-
Ayah and the Big World Outside
Today is baking day.
Once a week Ayah and her mother get to use the tandoor oven at their refugee camp. While they bake, Ayah talks about her teacher asking the class what they want to be when they grow up. Her mother wonders if Ayah wants to be an engineer or a singer...but Ayah has never met anyone like that.
While getting some fresh air, Ayah rests her eyes until a swallow says hello. "Please can I have some bread?" it asks. Ayah shares her snack, and the swallow tells her about its travels. Ayah has never seen the world outside the fence--she thought it was all dangerous. The sparrow explains that there are many places without war, and he invites her to climb on his back to fly with him and see the world for herself. Together they soar over fields and mountains and busy cities, and when Ayah returns, she can dream of a future where she'll be free.
Available in French as Ayah et le vaste monde.
-
Mole and the Mound: And the House Underground
A brilliantly funny story about empathy, kindness, and the importance of not judging a book by its cover... or, in this case, a mole by his mound!
Mole is on a mission to build an extraordinary shelter for him and his friends. But Bird, Beaver, and Bee don't see what the fuss is about - who would want to spend time in a muddy, moldy mound when they could be enjoying Bird's impressive nest, Beaver's incredible lodge, or Bee's intricate hive? One by one, they rush to build their own, far superior, homes, failing to notice a storm that is on its way. When it finally arrives, Bird, Beaver, and Bee's houses are destroyed, and they are forced to seek shelter inside Mole's mound! It becomes clear that this seemingly ordinary mound is much more extraordinary on the inside. Scoop, wiggle-wiggle, went the mole.
Working on his great, grand hole. HILARIOUS READ-ALOUD: The bouncy rhyming text and funny story make for a perfect read aloud. BUILDING COMMUNITY: Mole and his friends learn that helping each other in times of need not only provides support but creates a sense of belonging. Perfect for:- Parents and grandparents
- Preschool and kindergarten-level readers
- Gift-givers looking for a hilarious read-aloud with a heartwarming message
- Fans of Julia Donaldson and Matthew Forsythe's Mina
Sold out -
Strange People on the Hill: How Extremism Tore Apart a Small American Town
A gripping story that reveals what happened to a small American town when an influential white nationalist group relocated its headquarters there, illustrating how radical changes in American politics impact our psyches and divide our communities. "A timely and engagingly written account by an expert on extremism and hate groups." ―Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen When the white nationalist group VDARE used dark money to purchase a historic castle overlooking Berkeley Springs in West Virginia, America's "cold civil war" spilled into this scenic tourist town. From behind the imposing stone walls of their castle, VDARE's Peter and Lydia Brimelow spread propaganda focused on the "great replacement" conspiracy theory, sowing discord in the once peaceful town below. In an attempt to restore civility, a group of neighbors banded together to oppose VDARE's presence in Berkeley Springs. Strange People on the Hill urgently demonstrates how extreme reactionary ideology and the national politics that embody it disrupt the lives of everyday Americans while highlighting the intimate relationship between violent, racist radicalism and what now passes for mainstream conservatism. Through extensive on-the-ground reporting, renowned researcher and investigative reporter Michael Edison Hayden shows how the politicized culture wars manifest in deeply personal dramas and conflicts in a moving narrative about how the people of Berkeley Springs are bravely standing up against hate and division and forging a community built on inclusivity, respect, and neighborliness. -
Little More Love: The Life and Legacy of Olivia Newton-John
An in-depth biography that closely examines the superstar's multi-faceted career, personal life, advocacy, and legacy.
Olivia Newton-John was one of the biggest and most iconic global pop stars in history with estimated record sales of over 100 million and starring roles in several films, including Grease and Xanadu. Her hit "Physical" was ranked by Billboard as the most popular single of the 1980s. Behind all of this glitz and glamor was an extremely strong, kind, and resilient person with an unfailing, positive attitude in the face of personal tragedies and setbacks. For decades, she bravely and publicly battled breast cancer while continuing her career and advocated for environmental issues, animal rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. This biography, based on extensive archival research and original interviews with many of her friends and associates, reveals the real person who was Olivia Newton-John. Matthew Hild provides many never-before-shared insights into the star's life, including her humanitarianism and personal struggles, and dives deeply into her many famous records and lesser-known work, from her early start in Australia all the way to her last recording - a moving duet of "Jolene" with Dolly Parton. -
Everyday Joy: Effortless Ideas for Home and Entertaining
Award-winning designer Kate Nixon believes in finding happiness at home. In Everyday Joy, Kate shares her design and entertaining secrets for making a home feel lived in and joyful - whether that be how to make your bed cozy, how to capture the 'old soul, new spirit' feeling in a kid's room, or how to style your table, and what to serve, when friends come round for Sunday lunch.
Everyday Joy is broken up by times of day - Rise, Shine and Restore - and each part includes decorating ideas, as well as entertaining tips and 30 easy recipes, from a brunch-friendly Fruit Crumble Cake to the perfect Chicken Sandwiches to dinner party favorites like Rosemary Lamb and Chicken and Tarragon Pie. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a designer and interiors editor for Australian House & Garden, Everyday Joy is a bible for home life akin to a Nancy Meyers's film set. -
Tales of the Fae: Enchanting Stories of Fairies, Elves, and Sprites
Explore the entrancing world of the fairies in this gorgeously illustrated collection of traditional folk tales.Eighteen timeless tales, brought to life with dreamy watercolor illustrations, will transport you to the beguiling land of the fae, where boundaries blur, love is tested, and all is not what it seems. A mortal steps into a magical dance circle and spends seven years in fairyland.
A selkie searches for her stolen seal skin, longing to return to the sea.
A herd-boy's life changes when he finds a tiny pair of glass shoes. This compilation, filled with enchanted animals and mysterious forests, encompasses the beloved folk traditions of Ireland and the British Isles, as well as fairy stories from Sweden, Japan, and beyond. Creamy pages and a satin ribbon marker make this giftable volume an elegant addition to any folklore lover's collection.BELOVED BOOK SERIES: The Tales series has allowed thousands of readers to explore world folklore traditions through classic stories and beautiful artwork. PERFECT FOR ROMANTASY FANS: Discover the original lore that inspired today's hottest romantic fantasy novels! This collection showcases classic stories of fairy courts and star-crossed love affairs between mortals and the fae. ELEGANT CONTEMPORARY ILLUSTRATIONS: Each of the eighteen tales features a full-page watercolor illustration from Lou Benesch, capturing the wild beauty of the fae and their mysterious world. -
Brightwing Tales: Acorn's Misadventure
Acorn, the mouse, was not really dressed for a misadventure. He certainly did not pack his toiletries, but he had no real choice in the matter. His old friend, Bear, was running away, heading into the unknown beyond Brightwing's border. Like a good friend, Acorn followed him into a world of shadow and sorrow-a cold and barren country where danger lurks at every bend in the path and where the only way home is through a river of tears. -
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Sing along to the time-honored nursery rhyme, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, illustrated for very young children by Hazel Q. Nursery rhymes are the classic introduction for babies and young children to the idea of storytelling. While delighting in the rhyming words and appealing illustrations, children are boosting their language development and learning social skills. This sturdy board book is designed to withstand much love and learning making it a wonderful addition to baby's first library.
-
How to BBQ: The Definitive Guide to Fire Cooking
Are you getting the most from your barbecue? BBQ expert Genevieve Taylor teaches you everything you ever need to know about cooking over fire, with 100 innovative recipes.
Genevieve has spent the last two decades teaching and writing about live-fire cooking - in How to BBQ she shares all her secrets for creating the greatest outdoor food imaginable. From building your fire and choice of fuel to fire-cooking techniques, Genevieve guides you every step of the way. She also answers the Top 10 questions about barbecue, and offers ten beginner recipes that explain all the fundamentals of fire.
Then you can use your new grilling knowledge to cook up quick recipes for weeknights, slow recipes for lazy days, one-pot meals, and feasts for family and friends. Regardless of the kit you have, Genevieve's recipes, tips, and tricks guarantee success every time.
-
Unseen Existences: Of Heaven, Earth, and the Divine Mystery in All Things
Heaven: Why It Matters Here and Now
Have we forgotten heaven?
Bestselling author and pastor Brian Zahnd invites us to remember heaven, to experience and embrace the divine mystery of the spiritual realm in this lifetime. This slow and steady progression of a deeper Christian faith that draws us nearer to God--a "pilgrimage of the soul"--fosters in us a love for both the heavenly and the earthly.
For too long, the conversation about heaven has been caught between two extremes. On one hand, there is the shallow "escapist" theology that reduces salvation to a reservation for the afterlife, unconcerned with God's good earth or issues of justice in the world.
On the other hand, manyof us have overcorrected, hyperfocusing on the here and now and losing sight of the spiritual reality beyond--a fatal mistake if our Christianity is to have a compelling message in the twenty-first century. Our faith must once again speak confidentlyand humbly about the reality of the spiritual world--the reality of unseen existences.
In Unseen Existences, you'll find
- a fresh way of looking at heaven that pushes back against extremes,
- a vision for life as a pilgrimage to our true home in heaven and union with God, and
- encouragement to persevere through the injustices of this world with hope.
Unseen Existences will help you renew your faith, expandyour perspective, and re-embrace the divine mystery of heaven. Though life can be uncertain and unjust, our pilgrimage is preparing us for the world to come, where we will see Christ face-to-face. With the company of our Helper, Advocate, and Comforter, we press on, trusting he will lead us home.
-
1453: The Conquest and Tragedy of Constantinople
A detailed account of the siege and fall of Constantinople in 1453, a watershed year that closed the book, once and for all, on the Roman Empire and confirmed for Europeans their worst fears about an expanding Ottoman Empire.
Anthony Kaldellis offers a new narrative of the siege and fall of Constantinople in 1453, a watershed year that closed the book, once and for all, on the Roman Empire and confirmed for Europeans their worst fears about an expanding Ottoman Empire. By the fifteenth century, Constantinople had seen better days, but it was still a vibrant center of learning, worship, commerce, and information. 1453 sketches the tense but exciting shared world of Italians, Turks, and Romans that was thrown into crisis by Mehmed II's decision to conquer the city. Kaldellis showcases a detailed reconstruction following events on a day-by-day basis, pulling from gripping eye-witness testimonies in Latin, Italian, Greek, Russian, and Turkish. He weighs the strategies of both the attackers and defenders, and proves that, contrary to the fatalism that marks almost all narratives written with hindsight, in reality the defense was hardly a lost cause. The defenders knew exactly what they were doing. They were willing to risk their lives, but it was not their intention to become martyrs. Instead, it was the sultan who was scrambling to neutralize a seemingly impregnable defense. That he did so was a testament to his ingenuity and tenacity. The final chapters of 1453 trace the fate of the vanquished and their captivity. It also weighs the impact of the city's fall on the conquerors, the conquered, and on world history. 1453 was not merely a symbol for the passing of the Middle Ages and the onset of early modernity: it changed the very nature of the Ottoman empire and redirected the transmission of cultural legacies, especially those of Greek classical scholarship. The fall of Constantinople is therefore a nexus of converging pathways between east and west, medieval and modern, ends and beginnings. -
Dungeon Master's Workbook of Worldbuilding (Dungeons & Dragons): An Official Companion to the Dungeon Master's Guide
Unleash your imagination with this officially licensed interactive workbook packed with exercises, prompts, visual guides, and other activities designed to prepare new Dungeon Masters and enrich experienced ones. Whether you're a fledgling Dungeon Master or an expert worldbuilder, The Dungeon Master's Workbook of Worldbuilding helps you envision an unforgettable Dungeons & Dragons adventure. Through a series of fun writing and brainstorming exercises, you will: - create an exciting campaign setting for your players
- practice improvisation and roleplaying as a DM
- craft tantalizing rewards and intriguing magic items
- weave compelling story hooks with over twenty-five scenarios
- learn the basics of mapmaking
- and more! An official companion to the revised and expanded Dungeon Master's Guide, this workbook is both an insightful storytelling tool and a beautiful volume to display in any D&D library. Get ready to level up your game! -
Player's Workbook of Epic Adventures (Dungeons & Dragons): An Official Companion to the Player's Handbook
Your epic Dungeons & Dragons adventures start here! Packed with exercises, prompts, visual guides, and other activities, this officially licensed interactive workbook is designed to prepare new players and enrich experienced ones. Never played Dungeons & Dragons before? Fear not, adventurer! Simply looking to level up your game? Hail and well met! Intended to introduce new players to the world's greatest roleplaying game and provide new insights for experienced players, this interactive workbook guides you through the basics of fifth edition D&D. Through fun writing and brainstorming exercises, you will: - choose a class, subclass, and origin for your character
- craft your character's unique backstory and personality
- get to know your party
- plan responses to story scenarios
- envision your character's advancement
- and much more! As an official companion to the revised and expanded Player's Handbook, this workbook is a helpful resource for embracing D&D's new core rulebooks. There's never been a better time to gather your party and begin your adventures! -
Henri Matisse
Packed with charming, animated illustrations, this series of pop-up biographies captures the most significant works of key figures, starting with four seminal artists. Readers can learn about the life and works of Henri Matisse, including his prints, sculptures, and paintings. With beautiful, intricate pop-ups on every spread, young readers will be introduced to these famous artists in an interactive and fun way.