Stories for Small People and Grown Ups

Twelve original stories, with illustrations, about growing up, adventure, strange creatures, good and evil, imagination, and beauty.The stories have been lovingly crafted and presented by the author, Galya, to be told to children dear to her, but they can be read by anyone who enjoys the magic of fairy tales.

Bear Brothers and The Bees

Unlock a unique reading experience with every turn of the page. This book is designed to spark rich conversations between reader and child. Without prescribed dialogue, you’re invited to ask questions like, ‘What do you imagine the characters are saying?’ or ‘What might they be thinking on this page?’ Dive deep into the narrative together, and with each reading, uncover fresh layers and perspectives. Here, the story evolves, shaped by the limitless imagination of the child.

Rotten Little Devils

An Angel in Heaven decides to transition into a demon, because he can see that on Earth, the battle between good and evil is being won by evil, and he wants to be on the winning side. He abandons the security, comfort and bliss of Heaven and heads for Earth, the kingdom of the Devil himself, where he is mentored by a demon with thousands of years’ experience in deceiving and hurting people.We get an inside look into his training as his ancient guide teaches him how best to influence people to bring about loss, illness, anguish, and destruction upon themselves. Devils can never overcome people’s free will, but they are nevertheless persistent in their never-ending efforts to subvert, undermine and wreak havoc through their deceitful and beguiling ways. Is this a true story?

Vlad Dracula : The Impaler

1456, the night of Vlad’s coronation: a dastardly plot, a joint venture between the Ottoman Empire and Catholic Hungary to kill the Impaler’s beloved, sets off some of the worst atrocities in history, enshrining the name Dracula as a synonym for terror. He drank the blood of his victims, and filled the castles of the land with wretches destined for the stake: Scourge of the Saxons, champion of the peasants, national hero who saved his country from Islamic conquest, Vlad was all of these, and much, much more... His name has become a byword for cruelty, Vlad’s draconian policies the horror of Europe. But who was the man behind the legend? Written off by historians, the Dacians were thought to have vanished immediately after the Roman conquest of Dacia, but Vlad, Son of the Devil, would revive the ancient Gaulish pride, bringing hope to the oppressed Wallach remnants of Transylvania through a dastardly series of impalements: he would become known in Romanian as Vlad Țepeș, the Impaler! A man more terrifying than any vampire.

The Wolf Cub

Lewis just loves living with his mother in a small cottage that backs directly onto a vast forest.The shy four-year-old’s favourite spot to relax is in a clearing by a watering hole, where all the woodland creatures come to get their daily measure of drink and forage nearby for food. He always enjoys chatting to the smaller animals (especially the squirrels and rabbits), making new friends nearly every day.And that’s exactly where the boy was when it happened – the hair on the back of Lewis’ neck suddenly stood on end, and the young boy shivered slightly.He was being watched…

I'm Going Nowhere

This book, I’m Going Nowhere, is fiction based on the true story of an African woman, Miriam Ateko, who currently resides in Europe. Shortly when she relocated here, she was diagnosed HIV positive and told she would die in eighteen months without treatment.It was extremely distressing for Miriam. She felt anxious, was in denial and almost went into depression. She had to figure out how to deal with the diagnosis. The process was not easy as she faced obstacles along the way, like stigma, discrimination, rejection, among others from the very people she thought would have supported her to deal with the trauma of being diagnosed HIV positive.Despite the struggles she encountered, Miriam never gave up. With the right treatment and help from two organisations and some friends, her health improved, though not cured yet. She is now living her life to the fullest. She forgave people who wronged her but will not forget how she was treated.Miriam’s story is sad, but inspiring. The story encourages HIV positive people not to give up life easily. When you follow ART exactly as prescribed you can achieve an undetected virus load and continue to live a healthy life.

Learning from Albi

Scruffy, deaf, and homeless, life on the streets is tough for young Albi. What could the future possibly hold for an abandoned Spanish Podenco puppy that has been hit by a car and can’t hear? Yet despite a traumatic start, Albi’s life changes when he is rescued, brought to the UK, and fostered by Lois Sinclair, founder of the rescue charity, Gracehounds, and a passionate dog lover who has shared her life and home with numerous canine companions. Before long, Lois and Albi’s lives become interwoven.

With Lois’s nursing background and Albi’s intuitive nature, the pair soon find themselves volunteering in the animal healthcare sector. Albi also develops a reputation as a transition dog, offering support to other dogs and their owners during times of loss.

But Albi is a free spirit. He also has health issues. And while his sensitive nature earns him many friends and admirers, there will be challenges ahead, including surgery. As Albi continues to enrich Lois’s life, questions remain. Albi may have found a forever home but can the love and hope which bind him and Lois sustain him? And does this unique animal have the strength to live the life that every dog deserves?

The Dolphin's Message

This short story tells a fantasy tale which just might have an element of truth.Dan and Sally set off on a holiday adventure which will completely change their lives.Why not join them to see if it could change your life too.Could the dolphins really be trying to tell us something?This book finds a unique way of looking at the dilemma of modern life and sustaining our planet.

Pathetic and Poetic

Is it okay to be pathetic and poetic?Pathetic & Poetic is an exclusive collection of fifty-five poems exploring what it means to be an adult. The collection tries blending the immature nature of still being young and trying hard to be cool with the harsh reality that it is maybe time to stop being pathetic and start to grow up. The poems pose some interesting and philosophical questions whilst still being utterly ridiculous.Each poem tells a thought-provoking story each blurring those two behaviours of still wanting to be silly and childlike but also acknowledging that being an adult comes with important consequences and responsibilities. Is it ok to still be a silly adult? Do we have to grow up?Some of the themes explored include mental health, childhood, curious questions, helpful advice, inspiring tales, quotes, silly songs, vivid memories, grumpy grumps, rants and raves, moans, dislikes, likes, odes, and dedications.Cover original artwork by Edith Harry.

Empire Close

Empire Close unfolds in a quaint cul-de-sac of six 1950s detached houses in a mid-sized English commuter town, where Ted has always felt part of a close-knit community.As 1997 dawns, Ted, now retired and wheelchair-bound, reflects on the past 45 years in Empire Close. He fondly remembers a time when a strong British identity was the hallmark of the neighbourhood, a trait he held dear. However, he’s witnessed a gradual transformation that leaves him feeling isolated and nostalgic.With the death of the last original neighbour, Ted grapples with the reality that he may be the last ‘true’ Brit left. His internal struggle is profound, as he wrestles with his beliefs and identity, yet never fully confronting their deeper implications.An unexpected turn of events dramatically upsets Ted’s world, challenging him to confront both his past and his future. This journey of self-discovery brings Ted to a pivotal crossroads, where he must reconcile his past actions with their unforeseen impact on his life.The story navigates the complexities of identity, community, and change, leaving readers to ponder André Malraux’s notion: ‘When man faces destiny, destiny ends and man comes into his own.’ As the narrative unfolds, Ted’s journey towards understanding his destiny and himself takes intriguing turns, leading to a thought-provoking conclusion.

Clone

For perfect couple Jen and Liam, there was only ever one option for their child: the perfect insurance policy. The ultimate safety net should anything happen to their son Josh, provided by Future Medical Advancements Ltd., gave them both peace of mind.The cloning, or ‘twinning’ process, offered by the cutting-edge medical company seemed the ideal solution… until Josh’s behaviour started taking a turn for the worse.Josh insists his imaginary friend is behind it all, but is there a more sinister connection with his twin than meets the eye? As Josh’s behaviour spirals out of control, Jen and Liam struggle to find a way to stop the horrifying events unfolding before their eyes and devastating their lives.

I Found Him on the Internet

What brings a respected 65-year-old Professor of musicology to look for a partner on the internet site? What awakens love between her, a woman whose family came to the country from Romania, and a younger-than-her Kurdish television technician? What constructs this love and what destroys it? Not what you would expect. The first story, an internet site prize winner, tells about it.And how does a Jewish religious Professor of Slavic Studies get involved in a mad love affair with an English Brigadier of aristocratic family, a race driver, who comes to a conference of Slavic Studies in Bath as a spy? How much she is ready to sacrifice for this love, and why does it melt away? This is the contents of the second story.