Cuentos

Dilapidated buildings. Classic American cars. Rum and cigars. Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

Aspects of Cuba, to be sure, but superficial ones at best. Beneath these clichés live the Cuban people, each with a fascinating story that reveals the challenges of surviving day to day in this country, how Cubans innovatively and creatively meet those challenges, and how they refuse to allow circumstances to colour their outlook on life.

Within this book are vignettes of some of these people, presented as word-picture diptychs, each photograph accompanied by a compelling story, each story with an illustrative photograph. The reader will discover that while some Cubans live in dirty, dark, tenement-like conditions, others find the resources to improve and maintain their homes, and that those with the means keeps houses as clean as any on the planet. The reader will also learn how Cuban mechanics adapt and improvise to keep those wonderful old cars running, despite the difficulties of obtaining repair parts, and about the uniquely Cuban construct of resolver through which they survive and even prosper.

But most importantly, it will be seen that Cubans have an indomitable spirit that allows them to remain happy and optimistic, despite the adversities of conquest and occupation, the interference of foreign governments, and the oppression of their own government for over five hundred years.

My Daddy's a Lineman

“Getting ready for the day, they all grab their stuff, to work on power lines, you sure gotta be tough!”

My Daddy’s a Linemen gives children a peek into a day at work with their Daddy.

From sunrise to sunset, children learn about how truly special it is to have a Daddy who is a Linemen.

How to Lose Weight and Keep It Off

The book starts with a detailed description of the optimal way to lose weight and information on how to keep it off. However, you are strongly advised to read the subsequent chapters as referenced in Chapter 1. The author has noted that his patients find it both helpful and liberating to have an understanding of the regulation of body weight, of the causes of obesity, the health problems that obesity causes and the biological mechanisms that make it difficult to maintain weight loss.  

All of the information provided in this book is backed by published scientific evidence. References are provided at the end of the book that can be freely accessed through searchable medical databases such as PubMed or Google Scholar. For the lay reader, much of what is written in scientific articles may be overly technical, however many can be helped in the interpretation and meaning of the information by their family doctor who will play a key role in their weight loss journey.

The Other Brunel

June 1821. Once admired for ingenious inventions that aided England’s navy, engineer Marc Isambard Brunel now lies broken in debtors’ prison. Though his innovations brought victory against Napoleonic France, accolades turned to accusations over his French roots. Now the fetid decay of King’s Bench Gaol repays his service.Yet Brunel’s determination remains unbowed. With steadfast wife Sophia ever by his side, he contends daily for freedom from this unjust fate. Beset by misfortunes, will he be forced to abandon his adopted England as he did his homeland? At what cost to his family – especially his beloved son, Isambard?This vivid portrayal illuminates a pioneering mind undone by the nation he served. Yet even stripped of acclaim and liberty, Brunel perseveres, a testament to irrepressible vision and spirit. His timeless struggle resonates still, for no bars can cage the soaring heights of human endeavour and hope.

Your Word for the Week

In a world where voices often speak only what people want to hear, many are left feeling burdened by life’s challenges, searching for a genuine sense of hope. This devotional seeks to provide that hope, offering a vision of a bright, eternal future with a place prepared by Him who has promised to return and fulfill His Word.

Though society’s leaders sometimes betray our trust, exploiting our childlike faith for their own gain, there remains One who watches over us, unwavering and steadfast. The Almighty God, Creator of all, extends forgiveness and redemption through His Son and the power of the Holy Spirit.

With one devotional per week, this guide illuminates the path to a deep and personal relationship with Christ, encouraging readers to embrace His unique plan for their lives. It reminds us that by living with purpose and faith, we invest in an eternal promise, one that offers a profoundly satisfying return beyond anything we can imagine.

Pioneers & Icons of Australian Motorsport

The author has captured in words and lavish illustrations (many of his own that have never been seen before), the stories of over one hundred men and women whose personal motor racing journeys paved the way to establish and explode this sport. They did so both locally and overseas, showing that Aussies were as good as the world’s best when it came to not only skill behind the wheel but also in the design and manufacture of the fastest cars, and in organising events of the highest level and regard.

Most of these names are extremely well known by all Aussie petrol heads-household names admired around any backyard barbecue. Just the mention of their names brings nods of respect. But you will additionally read accounts of some very significant lives and racing achievements you previously knew nothing about-and some are quite simply amazing.

There’s our first woman to race commercially overseas. Just how she got there is incredible. Then you share the exploits of an illegal inter-capital record holder who went to New Zealand to break the land speed record, the farmers whose sons and grandsons became racing dynasties, and the home-grown mechanics and car builders whose designs obliterated all competition.

Strap yourself in and hang on. It’s gonna be a bloody wild ride!

The Boy Who Loved Robots

From a very young age Robert had liked robots. This was not exactly surprising as he had a very mechanically minded father. But when he got to the age of eleven, something happened which dramatically changed the course of Robert’s life, an event which would leave a permanent scar on him. Two further occurrences came about which were to steer Robert’s life in a new and exciting direction, the opening of a rather special shop in the town of Waterford, and the arrival of Aaliyah, the American girl who came to his school when he was fourteen. Set just after the new millennium, this whole story rotates around the building of hobby robots, the use of computers, and the various relationships of the people involved.

With chapter titles almost entirely computer related, and the book cram full of various computer and robot inspired topics, this exciting and heartwarming story is a must for any child or teenager who loves anything of a technological nature. It also challenges the whole concept of stereotyping, underlining how ridiculous it can be.

Run Run Run

Maxie the red talking mouse meets Ruby while she’s playing hide and seek. Maxie is being hunted by Milo, a big cat. How can Ruby help Maxie find a safe home? And how can Maxie help Ruby win hide and seek?

Fantastic Max

Take a look inside the amazing world of Fantastic Max. He is a five-year-old boy who sees the world in a very unique way. Fantastic Max’s brain is a little different to most children’s brains, and that can make things tricky for him sometimes.

Whilst Fantastic Max may find talking hard or some noises too loud, he can always rely on his trusty backpack, which is filled with special objects that help him with the things he finds hard. There are also lots of things that Fantastic Max is very good at thanks to his super special brain and even though he is different, he is still… well… fantastic!

Buster the Bullfrog

Buster the Bullfrog was a happy bullfrog until the day a lightning storm changed everything. It was very strange, indeed, how his whole world was turned upside down after a flash of lightning struck the rock he was sitting on, sending him diving into the water to escape the storm. You would never guess in a million years what happened to Buster the Bullfrog when he swam back up to the surface of the lake and climbed back onto his rock…

SIPS

SIPS: The Molecular Connection Between Immunity & Learning

Have you ever wondered why anxiety has become so prevalent in modern society? Or why today’s children seem to be grappling more than ever with depression and other neurofunctional disorders? SIPS: The interaction of the Sympathetic nervous system (NS), Immunity, and Parasympathetic NS.

A ground-breaking idea has emerged in the ever-evolving field of immunology and neuroscience, connecting dots we never thought to join. Dive into the riveting exploration of how the very molecules responsible for warding off infections in our bodies play a pivotal role in how we learn and process the world around us.

More than just a revelation of interconnected systems, SIPS provides a comprehensive road map to ensure every child navigates the challenges of modern childhood and reaches their full potential. This book unfolds the symbiotic relationship between our body’s defence mechanisms and cognitive functions.

At its core, SIPS sheds light on the hidden crisis of childhood mental health and is a call to action to reinvent the nurturing environments that are vital for healthy development.

It highlights the urgent need to shift our understanding and approach to well-being. Discover why reviving the innocent smiles of our youth isn’t just a nostalgic endeavour but a societal necessity. Learn practical strategies to protect and nurture the mental health of our young ones, preventing the rising tide of childhood depression.

In SIPS, we’re invited to reimagine the future of learning and development and reinvent the essence of healthy childhood for generations to come. With this guide, we step closer to a world where every child’s potential is realised and nurtured.

The House of Florence

Come and meet the children in the house of Florence.

Annabella is very smart and helps with the younger children. Neddy needs to be kept busy, Haddy is sensitive, Teddy just loves being happy, Gingerella is a tomboy, Etherlina is friendly and has lots of friends, Lenny loves school and enjoys learning, and Barbarella the youngest loves beautiful things.

Together, the family face many problems and challenges. Sometimes these challenges take them into the lives of friends, school and being aware of the environment. They all go through important lessons, enhancing their development and becoming stronger, happier children. Discover how the love, warmth and growth take necessary journeys and to how the children learn that there is a solution to every problem if you learn to share.