Will an unlikely friendship be enough to save them?After escaping a train bound for a death camp with a trusty German Shepherd dog, a girl wakes to find that she has no memory of her former life. Lily is fostered by the kind RAF pilot who found her and his wife, Meg. It is not long before their lives are disrupted once again by the war and, with their home in ruins, they are forced to flee to the country. In the Somerset countryside, Lily is reunited with Rudy, the heroic German Shepherd. However it soon becomes clear that Rudy is not just her companion, he is protecting her too, and someone wants him out of the way... A gripping historical saga of friendship and family from bestselling author Lizzie Lane. Praise for Lizzie Lane: 'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton 'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller

The tragedies of World War II are well known. But at least one has been forgotten: in September 1939, four hundred thousand cats and dogs were massacred in Britain. The government, vets, and animal charities all advised against this killing. So why would thousands of British citizens line up to voluntarily euthanize household pets? In The Great Cat and Dog Massacre, Hilda Kean unearths the history, piecing together the compelling story of the life and death of Britain's wartime animal companions. She explains that fear of imminent Nazi bombing and the desire to do something to prepare for war led Britons to sew blackout curtains, dig up flower beds for vegetable patches, send their children away to the countryside and kill the family pet, in theory sparing them the suffering of a bombing raid. Kean's narrative is gripping, unfolding through stories of shared experiences of bombing, food restrictions, sheltering, and mutual support. Soon pets became key to the war effort, providing emotional assistance and helping people to survive a contribution for which the animals gained government recognition. Drawing extensively on new research from animal charities, state archives, diaries, and family stories, Kean does more than tell a virtually forgotten story. She complicates our understanding of World War II as a "good war" fought by a nation of "good" people. Accessibly written and generously illustrated, Kean's account of this forgotten aspect of British history moves animals to center stage forcing us to rethink our assumptions about ourselves and the animals with whom we share our homes.

     "It all began when Mumzy and Popzy placed me in that chicken coop of a carrier from Saks Fifth Avenue, and off we went...once again. Little did I know as to what was to befall my poor, furry person.

     "But alas, ...how was I to suspect as to what awaited me on the other side of the ocean?...To say, that it was to be an adventure, ...was most assuredly an understatement.

     "Humph ...Phffft ...What is a cat to do?...For at first, unbeknownst to me, I believed that Napoleon was a most delicious pastry...Boy ...Was I ever wrong ... Phffft " Ko-Ko the Cat muttered in a miffed fashion, as he stuck a single whisker in the air in an aristocratic manner, and crossed his forepaws in a regal way.

    &nbspAnd thus the reader steps into the mind of Ko-Ko the Cat --- an informative and opinionated feline. His views of the philosophies, manners and etiquettes of life are quite enchanting: Filled with laughter and joy. Curious as a cat can be, he teaches and amuses the reader as he experiences history and encounters historical figures while he travels through the world with his human parents.

Pets In My Heart is a warm, sentimental look at the pets that have helped shape the author's life. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, the story will appeal to pet lovers of all ages. Pets In My Heart is a true story as seen from the author's point of view.

Dogology explores the bizarre and very funny world of canine science. Vital questions answered include: Why do dogs fart (but cats don't)? Do dogs feel guilt, love, happiness or jealousy? What does it mean when a dog wags its tail more to the right or the left? Why do dogs poo with their bodies aligned north-to-south? Do dogs dream? If so, what about? How do dogs smell epilepsy, cancer and human sadness? How many hairs are there on your dog? What does your dog hear when you talk? Packed with fascinating facts, quirky scientific revelations and weird stories about our furry friends, Dogology offers a secret glimpse inside the canine body and mind.

Heartwarming and Compassionate Stories of Animal Love"This book is a loving tribute to all creatures, great and small." Tippi Hedren Filled with fascinating and heartwarming stories, this book details the power of animal love. Good deeds can be done by more than just humans! True tales of kindness. Random Acts of Kindness by Animals is packed with captivating stories, big and small, from simple acts of kindness, to grand gestures of compassion performed by various animals. Author and known speaker on animal-related issues, Stephanie LaLand has gathered a multitude of stories sure to fill your heart with happiness and hope. From dogs to dolphins, learn true stories of animal love, devotion, and bravery. Proof that human kindness is shared with animals. Anyone who's had a pet knows there is something special about them. We see it in their eyes when they look at us affectionately or play with others or help someone in need. Animal behavior is interesting because in many ways, how they act and the things they do are similar to the way we care for each other. Animals are affectionate and smart creatures, and this book illustrates why kindness matters for us all. Inside, you'll find: Inspiring animal stories of true animal love that will surprise you Examples of kindness and good deeds performed by our beloved animals Animal stories for adults and animal stories for children to teach instinctive behavioral connections between humans and animals If you liked Pawverbs for a Dog Lover's Heart, You've Goat This, or Dogwinks, you'll love Random Acts of Kindness by Animals.

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner * ALA Notable Book * ALA Booklist Editors' Choice * School Library Journal Best Book

In the second book in the Tales of Dimwood Forest by Newbery Medal-winning author Avi, a tiny deer mouse named Poppy dares to stand up to a tyrannical owl. The story is accompanied by inviting illustrations from Caldecott Medal-winning artist Brian Floca. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It's a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

"This exciting story is richly visual. The underlying messages, to challenge unjust authority and to rely on logic and belief in oneself, are palatably blended with action and suspense." -- School Library Journal

Poppy knew she was taking a risk following her beloved Ragweed to Bannock Hill, but a night of dancing with the handsome golden mouse was just too tempting. So when Ragweed is scooped up by the sinister owl, Mr. Ocax, who rules over Dimwood forest, she's devastated. Her whole life she was warned of Mr. Ocax's evil ways...how could she have been so foolish to put herself and Ragweed at risk?

To make matters worse, when Poppy attempts to move with her family to a different part of the woods where the food supply is richer, Mr. Ocax refuses to let them go. Despite what she's been led to believe for years, Mr. Ocax is not as strong as he wants the mice to think he is. Armed with the bravery, gumption, and wit of a hero, Poppy embarks on a dangerous quest--joined by the irascible but lovable porcupine, Ereth--to defeat Mr. Ocax and lead her family to a better home.

A perennially popular story of courage and determination, Poppy is a fixture on state award lists and in classrooms across the country.

CUTE BABY ANIMALS: can you reunite them with their parents? BOXED GIFT perfect for animal lovers of all ages INCLUDES BOOKLET with fun facts about the animals and their relationship with their babies Pair up the baby animals with their parents in this cute new memory game. 44 cards feature photographs from animal portraitist Gerrard Gethings, plus text about all the creatures in the accompanying booklet. Can you be the first to match all the babies and parents? Play as a memory game with the cards face down for added entertainment. Collect the most pairs to win! This is the perfect gift for animal lovers of all ages.

An engaging and science-based examination of people and companion animals, this book shows how their lives are inextricably intertwined, what the impact has been on culture and on society, the reasons people go to great lengths to care for and protect their beloved animals, and why the grief when they are lost is so profound and unique. Anderson, a longtime animal welfare advocate, also shows how we conversely ignore the suffering of some animals. She explains what can be done about this dissonance and what the future holds. Beginning with the history of the human-animal bond, which dates to the Paleolithic era, Anderson takes us through the evolution of domestication and surveys companion animals around the world. The biological, behavioral, and psychosocial bases of the relationship between humans and their companion animals are examined, as is whether the companion animals are adversely affected as they are embedded into the human world. The expansive and unusual therapeutic benefits of companion animals is included as well, as are ways they are protected, ranging from medical efforts to legal battles over wills and custody. Anderson incorporates news stories, interviews, and the latest research showing the psychology behind this relationship that scientists have dubbed "the human-companion animal bond." Research shows why these mainly nonverbal creatures can become surrogate children, friends, and even therapists of a sort. Current studies focused on animal intelligence, loyalty, and sensitivity are shared here. Those same qualities are shown at work in new and vital roles for companion animals, from animals in therapeutic settings to dogs teamed with soldiers, police officers, andrescuers. Anderson also explains how losing a pet can shake or shatter our mental stability, and how and why that has led to public services, funerals, and cemeteries for pets. The book closes with a discussion of the dissonance between our indulgence of some companion animals, while the suffering and maltreatment of others is ignored.

Tabby cat or toucan? Airedale terrier or Angora rabbit? Python or Parakeet? If you didn't have a pet as a child, you probably wanted one. Pets features a huge range of pets from everyday pets such as cats and dogs to exotic pets such as tropical fish, toucans and terrapins, from cute mice to formidable pythons, from energetic rabbits to docile tortoises to thoroughbred horses. Part of the highly successful Mini Encyclopedia series, Pets includes 300 pets from around the world, offering a wealth of fascinating information on the background, breeding and natural habitat of these animals. With a page and outstanding colour illustration given to each pet, and specification boxes detailing on the origins, appearance, size, diet and lifespan of each animal, Pets is an easy-to-use pocket reference book for anyone interested in domesticated animals.