Search results for ""children""

Hergé's Tintin cartoon adventures have been translated into more than fifty languages and read by tens of millions of children aged, as their publishers like to say, 'from 7 to 77'. Arguing that their characters are as strong and their plots as complex as any dreamt up by the great novelists, Tom McCarthy asks a simple question: is Tintin literature? McCarthy takes a cue from Tintin himself, who spends much of his time tracking down illicit radio signals, entering crypts and decoding puzzles and suggests that we too need to 'tune in' and decode if we want to capture what's going on in Hergé's work. What emerges is a remarkable story of hushed-up royal descent in both Herge's work and his own family history. McCarthy shows how the themes this story generates - expulsion from home, violation of the sacred, the host-guest relationship turned sour and anxieties around questions of forgery and fakeness - are the same that have fuelled and troubled writers from the classical era to the present day. His startling conclusion is that Tintin's ultimate 'secret' is that of literature itself. Appearing on the eve of the release of a major Steven Spielberg Tintin film, Tintin and the Secret of Literature should be avidly devoured by not only Tintin lovers but also by anyone with an interest in literature, philosophy or art.

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This is a practical guide to caring for your pet, in step-by-step photographs. Ideal for 5- to 9-year-olds, this delightful book will show young readers how to get the most out of being a thoughtful and responsible pet owner. It is packed with essential information and advice, from choosing the right goldfish and preparing a home for it, to feeding it and keeping it healthy. Children will be able to get to grips with the technical aspects of looking after fish, all demonstrated in more than 60 easy-to-follow pictures. There is more to keeping a goldfish than just providing it with a good home. Owning even the smallest pet is a big responsibility - but an enjoyable one. This fascinating book is a useful and accessible guide for young animal lovers on how best to care for their pet. It will tell them all they need to know about the different varieties that are available - from the exotic oranda to the weird and wonderful bubble-eye - where to buy them, when and what to feed them, and which is the best tank to use. Practical guidance is complemented by over 60 detailed photographs showing how to clean and maintain the tank, and even how to keep goldfish outdoors, making this the only book a junior fish keeper will ever need.

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How did we conclude that the best way to prepare kids for the future is to cluster them into classrooms by age and grade, forcing them to learn the same things, at the same time and pace, seven hours a day, five days a week, for twelve years? We trust the school system to prepare our kids for the future. We get excited when they get good grades, or disappointed if they don't. But we rarely stop to question whether school is teaching our children the right things in the right way. Kids could get good at playing the game of school, but are they really learning? Teacher-turned-edupreneur Ana Lorena Fabrega, known by her students as Ms. Fab, invites us to rethink education. In The Learning Game, she reveals how traditional schooling has gone wrong, and proposes a series of actionable strategies to help kids learn. What if we guide kids to think for themselves? Should we encourage kids to take risks and tackle projects of their own? How do we help kids learn to love learning? Answering these questions and many more, The Learning Game will arm you with practical tools to design a new approach to learning-one that leaves behind the game of school and prepares your kids for the game of life.

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The latest picture book in the bestselling The Colour Monster series, from talented author-illustrator Anna Llenas, that encourages conversations about consent, mental health and wellbeing. One day, Nuna was in situation where she didn't know how to say no and it left her feeling strange and confused. So she goes to see Colour Monster who is now a doctor and who can help to heal emotions, especially those that are big and difficult to understand. To begin with, Nuna cannot find the right words. But with the help of Colour Monster and his emotions toolkit, Nuna learns how to use tools and techniques that will make her feel better. Together they try things like deep breathing, arts and crafts, blowing bubbles and dancing until she starts to feel calmer. Now will Nuna be able to talk about what's bothering her? This story addresses complex themes around consent, saying no and mental wellbeing in a sensitive, age-appropriate way. Through Anna's experience as an art therapist, she has interwoven techniques that can make these conversations easier. Including big, fold-out pages, children can look inside the emotions toolkit, making use of the ideas for themselves (with the support of a grown-up when needed). The ideal conversation starter for readers of The Colour Monster, The Colour Monster Goes to School and Don't Hug Doug.

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New York Times best-selling author Immaculée Ilibagiza teaches readers how to pray the rosary of the seven sorrows for greater wisdom, strength, and forgiveness.In this new book by New York Times best-selling author Immaculée Ilibagiza, readers will rediscover this important message from Mary. Mary wanted the whole world to know the seven sorrows rosary, and Immaculée not only shares it, but explains Mary’s specific teachings for how to pray it, as well as offers the promises attached to the prayers.The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows dates back to the Middle Ages, but it gained new popularity following the sightings of the Blessed Virgin Mary that occurred in the 1980s in Kibeho, Rwanda. During these sightings, which were validated by the Vatican, Mary asked that this special rosary be introduced to the world. It was spread widely to thousands of people, who then taught it to thousands of others.Immaculée also reveals incredible real-life stories from people who have been healed through this prayer. These miracles include healing of addictions, healing of “incurable” illnesses, including stage 4 pancreatic cancer and infertility, and more. Besides those miracles, there are many other everyday blessings to be had, including inner peace, healthier marriages, happier careers, and more.Mary said, “Help me, my children, to spread this blessing, this prayer. I will reward those who do.”

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The first comprehensive history of the Sami people of the Nordic countries and northwestern Russia. There is no single volume which encompasses an integrated social and cultural history of the Sami people from the Nordic countries and northwestern Russia. Neil Kent's book fills this lacuna. In the first instance, he considers how the Sami homeland is defined: its geography, climate, and early contact with other peoples. He then moves on to its early chronicles and the onset of colonisation, which changed Sami life profoundly over the last millennium. Thereafter, the nature of Sami ethnicity is examined, in the context of the peoples among whom the Sami increasingly lived, as well as the growing intrusions of the states who claimed sovereignty over them. The Soviet gulag, the Lapland War and increasing urbanisation all impacted upon Sami life. Religion, too, played an important role from pre-historic times, with their pantheon of gods and sacred sites, to their Christianisation. In the late twentieth century there has been an increasing symbiosis of ancient Sami spiritual practice with Christianity. Recently the intrusions of the logging and nuclear industries, as well as tourism have come to redefine Sami society and culture. Even the meaning of who exactly a Sami is is scrutinised, at a time when some intermarry and yet return to Sapmi, where their children maintain their Sami identity.

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London will come alive with this beautiful and colourful pop-up book from Lonely Planet Kids. With a set of six stunning pop-ups and gorgeous illustrations, this book is the perfect introduction to the magic of London for any age. This stylish look at the city's iconic landmarks will kickstart the travel bug in young explorers! Pop-up London includes Buckingham Palace, The Shard, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral and the London Underground. Also available: Pop-up Paris, Pop-up New York About Lonely Planet Kids : From the world's leading travel publisher comes Lonely Planet Kids, a children's imprint that brings the world to life for young explorers everywhere. With a range of beautiful books for children aged 5-12, we're kickstarting the travel bug and showing kids just how amazing our planet can be. From bright and bold sticker activity books, to beautiful gift titles bursting at the seams with amazing facts, we aim to inspire and delight curious kids, showing them the rich diversity of people, places and cultures that surrounds us. We pledge to share our enthusiasm and love of the world, our sense of humour and continual fascination for what it is that makes the world we live in the diverse and magnificent place it is. It's going to be a big adventure - come explore!

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"Why aren't I as wealthy as I should be?" Many people ask this question of themselves all the time. Often they are hard-working, well educated middle- to high-income people. Why, then, are so few affluent. For nearly two decades the answer has been found in the bestselling The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy, reissued with a new foreword for the twenty-first century. According to the authors, most people have it all wrong about how you become wealthy in America. Wealth in America is more often the result of hard work, diligent savings, and living below your means than it is about inheritance, advance degrees, and even intelligence. The Millionaire Next Door identifies seven common traits that show up again and again among those who have accumulated wealth. You will learn, for example, that millionaires bargain shop for used cars, pay a tiny fraction of their wealth in income tax, raise children who are often unaware of their family's wealth until they are adults, and, above all, reject the big-spending lifestyles most of us associate with rich people. In fact, you will learn that the flashy millionaires glamorized in the media represent only a tiny minority of America's rich. Most of the truly wealthy in this country don't live in Beverly Hills or on Park Avenue-they live next door.

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Every night, at nine o’clock, wherever he is, Mr. Bianchi, an accountant who often has to travel for work, calls his daughter and tells her a bedtime story. But since it's still the 20th century world of pay phones, each story has to be told in the time that a single coin will buy. Reminiscent of Scheherazade and One Thousand and One Nights, Gianni Rodari’s Telephone Tales is composed of many stories––in fact, seventy short stories, with one for each phone call. Each story is set in a different place and a different time, with unconventional characters and a wonderful mix of reality and fantasy. One night, it’s a carousel so beloved by children that an old man finally sneaks on to understand why, and as he sails above the world, he does. Or, it’s a land filled with butter men, roads paved with chocolate, or a young shrimp who has the courage to do things in a different way from what he's supposed to do. Awarded the Hans Christian Anderson Award in 1970, Gianni Rodari is widely considered to be Italy’s most important children’s author of the 20th century. Newly re-illustrated by Italian artist Valerio Vidali (The Forest), Telephone Tales entertains, while questioning and imagining other worlds.Winner of the 2021 Batchelder Award and the 2020 Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s English Translation Prize

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Part of a delightful series of children's books following the adventurous escapades of Henley, a Japanese chin. "This charming tale of friendship and loyalty enchants with its witty text, hand-drawn pictures, vintage and contemporary photos and lift-up flap pages..." Kathleen L. Trent, Town & Country Magazine "Stuffed with New York landmarks and special guest appearances, this book will delight children and warm the hearts of even the iciest fashion mavens..." Ned Simmons and Will Morgan, Gotham Magazine Henley: A New York Tail follows the wildly glamorous adventures of an adorable black-and-white Japanese Chin, the most fashionable pup to have ever lived in New York City. When the elegant and very accessorised Ms. Lulu Ziminski, fashion maven extraordinaire, catches a glimpse of Henley upon entering the city's Sweetie Pie Pet Shop, it's love at first sight. Together, the two fabulous companions accompany one another on all sorts of cosmopolitan adventures, while Henley quickly finds himself the center of attention no matter where he goes. Once catapulted into the pupperazzi's limelight, Henley can only think up, up, up and quickly begins his foray into the luxurious life of a celebrity. But what begins as a tour of all that glitters and glows quickly turns into a lesson that celebrates the heart, loyalty, and friendship in its truest form.

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Winner of the Booker PrizeWinner of 'Book of the Year' and 'Debut of the Year' at the British Book AwardsThe Million-Copy Bestseller'An amazingly intimate, compassionate, gripping portrait of addiction, courage and love.' – The judges of the Booker Prize'Douglas Stuart has written a first novel of rare and lasting beauty.' – ObserverIt 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 lays bare the ruthlessness of poverty, the limits of love, and the hollowness of pride. For readers 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

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Part of the National Curriculum Outdoors series, aimed at improving outside-the-classroom learning for children from Year 1 to Year 6 Teaching outside the classroom improves pupils' engagement with learning as well as their health and wellbeing, but how can teachers link curriculum objectives effectively with enjoyable and motivating outdoor learning in Year 3? The National Curriculum Outdoors: Year 3 presents a series of photocopiable lesson plans that address each primary curriculum subject, whilst enriching pupils with the benefits of learning in the natural environment. Outdoor learning experts Sue Waite, Michelle Roberts and Deborah Lambert provide inspiration for primary teachers to use outdoor contexts as part of their everyday teaching and showcase how headteachers can embed curriculum teaching outside throughout the school, whilst protecting teaching time and maintaining high-quality teaching and performance standards. All of the Year 3 curriculum lessons have been tried and tested successfully in schools and can be adapted and developed for school grounds and local natural environments. What's more, each scheme of work in this all-encompassing handbook includes primary curriculum objectives; intended learning outcomes; warm-up and main activities; plenary guidance; natural connections; ICT and PSHE links; and word banks. Please note that the PDF eBook version of this book cannot be printed or saved in any other format. It is intended for use on interactive whiteboards and projectors only.

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Congo is one of the most complex countries in the world, yet it is the most overlooked. It is one of the wealthiest in Africa as a result of its natural endowments, but its people are some of the poorest in the world. Congolese culture is informed by the brutality of war. Over 5 million Congolese died at the beginning of the 21st century because of our demand for the minerals that power our cellphones and laptops. Billions of dollars are being siphoned out of the country while billions in humanitarian aid and peacekeeping are coming in to clean up the mess. Although the country has paid a price for over five centuries, progress has and continues to be made. Wanting to learn more about this incredible land and history, Ryan Gosling and activist John Prendergast went to the Congo to learn first-hand how the prosperity of America and Europe has defined Congolese history for the last five centuries in a multitude of ways. CONGO STORIES introduces readers to the incredible men, women, and children whose lives have been upended by conflict. Filled with photos Gosling took during their trip, and Prendergast's and Bafilemba's meticulous research, CONGO STORIES is a stirring exploration of the Congo experience, an invitation for readers to connect with a vibrant but embattled part of the world, and a worthy call to action and engagement.

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50 Spanish and English flash cards from The World of Eric Carle Fun and engaging way to learn first Spanish and English words: Featuring familiar characters and classic images from the books of bestselling author Eric Carle, this flash card set offers a creative introduction to essential first words in Spanish and English! • Includes 50 double-sided cards — one side features an illustration and the word in English, the other is the same illustration with the word in Spanish • Portable pack of cards is perfect for learning at home, in the classroom, or on the go • An engaging way to learn basic Spanish and English vocabulary through vibrant illustrations of familiar characters Young fans of The World of Eric Carle will love learning vocabulary words with Spanish-English Flash Cards Double-sided flash cards are a fun and engaging way to learn first Spanish and English words • Early bi-lingual language cards for kids ages 3-5 • Great for preschool and kindergarten students • The World of Eric Carle™ promotes the joys of playful learning, with The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ as its centerpiece. The brand has touched the lives of children around the world for three generations through Carle's timeless stories and vibrant artwork. One of Eric Carle's books is bought every 30 seconds, adding to the 130 million books sold worldwide.

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Conita Walker tells the story of the love match that lured her from the world of international air travel to plunge, somewhat naively, into the life of a conservationist. It is a tale of adventure, mishaps, humour and heartbreak. Conita’s life begins on a remote missionary station; she survives the WWII bombing of Berlin, witnesses the defeat of political systems in both Europe and South Africa, and eventually finds her true mission in the rescue and hand-rearing of black and white rhino orphans. There was a baby hippo to rescue and re-wild too, conservation organisations to found and support, wilderness battles to fight, but it was the rhinos that became her life’s work. Her first male calf, named Bwana, was raised in her back garden, followed by a female hippo calf who grew up in her washroom, and eventually returned to the Palala River and has produced numerous offspring. The supreme test of her mothering skills was the raising of a very seriously injured black rhino female named Moeng who was saved in the nick of time by the dedicated work of veterinarian Dr Andre Uys. This rhino calf, along with her predecessor ‘siblings’, were to be viewed up close by thousands of school children who came to Conita’s garden while attending the environmental school nearby.

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From the bestselling author and illustrator duo of The Gruffalo! Now available in an early reader format. Who's that singing on the savannah? It's the top-five ugly animals in Africa! The wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork swagger proudly across the savannah, rejoicing in their ugliness - and delighting their babies, who think they're perfect just the way they are. Inspired by the real-life Ugly Five safari animals, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's gorgeous picture book is a jubilant celebration of animals who are often rather unloved. The funny, heart-warming rhyme is a joy to read aloud, while bold, comical illustrations bring the savannah spectacularly to life. From the ceators of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and ZOG, which have all been made into animated films shown on BBC1 This Early Reader edition contains the complete classic story and pictures, in a pocket-book format, and with an extra-clear font and layout, to support children who are gaining confidence in reading. The animated film of Tabby McTat stars voice artists including Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) as the narrator, Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) as Fred, Sope Dirisu (Gangs of London) as Tabby McTat, alongside Cariad Lloyd, Joanna Scanlan and Susan Wokoma. Look out for Jonty Gentoo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in 2024.

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There were eighty of them. They were young, clever and cultivated; they were barely in their thirties when Adolf Hitler came to power. Their university studies in law, economics, linguistics, philosophy and history marked them out for brilliant careers. They chose to join the repressive bodies of the Third Reich, especially the Security Service (SD) and the Nazi Party’s elite protection unit, the SS. They theorized and planned the extermination of twenty million individuals of allegedly ‘inferior’ races. Most of them became members of the paramilitary death squads known as Einsatzgruppen and participated in the slaughter of over a million people. Based on extensive archival research, Christian Ingrao tells the gripping story of these children of the Great War, focusing on the networks of fellow activists, academics and friends in which they moved, studying the way in which they envisaged war and the ‘world of enemies’ which, in their view, threatened them. The mechanisms of their political commitment are revealed, and their roles in Nazism and mass murder. Thanks to this pioneering study, we can now understand how these men came to believe what they did, and how these beliefs became so destructive. The history of Nazism, shows Ingrao, is also a history of beliefs in which a powerful military machine was interwoven with personal experiences, fervour, anguish, utopia and cruelty.

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Lizzy and the Cloud is the whimsical and sweet tale of a young girl who cares for her pet cloud as it grows. From the creators of the critically acclaimed The Night Gardener and Ocean Meets Sky comes this delicately illustrated picture book all about letting things go when we need to. It’s a little out of fashion to buy a pet cloud, but Lizzy doesn’t mind. She’s not looking for a big one or a fancy one, just one that’s right for her. And she finds it in Milo. She loves her new pet and includes him in all her fun activities. Soon, she’s taking Milo out on walks with her family, watering Milo right on schedule and seeing Milo grow and grow. But what happens when Milo gets too big for Lizzy to handle? What about when he storms across the skies and Lizzy can do nothing about it? Or when he’s uncomfortable in Lizzy’s small bedroom? This is the story all about the power of letting go of what we love when the time is right. It teaches kids the value of making important decisions even when they are difficult. This charming story with beautiful illustrations from the exceptionally talented Fan brothers will enchant readers young and old alike, teaching children an unpredictable journey of growth and loving something enough to set it free.

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"This is one of those books I would have in my top ten littlies "must reads"!" - Donni Hakanson, GoodReads Celebrate thirty years of fantastical foods with this brilliant interactive story by Nick Sharratt. If you can't resist dipping into anything that looks tasty, this is the book for you. But watch out! If you're not careful, you might upset a jellyphant . . . Or even disturb a hungry alligrator! SNIP! SNAP! Filled with die-cut delights and lots of laughter, get ready for the feast of your life. A special foiled cover to mark the 30th anniversary of Jelly, Nelly – perfect for new and old fans alike Full of real holes for kids to poke their fingers into, this classic story is bursting with lots of fun! A winning combination of wordplay and discovery by the brilliant Nick Sharratt Two titles in this series, Elephant Wellyphant and Octopus Socktopus were shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize MORE REVIEWS OF DON'T PUT YOUR FINGER IN THE JELLY NELLY "This book is battered from over-use in our library - children love the holes through which to poke an investigating finger - into jelly, spaghetti, and all kinds of foodstuffs that are not quite what they seem. A perennial favourite, and lots of fun!" - Portable, GoodReads "I'm in my 30s and I still love this book!!" - Emma Ruby, GoodReads

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The bestselling picture book from the brilliant duo behind the phenomenal I Need A New Bum! is now a HILARIOUS sound book! What would you do if your bum was SO NOISY? Would you try to hide the noise, or would you be proud of your parps? For this little boy, a noisy bum is just the start of an ENORMOUS adventure. And there's only one question for you to answer before you read ALL about it: are you ready to have some FUN? The third book in the bestselling New Bum series is now a laugh-out-loud sound book! With a brilliantly funny story, eye-catching illustrations and a hilarious "parp" sound effect that children will love! This super-silly sound book is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to laugh! COLLECT THE SERIES I Need a New Bum (picture paperback, board book) I've Broken My Bum! (picture paperback) My Bum Is So Noisy (picture paperback) My Bum Is So Cheeky! (picture paperback) PRIASE FOR I NEED A NEW BUM "I can assure you right now that your kids will love this book. They will giggle, they will laugh, and they will want this book to be read over and over again because it is just plain silly and funny ... the perfect kid-combo." Storywraps

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Winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, 1997. 'Carr's harrowing play has the scale and anguish of myth, and the immediacy of a contemporary anecdote.' Independent on SundayThere's a wolf tooth growin in me heart and it's turnin me from everywan and everthin I am.Portia Coughlan lives life in monstrous limbo, haunted by a yearning for her spectral twin brother lying at the bottom of the Belmont river, unable to find any love for her wealthy husband and children, seeking solace in soulless affairs, deeply afraid of what she might do.Portia Coughlan premiered on the Abbey Theatre's Peacock Stage, Dublin, in April 1996 and transferred to the Royal Court Theatre, London, in May that year. It was revived at the Almeida Theatre, London, in October 2023.'Taut and haunting, funny and sad . . . Carr plays with time and place to resonant, ultimately devastating effect.' The Stage'One of the most important Irish plays of the twentieth century.' Arts Review'Marina Carr goes to a deep place that has not just to do with society now but that touches an inner tragedy of existence. The female quality of her writing comes through not only in the way she writes about women, it's in the physicality in her writing. She is right in there with the cycles of life, with the blood and the dirt.' Joyce McMillan, New York Times

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Despite his posthumous fame as a painter of flowers, still-lifes, gardens, landscapes and city scenes, during his lifetime Vincent van Gogh believed that his portraits constituted his most important works. Although as an artist he was ‘touched by so many different things’, he was nevertheless committed to the art of portraiture – a quality that distinguished him from his contemporaries. Van Gogh was passionate in his avoidance of bland, photographic resemblances, in the hope of capturing the essential character of his models by means of expressive colour and brushwork. Showcasing a dramatic set of portraits created during Van Gogh’s ten-year career, this book reflects the strong visual impact with which the artist captured the diversity of contemporary life. In his many portraits, we can discern the artist’s desire to record expressively a number of themes, from the plight of the agricultural workers in his native Brabant and the destitution of prostitutes and their children in urban Europe, to the lives of his cosmopolitan acquaintances in Paris, including café owners and art dealers. It was here that he began his remarkable sequence of self-portraits. With reference to Van Gogh’s extensive correspondence, Skea elaborates how the artist perceived his chosen subjects as would a writer, and how he felt that his portraits should somehow evoke what he considered to be the spiritual underpinning of human existence

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'A simply astonishing achievement. The quality, depth, emotional power and terrifying honesty of Alan Davies's story-telling take the breath away' Stephen Fry'This hugely affecting book is brave, insightful and, at times, funny about things it is hard to be funny about' Jo BrandThe story of a life built on sand. In the rain.In this compelling memoir, comedian and actor Alan Davies recalls his boyhood with vivid insight and devastating humour. Shifting between his 1970s upbringing and his life today, Davies moves poignantly from innocence to experience to the clarity of hindsight, always with a keen sense of the absurd.From sibling dynamics, to his voiceless, misunderstood progression through school, sexuality and humiliating 'accidents', Davies inhabits his younger mind with spectacular accuracy, sharply evoking an era when Green Shield Stamps, Bob-a-Job week and Whizzer & Chips loomed large, a bus fare was 2p - and children had little power in the face of adult motivation. Here, there are often exquisitely tender recollections of the mother he lost at six years old, of a bereaved family struggling to find its way, and the kicks and confusion of adolescence.Through even the joyous and innocent memories, the pain of Davies's lifelong grief and profound betrayal is unfiltered, searing and beautifully articulated. Just Ignore Him is not only an autobiography, it is a testament to a survivor's resilience and courage.

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Amid a vast influx of rural migrants into urban areas, China has allowed cities wide latitude in providing education and other social services. While millions of people have been welcomed into the megacities as a source of cheap labor, local governments have used various tools to limit their access to full citizenship.The Urbanization of People reveals how cities in China have granted public goods to the privileged while condemning poor and working-class migrants to insecurity, constant mobility, and degraded educational opportunities. Using the school as a lens on urban life, Eli Friedman investigates how the state manages flows of people into the city. He demonstrates that urban governments are providing quality public education to those who need it least: school admissions for nonlocals heavily favor families with high levels of economic and cultural capital. Those deemed not useful are left to enroll their children in precarious resource-starved private schools that sometimes are subjected to forced demolition. Over time, these populations are shunted away to smaller locales with inferior public services.Based on extensive ethnographic research and hundreds of in-depth interviews, this interdisciplinary book details the policy framework that produces unequal outcomes as well as providing a fine-grained account of the life experiences of people drawn into the cities as workers but excluded as full citizens.

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At the close of the nineteenth century, near the end of the Qing empire, Confucian revivalists from central China gained control of the Muslim-majority region of Xinjiang, or East Turkestan. There they undertook a program to transform Turkic-speaking Muslims into Chinese-speaking Confucians, seeking to bind this population and their homeland to the Chinese cultural and political realm. Instead of assimilation, divisions between communities only deepened, resulting in a profound estrangement that continues to this day.In Land of Strangers, Eric Schluessel explores this encounter between Chinese power and a Muslim society through the struggles of ordinary people in the oasis of Turpan. He follows the stories of families divided by war, women desperate to survive, children unsure where they belong, and many others to reveal the human consequences of a bloody conflict and the more insidious violence of reconstruction. Schluessel traces the emergence of new struggles around essential questions of identity, showing how religious and linguistic differences converged into ethnic labels. Reading across local archives and manuscript accounts in the Chinese and Chaghatay languages, he recasts the attempted transformation of Xinjiang as a distinctly Chinese form of colonialism. At a time when understanding the roots of the modern relationship between Uyghurs and China has taken on new urgency, Land of Strangers illuminates a crucial moment of social and cultural change in this dark period of Xinjiang’s past.

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"Ainsley Arment has emerged as one of the most prominent voices in [this] grass-roots community." — New York TimesAs parents, we dream of creating a magical childhood for our kids, yet it can be so easy to slip into autopilot. Ainsley Arment—a mother of five, founder of the thriving community Wild + Free, and bestselling author—is no stranger to the barrage of decisions, opportunities, and daily tasks that each day brings. But what Ainsley has discovered is that the magic of life isn’t found in the hustle and bustle of constant activity but in the intentional ordinary decisions of our days. And when we assume that a family has to look or act a certain way, we miss the opportunity to build a meaningful and fulfilling life together. Drawn from her family's stories and those shared by the Wild + Free community, The Wild + Free Family explores how to create a family culture that breaks the mold by seeking to connect with our children, unleash their gifts, pursue a shared vision together, and redeem generational brokenness, among so much more. Inside these pages are Ainsley’s words of encouragement, honesty, and wisdom, guiding all parents to create a home where families can forge their own path to love stronger, live more fully, and grow closer to each other.

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“Nye at her engaging, insightful best.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Acclaimed poet and Young People’s Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to those less fortunate, in this collection of more than eighty original and never-before-published poems. A deeply moving, sometimes funny, and always provocative poetry collection for all ages. “How much have you thrown away in your lifetime already? Do you ever think about it? Where does this plethora of leavings come from? How long does it take you, even one little you, to fill the can by your desk?” ?Naomi Shihab NyeNational Book Award Finalist, Young People’s Poet Laureate, and devoted trash-picker-upper Naomi Shihab Nye explores these questions and more in this original collection of poetry that features more than eighty new poems. “I couldn’t save the world, but I could pick up trash,” she says in her introduction to this stunning volume.With poems about food wrappers, lost mittens, plastic straws, refugee children, trashy talk, the environment, connection, community, responsibility to the planet, politics, immigration, time, junk mail, trash collectors, garbage trucks, all that we carry and all that we discard, this is a rich, engaging, moving, and sometimes humorous collection for readers ages twelve to adult.Includes ideas for writing, recycling, and reclaiming, and an index.

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SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 BOOKER PRIZE ‘Dazzling’ GUARDIAN ‘Blistering’ THE TIMES 'A delight' DIANA EVANS ‘Fiction written at the highest level’ ANN PATCHETT 'Hilarious, revelatory' MARLON JAMES An electrifying, hilarious and deeply moving tragicomic debut novel following a Jamaican family grappling with a new life in the US. ‘What are you?’ This is the puzzled question that greets a young Trelawny growing up in a Miami where his racial ambiguity is regarded with confusion and suspicion. It’s not just his neighbours, his Jamaican parents Topper and Sanya don’t seem to understand him either. Then there’s his stubborn older brother Delano, who is determined to secure a better future for his own children, no matter what it takes. As both brothers navigate the challenges littered in their path – a woefully unreliable father, racism, recession and even a hurricane – they find themselves increasingly at odds. Will they make it through together or must one brother’s future come at the cost of the other? Shortlisted for the 2024 Gordon Burn Prize ‘An astonishingly assured debut novel … clarity, variety and fizzing prose’ BOOKER PRIZE JUDGES ‘So damn funny’ RUMAAN ALAM ‘Astonishing’ I NEWSPAPER 'Utterly unstoppable’ IRISH TIMES What readers say: ‘So good it was hard to put down’ ‘Humour, real feeling … totally recommend’ ‘So engrossing and entertaining’ ‘A must read’

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An exquisite and inspiring memoir about one mother’s unimaginable choice in the face of oppression and abuse in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. How far would you go to protect yourself? Your dignity? Your family? In the days before Homeira Qaderi gave birth to her son, Siawash, the road to the hospital in Kabul would often be barricaded because of the frequent suicide explosions. With the city and the military on edge, it was not uncommon for an armed soldier to point his gun at the pregnant woman’s bulging stomach, terrified that she was hiding a bomb. Propelled by the love she held for her soon-to-be-born child, Homeira walked through blood and wreckage to reach the hospital doors. But the joy of her beautiful son’s birth was soon overshadowed by other dangers that would threaten her life. No ordinary Afghan woman, Homeira refused to cower under the strictures of a misogynistic social order. Defying the law, at the age of thirteen, she risked her freedom to teach children reading and writing and fought for women’s rights in her theocratic and patriarchal society. Devastating in its power, Dancing in the Mosque is a mother’s searing letter to the son she was forced to leave behind. In telling her story – and that of Afghan women – Homeira challenges us to reconsider the meaning of motherhood, sacrifice, and survival.

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The Lorax is the original eco warrior and his message still rings loud today in this fable about the dangers of destroying our forests, told in the trademark rhyme of the irrepressible Dr. Seuss. “Mister! He said with a sawdusty sneeze, I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.” The Lorax is a hilarious and timeless story with the trademark humour and silly rhymes of Dr. Seuss, that packs a punch with its ecological message without feeling heavy-handed or worthy. The Lorax is the original eco warrior as he tries to save the Truffula trees from the greedy once-ler’s axe, and the Dr Seuss blend of zany pictures and unique rhyme, rhythm and repetition mean that all ages will learn from and love this wonderful book. As part of a major rebrand programme, HarperCollins has relaunched 17 of Dr. Seuss's best-selling books, including such perennial favourites as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and Fox in Socks. In response to consumer demand, the bright new cover designs incorporate much needed guidance on reading levels, with the standard paperbacks divided into three reading strands – Blue Back Books for parents to share with young children, Green Back Books for budding readers to tackle on their own, and Yellow Back Books for older, more fluent readers to enjoy. The Lorax belongs to the Yellow Back Book range.

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A brilliant fantasy epic set in a world extraordinary danger and magic from bestselling authors David and Leigh Eddings. They are called the Dreamers. They look like sleeping children. They are, in fact, Gods. Despite the literally earth-shattering climax of The Elder Gods, Dahlaine still does not regret having brought the Dreamers into the world of the Elder Gods. He only wishes he’d thought harder about the consequences. His sister Aracia fears the whole world will collapse in on itself if the Dreamers should all wake up and realize where they are. It’s bad enough with them dreaming the future, but at least it’s a future. Dahlain is pretty sure he’s safe from an ‘I-told-you-so’ from Aracia. The Dreamers give the Elder Gods a chance in the battle against the vicious Ruler of the Wasteland. Then spies of very short stature start cropping up in Veltan’s bucolic and peaceful domain.They look like people, or maybe they all look like the same person, but they are more sinister than that. Fortunately, Dahlaine is soon on the scene riding his thunderbolt. This second story of the sibling Gods is the story of the first God Dahlaine and his child Yaltar, who is so dangerous when asleep. And it is the story of the Treasured One, a mysterious presence who is controlling Yaltar’s dreams!

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This comprehensive book is aimed at anyone who wants to awaken their psychic gifts. Best-selling author Debbie Malone writes from her own personal experiences over thirty years of conducting mediumship readings for people over the years and working alongside police forces to investigative missing persons case. Debbie was voted by the Australian and International Psychic Association as Psychic of the Year in her state in 2005 and Psychic of the Year for Australia in 2013. Each chapter explains the different types of psychic gifts we have within us, and includes exercises and meditations that will help you strengthen your hidden psychic talents. Understand your connection to angels and spirit guides; identify signs from above and how to work with Psychic circles. There are practical chapters on working with Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Clairsentience, Clairempathy, Clairtangency, Claircognisance, Clairgustance and Clairalience. Chapter 19 Divining with pendulums and dowsing rods Chapter 20 Numerology - divining by numbers Chapter 21 Psychic children Chapter 22 What is a near-death experience (NDE) Chapter 23 What is the CERT Method? Chapter 24 What is spirit photography? This updated edition importantly teaches ethical guidelines on working as a Psychic. Awaken Your Psychic Ability takes you on a ride towards your soul, as Debbie shares her wisdom and skills, including exercises in bringing to life the psychic within you.

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'A thoughtful and thoroughly useful guide for parents and carers to use with kids who experience anxiety, to help them process and master their fears and emotions.' Dr Tatiana Menick, psychiatrist All kids go through tricky times. Bright kids can struggle to switch off their mind, creative kids often heap pressure on themselves and sensitive kids may be easily overwhelmed. When our kids worry, it's as though they give away some of their happiness. Does a child in your life need help tackling anxiety? The Panic Button Book for Kids is an interactive, step-by-step guide for children aged 7-11 and their caregivers. Written in everyday language and beautifully illustrated, this book is designed for grown-ups to read with their child, and is full of helpful ideas to kick anxiety to the curb and create a common language between the generations. Through a series of colourful 'decision trees' which draw on evidence-based techniques, you can help your child work through their feelings to bring a sense of calm and relief from worry. Life coach Tammi Kirkness has distilled the best tried-and-tested techniques from her own experience (she was a bit of a worrier, too) and those used with her many clients and students to create this indispensable 'first-aid kit' for families everywhere.

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A baby or toddler is the perfect excuse to get creative and make unique and charming clothes instead of buying poorly made, mass-produced items covered in logos. In this comprehensive guide children's wear designer Vanessa Mooncie shows you how to sew beautiful yet practical clothes that children will love to wear and you'll love to make. Choose from this delightful collection of 25 projects, including clothes for everyday wear, fun clothes for dressing up and accessories to complete the outfits. There are clothes for boys and girls, plus paper patterns that can easily be adapted to suit different ages. Don't worry if you are new to sewing as all the basic know-how is presented in a clearly explained step-by-step format. AUTHOR: Vanessa Mooncie spent many happy hours as a child sitting with her mother and grandmother learning how to sew. She went on to study fashion and textile design and became a self-employed children's wear designer, illustrator and commercial interior designer. She now specialises in silkscreen work and designing crochet jewellery through her company Kissy Suzuki (www.kissysuzuki.com). She lives with her family in a rural village in the south of England. Vanessa has written several books for GMC Publications, including Animal Hats, And Sew to Bed, Crocheted Wild Animals and The Print Making Book. She is a regular contributor to other craft books and magazines.

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'A writer who seems to set the rule for the genre' - Waterstones Books Quarterly'Miller is clearly a very talented writer: her characterisation is a masterclass in nuance and sensitivity, and she has a visceral way with action' - SFXPrince Gar now has the magic for weatherworking and is able to keep his enemies at bay, while Asher has become the most powerful Olken in the history of Lur. Peace and prosperity seem assured for the two of them. But Morg, the evil sorcerer mage, remains trapped inside a shattered body. He knows his time is running out and that desperate measures are called for.Unwittingly, Gar and Asher become caught up in a dangerous deception which threatens to tear apart the kingdom and destroy the fragile balance between Olken and Doranen.And no one, not even Dathne and her secret Circle, is prepared for the consequences when the Innocent Mage is revealed at last . . .Following The Innocent Mage, this is the second and concluding volume in the bestselling Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series - a wildly fast-paced fantasy brimming with action and adventure.Books by Karen Miller:Kingmaker, Kingbreaker SeriesThe Innocent MageThe Awakened MageA Blight of MagesGodspeakerEmpress of MijakThe Riven KingdomThe Hammer of GodFisherman's ChildrenThe Prodigal MageThe Reluctant MageTarnished CrownThe Falcon ThronePrince of Glass

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It's been 45 years since the end of the Zurvan reign. The Earth is a peaceful planet where solar panels cover the deserts and green pastures feed communities who have phased out currency in place of a local trade system. Michael and Melody are benevolent Sararan leaders who have assembled a democratically elected council in Geneva to regulate the less populated world, but a darkness grows in the west. Letters from Native American tribes find their way to the council describing a disturbing resonance near Shaktis sunken palace. With the Zurvan Order having signed a treaty of alliance years before, the royal Immortal couple is puzzled as to the origin of this mysterious demonic signal. Meanwhile, Melody's ambassador finds who she believes to be the reincarnation of Pavonis: a young adventurous girl from the Balkans named Devonia. All Melody wants is a pupil to teach, but Michael wants a son, and becomes increasingly weary from both his wife's reluctance to bear children and his deteriorating mental state from engaging in shadow wars in Africa. Between Michael's perception of betrayal he feels from Melody, and his complex emotions regarding his forced indoctrination into the Zurvan Order almost a half century earlier, Michael seeks meaning at his mother's grave where a former enemy befriends him there; a woman who knew him at his darkest hour, her web of seduction spun and waiting...

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It was as a child that Bernard Hall first heard tales of his great-great grandfather, an Irish man of the cloth who eloped with a nun. Later he came across an obituary for Dr. Tancred, and became curious about the many questions surrounding his ancestor. Was he the Doctor of Divinity from Trinity College, Dublin, who became Rector of the Priory Church of Christchurch in Hampshire? Did he then spend two years in Belgium before emigrating to the Cape Colony with his wife and three children in 1842? Did he become a champion of civil rights, campaign for self-rule at the Cape, and become a member of the first Cape Parliament in 1854? The search for answers took the author around Ireland, England, France and South Africa. He discovered there were many flaws in the obituary account as new stories about Dr. Tancred emerged. Events had been sanitised or glamourised, invented or were missing. But had he discovered the truth, and what in the end are ‘the facts’? Were Tancred’s descendants cursed in perpetuity on account of his sins? Were they related to the Yorkshire family of a Baronet? And were they the rightful owners of a ruined castle? One fact that can be confirmed is that Tancred’s grandson was the first cricketer to carry his bat in a Test Match. But that is another story

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Telling the story of their lives from children to modern day, this fascinating and revelatory new book will look at the fraught relationship (and fiery rivalry) between King Charles and Prince Andrew.Raised for vastly different futures, one burdened with the responsibility of becoming the future king and the other destined to live in his shadow, Charles and Andrew have spent their lives on different sides of the same coin.War of the Windsors tells, for the first time, the complete story of Charles and Andrew from their diverging childhoods to their current struggles. It looks at the distinct but overlapping stories of the two heirs, from being separated in their early years and the Queen's supposed overindulgence of Andrew to the competition for Lady Diana and finally, Charles' ascension to throne while his brother is stripped of Royal duties. And it explores whether, with the scandals around Andrew still fresh in public memory, Charles will ever let his brother back into the family.With extensive research and expert sourcing, War of the Windsors is the incredible inside story of a family in turmoil. Recounting the highs and lows of a brotherhood then turned into a rivalry, royal author and journalist Nigel Cawthorne looks at the makings of a decades long feud and questions whether, ultimately, the brothers will one day band together again.

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In this 37th volume of Research in Economic History, editors Christopher Hanes and Susan Wolcott assemble a group of lead experts to showcase new historical data, analyses of historical questions, and an investigation of historians’ networks. The volume covers a wide range of ideas, beginning with an examination of the sharp decline in school attendance among white children in the Southern US after the Civil War, followed by a study on the fiscal administration of an experimental parliamentary subsidy on English knight’s fees and income from 1431. A third paper assembles new county-level, household-level, and individual-level data, including new complete-count IPUMS microdata databases of the 1830-1880 censuses, to evaluate different theories for the nineteenth-century American fertility decline. The volume then pivots to deal with the development of banking in the Crown of Aragon from the end of the 13th century through the establishment of money changers. Finally, the volume summarizes in detail the content of Pieter Stadnitski’s revolutionary 1787 report An Explanatory Message Concerning the Funds, analyzing its arguments with the context of Dutch archival materials including deeds, newspaper reports, and letters, as well as congressional records from American sources. This new volume presents fascinating new areas of enquiry and analysis for all scholars in the field of economic history, including economists, historians and demographers.

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Winner of the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2023. Shortlisted for the London Hellenic Prize 2022. The Poetry Book Society Winter Special Commendation 2022. 'The ancients taught me how to sound modern,' A.E. Stallings said in an interview. 'They showed me that technique was not the enemy of urgency, but the instrument.' For her, 'technique' is rooted in traditions of strict forms and metres, an interest that sets her apart as modern - and American - in challenging ways, for being on the face of it old-fashioned, yet ambitiously experimental among the forms she uses. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she lives in Athens, Greece. Her poems come out of life's dailiness - as a wife, mother, teacher, an expatriate between languages, a brilliant translator of ancient and modern Greek. She also translates Latin, her most notable large work being the Penguin Lucretius, translated into fourteeners. Being a poet in Greece entails, for her, being part of that world. She was among volunteers helping refugees as they arrived in Greece, and their experience haunted her to write, 'My love, I'm grateful tonight / Our listing bed isn't a raft / Precariously adrift / As we dodge the coast guard light...' The sharp quatrain commends the observation to memory. The poems, without self-indulgence or confession, are intimate as they address 'My love', children or friends.

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***THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER***From bestselling author and massively popular blogger The Unmumsy Mum comes this hilarious, irreverent and searingly candid compendium of parenting experiences. With entries including D is for Desperation, F is for Fish Fingers, S is for Supermum and V is for Vagina, it's safe to say this is not your average A-Z.This book won't tell you what sort of parent you should (or shouldn't) be; instead, it offers a refreshingly honest account of what being a mum to three young children is really like and the surprising lessons that have been learned along the way.If you feel as though you're not 'measuring up' or are struggling to #cherisheverymoment, Sarah's tales from the thick of it will reassure and resonate with you. Above all, her commitment to telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth will make you laugh out loud and remind you that you are, in fact, doing a great job.What readers are saying: 'For all parents out there, this is a must read.''Absolutely hilarious and so true to life. 100% recommend.''Makes me smile and actually keeps me sane as it is so easy to relate to.''It made me laugh (Sleeping through), it made me cry (Xmas) and it made me feel better about the times I think I'm getting it wrong.'

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"I was bored, angry, tired and sad. I felt all alone, yet I had nothing to complain about. I had a good job, a husband who wasn't shagging his assistant, three children who apart from being occasional a**holes were pretty good kids; a house, a dog and everything else we are told as little girls we should aspire to. But inside, I was restless. I didn't want to be seen as 'just a mom'. I wanted to be desired, to make someone's hair stand on end and go crazy for me. I panicked, and wondered how many years I had left of being 'f**ckable' before everything starts going downhill?" F*cked at 40 is a funny, raw and empowering mid-life crisis. Tova Leigh takes the reader along on her journey of rediscovering her identity after motherhood, encouraging women to break free from society's expectations. When you find authenticity it's like opening a door to the truth - it's hard to go back. This is what prompted Tova to write this book for herself and for women like her, to say: HERE I AM. This paperback edition of Tova's bestselling memoir includes a brand-new, hilarious chapter on her life, revealing how vibrators didn't just add a zing to life but also provided an income that put food on the table.

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Amanda Hale and Tom Burke star in a brand new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Charlotte Brontë's most beloved novel, adapted by Rachel Joyce. Orphan Jane learns at an early age that self-control is the surest means of retaining self-respect in adversity. It is a lesson that serves her well in the years ahead as she endures the misery of life with her cruel, uncaring aunt, followed by the harsh regime at Lowood Institution, a charity school for poor children. After taking the post of governess at Thornfield Hall, she meets the master of the house, the brooding, enigmatic Edward Rochester, and finds herself falling in love with him. It seems as if happiness may finally be within her grasp – but a series of strange events leads her to believe that Rochester is concealing a dark secret. When the truth is revealed, the heartbroken Jane will need all her inner strength and resilience to face up to it...Dramatised for radio by bestselling novelist Rachel Joyce (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry), this iconic love story stars Amanda Hale as Jane and Tom Burke as Rochester. Suffused with romance, passion, mystery and danger, it is a spellbinding tale that is as real and relevant today as when it was first published in 1847. Duration: 2 hours 30 mins approx.

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AS FEATURED ON BBC RADIO 4 'Start the Week' : 'very moving - brilliant and profound'"Brilliant - a grimly humorous yet humane account of the realities of growing old in the modern age." - Henry Marsh"A remarkably likeable guide to a grisly subject ... daunting, yet ultimately life-affirming" - Independent What is a good death? How would you choose to live your last few months? How do we best care for the rising tide of very elderly? This unusual and important book is a series of reflections on death in all its forms: the science of it, the medicine, the tragedy and the comedy. Dr David Jarrett draws on family stories and case histories from his thirty years of treating the old, demented and frail to try to find his own understanding of the end. Profound, provocative, strangely funny and astonishingly compelling, it is an impassioned plea that we start talking frankly and openly about death. He writes about all the conversations that we, our parents, our children, the medical community, our government and society as a whole should be having. And it is a call to arms for us to make radical changes to our perspective on 'the seventh age of man'.-More praise for 33 Meditations on Death:"This book will stay with you." - Derren Brown"Bursting with empathy, common sense and humour." - Professor Dame Sue Black

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Crime & Thriller Book of the Year (Specsavers National Book Awards) Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2018.'The best crime novel I've read in a very long time.' VAL MCDERMIDSNAP DECISIONS CAN BE DANGEROUS . . . On a stifling summer's day, eleven-year-old Jack and his two sisters sit in their broken-down car, waiting for their mother to come back and rescue them. Jack's in charge, she'd said. I won't be long.But she doesn't come back. She never comes back. And life as the children know it is changed for ever.Three years later, Jack is still in charge - of his sisters, of supporting them all, of making sure nobody knows they're alone in the house, and - quite suddenly - of finding out the truth about what happened to his mother . . .___'Original, pacy and thoroughly entertaining . . . a cracking read.' CLARE MACKINTOSH'No one writes crime novels like Belinda Bauer, with a rare blend of darkness, humour and heart. She's a crime writing genius.' C. L. TAYLOR'Edgy, original and beautifully written, this suspenseful story is dazzlingly good.' Sunday Mirror'The opening of Snap is one of the most vividly unnerving I have read . . . razor-sharp observation.' Guardian___Readers are gripped by Snap:'Full of suspenseful twists and turns' *****'Twisty, intriguing and so cleverly written I couldn't put it down' *****'A refreshingly different murder mystery' *****

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Wales Book of the Year 2018. Winner of the 2018 Roland Mathias Poetry Award. Shortlisted for the 2017 T.S. Eliot Prize. The opening poem sequence, 'Diary of the Last Man', sets the tone for Robert Minhinnick's book, a celebration of the dwindling Earth, an elegy, a caution. His Wales is a touchstone; other landscapes and cityscapes are tried against it, with its erratic weather, its sudden changes of mood, 'a black tonic'. The sequence remembers all the geographies of his earlier work, old and new world, but now unpeopled and the lonely spirit free to go anywhere, do anything, but meaning with mankind has drained away. Yet still alive, and still with language, registering. The rest of the book is filled with voices: of children, of rivers, terrorists, magicians; and voices translated from the Welsh, and from Turkish and Arabic, shared, enriching with their difference, their other worlds. History washes over and washes up on the strand of this Welsh book. It is seen and recognised, it begins to be transformed. In the long concluding poem, 'The Sand Orchestra', the poet returns to his own voice, and to the voice of a Bechstein piano abandoned in the open air, played now by nature, its winds and sand. The last man, who has been looking for Ulysses, is the very man he has been looking for.

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Dr Wayne W. Dyer and co-author Dee Garnes had often talked about how the ones who know the most about God are those who have just recently been wrapped in the arms of the Divine: our infants and toddlers. In fact, Dee had an interaction with her own young son that convinced her of his acquaintance with our Source of being. Curious about this phenomenon, Wayne and Dee decided to issue an invitation to parents all over the globe to share their experiences. The overwhelming response they received prompted them to put together this book, which includes the most interesting and illuminating of these stories in which boys and girls speak about their remembrances from the time before they were born. Children share their dialogues with God, talk about long-deceased family members they knew while in the dimension of Spirit, verify past-life recollections, give evidence that they themselves had a hand in picking their own parents and the timing of their sojourn to Earth, and speak eloquently and accurately of a kind of Divine love that exists beyond this physical realm.This fascinating book encourages all of us, not just parents, to take a much more active role in communicating with our planet's new arrivals... and to realize that there is far more to this earthly experience than what we perceive with our five senses.

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From Perfectly Impossible author Elizabeth Topp comes an unforgettably searing novel about a band of mothers who are forced to reckon with themselves after the unexpected loss of one of their own. When beautiful and successful Susan Harris jumps from the roof of her apartment building, she sets a tremor through her New York City mothers’ group that forces them all to look at one another with new cynicism: How could this have happened right under their noses? To one of them? Between her death and the harrowing private school admission season on the horizon, these women are forced to explore the hard truths about themselves. Vic, a single mom with literary aspirations, is shocked and confused by the unexpected death of her best friend. Bhavna, a makeup executive, tries to process Susan’s death while sacrificing everything to get her son into the school of his dreams. Kara’s sister died by suicide years earlier, so she’s been down this road before—or so it seems. Penelope and Amy are navigating a business deal when Susan dies, but is it worth the toll on their families? And how will Chandice, battling cancer, come to terms with Susan’s death? For these women, the loss of a fellow mother forces them to reexamine who they really are while the futures of their children hang in the balance.

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