Recommended Reads
-
The Adventures of Harry Alliss (and Friends)
Read about the amazing adventures of Harry Alliss. The central character is Harry, a young boy with several strong female mentors who add zest to his various adventures. Get to know Harry’s amazing friends and their magical, fantastical and sometimes dramatic adventures together, but always with a connection towards strong family relationships, values and those special bonds of friendship. Harry may be flying in space or sitting in a doctor’s waiting room but the adventures just keep happening to him.
Learn about amazing things that you may have never heard of but that existed at some time. Unravel some of the words in the book to make the stories even more fun. Share Harry’s journey and enjoy the fabulous and exciting world of Harry Alliss. The basis for the stories is as a bedtime read, although it shouldn’t be restricted to only bedtime reading as they can be read at any time.
The stories are sequential, so they should be read from the beginning to the end as several characters are introduced during the various adventures. The central themes are rooted in what is around us and what may have occurred or happened in the past or present, including physical items that may have existed before. The idea is to ask questions and interact with the storytelling. The stories have the ‘cuddle factor’ so that adults reading to their children can enjoy the story as much as the children who are listening to it.
£9.99 -
The Aftermath : Book 1- When Evil Strikes
At the end of the war to end all wars, beautiful, telepathic, twin girls save a teenage girl from the clutches of a notorious gang.
With the town in ruins, the twins then find themselves leading an ever-expanding group of teenagers, children and household pets.
Seeking safety and shelter, the girls steer the group to the safety of their aunt and uncle’s farm, just a few miles outside of the town. They make camp in the farmhouse, but with food becoming scarce and petty squabbles breaking out, the twins have to work to keep the harmony of the group.
But soon others come calling at the farm and not everyone is friendly.
Can the twins manage to protect the group and keep everyone alive?
Can they find enough food to feed their ever-growing numbers?
Can the twins ‘save’ the survivors of the war?
£12.99 -
The Ancestors of Demons: The Shadows
Come, gather around, humans, for a captivating tale awaits. The Shadows invite you to journey into their world, where magic reigns supreme and the impossible becomes reality. Let your imagination run wild as they share their inhuman experiences, offering a non-human outlook on life and a moral code that will challenge your understanding of what it means to be a monster.
Through their eyes, you will see a world so distant from your own, it seems like a dream - a world of demons, strange rules, and peculiar places. The Shadows will guide you on a journey that will leave you wondering, contemplating, and even questioning the very fabric of reality.
But fear not, for you are in good hands. Sit back, relax, and allow your mind to fall into this enchanting world, where you might stumble upon your wildest dreams or your worst nightmares. The Shadows have a great story to share, one that will transport you to a place where science meets magic, and the impossible becomes possible. So listen well, and let the magic of their tale take you on a wondrous adventure.
£9.99 -
The Anteater in the Woods
This Ol’ Anteater is very content in his small world. Until one day he is confronted by something strange! Something new! Something he has never seen before. Can Ol’ Anteater learn to change his ways? Or even make his world a better place?
New author and illustrator Peter Willment has created The Anteater In The Woods as part of the ‘…AND OTHER VERY IMPORTANT TALES’ series. These include ‘Five Toes In A Jar’; ‘Rhythm In The Robot’; ‘Chameleon In A Cannon’ and ‘Monkey In A Bag’. These quirky tales have been written and illustrated for little people with big imaginations.
£7.99 -
The Arrival of Jessica BunnyDuck
One day, Mummy Duck is returning from the shops when she finds an abandoned baby under an oak tree. Who is this baby, and what will the Duck family do to help her? Read on to find out...
The story behind Jessica BunnyDuck is simple: it is OK to be different. The origins of the story go back over 30 years, when the author was working with Cher and had begun to learn about the Craniofacial Children Association (CCA) which Cher had been actively working on since starring in the film Mask in 1985. When he met the children supported by the CCA during a retreat in Texas, he was in awe at how they supported each other without question and how open and honest they were with each other. This is when he came up with the idea of Jessica BunnyDuck.
‘Much like children with craniofacial conditions, Jessica BunnyDuck deals with being different and finding a place in which to belong.’
from the Foreword by Cher£8.99 -
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.
£23.99 -
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.
£12.99 -
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.
£12.99 -
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.
£17.99 -
The Bronson Escapades
Meet the Children:Kennedy, 17 – The Fashionist!(Always telling others what’s wrong with their outfit)Chloe, 15 – The Bookworm!(Never Stops Reading)Edwin, 12 – The Explorer!(Often starts sentences with ‘did you know…’)Bridget, 11 – The Pretentious Snob!(Usually speaks in a false poncy accent)Al, 9 – The Chatterbox!(Quite frequently refers to something outside the current context of conversation)These, along with their mother and father, make up the Bronson family, and together they get into all sorts of trouble – from causing havoc in town, to being locked outside their own house! Join the ride as these five unlikely siblings embark upon some truly epic adventures of a lifetime; including: searching for their mother’s lost ring, helping the mayor, and even giving the garden fence a fresh coat of paint. Read along and see how Kennedy, Chloe, Edwin, Bridget, and Al manage to muddle along through everything that tumbles their way.
£8.99 -
The Brummie Boys of Aston
Birmingham, 1993. Under dim streetlamps, childhood friends Thomas, David, Henry, and Ernest drunkenly wind through the rainy streets, heading for the pub. While the others earn honest livings, David hatches risky schemes, plunging toward illegal drug trade and endangering them all. As his thirst for fast cash grows wilder, tensions mount among the foursome. Will their bond prove strong enough to stop David’s fall into Birmingham’s criminal underworld or will greed take them all down?
£9.99 -
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
£9.99
Discover