Search results for ""Thames Hudson Ltd""

Performance Now charts the development of performance by visual artists across six continents since the turn of the 21st century. It reveals how live art, so integral to the history of art in the 20th century, has become an increasingly essential vehicle for communicating ideas across the globe in the new millennium. Renowned authority RoseLee Goldberg discusses the key themes in performance art practice, from beauty, global citizenship and political activism to performance’s intersection with film and technology, dance, theatre and architecture. Each chapter is followed by illustrated profiles of the world’s best-known performance artists, accompanied by extended captions that assess the importance of specific works to the practice of international performance art. The book concludes with an extensive reference section. Providing a visually exciting and stimulating overview of this most varied art form, Performance Now is the go-to reference for artists, art students and historians as well as avant-garde theatre and movie goers.

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Joe Zucker has flown under the radar of larger public awareness due to the frequent transformations in his art from one style to another, and thus his work has not been easily characterized and identified. Nevertheless, he has forged a powerful artistic persona as a process artist with a certain pop inflection, who not only grapples with formal and theoretical concerns but also explores themes of history, culture and Americana. This career-spanning survey deals with all of Joe Zucker’s various bodies of work, from his grid paintings of the 1960s to his latest pieces, including the monumental 1000 Brushstrokes (2015–1016). Zucker’s art is rooted in a conceptual framework where tools, materials, processes, procedures, content and subject matter are all interrelated.Working with materials ranging from cotton balls, sash cord, peg board and squeegees to acrylic and rhoplex, and exploring such themes as the grid, the history of cotton, ancient civilizations, an assortment of ‘dubious characters’, paintings that paint themselves, as well as meditations on the studio, Zucker merges materials, process and content – abstract and otherwise – to produce compelling works of extraordinary inventiveness, irony and passion.

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This activity book helps children to think like an inventor by introducing key engineering concepts in a highly visual and entertaining way. Through fun activities and Harriet Russell’s playful illustrations, it encourages readers to engage with new ideas and think about problems in a creative way. The book explores the six key aspects of engineering that are essential to any successful inventor: problem-finding, designing, making and testing, improving your invention, building techniques and how to find new uses for existing objects. Each spread centres on an open-ended question that introduces a different way of approaching an invention. Activities include making a bridge from toothpicks and mini marshmallows; inventing a way to lift this book without touching it; building a painting robot; designing your own remote control; and harvesting electricity from a banana. At the end of the book is a tinkering lab, which includes paper-based crafts and engineering activities.

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A Daily Telegraph and Observer Children’s Book of the Year Described as ‘an utter gem’ by the Telegraph, this exquisitely illustrated picture book with die-cut flaps follows the woodland ramblings of Mouse through the change in seasons. Written in a gentle rhyme that reflects the slow pace of Mouse’s rambling journey, and illustrated in the inimitable style of Alice Melvin, Mouse’s Wood is a heart-warming celebration of slow living in nature. The story follows Mouse, who first ventures out in wintry January to visit his friend Squirrel. Mouse moves on to wake up Hedgehog for the arrival of spring and as he continues along the path in the wood, Mouse’s journey from friend to friend maps out the changes in seasons from January through to December, from picnicking among the bluebells with Mole in May and picking berries with Dormouse in June, to taking refuge in Fox’s cozy caravan as winter draws in.

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A beautiful picture book with layers of intricate lasercuts and enchanting illustrations. Here are plants as you've never seen them before! Hélène Druvert’s meticulous lasercuts and beautiful illustrations take you on a trip around the world to visit some of the most fascinating examples of plant life, from the tiniest algae to the tallest trees. Learn how plants are pollinated and how they spread their seeds, how trees communicate with each other, how carnivorous plants attract their prey, and how plants play a vital part in making our planet a great home for humans. This fact-filled journey is by Hélène Druvert, the acclaimed author and illustrator of Anatomy, Garden Jungle, Ocean, The Sky, Paris Up, Up and Away, Mary Poppins Up, Up and Away and New York Melody.

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When Tom’s feeling bored, he runs off to play. A magical butterfly shows him the way To a world of adventures not far from his door. The garden’s a jungle – so much to explore!

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Count to 20 and back with an amazing animal team! They’re all ready to run, ride, jump, swim and play all day. On your marks… get set… GO! There is a cup to win, and all the animals are invited. Virginie Morgand’s stylishly illustrated introduction to numbers and counting breathes a real blast of fresh air into the genre. This follow-up to ABC: Off to Sea follows Morgand’s boldly rendered animals as they compete in their very own Olympic games. There are weightlifting bears, fast felines, hippos in leotards and more.

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Each book in the ‘Moments of Mindfulness’ series pairs the wise words of a great writer, master, philosopher or poet with Olivier Föllmi’s beautiful and moving photographs. Föllmi travelled far and wide to witness the celebrations, landscapes, rituals and traditions of cultures all over the world, discovering new ways of seeing as he sought to understand and capture through photography the connections linking the people to their ancestral lands. The effect is transcendental and transformative, awakening our senses and preparing our souls to receive these simple yet profound teachings.

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A visual compendium of botanical sketches, many specially photographed, providing a revealing insight into the immediate responses of artists encountering the glories of the plant world. While highly finished drawings and paintings frequently feature in histories of botanical art, the preparatory sketches, first impressions and creative thoughts on paper behind them are rarely seen and have often remained hidden and locked away. Botanical Sketchbooks brings these personal and vividly spontaneous records gloriously back into the light. In a series of biographical portraits organized thematically into four sections, the book illuminates a range of intriguing characters, from many different countries and cultures, including Germany, France, Italy, America, Australia, Japan and China. Sketchbooks proper are joined by notebooks, journals, albums, loose pieces of paper, works on vellum, manuscripts, letters, herbarium sheets and marginalia – even one drawing on the back of an envelope. Turning the pages of this book will be an invitation to relive extraordinary experiences, imagine lost worlds, and be immersed in the endeavours, observations and motivations of the makers of such beautiful and enchanting art.

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Take a cast of archaeologists and historians who inhabit different worlds. Add a medieval king who died in battle, and was revived by Shakespeare as the ultimate anti-hero. Throw in a forensic quest with almost unbelievable twists, and a theatrical modern burial with no parallel, and you have the material for an irresistible story for our times. In the hands of a leading archaeologist and award-winning journalist, the search for a king’s grave becomes the page-turning, entertaining, informed narrative that makes Digging for Richard III the must-read title on the most sensational archaeological find for generations.

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An illustrated celebration of sustainable and often little-known edible plants from around the world that are revolutionizing how we grow, eat and appreciate food. Plants that can thrive under the most challenging of conditions are becoming ever more important in ensuring food security in our changing climate. This book takes the reader on a visual journey, exploring edible plants from around the world, from the more familiar to the lesser known. Richly illustrated, each plant profile gives fascinating insights into relevant growing conditions and flavour profiles, as well as helpful tips for growing, cooking and eating. Many of the world’s edible plants have been cultivated by humankind over thousands of years and yet more than half of our diet is made up of just three: wheat, maize and rice. There are many thousands more we can make use of to create a more sustainable food future. Offering the reader an extraordinary peek into the tasty world of plants, Edible explores fascinating plants from every continent, including grains and vegetables alongside quirky local staples, from the little-known spice grains of paradise to the dandelion and Irish moss. Highlighting common ways each plant is cooked and eaten, each plant profile provides vital information on climatic and growing conditions, nutrition, flavour and even unexpected medicinal properties. With a directory of places to find and purchase featured plants and accompanying resources at the end of the book, this visually appealing compendium offers both a deeper appreciation and understanding of the huge diversity of edible plants and a rich source of inspiration for readers to discover, try and grow new food for themselves.

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The story of the author’s cabin build in the wilderness, packed with practical advice for aspiring builders and insights into of the history of cabin culture around the world. In 2010, journalist and author Will Jones gave up London life to move to rural Canada with his young family. His dream was to build a remote cabin in the woods that would be a silent retreat from the world. This is the story of how he created the ultimate hideaway, inspired by cabin-building practices around the world. Throughout history, people around the world have built cabins as homes, naturewatching huts and even follies. In recent times, many have been drawn to cabinbuilding by a yearning to connect with nature and spend time in the wilderness. From the homes of indigenous peoples and the settlers of the New World to contemporary Nordic summer homes and artists’ retreats, the emotive lure of cabin-building shows no sign of abating. In this book, Will Jones explores the history and romance of cabin building and delves into the architectural styles, vernacular idiosyncrasies and tools and techniques of historical and modern builders. Weaving the personal story of his cabin build with illustrated practical know-how on everything from deciding on site and orientation, to foundations and interior design, Jones’s essential book is full of inspirational ideas. The urge to escape the city and live in nature has never been stronger. Part story, part history and part practical guide, this is the ultimate read for anyone dreaming of building a cabin of their own.

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The Book of Kells, dating from about 800, is a brilliantly decorated manuscript of the four Gospels. This new official guide (French language edition), by the former Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College Library, Dublin, provides fascinating insights into the Book of Kells, revealing the astounding detail and richness of one of the greatest works of medieval art. The illustrations in the guide include reproductions of complete pages, and details that allow one to marvel at the intricacy of the decoration. The Book of Kells is explored through its historical background; its structure; its decorative elements, including the richness of its symbols and themes; the scribes and artists who worked on the manuscript; and the tools and pigments used in its creation.

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The mass of available data about World War II has never been as large as it is now, yet it has become increasingly complicated to interpret it in a meaningful way. Packed with cleverly designed graphics, charts and diagrams, World War II: Infographics offers a new approach by telling the story of the conflict visually. Encompassing the conflict from its roots to its aftermath, more than 50 themes are treated in great detail, ranging from the rise of the Far Right in pre-war Europe and mass mobilization, to evolving military tactics and technology and the financial and human cost of the conflict. Throughout, the shifting balance of power between the Axis and the Allies and the global nature of the war and its devastation are made strikingly clear. Original, accessible and fascinating, World War II: Infographics will delight history buffs, graphic design aficionados, and everyone seeking an overview of the war that shaped the world as we know it.

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No other art movement in history has contained two artists as different as Magritte and Miró. This is because Surrealism was not in origin an art movement, but a philosophical strategy. It was a way of life – a rebellion against the establishment that had given the world the hideous slaughter of the First World War. Instead of trying to analyse the work of the Surrealists, bestselling author and Surrealist artist Desmond Morris concentrates on them as people – as remarkable individuals. What were their personalities, their predilections, their character strengths and flaws? Did they enjoy a social life or were they loners? Were they bold eccentrics or timid recluses? Drawing on the author’s personal knowledge of the Surrealists, this book captures their life histories, idiosyncrasies and often-complex love lives, vividly illustrated with images of the artists and their works. The arts of Surrealism were both spectacular and international, shaped by the darkest, most irrational workings of the unconscious. Shocking, witty and always entertaining, Morris’ tales illuminate the striking variation in approaches to the Surrealist philosophy, both in the artist’s work and in their lives.

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An upmarket puzzle celebrating Darwin’s epochal voyage—one of the most important in human history—in Maria Rivans’s signature style In the same style as her successful Orient Express puzzle, Maria Rivans celebrates one of history’s greatest ever journeys: Charles Darwin’s voyage around the world on HMS Beagle. Between 1831 and 1835, he called on the Canary Islands, Brazil, Argentina, the Falklands, Chile, Australia—and, of course, the Galapagos archipelago, where giant tortoises and tiny finches perfectly illustrated his momentous discoveries. Vintage maps and a host of charming imagery bring Darwin’s story to life; and, as in Maria’s other puzzles, the intricate and colorful art gives the puzzler a particularly satisfying experience. The distinctive box format and design are conceived to merchandise next to the puzzle’s two precursors, encouraging customers to move from one to the next and col

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Learn how to painlessly use your sewing machine AND make stylish clothes and accessories you actually want to wear. Trained on Savile Row, Rehana Begum has taught sewing for years, and knows how to introduce beginners to their sewing machines without stress or disaster. Now she presents that expertise in this elegant, contemporary book. Learn how to thread your machine, choose your stitch and start up without creating a frustrating tangle of knots. With clearly illustrated techniques and simple patterns (from a tote bag to a simple dress), you'll quickly be able to build on your skills and turn them into finished products to be proud of even if it's your first time on a sewing machine. Sewing machines can be intimidating. Rehana's expert knowledge promises to remove the fear and get you sewing opening the way to a satisfying skill that will serve you for the rest of your life.

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In Paper Marbling: Learn in a Weekend, experiment with the colorful modern aesthetic of this versatile craft. Suminagashi, which translates simply as “ink floating,” is the ancient technique of Japanese-style paper marbling. An intuitive and satisfying process, it closely connects the crafter, the ink, and the water, and can be enjoyed by anyone. In this straightforward guide, designer Natascha Maksimovic takes you through every stage, from choosing colors right through to your very own finished pieces. Included in the book are five easy-to-follow projects showing how marbled paper can elevate crafts and interiors alike. Make stationery, bunting, paper flowers, wallpaper, and lampshades, or simply place your bold designs into a frame, stand back, and admire. Like every title in the . . . in a Weekend series, this book will take you from beginner to accomplished creator in just a couple of days!In a Weekend se

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The many fun and delicious things you can do with a bar of chocolate, richly illustrated and guaranteed to make your mouth water. There’s a whole world of chocolate-y creativity out there for you to experiment with. Grab a saucepan, a couple of bowls and a wooden spoon, and you’ll quickly be creating chocolate balloons, dainty chocolate cups, bonfire-roasted banana splits, gourmet-spiced hot chocolate with all the flavours, mug cakes and brownies. Choc-full of delicious richness, the recipes in How to Eat Chocolate will inspire greed, gluttony and self-indulgence – all the virtues that a self-respecting chocoholic holds dear – and the colourful retro-style illustrations will make it an irresistible gift.

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The many stimulating and aromatic things you can do with a coffee bean, richly illustrated and sure to perk you up! Discover how to make a perfect cup, from stimulating ristretto to comforting mocha; experiment with spices and spirits and the many varieties of coffee drinks; and learn how to make some delicious recipes using your favourite flavour. Jump-start your brew with this coffee knowledge! You'll discover how to master the bean to make your own dream cup, and the colourful package makes the book a perfect gift for the person in your life who simply can't do anything before their first cup of the day.

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Fierce and irreverent, these dot-to-dots lead you to a fabulous finish! Pick up a pencil and prepare to go wild with it! Twenty fresh puzzles from the talented hand of Jennie Edwards will keep you guessing right to the end – when each reveals a stunning drag queen in their glorious pomp. The puzzles have been prepared and tested by the same team that created the first-ever series of dot-to-dot puzzles for grown-ups. That revealed legions of enthusiastic dot-to-dot fans who will be thrilled to discover these brand new challenges.

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Dog-loving puzzlers will love chewing on these relaxing dot-to-dots. Fall in love with these cunningly canine line art puzzles! Twenty new illustrations from the talented hand of Jennie Edwards will keep you guessing right to the end – when each reveals a loveable dog doing something irresistibly doggy. The photography is by Instagram sensation Doggy Pawtraits, and the puzzles have been prepared and tested by the same team that created the first ever series of dot-to-dot puzzles for grown-ups. They revealed legions of enthusiastic dot-to-dot fans who will be thrilled to discover these brand new challenges.

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“I love this book! Brilliant biography of the…utterly fascinating artist Isabel Rawsthorne” Jennifer Higgie “Every page is gripping, fascinating, forcefully and excitingly written, and sad.” Andrew Motion “Isabel Rawsthorne’s life reads like a ready-made screenplay… – a poverty stricken upbringing, world wars, espionage, affairs, addiction, politics … all set to a series of evocative cinematic backdrops. And that’s before any mention of her career as one of the most hidden but influential artists of the 20th century.” Interiors and Home “Jacobi’s bigger project here, seems to be to reimagine what an artist biography… can be.” The Art Newspaper “Highlights how talented women have often missed out on the recognition they deserved” Observer Isabel Rawsthorne’s painting career at the centre of the Parisian and London avantgardes was eclipsed by the many occasions on which her friends made her the subject of their art, notably Epstein, Derain, Giacometti, Picasso and Bacon. This pioneering painter exhibited from the early 1930s, was influential in the 1940s and well known in the 1960s, but in her later years Giacometti’s and Bacon’s blockbuster biographies made her famous as a muse. Rawsthorne’s work is now in major collections, and this beautifully illustrated book re-writes the pre- and post-war art history of which she was a part: it is traced through the upheavals of the 20th century and her singular relationships with some of its most fascinating figures. A decade of research into the period, Rawsthorne’s art and archives, and the memories of friends, has revealed for the first time her role in a rebel group at Liverpool School of Art; success and tragedy in the 1930s when she was studio assistant to Jacob Epstein; her life-long collaborations with Alberto Giacometti; and, after the war, with Francis Bacon and with African Modernism in the 1960s, as well as her exceptional late work. It also tells the full story of her break from art during the second world war, when she worked for the government in black propaganda.

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Among the many treasures of the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, are hundreds of chess and other games pieces dating from the 7th to the 19th centuries ce. Intricately crafted in a rich variety of materials, including ivory, wood, ceramic, glass, jade and agate, these tiny objects are of enormous historical and artistic significance. They not only mark the evolution of familiar games into their modern forms, but also evoke the imperial palaces, military camps and herders’ tents in which they were played over many centuries, from the Sasanian period through the Islamic era in Central Asia, Iran, present-day Iraq and northern India. The chess pieces include both early figural sets and the more abstract forms that later became popular throughout the Islamic world. Dice, pachesi sets and a medieval Arabic treatise on chess complete the collection.

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Celebrates the earliest history of the Islamic world’s great textile traditions through fifty beautiful carpets and fragments. A wave of these beautiful textiles has reached the West since the turn of the 21st century, and here they are divided into variants featuring birds, mammals, and mythological creatures, which retain their glowing colors and lively charm.

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World renowned for its collection of Islamic art, the al-Sabah Collection in Kuwait also houses an important collection of ancient art. Splendors of the Ancient East presents a selection of ancient artefacts from the al-Sabah Collection, most of them reproduced for the first time. This selection is united by the personal vision of Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and his wife, Sheikha Hussah Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah. This vision is informed by a love of the beauty of these objects and an interest in the material culture of this region, from which grew some of the distinctive forms and design vocabulary of Islamic art. Covering a time span of some 4,000 years, from the Bronze Age up to the dawn of the Islamic era, this book celebrates some of the beautiful objects created in the Near East and beyond including Central and South Asia.

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The second instalment in the new series featuring a private eye with ears on her hat and a nose for mystery! When an unusual visitor asks Miss Cat to stop a terrible dream from coming true, she has a whale of a mystery on her hands. Soon she's on the trail of a secretive author, meeting a mysterious mayor and chasing a pack of peculiar pirates. But with a little help from her friends, no case is too tough for Miss Cat to crack! Book 2 in a splendidly silly series!

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Mini Architects harnesses the enduring fascination young children have with building to introduce them to architecture and structures from around the world. Designed to engage young children with architecture through creative art projects, Mini Architects takes inspiration from some of the most famous architectural wonders of the past and present, including the ancient Pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge and Le Corbusier's Cité Radieuse. Mini architects can choose from a variety of easy-to-make projects using simple materials and featuring a range of interesting techniques, ideal for teaching new motor skills. Step-by-step photographs and clear instructions are easy to follow for both children and adults, and each project requires minimal set up and clean up, to ensure the maximum amount of time is spent creating together. Each project is accompanied by photographic reproductions of the famous buildings that inspired them, along with fun facts and questions about the structures and

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The fiery new title in the best-selling If I had a... series imagines life with a dragon as a pet. Imagine what it would be like to have a dragon as a pet. Join our funny female protagonist on her latest flight of fancy, but watch out for that burning bad breath! Dragons are mighty mythical beasts... and perfect pets. Getting to school is a breeze when you can fly, and you would never have to worry about lighting the barbecue. But what exactly do dragons eat? Perhaps a trip to the museum will help, just beware of knights in shining armour! Gabby and Alex's If I had a... series goes from strength to strength. The latest in the fantastically funny series is full of fantasy fun, wrapping up an exciting day of dragon adventures with a warm and cosy night-time scene, the perfect book for bedtime.

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A laugh-out-loud bedtime story in which a little girl imagines what it would be like to have a vampire bat for a pet. What would it be like to live a nocturnal lifestyle? What funny scenarios might one encounter trick-or-treating or at the funfair with a vampire bat as your pal? Facts about vampire bats combine with seasonal spookiness and positive messages about dental hygiene in this brilliant book for bedtime.

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A colourful, fact-filled introduction to the world of birds. Where are all those swallows going? Let’s join them on their long journey south and learn about the world of birds along the way. Swoop in on a tawny owl, soar with a golden eagle and discover where the lovebirds nest. The colourful, musical world of birds is waiting! Brimming with lively illustrations and full of fascinating facts, this fun narrative-based book is a must for inquisitive children with a love of the natural world.

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A boardbook edition of this magical book in the award-winning If I had a... series. Have you ever imagined what it would be like to have a unicorn for a pet? Besides being much less angry than a troll and far more conveniently sized than a giant, unicorns only ever eat ice-cream for breakfast AND... every time you get upset they feed you candyfloss! In this humorous, energetically rhyming tale, a little girl experiences exactly what life would be like with a magical creature for a pet – from sprinkling stardust on grumpy parents to sliding into football practice on a rainbow. This book celebrates the magic of unicorns in a way that will appeal to children who are allergic to pink.

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The perfect book for troubled times, this collection of over 25 real-life stories shows how heroic acts of kindness can change our world for the better. In this uplifting collection of stories by Alexandra Stewart, children are introduced to real-life heroes and heroines who have chosen to act in kindness, even when they have been faced with terrible persecution, prejudice, disaster and illness. Aimed at empowering children who feel the weight of the world on their shoulders, these stories are designed to help readers make positive choices in their own lives by embracing kindness as their superpower. Stories include Harriet Tubman’s remarkable rescue missions to free enslaved African Americans; the French village of Le Chambon’s protection of Jewish refugees under Nazi persecution during the Second World War; and the Fukushima workers who volunteered to clean up after the nuclear crisis in Japan; as well as everyday examples of kindness in sporting competitions, neighbourly acts of kindness and random acts of kindness towards complete strangers.

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A history of the world told through the prism of language, from Shakespeare to Anne Frank, Martin Luther King to Greta Thunberg. A History of Words for Children explores the uniquely human ability to transfer thoughts from one brain to another using words. Written in a lively narrative style, the book presents a history of the world and human development through the prism of language, introducing readers to the civilisations, inventions and wordsmiths who have shaped the way we communicate. Divided into themed chapters, the book explores what words are and how humans communicate using spoken language and sign; the development of written scripts and writing implements, including paper; the history of manuscripts and printed books, including worldwide bestsellers and famous libraries; the process of learning another language; dialects and accents and the way language can reflect our identity; the power of words to calm, inspire, rally crowds and rule nations; graffiti’s role in spreading messages; codes and invented languages; the patterns of poetry; the future of words, including emojis; and languages facing extinction.

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Mr Busby the beekeeper is the proud owner of hundreds of hives. Have a look inside them to find out how bees take care of their queen and make honey, then follow the swarm as they fly off into the countryside to collect nectar. Readers will learn about pollination and all the plants, insects, animals and birds that take part in the process; they will also find out the amazing ways bees are so crucial to life on earth. Buzzing with lively illustrations and full of fascinating facts, this fun book is a must for all children interested in the natural world.

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Cleopatra tells her version of events as the ruler of the last ancient Egyptian dynasty. In this hilarious and revealing tell-all, the politically savvy, multilingual, cosmopolitan ruler of Alexandria, Cleopatra, reveals herself to be the world’s first influencer. Finally able to tell her own version of events, she will have readers reeling at the remarkable skill with which she raised an army of mercenaries to counter her bullying brother and secure the support of two of the world’s most powerful men – Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Chris Naunton’s expert text is accompanied by Guilherme Karsten’s illustrations, which give the ancient Egyptian queen a relatable, modern make-over. Witty, contemporary and full of sass, this is Cleopatra #nofilter.

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A behind-the-scenes tour of the magnificent Royal Opera House in London, thirty minutes before curtain up, led by Figaro the cat. It’s opening night of The Nutcracker, and the performers at the Royal Opera House in London are busy getting ready to step out onto the stage. Meanwhile, Figaro – the opera house’s resident cat – is poised to take readers on a behind-the-scenes tour to meet the many people working to make tonight’s performance a resounding success. This backstage tour of the Royal Opera House takes readers from department to department to discover what’s involved in putting on a performance such as The Nutcracker. Featuring examples from key works of opera and ballet, highlights of the tour include trying on the Mad Hatter’s wig from Alice in Wonderland; practising for a fighting scene from Romeo and Juliet; putting the finishing touches on the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu; learning to ‘play dead’; and creating explosions on stage. Including an introduction to a classical orchestra, key ballet terms and basic stage directions, the book encourages readers to explore the many ways they can get involved.

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'Guaranteed to raise the hairs on the back of your neck' Neil GaimanJen Campbell's collection of terrifyingly gruesome tales lends a modern edge to fairy tale collections for young readers. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of fairy tale history, Campbell's stories undo the censoring, gender stereotyping and twee endings of more modern children's fairy tales, to return both classic and little-known stories to their grim versions, whilst celebrating a diverse range of characters. Featuring 14 short stories from around the globe, The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers is illustrated in a contemporary style by Canadian comic artist Adam de Souza. De Souza's brooding illustrations are a highly original blend of 19th-century Gothic engravings and moody film noir graphic novels. Beautifully produced in a hardback format with a rose gold ribbon marker, The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers is a truly thrilling gift.With 86 illustrations, 30 in colour

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There’s no doubt about it: whether you’re a newbie or a dab hand, drawing can often be daunting. That’s why cartoons are the best place to start! From the co-creator of the best-selling Hirameki: Draw What You See comes a stylish yet playful approach to drawing cartoons, designed to excite even the most tentative artists. Over several decades teaching in schools and art colleges, Austrian cartoonist Peng has developed expert knowledge of the building blocks of drawing and sketching. As he shows, creativity can come from anywhere. Entire sketches can spring up from the simplest lines or curves. Even found objects can spark brilliance – who knows, maybe a stone or leaf could provide the next flash of inspiration! Peng’s easy-to-follow guide inspires confidence and creativity by showing how even complete novices can quickly learn how to draw characters and develop their own individual style. Starting with the basics of figure construction and moving through to expression, movement and animals, the artist conjures up delightful cartoons with wicked humour and a lightness of touch. Simple tips and exercises reveal how anyone and everyone can master the art of drawing, encouraging the reader to experiment with a variety of techniques executed through brush, pencil and pen. Don’t be afraid of drawing, concludes Peng, in this enjoyable and addictive starter book – you make the rules.With 200 illustrations in colour

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A little boy has a problem with his dragon: he’s no longer able to breathe fire. What to do? How on earth do you rekindle a despondent dragon’s flame? The little boy tries shaking him by his tail, and jumping on his belly, and tickling his legs… No joy. How about goading him somehow? – make him angry, fuel his jealousy… Still no luck. Maybe sticking false flames on the side of his face would work – but, no, that makes it all worse. Much, much worse. Now the dragon’s downright depressed. Oh no! He decides that he’ll just have to tell him that he loves him just the way he is, even though he can’t breathe fire, and that he will always be his dragon – and plants a big fat kiss on his cheek. What do you think happens next?

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Luna and her best friend, Franklin the dragon, love stories and want to visit all the places they’ve read about in books. But for all their reading they still don’t know where dragons come from. And Franklin is now so old – 605 to be exact – he can’t remember himself! They search high and low, but to no avail. Until one evening, Luna’s tortoise, Neil Armstrong, notices something far away in the sky… The three friends set out on their biggest adventure yet – all the way to the moon – in the hope of reuniting Franklin with his long lost family.

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Do you know how to wield a lance? Can you somersault into a suit of armor? Join Kate, Eddie and Angus as they travel back to the 14th century to see if they have what it takes to become a knight. Tutored by the original author of the Book of Chivalry, they discover the secrets of the chivalric code, receive vital weapons training and learn top tips on how not to die in battle.

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We’re on an adventure with 1,001 ants! Visit the ants in their home, meet their queen, and see how ants look after their colony. Then join them on a walk through the countryside, discovering plants, insects, mushrooms and animals that live outside and in our yards. Spot the ant with red socks hidden on every double page, and enjoy a pleasant stroll through the undergrowth – seeing things that humans are usually too big to notice! This is a fun, non-fiction storybook for children full of fascinating facts about nature. With lively and appealing illustrations, it’s a must-have for inquisitive children who are curious about bugs and the animal kingdom.

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A little boy has a problem with his dragon: he’s no longer able to breathe fire. What to do? How on earth do you rekindle a despondent dragon’s flame? The little boy tries shaking him by his tail, and jumping on his belly, and tickling his legs… No joy. How about goading him somehow? – make him angry, fuel his jealousy… Still no luck. Maybe sticking false flames on the side of his face would work – but, no, that makes it all worse. Much, much worse. Now the dragon’s downright depressed. Oh no! He decides that he’ll just have to tell him that he loves him just the way he is, even though he can’t breathe fire, and that he will always be his dragon – and plants a big fat kiss on his cheek. What do you think happens next?

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As read on Cbeebies bedtime storiesIn this charming trip of the imagination, a little girl delights in experiencing life at a slower pace as she shares her day with a sleepy sloth who moves so slowly, moss grows in his fur! This sloth may be sleepy but it’s a champion on the jungle gym, thanks to its super gripping skills. And climbing trees has never been so easy! But the little girl’s hairdresser is less than impressed to find not just moss but also moths in its fur – and by the time our sleepy sloth has finished its morning walk, the day is almost done. Through rollicking rhymes and bold, graphic illustrations, If I had a sleepy sloth imagines the positives and negatives of having a sloth for a pet and provides a welcome alternative to the fast pace of modern life by creating the time for readers to simplyb-r-e-a-t-h-e.

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One day Bear decides he will sing with the birds – he has heard every tune and he knows all the words. But as hard as he tries to fit in with their song, when he opens his mouth it comes out sort of wrong. Each creature is different, that’s just how it goes, but will Bear ever realise what’s under his nose? Bear wakes every morning to beautiful birdsong, and longs to join in. He stretches his legs, puts on his cap and braces and thinks he must try to join in with the beautiful bird song all around him in the forest. But he is downhearted to discover his song is more of ‘a holler, a howl and rumbling growl; With a sort of snore, all combined in a “ROAR!”’. His wise friend, Owl, tries to encourage him by pointing out that Bear is not a bird, but Bear gets the wrong end of the stick and attempts to fly, as if that might improve the quality of his song by making him more bird-like. In the end, Bear concentrates on what he does best. All of the forest animals gather to watch him perform his new song, and cheer in amazement at his newfound talent. Satisfied with finding what makes him unique, Bear smiles to himself and promptly falls back to sleep.

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As read by Eddie Redmayne for CBeebies Christmas Day Bedtime StoryWINNER of the 'Best Preschool Book' - Made For Mums Awards 2018A little girl dreams of having her very own pet. But what kind of animal would make the best companion? A mouse is too small; a cat is too ordinary; and a fish is too… wet! As she plays with her toy dinosaur, inspiration strikes. What about a real, live dinosaur? She could ride it to school. It would need lots of food to eat, a swimming pool to drink from, and a dino flap so it could come and go. At the end of a day spent busily imagining, the girl trudges up to bed with her little plastic dinosaur. As she falls asleep, the dinosaur from her daydreams stands in the garden with its head poking through the bedroom window, making her dreams come true.

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My Big World is a first look at geography and science for children aged 4+ to enjoy with their parents. Throughout the book a little girl called Koko and a little boy called Alex ask questions about the world while intrepid explorers go on adventures to find out how and where we live. Starting from inside the home, Koko and Alex move on to explore the wider world. Step by step the reader encounters different plants and animals, exploring various locations around the world and even visiting outer space! Children explore each topic by playing and learning. Activities, which include things to do on and off the page such as games, recipes and craft activities, are announced by a graphic symbol of a pair of hands. Adults will probably help children with all the activities, but more complicated procedures, involving cutting and baking, are flagged as requiring adult supervision.

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