Search results for ""Author Peng"

This most festive baby book of first words makes early learning fun by introducing your little one to the magic of Christmas through a snowman, Santa, snowflakes, and more. With colourful, shiny pictures that have a tactile, raised effect, and a glittery jacket, this special board book makes the perfect Christmas gift for babies and toddlers. You and your baby will enjoy reading the words aloud and pointing at the delightful photographs of this Christmas book together. Part of an exciting new series of baby books, Baby's First Christmas will build your child's vocabulary as they discover the fun of Christmas, meeting new friends along the way, such as a reindeer, an angel, and a penguin. Each page has a vivid Christmassy image, finished with a shiny 3D effect that will engage your child and help make learning fun.Baby's First Christmas is a sturdy board book, perfect for children to get hands-on with and will become a firm favourite. This bright, bold baby book will fulfil your baby's thirst for discovering the snowy world around them.

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The poems in Irki rise out of Kadija Sesay's experiences – amusing, loving, confusing, sad – of growing up in foster care in the UK after leaving her home country of Sierra Leone.'Irki' means 'homeland' in the Nubian language, a language and history fast becoming extinct, but the poems conjure up images of home as an imagined, remembered, still physical place. Writing as a second-generation West African, Kadija also recounts her arrival to the UK (with parents of different religions), and her experience of growing up Black against the racially divided background of Britain in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.Kadija Sesay was born in Sierra Leone. She read West African studies at Birmingham University, then became a freelance journalist. In the mid-1990s she set up the newspaper Calabash. She founded SABLE LitMag in 2001 and the SABLE LitFest in 2005. Kadija has edited several important anthologies, including IC3: the Penguin Book of New Black Writing in Britain (2000), co-edited with Courttia Newland; Write Black, Write British (2005); and Red: An Anthology of Contemporary Black British Poetry (Peepal Tree, 2010), co-edited with Kwame Dawes. Her own poems have appeared in anthologies published by Canongate, Apples & Snakes, Macmillan and Flipped Eye. She lives in London.

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A fun, quirky science series that tackles the questions other books are afraid to ask! Why don't your eyeballs fall out? Why is blood red? And what exactly is a bellybutton for? A Question of Science: Human Body answers all these questions and much more.With an engaging question and answer format, these books draw kids into science in a fun way. Each book features one question per spread with a clear explanation to follow, diagrams and fun and humorous illustrations. The quirky questions are designed to range from those that children will often ask to things they may never have thought of, but will still be keen to know the answer to.Perfect reading for curious young scientists aged 8 and up.Other books in the series include:Why doesn't the Moon fall down? And other questions about forcesWhy does a mirror show things back to front? And other questions about lightHow can a plant eat a fly? And other questions about plantsWhere does lightning come from? And other questions about electricity Why can't penguins fly? And other questions about animals Why is ice slippery? And other questions about materials Can you hear sounds in space? And other questions about sound

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There's popping out for a quick pint, and then there's this - a gloriously preposterous 27,000 mile journey across 25 countries to grab a beer in pubs (bars) at opposite ends of the world. We're talking an epic adventure, from an abandoned Soviet mine 700 miles from the North Pole, to a remote pub at South America's southernmost tip. A journey undertaken in a TVR sports car, a car that many might consider untrustworthy just to drive to the shops. The journey packed a lot into its eight months. From braving the sheer drops of Bolivia's Death Road, to drag racing the locals in Texas. From roaring across flooded salt flats, to sailing the straits of Magellan. From the highs of the planet's best driving roads, to the lows of life in No-Man's-Land, trapped between borders by red tape and bureaucracy. And from looking out for Polar Bears in the High Arctic, to dodging penguins in Tierra del Fuego. The story of the Pub2Pub Expedition is an inspirational account of where your dreams can take you if only you believe in them. Chronicling the epic journey made by Ben Coombs in his TVR Chimaera, this book is both an exciting adventure and a fascinating snapshot of the life and culture of the countries that he drove through.

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The dazzling follow-up to the phenomenal The Book of Stolen Dreams from master storyteller David Farr, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Philip Pullman.Step inside the pages of an immortal adventure...Rachel and Robert have defeated the tyrant Malstain and become the heroes of Krasnia, but all is not how it should be. Robert is swept away with his new friends, leaving Rachel alone to take care of her ailing father, who's lost without their beloved mother.From nowhere, a boy appears knowing the secrets of the hidden blood-red key. For the key is a way into the Hinterland - and Rachel must promise that, as a new key keeper, she will answer when it calls. When a young girl, Elsa Spiegel, is illegally smuggled into the Hinterland, Rachel has no choice but to use her key to save Elsa. But her fate is linked to Krasnia, and Rachel must battle to save her home as she knows it.Praise for The Book of Stolen Dreams:"A new and important voice for young people." Michael Morpurgo"Dazzling! An instant classic. An eye-wateringly funny and jaw-droppingly fantastical adventure, chock-a-block with rare books, airships, and penguin-shaped hats." Ben Miller"A wonderful story. Gripping and magical." Anthony Horowitz

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Imagine if you could have an adventure as a pirate. What if you could have MILLIONS of them? With this story-building book, readers aged 5+ can create their own pirate-inspired adventures, over and over again. Just read the question and choose from the vibrant pictures on the page to build the story. The book is packed full of fun, silly and exciting things for the reader to choose from, including: Visiting a pirate milkshake bar Wearing a sparkly eye patch and a beard Packing a treasure map Voyaging on a ghost ship Sailing past an island made of chocolate Facing a tentacled sea monster Once they’ve finished, the reader can turn back to the start and make different choices to build a completely new tale. There are millions of possible combinations and endless stories to be told! And can you find the cheeky penguin hidden on each page? Let's Tell a Story is a series of books designed to help readers dream up their very own adventures. From selecting which hero to be and where to visit, to deciding on how the story will end and choosing a reward, the reader controls the action from start to finish. Packed full of imaginative characters, thrilling places to go, hilarious random objects and extraordinary situations to choose from, these books are made to be read again and again.

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Share the sweetness of a winter punderland with the one you love snow much this charming board book for babies and toddlers!There's snow place like home with the coolest kid you know! Celebrate the magic of snow and all of the best things about the winter season in this new addition from the USA Today bestselling Punderland series that brought you I Love You Like No Otter! Combining beautiful illustrations of polar bears, snowflakes, snowmen, ice skates, penguins, and more adorable characters with sweet and punny rhymes, There's Snow One Like You offers a timeless message of love and encouragement for your little one.Perfect for sharing with someone worth melting for, this heartwarming self-esteem story makes a cozy read aloud, winter gift for kids, snow day activity, baby shower gift, or Christmas book for children ages 0-3-made for little hands!In a winter punderland, I love your hugs on chilly days.There's snowman as kind, love at frost sight and always.More charming stories from Punderland, the perfect gift for any occasion:I Love You Like No Otter - A USA TODAY bestseller!Somebunny Loves You - A USA TODAY bestseller!You're the Apple of My PieYou Make My Heart Go Vroom!You Shamrock My Worldand more!

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Get ready for a walk on the wild side through every continent on Earth! Kids can discover the animal kingdom like never before in Lonely Planet Kids' The Animal Book, a beautiful encyclopedia featuring over 100 incredible creatures, from the grey wolf and green anaconda, to the bald eagle and emperor penguin. Packed with facts and illustrations, it also explores our relationship with these animals and how we're affecting their lives and habitats, such as reindeer helping to deliver food for Arctic communities and elephants hunted for their tusks in Africa. Animals are all around us, but sometimes we forget just how remarkable they are. With The Animal Book, kids can discover some of the world's most diverse and fascinating mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and invertebrates, from those they can spot in their backyard to more endangered species in jungles, deserts and freezing oceans. They'll also learn about conservation efforts and how to help protect wildlife and the planet. Dawn Cooper's wonderful illustrations are combined with fantastic photographs and expert authorship by Ruth Martin. Organized by continent, The Animal Book covers: Arctic North & Central America South America Europe Africa Asia Oceania Antarctica Oceans About Lonely Planet Kids: Come explore! Let's start an adventure. Lonely Planet Kids excites and educates children about the amazing world around them. Combining astonishing facts, quirky humor and eye-catching imagery, we ignite their curiosity and encourage them to discover more about our planet. Every book draws on our huge team of global experts to help share our continual fascination with what makes the world such a diverse and magnificent place-inspiring children at home and in school.

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'P. J. O'Rourke was the funniest writer of his generation, one of the smartest and one of the most prolific. Now that he belongs to the ages, P.J. takes his rightful place along with Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain and Dorothy Parker in the Pantheon of Quote Gods.' Christopher Buckley from his introductionWhen The Penguin Dictionary of Modern Humorous Quotations was published in 1994, P. J. O'Rourke had more entries than any living writer. And he kept writing funny stuff for another 28 years. Now, for the first time, the best material is collected in one volume. Edited by his longtime friend Terry McDonell, The Funny Stuff is arranged in six sections, organized by subject in alphabetical order from Agriculture to Xenophobia. Not only did P.J. write memorable one-liners, he also meticulously constructed riffs that built to a crescendo of hilarity and outrage - and are still being quoted years later. His prose has the electric verbal energy of Tom Wolfe or Hunter S. Thompson, but P.J. is more flat-out funny. And through it all comes his clear-eyed take on politics, economics, human nature - and fun. The Funny Stuff is a book for P.J. fans to devour but also a book that will bring new readers and stand as testament to one of the truly original American writers of the last 50 years.

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A new era of sustainable travel is dawning more than ever, vacationers are seeking experiences that are sustainable for the environment, sensitive of other cultures, make a positive impact, and above all, do no harm. Included are a diverse collection of sustainable travel ideas and eco-friendly destinations for all ages and interests. These experiences range from volunteering at a wildlife preserve or centring a foodie getaway around zero-waste to visiting the Eden Project, a series of biomes and gardens in a reclaimed Cornwall mine designed to raise ecological awareness with educational programs and agriscaping. More travellers rank sustainability as a top factor, and this volume is a reliable, trustworthy resource sensitively and thoughtfully curated, free from greenwashing and confusing terminology, it guides readers towards active, life-affirming, learning activities and new experiences. Organised geographically, entries fall into broad types accommodation, culture, food, nature, volunteering, and wildlife so readers pinpoint what suits them best, whether voluntourism while studying endangered silverback gorillas in Uganda, rehabilitating orphaned penguins outside Cape Town, or visiting an eco-coffee plantation in Puerto Rico.

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When I grow up, will I be the King of the Jungle…? Curious, playful, and clumsy: Michael Poliza’s irresistible photographs of baby animals are so adorable that it is hard to imagine these same creatures growing up into fierce hunters or nimble prey, battling it out for survival. This gift book is the first title of Poliza’s baby animal photographs, many of them published for the first time. From lion cubs in Botswana to baby chimpanzees and gorillas in Tanzania, penguin chicks on the Antarctic peninsula to polar bear cubs in Canada, Poliza travels the world in search of the most endearing wildlife babies. Whether in the African savannah or polar extremes, few photographers have come so close to their wildlife subjects. To achieve such proximity, Poliza shows masterful sensitivity and patience, not only towards the baby animals themselves, but also with their fiercely protective mothers. From a frolicking baby elephant to a sleeping little lion cub, Baby Animals brings page after page of heart-warming images and tiny triumphs in nature photography. Text in English, German and French.

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To 'walk in Pimlico' is, according to the Penguin Dictionary of Historical Slang, the colloquial expression 'to be handsomely dressed'.Comedian, clog dancer, comic vocalist, actor and all-round funny fellow Corney Sage is treading the boards at the Constellation in Whitechapel when he stumbles across the body of an actress outside the theatre and catches sight of the killer as he escapes. Corney was not the only witness. Fellow actress Lucy Strong also saw what happened and when the murderer returns to the scene of the crime that same night, both fear for their lives.Corney and Lucy flee London separately, keeping in touch with each other through a series of advertisements in the trade paper, the Era. Certain they have escaped the same fate as Bessie, they settle into their new lives away from London. But the murderer - a master of disguise - is slowly closing in on them and it is only a matter of time before he pounces . . . From the drawing rooms of polite society to the back rooms of brothels, through music halls, circus rings and freak shows, Ann Featherstone brilliantly reconstructs 19th century England in this gripping psychological thriller.

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Bird Planet presents the best work of Tim Laman, the world’s most celebrated bird photographerBirder extraordinaire Tim Laman is a superstar in one of photography’s most challenging pursuits: The quest to portray birds in the wild. A naturalist and explorer as well as a brilliant image maker, he has spent thousands of hours over more than 30 years wedged precariously in the tops of trees, often in remote jungles, in the hope that careful planning and good fortune will align to produce the perfect picture. His is a passion shared by all birders, carried to the level of art. Bird Planet takes the reader on a journey to the world of birds. Laman shares his best images of spectacular birds on all continents, from the scarlet ibis of the Orinoco River in Venezuela to rhinoceros hornbills in the rainforests of Borneo; his familiar backyard American birds are as memorable as his poetic red-crowned cranes in snowy Japan. His signature achievement—to photograph all the known species of birds of paradise, spending 18 months in New Guinea over eight years—gets a chapter, as does his visits to the penguins of Antarctica. Immensely knowledgeable about both nature and photography, Laman is the perfect guide to the kingdom of the birds.

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What is the relationship between poetry and social change? Standing at the forefront of political poetry since the 1970s, Linton Kwesi Johnson has been fighting neo-fascism, police violence and promoting socialism while putting pen to paper to refute W.H. Auden's claim that 'poetry makes nothing happen'. For Johnson, only the second living poet to have been published in the Penguin Modern Classics series, writing has always been 'a political act' and poetry 'a cultural weapon'. In Dread Poetry and Freedom - the first book dedicated to the work of this 'political poet par excellence' - David Austin explores the themes of poetry, political consciousness and social transformation through the prism of Johnson's work. Drawing from the Bible, reggae and Rastafari, and surrealism, socialism and feminism, and in dialogue with Aime Cesaire and Frantz Fanon, C.L.R. James and Walter Rodney, and W.E.B. Du Bois and the poetry of d'bi young anitafrika, Johnson's work becomes a crucial point of reflection on the meaning of freedom in this masterful and rich study. In the process, Austin demonstrates why art, and particularly poetry, is a vital part of our efforts to achieve genuine social change in times of dread.

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Push the buttons to hear the band play in this delightful sound book, now updated edition with new and easy-to-press sound chips!It's time to make some noise! Listen to the sounds the animals make as they play their big bold instruments and join in yourself as bear blows the trumpet, tiger rocks the guitar,bunny bangs the drum and penguin plays the piano.A wonderfully simple sound book with fun, noisy sound effects that helps babies recognise familiar sounds and introduces older toddlers to descriptive words.Durable and tactile, this fun and engaging sound book is ideal for the nursery, the play centre, the changing area - wherever you and your child are!Wee Gallery are the project of a husband and wife team who have built a fun and creative world of animals and nature themes, thoughtfully designed to entertain and educate. Their books and toys take into account each stage of child development to encourage learning through play. Each of their safe and sustainable learning toys for babies are founded on years of research to support your little one’s growing mind.

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On the southern-most tip of the Earth lies one of the world’s biggest and most hostile landmasses. From the waters of the Southern Ocean to the ice-shelves, glaciers, volcanoes and mountains, Antarctica is one of the most mysterious yet intriguing continents in existence. It is the windiest, driest and coldest place on Earth making it uninhabitable for humans; however, the snow, ice, water and rocks make it simply stunning. Did you know that if you throw boiling water into the air in Antarctica, it will instantly vaporize? Despite these unimaginably harsh conditions, this unique continent is home to a vast array of wildlife; Penguins, seals and whales are among the animals that brave this frozen planet. From the Ross ice shelf – the largest ice shelf of Antarctica, to Mount Erebus – currently the most active volcano on the continent and from Shackleton’s Hut to an abandoned whaling station on Desolation Island, Antarctica is a fascinating exploration of this area of sublime beauty. Presented in a landscape format and with captions explaining the story behind each entry, Antarctica is a stunning collection of images celebrating this hostile yet striking continent.

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This volume is dedicated to the phenomenon of staged photography, the trend that has revolutionised the photographic language since the 1980s. Through over 100 works, the catalogue tells how photography was able to reach the heights of fantasy and invention between the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st-century, previously almost exclusively entrusted to cinema and painting. Goldfish invading bedrooms, icefalls in the desert, imaginary cities, Marilyn Monroe and Lady D shopping together: all of this can happen thanks to veritable stages set up in order to build a parallel reality, or thanks to new technologies and, in particular, through the increasingly sophisticated use of Photoshop, released in 1990. Photography, the realm of documentation and (presumed) objectivity becomes the realm of fantasy, invention and subjectivity, completing the last decisive evolution of its history. Works by: Jeff Wall, Cindy Sherman, James Casebere, Sandy Skoglund, Yasumasa Morimura, Laurie Simmons, David Lachapelle, Bernard Faucon, Eileen Cowin, Bruce Charlesworth, David Levinthal, Paolo Ventura, Lori Nix, Miwa Yanagi, Alison Jackson, Julia Fullerton Batten, Jung Yeondoo, Jiang Pengyi. Text in English and Italian.

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Explore Australasia and Antarctica's iconic animals and beautiful landscapes with incredible photographs of our living world.Australasia and Antarctica explores the incredibly diverse range of habitats and wildlife on these continents. Kangaroos, spiders and penguins feature, alongside some less well-known mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles. From wide expanse of Lake Eyre, through the Outback, across the Weddell Sea, up Aoraki (Mount Cook), through the Waipoua Forest and floating over the stunning Great Barrier Reef - this book will make you want to know even more about the spectacular array of life on Earth.This stunning six-book series explores some of Earth's iconic landmarks and habitats, and the plants and animals that live there. They are illustrated with beautiful photographs that will inspire readers and leave them in awe at the incredible variety of life on our planet. Filled with incredible facts and gems of information, each book reveals the dramatic ways in which each of our seven continents are shaped and how they in turn affect the living creatures and plants that call each continent home.For readers aged 8 and upwards, these books are perfect for key stage 2 students, studying geography, plant life and the animal kingdom.Titles in this series:AfricaAsiaAustralasia and AntarcticaEuropeNorth AmericaSouth America

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The Sun is so powerful, so much bigger than us, that it is a terrifying subject. Yet though we depend on it, we take it for granted. Amazingly the first book of its kind, CHASING THE SUNis a cultural and scientific history of our relationship with the star that gives us life. Richard Cohen, applying the same mix of wide-ranging reference and intimate detail that won outstanding reviews for By the Sword, travels from the ancient Greek astronomers to modern-day solar scientists, from Stonehenge to Antarctica (site of the solar eclipse of 2003, when penguins were said to sing), Mexico's Aztecs to the Norwegian city of Tromso, where for two months of the year there is no Sun at all. He introduces us to the crucial 'sunspot cycle' in modern economics, the religious dances of Indian tribesmen, the histories of sundials and calendars, the plight of migrating birds, the latest theories of global warming, and Galileo recording his discoveries in code, for fear of persecution. And throughout, there is the rich Sun literature -- from the writings of Homer through Dante and Nietzsche to Keats, Shelley and beyond. Blindingly impressive and hugely readable, this is a tour de force of narrative non-fiction.

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Splish and splash and bring playful scenes to life in full colour just by wetting the pages of this clever bath book, as you meet a vivid array of creatures who are playing in the water! From the creators of the Wee Gallery come these beautifully illustrated bath books that magically change color when you dip them in water. Colour Me: Who's in the Water? introduces children to a vibrant range of cute baby animals who are playing in the water, just like them! See a happy penguin shaking off water and watch a sleepy otter holding hands with mum. Meet a dolphin, a bear, and even an elephant who are all having fun in the water! Squeezable and lightweight, each black-and-white creature transforms in a child’s hands, delighting babies and young children and helping aid their sensory development. Bath time becomes a magical experience like no other with these stunning books from Wee Gallery that are durable and safe to withstand hours of splashy fun, time and time again. Wee Gallery are a husband and wife team who create beautiful and innovative books, toys and puzzles specially designed to help babies and children develop through visual learning. Other titles in the Wee Gallery Bath Books series include Colour Me: Who's in the Rainforest?, Colour Me: Who's in the Ocean?, Colour Me: Who Loves Pets?, Colour Me: Who Loves Dinosaurs? and Colour Me: Who's in the Rainforest?

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Eath's greatest hero...is from outerspace!Dragon Ball introduces a young monkey-tailed boy named Goku (a wry update of the classic Chinese "Monkey King" legend), whose quiet life changes when he meets a girl named Bulma who is on a quest to collect seven "Dragon Balls." If she gathers them all, an incredibly powerful dragon will appear and grant her one wish. But the precious orbs are scattered all over the world, and Bulma could use the help of a certain super-strong boy... (In Japan, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z were originally a single 42-volume series. VIZ Media's Dragon Ball contains vols. 1-16 of the original Japanese Dragon Ball, from the beginning of the series to the climax of Goku's last fight with Piccolo.)Only Goku, Bulma and Kuririn stand between the Red Ribbon Army and the seven Dragon Balls which can grant any wish in the world! Using a submarine loaned by Kame-Sen'nin, the heroic trio explores a pirate's undersea cave in search of the next Dragon Ball, but gun-toting bad guys are on their tail! Now they must face not only perilous pirate traps but the sinister General Blue, a martial artist with powers even Goku doesn't have! Can they escape the cave alive? As the battle continues, Goku and General Blue go to Penguin Village, the home of the weird scientist Dr. Slump and one of the strangest places on Earth!

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Adorable doll and wardrobe Create an adorable doll and her stylish wardrobe. Isabelle Kessedjian's 50 crochet patterns include a doll pattern that you can personalize and a wide range of super cute outfits, from school days and cosy bedtime to funky fancy dress costumes and adventures to the North Pole! Using Isabelle's easy crochet patterns you can make a very special doll for yourself or as a gift that is sure to be cherished. Lots of ideas for how to personalize your crochet doll with different hair, clothing and accessories, such as bags, hats and shoes. Each project is presented as a mini story to bring your crochet doll to life, with a wide range of extras to complete the scene: • At the beach with a bucket, paddling pool and air bed • In the rain with boots, a rain hat and scarf • At the North Pole with a camera, penguin and fish • In the country with a basket to gather fruit • At school with socks, shoes and a schoolbag • Baking days with an apron, cupcakes and a layered celebration cake • Fancy dress outfits - superhero, Little Red Riding Hood and bear cub • Good Night! with bed linen, a pillow and cuddly teddy for sweet dreams Plus a cute suitcase to store all of her belongings, which doubles as a bed! Isabelle loves her crochet dolls to have their own personality and explains how you can give your dolls their own character. Don't forget to visit Isabelle's popular Instagram.

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'The most glorious cornucopia celebrating our enduring love affair with birds - an uplifting and eye opening tribute to the way they enrich our lives.' - Alan Titchmarsh MBE, British TV presenter, broadcaster, and gardener 'Wonderfully illustrated.' - Wall Street Journal Let your imagination take flight and celebrate the beauty and diversity of birds throughout art, science, history, and culture This visually stunning survey of birds, chronicling their scientific and popular appeal throughout the ages and around the world, showcases the remarkable diversity of species in the avian kingdom, from tiny hummingbirds to ostriches taller than humans, and icebound penguins to tropical macaws. With its content curated alongside an international panel of ornithologists, art historians, wildlife photographers, conservationists, and curators, this extraordinary book includes illustrations and artwork of all styles, with works by a diverse and often surprising range of creators from many different backgrounds, including: John James Audubon; Robert Clark; Mark Dion; Charley Harper; Barbara Kruger; Edward Lear; Ustad Mansur; John Ruskin; Joel Sartore; Sarah Stone; and Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe. Arranged in thoughtfully paired juxtapositions, it reveals how artists, illustrators, ornithologists, and photographers - from ancient Egypt to the present - have captured the spirit, likeness, character, and symbolism of birds. Including Tweety pie paired with the Twitter bird; birds as 300-foot desert carvings or 2-inch-tall ivory statuettes; bird bones, bird bank notes, sculptures and birds shaped as beds, the book's three hundred visually stunning entries span four thousand years of fine art, photography, ornithological drawings, popular culture, and scientific discovery from all corners of the globe to create the ultimate celebration of the winged world. Advisory panel: Dawn Balmer, Tim Birkhead FRS, Dr Alexander Bond, Gordon Campbell, Dr Sylke Frahnert, Joëlle Garcia, Elizabeth Hammer, David Lindo aka The Urban Birder, Jen Lobo, Fred G. Meijer, Sabine Meyer, Penny Olsen, Oliver Rampley, Katrina van Grouw and Dr Lisanne Wepler Additional texts: Giovanni Aloi, Sara Bader, Dr Alex Bond, Dr Michael Brooke, Tim Cooke, Clare Coulson, Nick Crumpton, Louisa Elderton, Diane Fortenberry, Carolyn Fry, Elizabeth Hammer, David Lindo, Fred G. Meijer, David B Miller, Rebecca Morrill, Penny Olsen, Michele Robecchi, Gill Saunders, James Smith, David Trigg, Katrina van Grouw, Martin Walters, Isabella Wing-Davey and Dr Lisanne Wepler

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A leading figure in the emerging field of extinction studies, Thom van Dooren puts philosophy into conversation with the natural sciences and his ethnographic encounters to vivify the cultural and ethical significance of modern-day extinctions. Unlike other meditations on the subject, Flight Ways incorporates the particularities of real animals and their worlds, drawing philosophers, natural scientists, and general readers into the experience of living among and losing biodiversity. Each chapter of Flight Ways focuses on a different species or group of birds: North Pacific albatrosses, Indian vultures, an endangered colony of penguins in Australia, Hawaiian crows, and the iconic whooping cranes of North America. Written in eloquent and moving prose, the book takes stock of what is lost when a life form disappears from the world-the wide-ranging ramifications that ripple out to implicate a number of human and more-than-human others. Van Dooren intimately explores what life is like for those who must live on the edge of extinction, balanced between life and oblivion, taking care of their young and grieving their dead. He bolsters his studies with real-life accounts from scientists and local communities at the forefront of these developments. No longer abstract entities with Latin names, these species become fully realized characters enmeshed in complex and precarious ways of life, sparking our sense of curiosity, concern, and accountability toward others in a rapidly changing world.

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The perfect first baby book to help little ones learn the alphabet alongside amazing animals, for children ages 1-3. Featuring one animal for each letter against a crisp, visually appealing color block background to engage toddlers, letters are displayed in both uppercase and lowercase to help young readers start to become familiar with the alphabet. Children will be introduced to some of the world’s most interesting animals and birds that roam the earth, from their own backyards to the wild jungles, deserts, and oceans around the globe, including sleepy sloths, dapper penguins, sneaky jaguars, and more. The stunning high-impact images paired with each letter of the alphabet make learning your ABC easier, more engaging, and way more fun. A memorable teaching tool, this ABC board book also includes rounded corners for a baby-proof educational experience.

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With Let’s Draw Birds & Butterflies, you can learn to bring your animal drawings to life, guided by realistic illustrations and step-by-step instructions for a variety of winged creatures. The easy-to-follow visual and written instructions in this book make it achievable and fun to draw lifelike birds and butterflies. Each drawing lesson begins with basic shapes and progresses, step by step, to a finished piece of artwork, making it easy to follow along. You just need to grab a pencil, a piece of paper, and your copy of Let’s Draw Birds & Butterflies, and then flip to the animal you want to draw. The drawing projects include: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird House Sparrow Mallard Duck Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Emperor Penguin Dove Bald Eagle Monarch Butterfly Rooster Barn Owl The detailed written instructions in this 48-page book also provide tips for placement of details, how to create realistic feathers and patterns, how to shade, and much more. If you’ve never drawn before, don’t be intimidated. Just start with a few basic shapes and follow the illustrated steps—you’ll be creating your own amazing animal masterpieces in no time at all! And each time you draw, you should see an improvement in your artistic skills.Also available from the Let’s Draw series:Let’s Draw Cats, Let’s Draw Dogs, Let’s Draw Favorite Animals, Let’s Draw Wild Animals, Let’s Draw Sea Creatures, Let’s Draw Dinosaurs, and Let’s Draw Dragons.

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When and where did the ancestors of modern birds evolve? What enabled them to survive the meteoric impact that wiped out the dinosaurs? How did these early birds spread across the globe and give rise to the 10,600-plus species we recognise today ― from the largest ratites to the smallest hummingbirds? Based on the latest scientific discoveries and enriched by personal observations, The Ascent of Birds sets out to answer these fundamental questions. The Ascent of Birds is divided into self-contained chapters, or stories, that collectively encompass the evolution of modern birds from their origins in Gondwana, over 100 million years ago, to the present day. The stories are arranged in chronological order, from tinamous to tanagers, and describe the many dispersal and speciation events that underpin the world's 10,600-plus species. Although each chapter is spearheaded by a named bird and focuses on a specific evolutionary mechanism, the narrative will often explore the relevance of such events and processes to evolution in general. The book starts with The Tinamou’s Story, which explains the presence of flightless birds in South America, Africa, and Australasia, and dispels the cherished role of continental drift as an explanation for their biogeography. It also introduces the concept of neoteny, an evolutionary trick that enabled dinosaurs to become birds and humans to conquer the planet. The Vegavis's Story explores the evidence for a Cretaceous origin of modern birds and why they were able to survive the asteroid collision that saw the demise not only of dinosaurs but of up to three-quarters of all species. The Duck's Story switches to sex: why have so few species retained the ancestral copulatory organ? Or, put another way, why do most birds exhibit the paradoxical phenomenon of penis loss, despite all species requiring internal fertilisation? The Hoatzin's Story reveals unexpected oceanic rafting from Africa to South America: a stranger-than-fiction means of dispersal that is now thought to account for the presence of other South American vertebrates, including geckos and monkeys. The latest theories underpinning speciation are also explored. The Manakin’s Story, for example, reveals how South America’s extraordinarily rich avifauna has been shaped by past geological, oceanographic and climatic changes, while The Storm-Petrel’s Story examines how species can evolve from an ancestral population despite inhabiting the same geographical area. The thorny issue of what constitutes a species is discussed in The Albatross's Story, while The Penguin’s Story explores the effects of environment on phenotype ― in the case of the Emperor penguin, the harshest on the planet. Recent genomic advances have given scientists novel approaches to explore the distant past and have revealed many unexpected journeys, including the unique overland dispersal of an early suboscine from Asia to South America (The Sapayoa’s Story) and the blackbird's ancestral sweepstake dispersals across the Atlantic (The Thrush’s Story). Additional vignettes update more familiar concepts that encourage speciation: sexual selection (The Bird-of-Paradise's Story); extended phenotypes (The Bowerbird's Story); hybridisation (The Sparrow's Story); and 'great speciators' (The White-eye's Story). Finally, the book explores the raft of recent publications that help explain the evolution of cognitive skills (The Crow's Story); plumage colouration (The Starling's Story); and birdsong (The Finch's Story)

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A fun, quirky science series that tackles the questions other books are afraid to ask! How can a plant eat a fly? Are there plants on other planets? And can plants really hear music? A Question of Science: Plants answers all these questions and much more.With an engaging question and answer format, these books draw kids into science in a fun way. Each book features one question per spread with a clear explanation to follow, diagrams and fun and humorous illustrations. The quirky questions are designed to range from those that children will often ask to things they may never have thought of, but will still be keen to know the answer to.Perfect reading for curious young scientists aged 8 and up.Other books in the series include:Why don't your eyeballs fall out? And other questions about the human bodyWhy doesn't the Moon fall down? And other questions about forcesWhy does a mirror show things back to front? And other questions about lightWhere does lightning come from? And other questions about electricity Why can't penguins fly? And other questions about animals Why is ice slippery? And other questions about materials Can you hear sounds in space? And other questions about sound

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One of America's most eminent nature poets, Robert Pack has won the acclaim of writers, critics, and readers from Stephen Jay Gould to Mark Strand. In his latest collection, "Laughter Before Sleep", Pack carries on his themes of family and friends, responsibility to the natural world of evolved diversity, the transience of life, the fragility of happiness, and the consolations offered by art and music. "Laughter Before Sleep" weighs the nature of endings from the perspective of old age and embraces the humor and play of memory that keep mortality at bay. As we are carried along with Pack's lyrical, sensitive, and intelligent verse, he takes us on a moving but often comic journey toward the end of life. In the opening section, Pack composes poems that meditate upon a sense of his own diminishing and the meaning of absences. The middle sections form episodes of a memoir in verse, moving from family to history and back again, reflecting on the power of anecdote to shape a life in retrospect. With the final section, Pack recalls his unfulfilled plan to raise penguins in Montana, offers a panegyric on Darwin's nose, and makes the mistake of trying to impress a police officer with a book of poems. Filled with charm and wit but also with philosophical melancholy, "Laughter Before Sleep" is a superb addition to the poet's oeuvre.

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Crochet fantastic animal-themed blankets, pillows and more with this colorful collection of crochet animal blocks. Using simple crochet intarsia and applique techniques you can stitch one block for a pillow front, book bag or toy bag, join four for a lap throw, nine for a child's blanket or sixteen for an adult blanket. Mix and match colors to create fun single animal-themed blankets, or mix them up for quirky multi-animal designs. There are so many variations the only limit is your imagination. Ira Rott's bestselling books Crochet Animal Rugs and Crochet Animal Slippers have proven her to be a first-rate designer ; and this new collection will allow you to pair your favourite rugs and slippers with matching blankets too! The book features 16 main animal block designs for a Panda, Cat, Dog, Fox, Raccoon, Penguin, Pig, Sheep, Koala, Sloth, Lion, Hippo, Cow, Unicorn, Bunny, and Monkey ; plus additional ideas for using different parts of the patterns to create some new animals such as a Bear (made using parts from the Sloth, Bunny and Lion) and a Horse (made from Unicorn, Bunny and Panda). Many of the designs feature 3D elements including ears, hair, flowers, and bows, which give the blankets a lovely tactile quality. The blocks can be pieces together and left with no border, or instructions are included to add a Granny Square border or a fancier lace shells border ; making a huge range of possibilities for different blanket designs. Featuring in-depth advice on all the crochet techniques and making-up techniques, this comprehensive guide is beginner friendly and so much fun.

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The Poetry Book Society was founded by T.S. Eliot to share the joy of poetry. It's a unique poetry book club and every quarter our expert selectors choose the very best new books to deliver to our members across the globe. Our lively quarterly magazine is packed full of sneak preview poems and exclusive interviews with all the selected poets, insightful reviews by our Book Selectors Jo Clement, Roy Mcfarlane, Harry Josephine Giles, Arji Manuelpillai and Nina Mingya Powles. Plus micro reviews by the Ledbury Critics and extensive listings of every book and pamphlet published this quarter. The Autumn 2023 Bulletin magazine features poems, reviews and commentary from the PBS Autumn Choice Daljit Nagra whose playful mock epic Indiom (Faber) re-examines empire, language and class in India. The Translation Choice Lutz Seiler, translated by Stefan Tobler, crosses between industrial, rural and suburban landscapes of East Germany in Pitch & Glint (And Other Stories). Mary Jean Chan delves into queer identity, SARS and Hong Kong in her luminous second collection Bright Fear (Faber). Jacqueline Saphra considers her Jewish identity in Vevel's Violin (Nine Arches Press). US poet Terrance Hayes brings us formal innovation and powerful testimony in So to Speak (Penguin) and we celebrate the astonishing lifetime achievements of Mary Oliver in her new selected poems, Devotions (Corsair). You can find out more and join our poetry community today at www.poetrybooks.co.uk.

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Read four sample poems for free - just click the Extracts tab above.Peter Carpenter's poetry is radiant with quiet surprises, important moments captured in the folds of an old document wallet, in back gardens or on winter sea-fronts, buried in the sand or hidden by the noise of a football crowd. Such moments take flight to uncover a distinctive take on both 'the here and now' and the echoes of public and private histories. After the Goldrush is thus of its time and about time, in the attentive, skilful hands of a poet truly hitting his stride.One year's the historyOf Europe, time runs barefoot on the cinder-trackAt the White City (from 'Namings')"… a new voice, precise and distinct, and therefore, doubly welcome."George Szirtes "In short, Peter Carpenter is a masterly portrait-painter." Matthew Jarvis, English "always original and enjoyable poems…there's something modestly dazzling about Peter Carpenter's writing, but also something wonderfully spare and taut… it reminds me in places of the modern pastorals of R.F. Langley… the tone jinks and darts from the tender to the sardonic, the wry to the comic."CJ Allen, Staple "Peter Carpenter has the ability to pull the rug from under your feet at the very moment when you think you've got his number."Jeremy Page, The Frogmore Papers Peter Carpenter is co-director of Worple Press and was recently Creative Writing Fellow at the University of Reading. His fourth collection of poetry is Catch from Shoestring; and he recently contributed to Iain Sinclair's London: City of Disappearances (Penguin).

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Get up off the sofa and start moving with former Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya, in his first children's book.Learn to walk like a crab, swing like a monkey, and slide like a penguin in this book from the Winter Olympics presenter that helps children have fun and get active, all the while learning about favourite animals. Simple exercises show children different activities they can easily do, any time and any place, with no extra equipment required!Inside the pages of this entertaining children's book, you'll discover: - 40 delightful activities where readers mimic the movements of their favourite animals- A fun fusion of animal facts (science) and physical education to create an engaging and unique experience- Charming illustrations and step-by-step instructions that show children how to do different posesAll of the moves in the book are modelled on the natural movements of the animals and can be easily integrated into the day, with an exercise to do when you wake up, suggestions for ones to do during the day, and a relaxing exercise to help children settle down for bedtime. Radzi wants every child to enjoy the amazing way exercise can make you feel. Illustrations by Francesca Rosa accompany the exercises, showing young readers exactly what they need to do for each one. Ideal for both active kids and children who are a bit more reluctant to go out and play, this exciting new book teaches them about the natural world as they have fun moving their bodies.

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Rather than providing a dictionary of superstitions, of which there are already numerous excellent, exhaustive and, in many cases, academic works which list superstitions from A to Z, Bainton gives us an entertaining flight over the terrain, landing from time to time in more thought-provoking areas. He offers an overview of humanity's often illogical and irrational persistence in seeking good luck and avoiding misfortune. While Steve Roud's two excellent books - The Penguin Dictionary of Superstitions and his Pocket Guide - and Philippa Waring's 1970 Dictionary concentrate on the British Isles, Bainton casts his net much wider. There are many origins which warrant the full back story, such as Friday the thirteenth and the Knights Templar, or the demonisation of the domestic cat resulting in 'cat holocausts' throughout Europe led by the Popes and the Inquisition. The whole is presented as a comprehensive, entertaining narrative flow, though it is, of course, a book that could be dipped into, and includes a thorough bibliography. Schoenberg, who developed the twelve-tone technique in music, was a notorious triskaidekaphobe. When the title of his opera Moses und Aaron resulted in a title with thirteen letters, he renamed it Moses und Aron. He believed he would die in his seventy-sixth year (7 + 6 = 13) and he was correct; he also died on Friday the thirteenth at thirteen minutes before midnight.As Sigmund Freud wrote, 'Superstition is in large part the expectation of trouble; and a person who has harboured frequent evil wishes against others, but has been brought up to be good and has therefore repressed such wishes into the unconscious, will be especially ready to expect punishment for his unconscious wickedness in the form of trouble threatening him from without.'

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Embark on an action-packed, first-class tour and explore the homes of Earth's most awe-inspiring animals!This illustrated children's atlas brings the animal kingdom to life like never before through spectacular, specially commissioned 3D maps and artworks. A fact-filled adventure of a lifetime awaits, are you ready?Inside the pages of this visually stunning animal encyclopedia, you'll discover: - 3D maps show the habitats and geographic location of more than 100 incredible animals- Text on each spread providing relevant background information about each animal- Maps revealing the shrinking territories of some species to inform kids about endangered animals and how to protect themFrom African savanna elephants and Arctic wolves to giant pandas and polar bears, this educational book for kids shows you exactly where and how over 100 extraordinary animal species live. Detailed 3D maps and dynamic images give you a peek inside the habitat of each animal, as well as its geographic location. Filled with fun facts for kids revealing an astonishing amount of information about the behaviour of some of the most amazing animals. You'll discover where lions hunt their prey, which penguin lives closest to the South Pole, and where you might encounter the world's most deadly snakes. Perfect for home learning, this atlas book is great for children to dip into for school projects and is a fantastic addition to any family library.Complete the Series:If you enjoyed exploring the world's wildlife in What's Where in Earth: Animal Atlas, look out for more titles in this series from DK. It's perfect for children who are interested in animals, nature, ecology, geography and maps! From earthquakes to satellites, mummies to river monsters, discover our world as you've never seen it before in What's Where on Earth.

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Ever since Charles Darwin visited there in 1835, the Galapagos have fascinated us like no other spot on Earth. This richly illustrated book captures the ethereal, haunting quality of the Galapagos and of the birds and animals that make these islands their home. Acclaimed wildlife photographer and writer Tui De Roy has spent her life exploring the Galapagos and recording their secrets. Here, in spectacular full-color images and in her own words, she shares her intimate knowledge of the islands and her deep love and respect for the natural wonders they conceal. De Roy takes readers from vibrant coastlines to sheltered interiors, photographing penguins, turtles, and marine iguanas. She visits active volcanic calderas, where life hangs in the balance each time the volcano remakes itself. De Roy follows the seasons of the giant tortoise, dives into the twilight world of sperm whales and hammerhead sharks, and treads on still-steaming volcanic crust. She also makes an impassioned plea for conservation. This updated tenth-anniversary edition of De Roy's celebrated book offers an unforgettable photographic tour of the Galapagos. Explore with her the incredible diversity of wildlife and habitats that rank these islands among the most fascinating and exotically beautiful places in the world. * Features 245 stunning full-color photographs * Includes De Roy's insightful commentary * Showcases some of the award-winning photographer's finest work * Brings the natural wonders of the Galapagos to life

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For years, the librarians at the New-York Historical Society have kept a record of the questions posed to them by curious New Yorkers and visitors to the city. Who was the first woman to run for mayor of New York? Why are beavers featured on the city's official seal? Is it true that a nineteenth-century New Yorker built a house out of spite? These questions involve people, places, buildings, monuments, rumors, and urban myths. They concern sports, food, transportation, the arts, politics, nature, and Central Park, among many other subjects. Taken together, they attest to the infinite stories hidden within the most intriguing metropolis in the world. In When Did the Statue of Liberty Turn Green? the staff of the New-York Historical Society Library answer more than a hundred of the most popular and compelling queries. The endlessly entertaining entries in this book feature hard-to-find data and unforgettable profiles, sharing snapshots of New York's secret history for all to enjoy. Drawing on the library's extensive collections, the staff reveal when the first book was printed in New York, whether the story of Harlem residents presenting rats to government officials is true, who exactly were the Collyer brothers and why were they famous, and why premature babies were once displayed in Coney Island. For readers who love trivia, urban history, strange tales, and, of course, New York City, this book will delight with its rich, informative, and surprising stories. Look inside to learn: How "Peg-Leg" Peter Stuyvesant lost his right leg Whether Manhattan used to have cowboysHow the New York Yankees got their nameWho was Pig Foot MaryWhy the Manhattan House of Detention is called the TombsWho was Topsy and how she electrified New York CityHow many speakeasies were open during ProhibitionWhat occurred every May in the nineteenth century to cause so much commotionWhen penguins were stolen from the Coney Island Aquarium

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For years, the librarians at the New-York Historical Society have kept a record of the questions posed to them by curious New Yorkers and visitors to the city. Who was the first woman to run for mayor of New York? Why are beavers featured on the city's official seal? Is it true that a nineteenth-century New Yorker built a house out of spite? These questions involve people, places, buildings, monuments, rumors, and urban myths. They concern sports, food, transportation, the arts, politics, nature, and Central Park, among many other subjects. Taken together, they attest to the infinite stories hidden within the most intriguing metropolis in the world. In When Did the Statue of Liberty Turn Green? the staff of the New-York Historical Society Library answer more than a hundred of the most popular and compelling queries. The endlessly entertaining entries in this book feature hard-to-find data and unforgettable profiles, sharing snapshots of New York's secret history for all to enjoy. Drawing on the library's extensive collections, the staff reveal when the first book was printed in New York, whether the story of Harlem residents presenting rats to government officials is true, who exactly were the Collyer brothers and why were they famous, and why premature babies were once displayed in Coney Island. For readers who love trivia, urban history, strange tales, and, of course, New York City, this book will delight with its rich, informative, and surprising stories. Look inside to learn: How "Peg-Leg" Peter Stuyvesant lost his right leg Whether Manhattan used to have cowboysHow the New York Yankees got their nameWho was Pig Foot MaryWhy the Manhattan House of Detention is called the TombsWho was Topsy and how she electrified New York CityHow many speakeasies were open during ProhibitionWhat occurred every May in the nineteenth century to cause so much commotionWhen penguins were stolen from the Coney Island Aquarium

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Help your child power up their reading skills and learn all about life in the polar regions with this fun-filled non-fiction reader carefully levelled to help children progress.DK Super Readers Level 2: North Pole, South Pole will introduce kids to a parade of animals and plants that survive at the freezing poles of our planet - from polar bears to penguins - and is a motivating introduction to using essential non-fiction reading skills, proving ideal for children ready to enter the riveting world of reading. DK Super Readers take children on a journey through the wonderful world of non-fiction: travelling back to the time of dinosaurs, learning more about animals, exploring natural wonders and more, all while developing vital non-fiction reading skills and progressing from first words to reading confidently. The DK Super Readers series can help your child practice reading by:- Covering engaging, motivating, curriculum-aligned topics.- Building knowledge while progressing key Years 3 and 4 reading skills.- Developing subject vocabulary on topics such as animals, the polar regions, and extreme environments.- Boosting understanding and retention through comprehension quizzes.Each title, which has been levelled using MetaMetrics®: The Lexile Framework for Reading, integrates science, geography, history, and nature topics so there's something for all children's interests. The books and online content perfectly supplement core literacy programs and are mapped to the National Curriculum standards. Children will love powering up their non-fiction reading skills and becoming reading heroes. DK Super Readers Level 2 are visually engaging and expand subject knowledge and vocabulary for young readers who want to learn more about the world around them. Perfect to help children ages 7 to 9 (Year 3 and 4) beginning to read independently.

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When the Trinidadian novelist, Harold Sonny Ladoo was found dead soon after the publication of his classic novel, No Pain Like This Body, for Christopher Laird, it became an obsession to try to discover the writer behind the work and what had brought about his untimely end. Equal to Mystery – words written by Ladoo – is the record of that pursuit.When, as the editor of a Trinidadian literary journal in the radical years of the early 1970s, Christopher Laird was sent Harold Sonny Ladoo’s novel, No Pain Like This Body (1973) to review, he knew he was looking at something revolutionary in Caribbean fiction. It is a novel that has recently been republished as a Penguin Modern Classic. But the next news Laird heard of Ladoo was that he had returned to Trinidad from Canada and had been found dead – very probably murdered – in the canefields outside his family’s village of McBean. Laird follows in the path of Ladoo to Canada, where he went to make a name for himself as a writer, and tracks him as a student and young married man through conversations with his widow and other family members. He looks in detail at his relationships with two Canadian writers, Dennis Lee and Peter Such, who supported his work, and in Lee’s case published him. Here there is an acute account of their meetings across the line of race, of the mix of generous contact and elusive flight in their relationship. Above all, with access to Ladoo’s unpublished material -- short stories and fragments of the vast body of fiction he announced he was writing -- Laird offers acute analysis of what is there, honest bafflement about just what Ladoo was up to, with a tragic sense of the talent that was lost through his untimely death.

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Patagonia's staggering landscapes, titanic glaciers, and rugged mountains evoke mystery and inspire self-discovery. Explore the ends of the earth with Moon Patagonia. Inside you'll find:*Strategic, flexible itineraries, including a Patagonia road trip, designed for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies, hikers, and more*Unique ideas and can't-miss experiences: Hike the glacier of Perito Moreno National Park, or glimpse Patagonia's pre-Colombian past at Cueva de las Manos. See penguins and marine mammals off the coast of the Falkland Islands, or visit Chile's lakes district, home to the Mapuche people. Savor authentic asado at a local ranch, or sample fresh seafood in Santiago. Take in tango in Buenos Aires, or go horseback riding through the Torres mountains*In-depth coverage of Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Northern Argentine Patagonia, The Chilean Lakes District, Aisén and Continental Chiloé, Southern Argentine Patagonia, Magallanes, Argentine Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands*Expert advice from world traveller and adventurer Wayne Bernhardson *Full-colour photos and detailed maps throughout*Background information on the landscape, culture, history, and environment*Handy tools such as practical travel tips and safety precautionsWith Moon Patagonia's practical tips, myriad activities, and an insider's view on the best things to do and see, you can plan your trip your way.

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A fun, quirky science series that tackles the questions other books are afraid to ask! Why doesn't the Moon fall down? How can a plane fly upside down? And just why aren't there any super-giant humans? A Question of Science: Forces answers all these questions and much more.With an engaging question and answer format, these books draw kids into science in a fun way. Each book features one question per spread with a clear explanation to follow, diagrams and fun and humorous illustrations. The quirky questions are designed to range from those that children will often ask to things they may never have thought of, but will still be keen to know the answer to.Perfect reading for curious young scientists aged 8 and up.Other books in the series include:Why don't eyeballs fall out? And other questions about the human bodyWhy does a mirror show things back to front? And other questions about lightHow can a plant eat a fly? And other questions about plantsWhere does lightning come from? And other questions about electricity Why can't penguins fly? And other questions about animals Why is ice slippery? And other questions about materials Can you hear sounds in space? And other questions about sound

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A fun, quirky science series that tackles the questions other books are afraid to ask! Why is ice slippery? Where does water go when it dries? And why exactly do eggs go solid when you cook them? A Question of Science: Materials answers all these questions and much more.With an engaging question and answer format, these books draw kids into science in a fun way. Each book features one question per spread with a clear explanation to follow, diagrams and fun and humorous illustrations. The quirky questions are designed to range from those that children will often ask to things they may never have thought of, but will still be keen to know the answer to.Perfect reading for curious young scientists aged 8 and up.Other books in the series include:Why don't your eyeballs fall out? And other questions about the human bodyWhy doesn't the Moon fall down? And other questions about forcesHow can a plant eat a fly? And other questions about plantsWhy does a mirror show things back to front? And other questions about lightWhere does lightning come from? And other questions about electricity Why can't penguins fly? And other questions about animals Can you hear sounds in space? And other questions about sound

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'With characteristic self-effacement, she puts the escapades of charismatic animals ahead of her own feelings.' The Guardian.When George Mottershead moved to the village of Upton-by-Chester in 1930 to realise his dream of opening a zoo without bars, his four-year-old daughter June had no idea how extraordinary her life would become. Soon her best friend was a chimpanzee called Mary, lion cubs and parrots were vying for her attention in the kitchen, and finding a bear tucked up in bed was no more unusual than talking to a tapir about granny's lemon curd. Pelican, penguin or polar bear - for June, they were simply family. The early years were not without their obstacles for the Mottersheads. They were shunned by the local community, bankruptcy threatened and then World War Two began. Nightly bombing raids turned the dream into a nightmare and finding food for the animals became a constant challenge. Yet George's resilience, resourcefulness and tenacity eventually paid off. Now over 80 years since June first set foot in the echoing house, Chester Zoo has achieved worldwide renown. Here, in her enthralling memoir, June Mottershead chronicles the heartbreak, the humour, the trials and triumphs, above all the characters, both human and animal, who shaped her childhood.

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For knitters who want to know how to make use of their stash and avoid waste, this collection of patterns has the answer. Every knitter knows that sometimes you have yarn left over after finishing a make – maybe a whole ball, often slightly less than a ball, but either way too much to just throw it away and not enough to return it to the seller. Then there's the yarn you buy without a particular make in mind, just because it's a beautiful colour, or you love the feel of it, or it was in a flash sale. But what can you do with all these lovely bits and pieces? Knitting Stashbusters has the answer: 25 lovely projects specially chosen to use up your yarn. Some can be made with one ball, others use up smaller amounts of several different shades, but all of them are chosen to save you from wasting what you already have in store. You can make a cute garland of hearts to brighten up a room, or knit a penguin toy for a new baby. Perhaps you'd like to make all sorts of cosies, or knit storage pots and a pencil case. Or you could choose to make a cute cottage doorstop using colours that match your own house. And once you've reduced the size of your stash, what better excuse could you have to go out and buy more yarn!

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Sweeping research on the frozen continent of Antarctica is yielding insights of global importance. Antarctica is the only continent without permanent human habitation, yet it may hold the key to our survival. More than just a frontier for exploration, Antarctica is now understood to be a crucial part of a global climate and environment. Each year hundreds of scientists travel to the bottom of the world to investigate the climate, examine the continent's hardy life forms, and seek answers to far-reaching questions about the universe. Veronika Meduna has accompanied some of them on their expeditions, and in this engaging book she tells their stories and explains their dramatic discoveries.In remote field camps and icy laboratories on the frozen continent, geologists and glaciologists learn about past temperatures and levels of greenhouse gases, and about the implications of today's climate change for the future. Some scientists study migration patterns of emperor penguins as others focus on the antifreeze inside endemic fish species. Still others investigate the microbial "masters of survival" that may help to reveal how life evolved on Earth and what it may look like on other planets. In compelling, everyday language, Meduna provides a firsthand view of the wide range of scientific activity in Antarctica today along with fascinating portraits of the intrepid men and women conducting it. More than 150 stunning color photographs complete this arresting book.

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From the shell wars of hermit crabs to little blue penguins spying on potential rivals, power struggles in the animal kingdom are as diverse as they are fascinating, and this book illuminates their surprising range and connections. The quest for power in animals is so much richer, so much more nuanced than who wins what knock-down, drag-out fight. Indeed, power struggles among animals often look more like an opera than a boxing match. Tracing the path to power for over thirty different species on six continents, writer and behavioral ecologist Lee Alan Dugatkin takes us on a journey around the globe, shepherded by leading researchers who have discovered that in everything from hyenas to dolphins, bonobos to field mice, cichlid fish to cuttlefish, copperhead snakes to ravens, and meerkats to mongooses, power revolves around spying, deception, manipulation, forming alliances, breaking up alliances, complex assessments of potential opponents, building social networks, and more. Power pervades every aspect of the social life of animals: what they eat, where they eat, where they live, who they mate with, how many offspring they produce, who they join forces with, and who they work to depose. In some species, power can even change an animal's sex. Nor are humans invulnerable to this magnificently intricate melodrama: Dugatkin's tales of the researchers studying power in animals are full of unexpected pitfalls, twists and turns, serendipity, and the pure joy of scientific discovery.

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As hilarious as it is heartbreaking, another future classic from Costa Winner Kate Saunders (Five Children on the Western Front).Emily watched, in a trance of astonishment, as the bear opened the picnic basket, took out a tartan rug and spread it on Holly's bed. And then the penguin spoke. Actually spoke. 'What's going on? This isn't Pointed End!'The bear said, 'It looks like a human bedroom. We must've come through the wrong door.''But there aren't any doors to the hard world in Deep Smockeroon! And we don't have a human bedroom any more. We're in a box in the attic.'What if there exists a world powered by imagination?A world of silliness, where humans and their toys live on long after they've left the Hard World . . . and what if the door between that world and this one was broken?Welcome to the Land of Neverendings.Moving, raw and funny in all the right ways, The Land of Neverendings is a rip-roaring adventure, but it also gives an honest portrayal of grief for young readers, and shows us that whilst sadness does exist in the world, it doesn't have to cancel out happiness, or silliness, even when you lose someone you love.'This is written from the heart and can't fail to make yours sing.' The Times'Imagination, memories and new beginnings triumph.' The Sunday Times'A beautiful and often very funny book about imagination, family and love.' BookTrust'Funny and tender, heartbreaking and life-affirming.' Bookseller

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