The Bear Nobody Could See

Tales for Wise ChildrenHorace, the Crow Who Flew EastHorace, an adventurous crow, stumbles upon a piece of exquisite matcha cake that leaves him craving for more. Determined to discover the origins of this delectable treat, Horace embarks on an epic journey across Europe, tasting its myriad delights along the way. Amidst his adventures, he befriends Lime, a vibrant parrot shunned by a murder of crows due to his unique plumage. Together, with the guidance of Tsuru, a melancholic crane, they venture towards the heart of matcha’s homeland: Japan.The Mysterious Bear of Whispering MeadowsIn the tranquil pastures, whispers of an elusive bear stir curiosity among the sheep. With tales of its ever-changing appearance, the bear becomes an enigma. Some claim it’s brown; others are convinced it’s a white bear with piercing blue eyes. Young Daisy, with her vivid imagination, believes the bear is a prince trapped by a wicked witch’s curse. Is this bear real, or just a figment of tales? Only the meadows hold the answer, as the mystery remains unsolved for the flock.

The Big Wall Feeling

Mum, Dad and primary school aged, Jacob, live happily and simply with their cat, Marley, somewhere in Australia. When new neighbours move in next door, although they have the identical family set up (but no cat), their perceived differences passively prevent there being any contact between the families. Only Marley doesn’t notice this big wall feeling and moves happily between the families until the night of the big storm…

Told through the adventures of two primary school aged boys and a cat called Marley, this beautifully illustrated picture book tackles Australia’s very real issues with intercultural acceptance. Ali, Jacob and Marley’s story shows how simple it is to embrace cultural diversity and value individual difference.

The Bitterest PLC To Swallow

If you’ve ever worked in a pub, currently work in one, or simply have an interest in the history and evolution of pubs, Neil’s book is a must-read. In this insightful and entertaining memoir, Neil shares his experiences and observations about working in local estate pubs during a time when they were the heart and soul of their respective communities.

Through humorous anecdotes and blunt opinions, Neil highlights the many challenges faced by pub owners and workers in the modern era. From policies that leave him screaming to people who make him swear, Neil pulls no punches in his assessment of the pub industry.

The book also explores the transformation of local estate pubs into modern-day branded establishments, such as curry houses and convenience stores. Neil’s revelations are sure to surprise and shock readers, and may even cause them to question the value and quality of the food and drink they pay for in these establishments.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Neil takes readers on a trip down memory lane, revisiting the fun pubs of the 80s before they became bitter PLCs. Through Neil’s vivid storytelling, readers will laugh, cringe, and even taste the history of these once-beloved establishments.

In the end, Neil offers his take on what happened to pubs and what they have become. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and evolution of pubs, and may just make you think twice about where you choose to spend your hard-earned wages.

The Boot Room

For many years, the football transfer window has been a dominant topic in news columns, with fans increasingly glued to social media for updates on their clubs. The Boot Room delves into the intricacies of the transfer window, tracing its evolution from its inception to its current form, shaped by data-led scouting.

Author Andrew Judge engages with a diverse range of football insiders, from finance experts discussing the state of football finances to Sky Sports reporters on the front lines during deadline day. He takes readers inside the boardroom with a club secretary on Transfer Deadline Day and into the physio’s room, where medical teams race against time to complete player medicals with millions at stake.

The book also examines the impact of data-led scouting on Youth Academies, featuring insights from one of England’s highly regarded Youth Coaches. In an era of growing fake news in football, Judge explores the challenges fans face in distinguishing fact from fiction in transfer news, which captivates the football world for a few months each year.

Through conversations with scouts, fans, and analysts, The Boot Room reveals the transfer window’s significance and the profound effect fake rumours can have on football players themselves.

The Boy Who Refused to Die

On 17 December 2007, 13-year-old Alby Dobinson left his home to make his daily journey to school. Later that day, during his return journey, something happened that would change his life forever.

This story charts the remarkable journey undertaken by Alby and those closest to him. Life is always a mixture of good times and bad, laughter and sadness, and Alby’s story reflects this rainbow of human emotion, from suffering to euphoria.

As a biography, written in the style of a novel, this book details years of rehabilitation as family members recount their own experiences with humour, regret and acceptance, plumbing the depths of despair and soaring to the heights of joy.

The Daily Mail headline “The boy who wouldn’t die” was detested by Alby’s family. However, a small change to it illustrated Alby’s determination. He did not travel his road alone but was accompanied by his mother and stepfather, Lisa and Mark; his younger brother, Jimmy; and his grandparents. What happened to Alby had a profound effect on them all and each has their own special story, including the amusing tale of how Lisa and Mark met and the response to Mark’s declaration that he would run the London Marathon: “You’ve never done more than run for a bus!”

This is a story that will amaze and inspire. It is tinged with sadness but the overwhelming message is one of courage and the triumph of one very determined young man and his family.

The Broken King

Far from his home in the Kingdom of Ferinatia, Thorn continues his journey through the dying world of Elcina and the plan to bring the disunited realms and peoples together that he may guide them from the dying world into the safety of his own. With the kingdoms of Isthia and Taroth behind him, and the unexpected departure of the Ranee, Thorn enters the land of the Keegan nomads accompanied by the wolf pup Rark and the living crystal Lorak Ledel intent on finding a way to unify the tribes to his cause and find Princess Ranee who fled here after the destruction in Rata.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Varth prepares for their invasion of his world and his own kingdom. Secretly controlled by the Sorcerer Tarna, now emboldened by the murder of Thorn’s friend Penias, who was known as the Crown Prince Jarel Whitethorn. As Thorn enters the nomad lands, the Varthians stretch out their hand against the nomads and all other kingdoms and peoples who would stand against them, and their sorcerous leader.

The Brumby of Summerhill Park

Alexia and her brother, Brad, travel to the Snowy Mountains, where they rescue a starving brumby whom they name Prince of the Brumbies. When Alexia wants to enter in the annual Stockman's Bush Race over the old gold fields, her hopes are dashed when her chosen ride, the retired race horse Stormy, proves too big and naughty for her. Alexia and her best friend Enya work hard to try and prepare the bush brumby Prince in time for the contest.

The Caterpillar and the Butterfly

From Michael Rosenblum, the bestselling author of Happily Ever Always: A Guide to Personal Transformation, Security, Confidence, and Healthy Self, comes a debut book for beginning readers. This ageless story introduces us to a caterpillar named “Fear”. Fear is afraid of everything – the other critters who share the garden, lightning storms, being bullied and making new friends. A chance encounter with a wise butterfly named “Faith” helps Fear find the courage within to experience the world in a bolder and more joy-filled way. Rosenblum’s message for children is simple yet profound: fear is just faith turned inside out.

“Children will realize that changing fear to faith is up to them as they explore this magical story. Bravo, Michael Rosenblum!”

Dr. Kathleen Hagstrom

Principal

Walt Disney Magnet School

Chicago Public Schools

The Cedars of Beckenham

The Mystery of an Antique German Doll reunites members of a family torn apart during The Third Reich of Nazi Germany.

This family saga, starting in the leafy suburb of Beckenham on the borders of Kent and London, begins in 1930 in the comfortable world of four British upper-middle class families blind to the impending changes that are about to threaten not only their world, but everyone else’s world, too.

A doll belonging to the Abuthnott family becomes the catalyst that brings about two sides of the Rubenstein family, who were able to escape from Germany in the late 1930s finding refuge in the United States of America and in the British Mandate of Palestine.

Along the way, the horrors of the Blitz and the British struggle for survival are enacted out against the parallel Germanic horror of holocaust separation. The survivors in the United States, Great Britain and Israel adapt to a new world as it unfolds through the second half of the 20th century, until by the chance sale of a German Biedermeier doll at Sotheby’s in New York, their separate paths are brought together in 2017.

The four Beckenham families adapt to their changing lifestyles witnessing a rich tapestry of 20th century history taking the reader all over the world with its beauty, passion and prejudices.

The Chameleon Which Lost Its Colour

On the island of Madagascar, Blaze the chameleon is the most colourful of all the animals. But Blaze has one flaw: he’s quite mischievous, which makes it hard for him to make friends. One day his colours have vanished and it’s up to him to get the other animals on the island to help him find them! Will he succeed?

The Complete Response

Stanley lives life to the full--working hard, playing hard. In 2016, his life was turned upside down with a serious medical diagnosis; he had a stage 4 bowel cancer which had spread extensively to his liver and was inoperable. Many people might have given up but Stanley looked at the challenge of beating cancer with positivity. Stanley carried on working throughout the medical process ahead of him and developed his own strategy with the help of others around him and his life experiences. The plan of attack worked, which ultimately led to his survival and a complete response to treatment. No viable trace of the disease remained, a very rare 100% response. Stanley carried on living as before and is still free from cancer. The Complete Response will inspire anyone looking to overcome the unthinkable!

The Concentration Camp: The True Story of a Belgian Teenager

Pierre grows up in a family still scarred by the Great War. When the Second World War breaks out, the Germans invade Belgium. Pierre’s yearning for freedom and justice drives him to join the Resistance to fight the occupying enemy. On 30 December 1942, the German Gestapo apprehend him at home and the teenage boy ends up in a German concentration camp, where he is subjected on a daily basis to the horrors taking place. He never loses heart, because American and British airplanes regularly appear in the skies overhead.