The glorious publication of Clement C Moore's timeless verse sees it brought to new life by the beautiful illustrations of Christian Birmingham. Every Christmas Eve brings with it hushed anticipation and wonder. Here is the story of this magical night, when children around the world await the arrival of the gifts that symbolise all the warmth and love of Christmas.

Packed full of every type of poem you can think of, this quirky, wonderful collection of poems from Roger Stevens and Steven Withrow, with fantastic funny illustrations from Katie Abey, is a great way to get kids excited about poetry! "It wasn't me-or was it He, My evil, evil, evil twin? I didn't mean to be so mean. There goes my evil twin again." Join poets Roger Stevens and Steven Withrow for this magical mixture of poems. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious there's something here for everyone. Just remember though - whatever happens... it's not my fault! Book band: Dark Blue Ideal for ages 9-10

With supportive guidelines for Key Stages 2 and 3 this book offers active approaches for teaching pre-twentieth century literature with confidence. Key texts including "The Odyssey," "Hamlet" and "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" are explained in a very practical and accessible way. This text allows for creativity amongst pupils at the same time as improving their reading and writing abilities within the literacy strategy objectives and KS3 English framework guidelines.
The author looks to develop an active pedagogy that encompasses the literacy strategy, the KS3 English framework and the creative arts. Using case studies from primary and secondary school projects a series of lessons are proposed for each year group from Year 4 though to Year 8. The lessons cover poetry, drama, story and the novel.

This edition brings together Jonson's four great comedies in one volume. Volpone, which was first performed in 1606, dramatizes the corrupting nature of greed in an exuberant satire set in contemporary Venice. The first production of Epicene marked the end of a year-long closure of the theatres because of an epidemic of Plague in 1609; its comedy affirms the consolatory power of laughter at such a time. The Alchemist (1610) deploys the metaphors of alchemical transformation to emphasize the mutability of the characters and ther relationships. In Bartholomew Fair (1614) Jonson ebroils the visitors to the fair in its myriad temptations, exposing the materialistic impulses beneath the apparent godliness of jacobean Puritans. Under the General Editorship of Michael Cordner of the University of York, the texts of the plays have been newly edited and are presented with modernized spelling and punctuation. Stage directions have been added to facilitate the reconstruction of the plays' performance, and there is a scholarly introduction, detailed annotation, and a glossary.

Historical fiction has a great deal to offer as its readers and devotees have always known. The time is ripe however for the historical novel and historical picture book to be promoted more emphatically so that many more are made aware of the delight and learning to be found in the genre. The editors of this book invited authors, academic writers and teachers to reflect on the nature, scope, range and richness of historical fiction for children. What is collected here provides an overview of the field, a consideration of significant writers of historical fiction from the nineteenth century onwards, a sense of the various historical eras commonly explored (Stone Age to World War 2), a discussion of commonly raised issues, themes and topics such as child labor, slavery and migration, and a forum for writers to reveal their insights into the writing of historical fiction. Julian Atterton, Berlie Doherty, Michael Foreman and Philip Pullman have made contributions. It provides evidence of children and students engaging creatively with historical fiction.

One of Shakespeare's later plays, best described as a tragic-comedy, the play falls into two distinct parts. In the first Leontes is thrown into a jealous rage by his suspicions of his wife Hermione and his best-friend, and imprisons her and orders that her new born daughter be left to perish. The second half is a pastoral comedy with the "lost" daughter Perdita having been rescued by shepherds and now in love with a young prince. The play ends with former lovers and friends reunited after the apparently miraculous resurrection of Hermione. John Pitcher's lively introduction and commentary explores the extraordinary merging of theatrical forms in the play and its success in performance. As the recent Sam Mendes production at the Old Vic shows, this is a play that can work a kind of magic in the theatre. For more than a century educators, students and general readers have relied on The Arden Shakespeare to provide the very best scholarship and most authoritative texts available.
The Third Series editions' added emphasis on all aspects of Shakespeare performance extended the Arden editions readership to also become the preferred text for theatre professionals.

The apples gather for a ceremonious party, Rosie is ready to be picked from the tree and united with her loving parents, Mr and Mrs Russet. But amongst the guests are Bad Apples who send the party into disarray, then the dastardly Pieman arrives looking for fresh apples and the hunt is on.

Bored with playing school kiddish tricks on one another, the grotesque, satisfyingly revolting couple Mr and Mrs Twit turn their attentions to capturing and training a family of monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps, for a circus act. The monkey's cruel incarceration in a cage is avenged when the birds trick the Twits into believing the world has turned upside-down. The Twits join in, aided by the birds who drop glue on their hair, and the audience is encouraged to play their part in freeing the monkeys.

This edition of one of Shakespeareas best known and most frequently performed plays argues for Julius Caesar as a new kind of political play, a radical departure from contemporary practice, combining fast action and immediacy with compelling rhetorical language, and finding a clear context for its study of tyranny in the last decade of the reign of Elizabeth 1. The richly experimental verse and the complex structure of the play are analysed in depth, and a strong case is made for this to be the first play to be performed at Shakespeareas Globe Theatre. 'Daniell's edition is a hefty piece of serious scholarship that makes a genuine contribution.' Eric Rasmussen, University of Nevada at Reno, Shakespeare Survey 'This is a stimulating new look at a play which is too often exhibited in a critical museum.' Paul Dean, English Studies

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Sourcebooks on Education

Norman Robbins pantomime tells the traditional story in which his own wacky style combines with the traditional elements to provide a script that is hilarious and imaginative, with plenty of opportunities for cast and technical crews to show their mettle. The production can be as elaborate or as simple as facilities permit and directors are free to make their own choice of songs and music.Large flexible cast

A witty, astutely observed study of sexual politics in contemporary society which centres on an all-female reading group. Oriole wants to study contemporary authors, while Anne prefers well-known classics. Pondering the relative merits, the women reveal themselves, their personalities echoing the literary heroines. But not everyone is there for literature. Nefarious designs are uncovered and tensions rise to a dramatic climax.5 women, 2 men

Take a carriage ride back to 1800s America and learn how Louisa May Alcott's home and family life influenced her writing. This nonfiction text breathes life into the pages of history, and gives students a sense of what life was like in Louisa May Alcott's time. Developed by Timothy Rasinski and featuring TIME content, this biography includes essential text features like an index, captions, glossary, and table of contents. The intriguing sidebars, fascinating images, and detailed Reader's Guide prompt students to connect back to the text and encourage multiple readings. The Think Link and Dig Deeper sections develop students' higher-order thinking skills. The Check It Out! section includes suggested books, videos, and websites for further reading. Aligned with state standards, this title features complex and rigorous content appropriate for students preparing for college and career readiness.

Some children decide to put on a play. It must be about football, says one. It must be set in Space, says another. There must be adventure. So begins the production of Indiana Smith and the Cup Final of Doom, or The Return of the Tedi, in which Teddy and Jemima battle against Timmy and Popkins who are intent on destroying the Inter-Galaxy Cup Final at Wembley.Large flexible cast

There have been many great and enduring works of literature by Caribbean authors over the last century. The Caribbean Contemporary Classics collection celebrates these deep and vibrant stories, overflowing with life and acute observations about society. Set in Belize City in the early 1950s, Beka Lamb is the record of a few months in the life of Beka and her family. Beka and her friend Toycie Qualo are on the threshold of change from childhood to adulthood. Their personal struggles and tragedies play out against a backdrop of political upheaval and regeneration as the British colony of Belize gears up for universal suffrage, and progression towards independence. The politics of the colony, the influence of the mixing of races in society, and the dominating presence of the Catholic Church are woven into the fabric of the story to provide a compelling portrait, 'a loving evocation of Belizean life and landscape'. Beka's vibrant character guides us through a tumultuous period in her own life and that of her country.

An adaption of Robert Swindell's novel intended for Key Stage 3. The nightmare Fliss had before the school trip is becoming a chilling reality. The hotel where they are staying holds a sinister secret, but none of the teachers will believe what Fliss has seen. Can Fliss save Ellie-May?

Jesse, Meggie and Teddy embark on an eventful journey into the mysterious world of silver tongued Harry, the Sandman, to retrieve the magical sand. Along the way they meet some extraordinary creatures (Snoodle Werps, the Trash Trump and Litter Bugs, to name a few) before their final showdown with Jewels, the Witch, and the awesome Gump Grump. This is a colourful, fun packed adventure musical for a large cast of young people with a wonderful jazz and blues score.3 women, 2 men, 6 girls or boys

The aristocratic Boronski family live in Siberia in the years before the Russian Revolution, and a lazy, snobbish, spoilt bunch they are, except the grandmother Babushka who remembers their humble origins. Just as Spring is about to begin, their lives are disrupted by the evil Fox, who condemns Siberia to eternal cold and despatches the Wolf, her slave, to kill Babushka. One by one the Boronskis fall foul of the voracious Wolf, and only the brave woodcutter Ivan can help them...Large flexible cast

The House with the Green Shutters is a dark, provocative novel, shining a harsh and unforgiving light into the inner recesses of small-town Scotland at the turn of the last century. Written as a response to social change, and as an antidote to the sentimentality of the 'Kailyard' school, the author called it "a brutal and bloody work" - although a thread of sly humour runs through the book as well. Iain Crichton Smith's Scotnote explores this post-romantic masterpiece through a precise analysis of themes, characters, structure and language, and is ideal for senior school pupils and students.

The absence of one of American writings' oldest traditions in the canon has produced a body of literature not only alienating to a large part of the population, but one which has impoverished itself of a broader representation of humanity. This book is written by teachers interested in bringing that traditional African American literature into the classroom. Documented here is the learning process that these educators experienced themselves as they read and discussed the stories and pedagogical strategies which would engage their students. In following these discussions between teachers and academics, one should be able to see how the teaching and learning of African American literature can be an exciting and challenging way of confronting and questioning pervasive cultural assumptions about race and gender. In this way, all students can bring their personal experiences and insights into the classroom. Given today's social landscape, conventional frameworks for teaching literature must be seriously revised to accommodate and address a growing multicultural population.

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Transforming Teaching

A fresh look at a play usually regarded as the first component of a three-part historical epic, this edition argues that Henry VI Part 1 is a 'prequel', a freestanding piece that returns for ironic and dramatic effect to a story already familiar to its audience. The play's ingenious use of stage space is closely analysed, as is its manipulation of a series of setpiece combats to give a coherent syntax of action. Discussion of the dramatic structure created by the opposing figures of Talbot and Jeanne la Pucelle, and exploration of the critical controversies surrounding the figure of Jeanne, lead to a reflection on the nature of the history play as genre in the 1590s.

The tale of high adventure in the farmyard that became the hit movie Babe is a captivating play for children young and old. A leading writer of children's plays brings the heartwarming story of the piglet who rises to fame at the Grand Challenge Sheep Dog Trials to the stage in a dramatization that allows for flexible casting.Large flexible cast

Paul Reakes' pantomimes include many original twists to the familiar stories, with plenty of audience participation. They can be staged as simply or as elaborately as desired.4 women, 6 men