays’s brilliant, brave child, as well as a cathartic revisit of the pain of the past. It tells of the brutal truths of being trans, of the sacrificial nature of motherhood, and of the lengths a family will go to shield their youngest from the cruel realities of the world. Hays asks us all to love better, for children everywhere enduring injustice and prejudice just as they begin to understand themselves.A Letter to My Transgender Daughter is a celebration of difference, a plea for empathy, a hope for a better future, but moreover, it is a love letter to a child who has always known herself and is waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.Originally published as A Girlhood: A Letter to My Transgender Daughter

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Enjoy more of the food you love.Never feel like you’re missing out.One hundred truly tasty recipes from Pinch of Nom.Number-one bestselling authors Kate and Kay Allinson are back with an irresistible collection of recipes that everyone will enjoy. From all-day breakfasts to cheeky fakeaways and one-pan meals to scrumptious desserts, these crowd-pleasers are so satisfying and delicious that you’d never guess they are also slimming-friendly.There are recipes for air fryers, slow cookers and electric pressure cookers, giving you loads of simple, flexible cooking methods to choose from.Featuring Pinch of Nom’s trademark bold flavours and easy-to-find ingredients, Enjoy is packed with food that you’ll want to savour and share with loved ones, over and over again.

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This first book of jungle animals from the creator of Dear Zoo is sure to delight young children, with a big fold-out surprise ending and lots of animals to meet.'We need some long grass, tall trees, an enormous elephant, lots of noisy monkeys and all kinds of creepy crawlies . . .'What else do you need to make a jungle? Find out in Our Jungle, with a simple, engaging text and appealing illustrations of favourite jungle animals.Look out for more novelty books from Rod Campbell including Look After Us, a first book about endangered animals.

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The Times Book of the Year pick'Smart, sobering, and scholarly.' - Steve Brusatte, the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of DinosaursA gripping, thought-provoking and ultimately optimistic investigation into the world’s next great climate crisis - the scarcity of water.Water scarcity is the next big climate crisis. Water stress – not just scarcity, but also water-quality issues caused by pollution – is already driving the first waves of climate refugees. Rivers are drying out before they meet the oceans and ancient lakes are disappearing. It’s increasingly clear that human mismanagement of water is dangerously unsustainable, for both ecological and human survival. And yet in recent years some key countries have been quietly and very successfully addressing water stress.How are Singapore and Israel, for example – both severely water-stressed countries – not in the same predicament as Chennai or California?In The Last Drop, award-winning environmental journalist Tim Smedley meets experts, victims, activists and pioneers to find out how we can mend the water table that our survival depends upon. He offers a fascinating, universally relevant account of the environmental and human factors that have led us to this point, and suggests practical ways to address the crisis, before it’s too late.

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Join the snail and the whale on their adventure in this 20th anniversary edition sticker book, based on the bestselling picture book The Snail and the Whale.Packed with games, activities and over four hundred stickers, The Snail and the Whale Sticker Book is perfect for journeys, rainy days and school holidays – a great gift for any child.This fun activity book comes from the award-winning creators of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

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The Sunday Times Top Five BestsellerA BBC Two Between the Covers Book Club Pick'A wonderfully inventive novel' — The Times and Sunday Times, Best Historical Fiction of 2023Laura Shepherd-Robinson's The Square of Sevens is an epic and sweeping novel set in Georgian high society, a dazzling story offering up mystery, intrigue, heartbreak, and audacious twists.This is your story, Red. You must tell it well . . .A girl known only as Red, the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller, travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient method: the Square of Sevens. When her father suddenly dies, Red becomes the ward of a gentleman scholar.Now raised as a lady amidst the Georgian splendour of Bath, her fortune-telling is a delight to high society. But she cannot ignore the questions that gnaw at her soul: who was her mother? How did she die? And who are the mysterious enemies her father was always terrified would find him?The pursuit of these mysteries takes her from Cornwall and Bath to London and Devon, from the rough ribaldry of the Bartholomew Fair to the grand houses of two of the most powerful families in England. And while Red's quest brings her the possibility of great reward, it also leads her into grave danger . . .'A masterpiece' — Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal'A sweeping Dickensian tour de force of a novel' — Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of Pandora'I doubt I’ll read a better book this year' — Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End

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Join Hiba Noor Khan as she takes you on a glorious journey across the globe to meet eighteen inspiring young activists who are taking a stand against climate change, and find out how you can help protect our beautiful earth. Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations from Rachael Dean, this is a gift that any young environmentalist would treasure.Every person has a right to live on our planet, a right to call somewhere on this earth their home. Across the globe climate change is threatening that right, but we can still save this wonderful planet that is our home. Meet the incredible eighteen young activists who are already taking action against climate change, as they see its effects already changing the environments in which they live – travel to a huge range of locations, explore different and often endangered habitats, experience new cultures and traditions and find out how you can join the fight.This beautifully told global collection of real-life stories includes a toolkit for young nature-lovers, with simple, empowering activities that we can all do from home to help protect our environment.

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RUMBLE, TUMBLE . . . OOF! This brilliant tale is about a bear, his sandwich and a spot of mayhem ­– with shaped pages to turn, giggles galore, and lots of noisy words to say! Created by Ben Newman, the illustrator of the bestselling Astro Cat series.The bear is looking forward to eating his yummy sandwich. But suddenly – BUMP! – he trips on a rock. Then – FLUMP! – he starts tumbling down the hill, and into the path of some unsuspecting creatures . . .Specially developed and tested with his own preschool-aged children Rumble Tumble is based on common animal noises and miming games played by preschoolers everywhere. The lively and rhythmic words in this story are easy to remember and say together, and coupled with the dynamic, colourful illustrations and cut-away pages, this book helps preschoolers develop vital pre-reading skills.Fans of Rumble Tumble ones will also enjoy Ben Newsman's Snip Snap!

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My Magical Easter Bunny Sparkly Sticker Book, is a perfect first sticker book for fans of bunnies, Easter and chocolate eggs! Young children will have lots of fun colouring in, completing mazes, spotting differences and much more in this jam-packed activity book. With over 400 stickers, including a page of shiny stickers, this book has plenty to keep little ones entertained. Filled with Yujin Shin’s colourful illustrations, sparkling detail, and lots of imaginative things to spot!Bring more of My Magical's shiny, sparkly scenes to life with My Magical Unicorn Sparkly Sticker Book and My Magical Dragon Sparkly Sticker Book.

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As featured on BBC Radio 4 Open BookAs the old world begins to fade from view and a new dawn emerges, All Change marks the fifth and final volume in Elizabeth Jane Howard's bestselling The Cazalet Chronicles. 'She helps us to do the necessary thing – open our eyes and our hearts' – Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf HallIt is the 1950s and as the Duchy, the Cazalets’ beloved matriarch, dies, she takes with her the last remnants of a disappearing world – houses with servants, class, and tradition – in which the Cazalets have thrived.Louise, now divorced, becomes entangled in a painful affair, while Polly and Clary must balance marriage and motherhood with their own ideas and ambitions. Hugh and Edward, now in their sixties, are feeling ill-equipped for this modern world, while Villy, long abandoned by her husband, must at last learn to live independently. But it is Rachel, who has always lived for others, who will face her greatest challenges yet.As the Cazalets descend on Home Place for Christmas, only one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same again.'Charming, poignant and quite irresistible . . . to be cherished and shared' – The TimesWith cover artwork exclusively designed by artist Luke Edward Hall, this is the heartbreaking and heartwarming final instalment of Elizabeth Jane Howard's bestselling series.

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Packed with sticker scenes, puzzles, games and over 400 stickers, The Rhyming Rabbit Sticker Book is perfect for Easter, school holidays, birthdays and rainy days – a great gift for any child.Join the rabbit with a talent for rhyme and his animal friends in this fun sticker activity book, based on the bestselling picture book, The Rhyming Rabbit by stellar picture-book partnership Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, creators of What the Ladybird Heard.Collect other sticker books from Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks: What the Ladybird Heard Sticker Book, Sugarlump and the Unicorn Sticker Book and The Singing Mermaid Sticker Book.

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A Richard & Judy Book Club Pick.A delightfully sinister story for the influencer age, People Like Her is the twisting, page-turning debut thriller from Ellery Lloyd. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies).‘I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough’ – Abigail Dean, author of Girl APeople like Emmy Jackson. They always have. Especially online, where she is Instagram sensation Mamabare, famous for telling the unvarnished truth about modern parenthood.But Emmy isn’t as honest as she’d like the fans to believe. She may think she has her followers fooled, but someone out there knows the truth and plans to make her pay . . .'Brilliantly original' – Clare Mackintosh, author of After the End'Deliciously dark and devious' – Red 'Highly recommended' – Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange'Slick and sharp' – The Times

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‘Reminiscent of Edna O’Brien, with shades too of Jean Rhys.’ – The Irish TimesThings to Come and Go showcases the incomparable talent of Bette Howland in three novellas of stunning power, beauty, and sustaining humour.‘Birds of a Feather’ is a daughter’s story of her extended, first-generation family, the ‘big, brassy yak-yakking Abarbanels’. Esti, a merciless, astute observer, recalls growing up amid (the confusions and difficulties of) their history, quarrels, judgements, noisy love and inescapable bonds of blood.In ‘The Old Wheeze’ a single mother in her twenties returns to her sunless apartment after a date at the ballet. Shifting between four viewpoints – the young woman, the older professor who took her out, her son, and her son’s babysitter – the story masterfully captures the impossibility of liberating ourselves from the self.In ‘The Life You Gave Me’, a woman at the midpoint of life is called to her father’s sickbed. A lament for all that is forever unsaid and unsayable, the story is ‘an anguished meditation on growing up, growing old and being left behind, a complaint against time.’ (The New York Times)First published in 1984, Things to Come and Go, Bette Howland’s final book, is a collection of haunting urgency about arrivals and departures, and the private, insoluble dramas in the lives of three women.With an introduction by Rumaan Alam, bestselling author of Leave the World Behind.

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Lift the flaps and join in the fun with Cat's Cookbook, a story in the bestselling Tales from Acorn Wood preschool series by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. Cat wants to learn to cook. Will she find a book to help her in Acorn Library? Lift the flaps to find out, and then join Cat and all her friends for a special surprise!With sturdy flaps on every spread and rhyming stories that are a joy to read aloud, Cat's Cookbook joins the bestselling Tales from Acorn Wood which have been delighting parents and children for over twenty years.More lift-the-flap adventures from Acorn Wood: 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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Join Mother Goose and her three little goslings as they enjoy over fifty classic nursery rhymes, traditional lullabies and favourite action songs, beautifully illustrated in full colour throughout by the award-winning Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo. The deluxe hardback has a ribbon marker and foiled jacket, making it a very special gift.The rhymes are linked together by enchanting original stories about Mother Goose and her goslings as they learn to waddle, swim and more, giving a unique and fresh twist to these traditional favourites.From Humpty Dumpty to Jack and Jill, and from Baa Baa Black Sheep to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, there's something for everyone in this beautiful gift treasury – a must for every family bookshelf.

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Packed with craft activities and over 200 stickers, Monkey Puzzle Make and Do book is a great gift for any child – ideal for rainy days and holidays.Where is Monkey's mummy? It's not too much fun being lost in the jungle, and little monkey wants his mum. A kindly butterfly is keen to help, but they don't seem to be having much luck and keep finding the wrong animals! Join in their adventures with this fun craft book – make your own jungle card game, create a pair of brilliant butterfly wings to wear, and find out lots of clever and creative ways to turn your handprints into your favourite jungle animals!Based on the bestselling picture book, Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

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Lift the flaps and join in the fun with this bestselling preschool classic, Hide-and-Seek Pig by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. Pig and Hen are playing hide-and-seek. But where on earth could Hen be? Can you lift the flaps and help Pig find out where Hen is hiding?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 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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Little ones can join in the fun with Freddy the Frog by pulling out the sliders, pushing up the tabs and making lots of noise down at the pond. Follow Freddy as he squelches in slime, races his friends and croaks all the day long!Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text, from the award-winning illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler. Freddy the Frog has been endorsed and recommended by Dr Amanda Gummer's Good Toy Guide.Discover more animal adventures from Axel Scheffler: Pip the Puppy, On the Farm, and In the Jungle.

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From Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Yuval Zommer, comes a charming minibeast Cinderella story.Crawling through the garden, the little Woolly Bear Caterpillar wonders what kind of moth she will become. Bonny and bright, stunning and smart, but not kind, the other caterpillars laugh at the small, plain Woolly Bear. There is one thing that they are sure of: Woolly Bear could never be as dramatic and beautiful as them! But could one little caterpillar be about to undergo a truly terrific transformation?Brilliantly written and stunningly illustrated this engaging picture book comes complete with a non-fiction mini book about caterpillars and moths written by a nature specialist.

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Packed with games, activities and over four hundred stickers, The Bedtime Bear Sticker Book is a great gift for any child – ideal for journeys, rainy days, school holidays and of course, quiet time before bed.It's bedtime. But where's Bedtime Bear? He's having wacky adventures on his way to joining Tom for bedtime – from riding a bike with a tiger in the jungle to building a snowman with a lizard in a blizzard! Bedtime Bear finally arrives home for bathtime and bed, where Tom is delighted to see him. Follow Bedtime Bear on his adventures in this fun sticker activity book, based on the bestselling lift-the-flap favourite, The Bedtime Bear by Ian Whybrow and Axel Scheffler.

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Taking us deep into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle, Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Swan returns with The Secret Path – complete with her trademark romance, glamour, and jaw-dropping twists.'A glamorous adventure' - Hello!'A twisty, glamorous read, bringing jungles, beaches and ancient towns to life' - My WeeklyAn old flame. A new spark. Love can find you in the most unlikely places . . .At only twenty, Tara Tremain has everything: she’s a trainee doctor, engaged to the man of her dreams – Alex, a passionate American biology student. But just when life seems perfect, Alex betrays her in the worst way possible.Ten years later, she’s moved on – with a successful career, good friends and a man who loves her. But when she’s pulled back into her wealthy family’s orbit for a party in the heart of Costa Rica, she’s flung into a crisis: a child is desperately ill and the only treatment is several days’ trek away, deep in the jungle.There's only one person who can help – but can she trust the man who broke her heart?Your Costa Rican adventure awaits . . .What Karen's readers are saying:'So immersive I could feel the heat, see the dense forest''Pure escapism, action, adventure, romance and intrigue''So detailed and real that I started itching with imaginary insect bites!'

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The What the Ladybird Heard Cookbook is packed full of sweet treats, healthy snacks and simple meals – all based on the three bestselling What the Ladybird Heard picture books by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.Make your own ladybird pizzas, vegetable patch pies, fine prize cowpat cookies and a showstopping ladybird celebration cake. With twenty-four recipes specially designed for adults to use with children, easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and lots of hints and tips on what to do next, The What the Ladybird Heard Cookbook is a great way to introduce children to cooking and baking.Packed full of farmyard-inspired recipes, this cookery book is perfect for picnics, packed lunches and parties!

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There's a crime wave in the town and Ducktective Quack needs your help to solve the mystery. Follow the clues in the pictures and see if you can work out who-done-it!Someone has been helping themselves to all the cakes and sweet treats and it's down to Ducktective Quack and her sidekick, Constable Crackling, to catch the culprit. Ducktective Quack and the Cake Crime Wave is hilarious and engaging story full of clues to spot and a delicious crime to solve. Written by Claire Freedman, the award winning and bestselling author of the Aliens Love Underpants series, and illustrated with wit and humour by Mike Byrne.

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A story of imagination and adventure from the acclaimed author of The Misadventures of Frederick, Ben Manley, and Daddy Long Legs illustrator Aurélie Guillerey.Who will Albert be next? A fearless mountaineer, a brilliant mechanical engineer or a galactic megalord? Anything is possible with an imagination like Albert's as he powers through his day.As a boy, Albert is nervous in a swimming lesson, but as Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner and slayer of vampire cuttlefish, he's as brave and bold as can be. Show and Tell in front of the whole class can be a bit scary, but by imagining himself to be Professor Octavius Pickleswick he's proud to show off his greatest invention yet.A brilliantly funny story, full of exciting things to look at, about the joys of being whoever you want to be . . . and the comfort of sometimes just being yourself.

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From New York to Santa Fe, Lost and Found by Danielle Steel is a novel about first love, second chances and whether there is such a thing as happy ever after.What might have been? This tantalizing question propels a woman on a cross-country adventure to reunite with the men she had loved and let go.Madison Allen is a renowned, career-driven photographer. Sifting through old photos in her fashionable New York fire-house apartment, she reflects on what could have been. She’d had three men in her life who were very important to her in different ways, but it was the fourth love, her job, which always won in the end.Consumed by old memories and with a forced pause in her demanding schedule, Maddie embarks on a road trip. She hopes to answer questions about the men she’d loved and might have married in the years after she was left alone with three young children. As Maddie sets off to reconnect with her past in Boston, Chicago and Wyoming, she hopes to learn that the decisions she made long ago were the right ones.And as her life comes into clearer focus, a new unexpected future takes shape, and is a valuable lesson to all of us who have ever wondered ‘what if?’

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In his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life. Me is the joyously funny, honest and moving story of the most enduringly successful singer/songwriter of all time.'The rock memoir of the decade' – Daily Mail'The rock star's gloriously entertaining and candid memoir is a gift to the reader' – Sunday Times______________Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.In Me Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you, by a living legend.______________'Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all' – The Times'Racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes - what more could you ask from the rocket man' – Guardian (Book of the Week)'Chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid' – Telegraph

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First Stories: The Ugly Duckling is the perfect introduction for young children to this classic fairy tale.Push, pull and turn mechanisms bring the story of the lonely duckling to life. This well-loved fairy tale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Dean Gray.Little ones can collect more books in the First Stories series, including The Jungle Book, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and The Three Little Pigs.

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In the decades since the end of the Second World War, it has been widely assumed that the western model of liberal democracy and free trade is the way the world should be governed. However, events in the early years of the twenty-first century – first, the 2003 war with Iraq and its chaotic aftermath and, second, the financial crash of 2008 – have threatened the general acceptance that continued progress under the benign (or sometimes not so benign) gaze of the western powers is the only way forwards. And as America turns inwards and Europe is beset by austerity politics and populist nationalism, the post-war consensus looks less and less secure. But is this really the worst of times? In a forensic examination of the world we now live in, acclaimed historian Michael Burleigh sets out to answer that question. Who could have imagined that China would champion globalization and lead the battle on climate change? Or that post-Soviet Russia might present a greater threat to the world’s stability than ISIS? And while we may be on the cusp of still more dramatic change, perhaps the risks will – in time – bring not only change but a wholly positive transformation.Incisive, robust and always insightful, The Best of Times, The Worst of Times by Michael Burleigh is both a dazzling tour d’horizon of the world as it is today and a surprisingly optimistic vision of the world as it might become.

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Packed full of everyone's favourite farm animals, and with a large flap to lift on every page, Who's on the Farm? is perfect for fans of the What the Ladybird Heard series.Who can you find down on the farm? Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh have fallen into a heap of muck (yuk!) and the hairy hog is behind a haystack, but who could that be hiding behind a leaf? Might it be a certain ladybird . . .Based on Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks' bestselling picture book, What the Ladybird Heard and What the Ladybird Heard Next, preschool children will love lifting the large card flaps to find all their favourite characters. With bright and colourful illustrations and a flap to lift on every page, this interactive board book is packed full of favourite farm animals and is perfect for little fingers!Collect more What the Ladybird Heard lift-the-flap books: Who's at the Zoo?

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As read on BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week'Moving, intellectual and unsentimental. I think it will become a classic' Melvyn Bragg'Thoughtful, subtle, elegantly clever and oddly joyous, Every Third Thought is beautiful' Kate Mosse In 1995, at the age of forty-two, Robert McCrum suffered a dramatic and near-fatal stroke. Since that life-changing event, McCrum has lived in the shadow of death, unavoidably aware of his own mortality. And now, in his sixties, he is noticing a change: his friends are joining him there. Death has become his contemporaries’ every third thought.And so, with the words of McCrum’s favourite authors as travel companions, Every Third Thought takes us on a journey towards death itself. This is a deeply personal book of reflection and conversation – with brain surgeons, psychologists, hospice workers and patients, writers and poets, and it confronts an existential question: in a world where we have learnt to live well at all costs, can we make peace with dying?

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Gruffalo Crumble and Other Recipes is packed full of healthy snacks, sweet treats, and simple meals – all based on the bestselling picture book The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.Is your tummy beginning to rumble? Make your own owl ice cream, scrambled snake and roasted fox, and of course . . . Gruffalo crumble! With twenty-four recipes specially designed for adults to use with children, easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and lots of hints and tips on what to do next, Gruffalo Crumble and Other Recipes is a great way to introduce Gruffalo fans to cooking and baking. Perfect for holidays, rainy days and full of food ideas for a Gruffalo party.

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Meet the Lotterys: a unique and diverse family featuring four parents, seven kids and five pets – all living happily together in their big old house, Camelottery. Nine-year-old Sumac is the organizer of the family and is looking forward to a long summer of fun. But when their grumpy and intolerant grandad comes to stay, everything is turned upside down. How will Sumac and her family manage with another person to add to their hectic lives?The Lotterys Plus One, bestselling author Emma Donoghue's first novel for children, features black-and-white illustrations throughout and is funny, charming and full of heart.

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Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku made a vow to smile every day and believed he was the ‘happiest man on earth’. In his inspirational memoir, he paid tribute to those who were lost by telling his story and sharing his wisdom.‘Eddie looked evil in the eye and met it with joy and kindness . . . [his] philosophy is life-affirming’ – Daily ExpressLife can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.Eddie Jaku always considered himself a German first, a Jew second. He was proud of his country. But all of that changed in November 1938, when he was beaten, arrested and taken to a concentration camp.Over the next seven years, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors every day, first in Buchenwald, then in Auschwitz, then on a Nazi death march. He lost family, friends, his country.The Happiest Man on Earth is a powerful, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful memoir of how happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.‘Australia’s answer to Captain Tom . . . a memoir that extols the power of hope, love and mutual support’ – The Times

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With a cast of wonderful sea creatures, including a magical mermaid, and plenty of seaside fun, What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside is a brilliant rhyming adventure from the bestselling picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.The clever little ladybird is off on a trip to the seaside, but those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to their wicked ways again. This time they're planning to steal the mermaid's hair and sell it to a famous star. Luckily, the crime-busting ladybird has a clever plan to stop the thieves ...The fourth title in the Number One bestselling What the Ladybird Heard series from the award-winning team of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.Enjoy other stories from Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks: The Singing Mermaid, Sugarlump and the Unicorn and The Rhyming Rabbit

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'Some books are about magic. Some books ARE magic. Seed will cast a spell on you' – Frank Cottrell-BoyceSeed is a funny, big-hearted story by award-winner Caryl Lewis about the power of hope and imagination when you believe in the impossible. Perfect for readers of 8-12. Illustrated in black and white throughout by George Ermos.Shortlisted for Breakthrough Children's Book of the Year, The Week Junior Book AwardsShortlisted for the Brandford Boase Award 2023Marty doesn't have much. Unlike his mum, who has billions of things: newspapers, holey shoes, rusty lawnmowers, broken picture frames – she keeps EVERYTHING! It's hard to leave the house. Marty wonders if anything will ever change.But on Marty's birthday, Grandad, with a glint in his eye, gifts Marty a very special seed. Grandad hasn't been this excited since he invented the bum scratcher 2000 or thought he'd brewed wonder fuel from rhubarb leaves! The seed grows bigger and bigger, and launches Grandad, Marty and his best friend Gracie on an impossible, wondrous plan fuelled by love, hopes and dreams.Praise for The Magician's Daughter by Caryl Lewis:'This heartwarming, witty and touching story is all about hope and belief . . . An absolute delight.' – Daily MailPerfect for fans of Ross Welford, Jenny Pearson and Lisa Thompson.

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Take a stroll in the deep dark wood with this amazing interactive gift edition of the bestselling picture book, The Gruffalo, with the full, original story – plus flaps to lift, tabs to pull and a pop-up surprise!Walk further into the deep dark wood and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with a fox, an owl, a snake . . . and a hungry gruffalo! Read the original much-loved classic story and join in the fun by lifting the flaps and sliding the tabs to change the scenes and bring the story to life. This stunning hardback gift edition of the classic story is perfect for little paws and is sure to delight parents and children alike.Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's The Gruffalo is an undisputed modern classic and has become a bestselling phenomenon across the world with over 17.5 million copies sold. This award-winning rhyming story of a mouse and a monster has found its way into the hearts and bedtimes of an entire generation of children and will undoubtedly continue to enchant children for years and years to come.

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Learn to love nature, as you meet Duck and explore her world in this eco-friendly board book with incredible spinning mechanisms.Look inside a duck nest, help fluffy ducklings hatch from their eggs, and watch as Duck flaps her feathery wings! At the back of the book, you’ll find things that you can do together to help the ducks 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, Frog, and Bunny.

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A Richard and Judy Book Club pick, If I Let You Go is a darkly comic tale of searing loss, coercive control and the consequences of taking the wrong path.'Simultaneously tragic and uplifting . . . Charlotte Levin is SUCH a clever writer' - Ruth Jones, author of Love UntoldEvery morning, Janet Brown goes to work cleaning offices. It calms her – cleanliness, neatness. All the things she’s unable to do with her soul can be achieved with a damp cloth and a splash of bleach. However the guilt she still carries, about a devastating loss that happened eleven years ago, cannot be erased.When Janet finds herself involved in a train crash, she recognizes her chance to do what she couldn’t all those years ago. And she makes a decision. As news spreads of Janet’s actions, her story inspires everyone around her and, for the first time, her life has purpose. Her future is filled with hope.But Janet's story isn't quite what it seems. And, as events spiral out of control, she soon discovers that coming clean isn't an option. Because if Janet washes away the lies, what long-buried truths will she finally have to face?If I Let You Go by Charlotte Levin is a deeply moving and compelling portrayal of a woman coming to terms with loss.

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