If the mere mention of Shakespeare fills you with dread, evoking memories of arduous afternoons spent in stuffy classrooms with eccentric English teachers, it is time to reconsider that far from being three-hour marathons of unintelligible boring rubbish, Shakespeare`s plays are in fact exciting, tragic, funny & often downright rude
- full of memorable plots, great insults, filthy jokes & eccentric characters. A Smidgen of Shakespeare lets you know the essentials, as well as providing you with a wealth of facts & trivia to amuse, impress & entertain (at school, in a seminar or down the pub). Succinct, pithy entries cover everything from Shakespeare`s greatest villains to his most cutting insult (hint: it involves your mum). As a playwright, he is truly a global figure
- his work has been translated into more than 70 of the world`s languages, including Latin, ancient Greek & even Klingon. Did you know, however, that Shakespeare`s influence even extends into the outer reaches of our solar system? 24 of Uranus`s 27 moons are named after Shakespeare characters. The hundreds of entries range from the truly enlightening to the utterly obscure in this comprehensive guide that will re-introduce you to the fascinating world of Shakespeare`s work.

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The School Term has ended. It is almost Christmas but Binny, out last-minute shopping couldn`t feel less like wishing glad tidings to all men. Ducking out of the rain she finds herself in the sort of shop she would never normally visit. The Marriage Manual: Christmas Eve. Two parents endeavour to construct their son`s Christmas present from a DIY kit & in the process find themselves deconstructing their marriage. Christmas at the Airport: A glitch in the system, travellers stranded & all sorts of lives colliding in the face of a sudden birth. The Boxing Day Ball: Maureen has never been out with the local girls before. Who knew that a disco in the Village Hall could be life-changing? A Snow Garden: Two little boys, dumped with their divorced father for his share of the Christmas holidays & none of them with a clue how to enjoy it. I`ll Be Home for Christmas The most famous boy in the world comes home hoping to escape the madness with a normal family Christmas. Trees: As if Christmas wasn`t wearing enough, now his elderly parent is asking for a hole in the ground. Father & son break old habits & plant a tree to mark the start of the new year. ...

Sammy is a football crazy rescue puppy. Mouser is a fearless grey tabby. Together they make an unlikely pair that won`t be parted, not even by the First World War. As the war rages in Europe, Londoners are sending brave animals to help the soldiers
- & Mouser & Sammy are soon on their way to the trenches. Boldly criss-crossing no-man`s land they make new friends of every nationality
- & reunite with old ones. But on the muddy front line, under fire & constantly in danger, will their friendship be enough to save them so they can return home together? ” If you love Michael Morpurgo, you will enjoy this”. (Express). ”A moving tale told with warmth, kindliness & lashings of good sense that lovers of Dick King-Smith will especially appreciate”. (The Times). ” Every now & then a writer comes along with a unique way of storytelling... Meet Megan Rix.. .her novels are deeply moving & will strike a chord with animal lovers.” (Love Reading). About the author: Megan Rix lives in England with her husb&, & their adorable dogs, Traffy & Bella. Also available by Megan Rix: The Great Escape, The Victory Dogs & The Bomber Dog.

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”I cannot remember when a novel has seduced me so completely...it feels as if a trusted old friend is telling you the story, that the characters are people you know”. (The Times). ”A terrific book.. .I loved A SONG FOR ISSY BRADLEY. It`s wry, smart, human, & rather miraculously, avoids mawkishness. &, ultimately, it`s moving & comforting in a way that makes sense even to the agnostic”. (Nick Hornby, The Believer). This is the story of what happens when Issy Bradley dies. It is the story of Ian
- husb&, father, maths teacher & Mormon bishop
- & his unshakeable belief that everything will turn out all right if he can only endure to the end, like the pioneers did. It is the story of his wife Claire`s lonely wait for a sign from God & her desperate need for life to pause while she comes to terms with what`s happened. It is the story of the agony & hope of Zippy Bradley`s first love. This is the story of Alma Bradley`s cynicism & reluctant bravery. & it is the story of seven-year-old Jacob. His faith is bigger than a mustard seed, probably bigger than a toffee bonbon & he`s planning to use it to mend his broken family with a miracle. Incredibly moving, unexpectedly funny & so sharply observed it will make you feel as if you could pick the woodchip off the bedroom wall, A SONG FOR ISSY BRADLEY explores the outer reaches of doubt & faith. But mostly it`s a story about a family trying to work out how to carry on when their world has fallen apart.

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This book is Shortlisted For Costa First Novel Award & Longlisted For The Desmond Ellot Prize 2015. This is the story of what happens when Issy Bradley dies. It is the story of Ian
- husb&, father, maths teacher & Mormon bishop
- & his unshakeable belief that everything will turn out all right if he can only endure to the end, like the pioneers did. It is the story of his wife Claire`s lonely wait for a sign from God & her desperate need for life to pause while she comes to terms with what`s happened. It is the story of the agony & hope of Zippy Bradley`s first love. The story of Alma Bradley`s cynicism & reluctant bravery. & it is the story of seven-year-old Jacob. His faith is bigger than a mustard seed, probably bigger than a toffee bonbon & he`s planning to use it to mend his broken family with a miracle. Incredibly moving, unexpectedly funny & so sharply observed it will make you feel as if you could pick the woodchip off the bedroom wall, A Song For Issy Bradley explores the outer reaches of doubt & faith. But mostly it`s a story about a family trying to work out how to carry on when their world has fallen apart.

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Inspired by a temple astrologer (who had accurately predicted his marriage & the birth of his two daughters), in A South India Journey, the writer & broadcaster Michael Wood travelled on a magical journey through south-east India. He makes a pilgrimage to the temples of southern India, exploring the remnants of antiquity amidst the present-day Tamil civilization. Wood vividly captures ancient culture & history; the green rice fields & rivers; & the shrines & temples flocked to by so many for thousand of years. ...

Have you ever dreamt of being an astronaut, travelling through the universe on your very own space mission? What would it be like to tour the Solar System, visiting the Sun & the planets, taking in everything from moons to asteroid belts along the way? What would you see, & how would you feel? What would you eat? How would you navigate & produce fuel? How would you survive? On this epic voyage of discovery, astronomer Mark Thompson takes you on that journey. From how to prepare for take-off & the experience of leaving Earth`s atmosphere, to the reality of living in the confines of a spaceship & the strange sensation of weightlessness, this is an adventure like no other. Suit up, strap in & enjoy the ride. ...

Have you ever dreamt of being an astronaut, travelling through the universe on your very own space mission? What would it be like to tour the Solar System, visiting the Sun & the planets, taking in everything from moons to asteroid belts along the way? What would you see, & how would you feel? What would you eat? How would you navigate & produce fuel? How would you survive? On this epic voyage of discovery, astronomer Mark Thompson takes you on that journey. From how to prepare for take-off & the experience of leaving Earth`s atmosphere, to the reality of living in the confines of a spaceship & the strange sensation of weightlessness, this is an adventure like no other. Suit up, strap in & enjoy the ride. ...

It is the 1870s & twin brothers Sean & Garrick Courtney are born into the wilds of Natal. They could not be more different, & fate, war & the jealous schemes of a woman are to drive them even further apart. But as history unfolds, a continent is awakening. & on the horizon is the promise of fortune, adventure, destiny & love. ...

Britain is home to fifteen species of breeding birds of prey, from the hedgerow-hopping Sparrowhawk to the breathtaking White-tailed Eagle. In this handsomely illustrated book, acclaimed British filmmaker & naturalist David Cobham offers unique & deeply personal insights into Britain`s birds of prey & how they are faring today. He delves into the history of these magnificent birds & talks in depth with the scientists & conservationists who are striving to safeguard them. In doing so, he profiles the writers, poets & filmmakers who have done so much to change the public`s perception of birds of prey. There are success stories--five birds of prey that were extinct have become reestablished with viable populations--but persecution is still rife. Featuring drawings by famed wildlife artist Bruce Pearson, this book reveals why we must cherish & celebrate our birds of prey, & why we neglect them at our peril. ...