Liverpool Kids of WWII, Part 2

The boy was growing into youth – not yet a teenager – but was bright enough to know his country was in a war that it mustn’t lose, that his brother and uncles were also part of this deadly struggle…

Melodious harmonies and helmets were heard and seen at the impromptu Christmas party his mum and dad had arranged. He was as inquisitive as could be because it sounded like the Americans had arrived with Uncle Jim for the little house party he’d eavesdropped about over the last few days.

“Gosh a’mighty!” he heard one over-the-pond voice exclaim. “You got gas lighting but no electricity in the house, huh?”

The front room was alive with noise generated by adults, both seated and standing, in a happy conversation. Already, a smoky fuzz was forming from lit cigarettes, held firmly between thumbs and forefingers and used sometimes to emphasise a point or two in the friendly interchange of chit-chat.

The first thing he noticed was one policeman’s helmet and two American army white military police garrison caps grouped together at one end of his mum’s upright piano top. Railway policeman, Uncle Jim was in boisterous good humour with the two Americans.

Suddenly, his young eyes lit up as he spied a crumpled untidy mess of military equipment in the corner of the room, which drew him onto it immediately. He could see a US army belt with what looked like a brown wood baseball bat attached, as well as a set of handcuffs.

Living in Interesting Times: Curse or Chance?

These are the memoirs and reflections on the most acute issues of the contemporary world by a boy from the Estonian countryside who, through accident and pure ambition, ended up as a professor at Moscow University and adviser to President Gorbachev on matters of international law. After a stint as head of Estonian diplomacy at crucial moments in the restoration of its independence, he later became a centennial professor at the LSE and chair of international law at King’s College London. This is not a traditional autobiography. Besides reflecting on issues he dealt with while advising Soviet leaders, such as Yakovlev in his speech on the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact or the status of the Kuril Islands, and their repercussions in today’s world, the book analyses the roots of the crisis within liberal democracy, the upsurge of populism, the rise of China and the re-emergence of Russia as a great power. A Marco Polo fellow at Jiaotong University in China and recently awarded the highest Russian Order for foreigners – the Friendship Order by President Putin, Professor Müllerson, who lives in London, feels equally at home discussing the renewal of great-power competition, the problems of the European Union including Brexit, the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the negative impacts of political correctness both in the former USSR and today’s West. Having lived equal thirds of his life in three different worlds and worked in and visited many countries as a UN diplomat, he is a man who understands small country mentality, though being ‘spoilt’ by great-power mindset. 

Living With My Friend 'GAD'

Empower young readers with tools to navigate Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) through this enchanting tale. With captivating illustrations and relatable prose, we follow Poppy and her unique imaginary friend, GAD. As Poppy learns to cope with her anxiety, she’s aided by her loving parents, the wise Mr. Purple, and the enchanting Miss Sparkle. This story reassures children that they’re not alone in their struggles and introduces them to transformative strategies. With GAD as a potential superpower, the techniques shared by Miss Sparkle can be embraced by parents and caregivers to further support their child’s journey.

A portion of the proceeds of this book are donated to Young Minds to support their vision for change, and to ensure that no young person feels alone with their mental health. To find out more visit: www.youngminds.org.uk

Logan and the Time Machine

Once upon a time, there was a little boy called Logan who loved having adventures. One day Logan decided to go back in time to see the land of the dinosaurs. So, he grabbed his bag and his hat and tied his shoelaces tight and then jumped into his magical time machine. The time machine whizzed and whirled and wooed and suddenly went Bop! And then disappeared!

When Logan travels back in time to the age of the dinosaurs in his magical time machine, he never anticipates a chance encounter with a little dinosaur would result in an unexpected friendship. But with new dinosaur friends come new dangers.With the sudden arrival of a large T-Rex can Logan be brave and save his new dinosaur friend?

Get set to go on a wonderful journey with dinosaurs, time travel and new friendships accompanied by beautiful illustrations that will captivate the imagination of kids of all ages.

Lokemele's Quest

An emotional and deep journey in which Rosemary (Lokemele) introspectively fights with her personal demons.

Will the pain of betrayal, loss, temptation, and the forbidden fruits of love haunt her until her dying day?

Will a guilty secret be her ultimate downfall?

What role will Keoki play in her life?

And the mysterious, beautiful Ocean Tia - will she be Lokemele’s saviour, or will she add to her woes?

Will Lokemele find her quest for inner peace; or will serenity of her mind, heart, body, and soul forever remain elusive and out of her reach?

Lola and Beau - The Lost Frisbee

Flying saucers, colourful planets, shining stars and erm... a playful game of hide and seek with aliens?

Not your usual day at the park! But one that Lola and her trusty pooch Beau won’t forget in a hurry!

An intergalactic adventure for all to enjoy.

Lollypop Stew

Ella and Isaac were cooking up a brew that any cool kids would love, it’s true. 

Until Ella screamed, ‘Oh no that’s not right,’ she got an awful fright. 

With a dash of delicious, a sprinkle of fun, with a hint of mischief all rolled into one. 

Who would have known working together could be so much fun?

When Ella takes her turn to stir the stew, watch what jumps out, it may be a rabbit, it may be a shoe, but you won’t know until you make this tasty brew!

London Heathrow Airport June 2021

125 years ago no one thought there would ever be such things as airports. An aerodrome was then built on a small part of the site during 1914 to 1918 which became derelict after 1918. Then it was opened as a private aerodrome in 1929, and then expanded to it present size but only for military purposes during the World War. It became London's passenger airport after the war. It was just a set of tents along the A4 in 1946, which gradually expanded to its present layout over the past seventy years, on very much a piece meal basis, with each development thought to be the "state of the art". Various projects relating to the airport have been seriously considered but aborted. No one can say for certain how the airport will develop in the future.

London's Firefighters

London's Firefighters is a wonderfully readable, lavishly illustrated
anthology of articles, fiction and verse about the London Fire Brigade,
most of it gathered from the Brigade's house magazines London Fireman
(1966-82) and London Firefighter (1982-2005).
The book's editor David C. Pike, himself a retired firefighter, has cleverly
selected material that delivers both a comprehensive history of the
London Fire Brigade and a fascinating portrait of individual firemen
and women, at work and (occasionally) at play. The book includes
vivid, occasionally harrowing articles on important events involving the
Brigade - the Sidney Street Siege of 1911, the London Blitz and the 1981
Brixton riots, to name just a few - as well as covering key figures within
the Brigade like James Braidwood and Massey Shaw. The more personal
sections provide a revealing insight into the bravery, commitment and
camaraderie of ordinary working firefighters and their families.
The numerous, often highly dramatic illustrations, many from the London
Fire Brigade's own collection, offer a lively commentary on the text.
All the profits from this book will go to the Fire Service charity,
Firemen Remembered.
David Pike was a London firefighter for more than 30 years, retiring at
senior rank in 1996. His first book, Beyond the Flames, was published by
Austin Macauley in 2013.
‘A fascinating peek into the world of the London Fire Brigade. A finalist
and highly recommended.'
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2014/15, on Beyond the Flames

Look What Happened While I Was Sleeping

Butterfly gardening is a simple and continuously rewarding hobby. It is done at home, no fancy clothes or tools, by anyone at any age. Determine what nectar plants thrive in your climate zone and plant them in your garden or put them in containers on your balcony, the butterflies will come! Plant some host plants amongst the nectar plants and the butterflies will stay! Nature's splendour and beauty is just a few plants away. You never know how your life can change when you open your eyes after a nice, long rest.

Looking after Michael

Michael John Norris is an ordinary little boy, who likes all the same things all children do. Michael lives in a children’s home and gets up to all sorts of adventures – come and learn about Michael’s life and how he is looked after as there are lots of children just like Michael who might live near you…

Loose Ends

Matthew Bartimaeus, a blind yet notorious hitman, strikes fear into the hearts of all who hear his name. When a routine job takes a disastrous turn, Matthew’s world unravels as he’s double-crossed by a former employer. In a desperate twist of fate, he finds himself compelled to form an unlikely alliance with undercover detective Zoe Garland.As they join forces, their partnership grows stronger by the day, igniting a deadly game of cat and mouse across the sprawling city of London. Hot on their heels is Arif, the relentless son of the Berkant crime family’s patriarch. Fast-paced car chases and high-stakes gunfights ensue, pushing Matthew to the brink as he relies on his finely honed skills and remaining senses to survive.But this isn’t just a quest for vengeance, it’s a mission to protect Zoe, who holds the key to exposing corruption within the Met Police. In Loose Ends, Matthew’s determination to settle old scores collides with his unwavering commitment to safeguarding his newfound partner. In a world where justice hangs in the balance, this duo will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.