Ever wondered how ink is made? Or what is the bestselling book of all time? Or which are the oldest known books in the world? Highbrow to lowbrow, all aspects of the book are celebrated and explored in 'The Book Lovers' Miscellany'. From a list of unfinished novels, a short history of the comic, the story behind Mills and Boon and an entry on books printed with mistakes, to a guide to the colours of Penguin paperback jackets and a list of the most influential academic books of all time. Between these pages you will discover the history of paper, binding, printing and dust jackets; which books have faced bans; which are the longest established literary families; and which bestsellers were initially rejected. You can explore the output of the most prolific writers and marvel at the youth of the youngest published authors; learn which natural pigments were used to decorate a medieval bible; and what animal is needed for the making of vellum. The ideal gift for every bibliophile, 'The Book Lovers' Miscellany' is full of fun facts, potted histories and curious lists, perfect for dipping into and sharing.

A sentimental celebration of the power of a mother's love.

Brimming with messages of love, practical tips, inspiring quotes, heartfelt reflections and funny anecdotes, The Little Book of Mum is the ultimate ode to the highs and lows of motherhood. Mum, mom, mama, mumsy - whatever you call yours she'll love this little guide, designed to bring reassurance to mothers looking for a pocket of peace amongst the chaos.

Challenge yourself at home with word and number puzzles 100 quick cryptic puzzles from The Times adapting the cryptic puzzle for those with a hectic lifestyle and schedule. Ideal for those starting out with cryptic crosswords, and those who'd like to tackle the main puzzle but feel daunted, or who can perhaps only solve a handful of clues. Appearing Monday to Friday in the puzzle pages of Times2, this crossword has a reduced 13x13 grid size and reduced difficulty too, the intention being to encourage people to take their first steps in tackling cryptic crosswords. And also to cater for those of us who have limited time to devote to our favourite pastime and need a ready-made set of puzzles that is solvable in a short space of time.

The popular and reliable New King James Version, now with the enhanced readability of Thomas Nelson's custom NKJV font, is the perfect gift. The NKJV Deluxe Gift Bible is a great way to celebrate graduations, baptisms, birthdays, or special achievements. This beautifully crafted Bible comes in a variety of Leathersoft (TM) covers and includes gilded page edges, a ribbon marker, a presentation page, the words of Christ in red, full-color maps, charts, and a dictionary-concordance. Features Include: Improved readability of the Thomas Nelson NKJV Font Words of Christ in red Easy-to-use dictionary-concordance Miracles and parables of Jesus Ribbon marker Gilded page edges Presentation page Full-color maps8.1-point print size

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Relive the delusional fever-dream of the modern era. 'Thank f*ck for Marina Hyde: the most lethal, vital, screamingly funny truth-teller of our time.' PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE 'The most brilliantly funny columnist of our time.' GARY LINEKER 'It's a scientific FACT: Marina Hyde is Britain's funniest writer.' CAITLIN MORAN No other writer is more suited to chronicling the absurd times in which we live. In What Just Happened?! Marina Hyde slashes her way through the hellscape of post-referendum politics, where the chaos never stops. Clamber aboard as we relive every inspirational moment of magic, from David Cameron to Theresa May to Boris Johnson. Marvel at the sights, from Trumpian WTF-ery to celebrity twattery. And boggle at the cast of characters: Hollywood sex offenders, populists, sporting heroes (and villains), dastardly dukes, media barons, movie stars, reality TV monsters, billionaires, police officers, various princes and princesses, wicked advisers, philanthropists, fauxlanthropists, telly chefs, and (naturally) Gwyneth Paltrow. It's the full state banquet of crazy - and you're most cordially invited. Drawn from her spectacularly funny Guardian columns, What Just Happened?! is a welcome blast of humour and sanity in a world where reality has become stranger than fiction. 'A joyous rallying voice in British journalism.' GRAYSON PERRY 'An infinite number of gag-writers, working all day in a gag factory, couldn't come up with any of the perfectly-formed one-liners that populate Marina Hyde's hilarious writing . . . But behind the wit lurks real anger, argument, exasperation and intelligence. Her writing is more than a gentle poke in the ribs: it's a well-wrought and deftly aimed smash in the teeth.' ARMANDO IANNUCCI

Filled with bite-size facts and amazing original illustrations, the Small and Mighty range is the ultimate pocket-sized collectible series for young readers who can't get enough of their favourite topic. The Small and Mighty Book of Planet Earth is a fantastic, fact-packed journey across our planet for young readers. This pocket-sized book is filled with fun and amazing facts about the Earth, with amazing, vibrant illustrations that bring them to life. Readers will discover everything about our world - from wildlife to weather, and volcanoes to oceans.

Five little penguins went out one day Over the hills and far away. Mamma Penguin said "Hurry back to me!" How many penguins can you see? Join the adorable penguins on a lift-the-flap walk through a winter wonderland. There's so much to see as Mamma Penguin and her chicks waddle through a frosty forest, skate down an icy river and toboggan down snowy slopes. Along the way, they meet all kinds of festive animals playing in the snow. But wait - the chicks are disappearing one by one... Whatever are they up to? Lift the flaps to find the chicks and discover a fantastic surprise ending. Based on the nursery rhyme 'Five Little Ducks', the second title in an all-new lift-the-flap series is perfect for sharing at Christmas.

Halloween is a very special time of year and takes on huge significance for a vast number of people in different ways. For many, it's a chance to dress up, wander the streets for a trick or treat session, gorge on candy and have a party, whereas for others it is a time of remembrance, of visits to ancestors' graves, or prayers at this holy time. But what are the real origins and meanings of this festival that's commonly associated with darkness, witches, ghosts and ghouls? The oldest known Halloween celebration was the Celtic Samhain, a time when the souls and spirits of the dead would find it easiest to return to visit the living. Food was offered to keep the spirits happy and eventually the festival was formalised by the church as a time of remembrance in advance of All Saints Day. This fun little guide looks at the history of all things Halloween, from the earliest feasts and customs to the latest fun and games that are common around the world. We delve into the meanings of many of the symbols of Halloween, like pumpkins, black cats, apples, witches and ghosts, and examine the many different ways people celebrate around the world. There is plenty of fun stuff too: freaky facts, scary poems, classic candy, spooky songs, stunning stats, horror film suggestions and all manner of puns, jokes and sayings all relating to the creepiest day of the year. SAMPLE QUOTE: 'Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, "Never take candy from strangers." And then they dressed me up and said, "Go beg for it."' - Rita Rudner

This little book of uplifting and pithy quotes is the ultimate antidote to all the days that couldn't end quickly enough When the shit hits the fan, you don't just need a massive mop. You need some words of wisdom that will keep you going no matter what is thrown your way. You scratched the side of your car: pick up this book. You sent private snaps to your family WhatsApp by mistake: let your tears streak these pages. You delivered a presentation at work with your flies undone and toothpaste on your chin: stiffen that upper lip with every quote you read. By the end of this remarkably astute collection of quotes, you'll have: - Enough resilience to make light of the worst scenario - Enough willpower to overcome all obstacles And enough quotes under your belt to last you a lifetime! Why waste time wondering if the glass is half full or half empty when you can just get on and drink it!

Was Keith Harris's Orville really named after the first-ever flyer? What exactly is a 'Spitfire'? Why did Richard Branson try to cross the Atlantic in a balloon when he owned an airline? These are the questions that fail to keep proper aeronautical historians awake - but no matter, From Wax Wings to Flying Drones is here to answer them. Chock-full of important stuff like planes, pilots and pioneers such as the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart and that man off the telly who used to fly on Concorde, this is a book for everyone who's ever watched a plane in the sky and thought, 'I wonder what its registration is?'

Discover the perfect work companion from viral tik tok and Netflix star Sarah Cooper The book that's missing from offices and Zoom calls around the world: the idiot's guide to conquering the corporate meeting. In it you will learn the essential subtle tricks that pay big dividends by making you look really clever in meetings: * constant nodding * pretend concentration * useless rhetorical questions * how to nail the big presentation by pacing and getting someone else to control your slides Complete with illustrated tips, examples, and scenarios, Sarah Cooper's 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings gives you actionable ways to use words like 'actionable', in order to sound smart.

Are you unlucky in love and searching for The One? Look no further! This fun collection of dating tips and romantic guidance will unlock the secrets of love - and make you laugh along the way. Find out how to use a pie chart to banish the ghosts of romances past. Learn how to win at online dating armed with guaranteed conversation starters and a cheat's guide to astrology. And discover top tips for an unforgettable date - from how to whip up an aphrodisiac beetroot dip, to why you should take your new love to the supermarket.

"The Complete Life's Little Instruction Book" contains the 1,560 entries found in all three volumes of the "New York Times" Bestselling "Life's Little Instruction Book "series. Bound in a deluxe, maroon, leather edition, this collectible hardcover makes a perfectly elegant gift for any occasion.

Though originally written as a gift from a father to a son, its simple message has been enjoyed by men and women of all ages.

"Most of us already know how to live a successful and purposeful life," says the author. "We know we should be understanding and thoughtful, responsible, courageous, and appreciative. It's just that we sometimes need reminding." "Life's Little Instruction Book" is that reminder.

Five classic fairy tales come to life in these new retellings, featuring beautiful original illustrations, die-cut chapter openers and press-out characters. The popular and timeless stories include The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Pea, and Thumbelina with easy to follow and captivating narratives. The book introduces each fairy tale world with intricately crafted die-cut pages, which draw attention to the beautifully imagined setting while offering an interactive element to engage the reluctant reader. What's more, every tale contains press-out characters to collect as you read along - these can then be displayed in a beautiful diorama at the back of the book, making the book a unique and enchanting gift for fairy tale fans of any age.

The Godfather is a classic. Not just of Hollywood or America, but in worldwide cinema. Its legacy not only lives on in the 21st century, but it has also transcended its origins, today meaning more to so many than just a movie: it's a religion. Its cast of future Hollywood heartthrobs and acting icons – Brando! Pacino! De Niro! Caan! Duvall! Keaton! – was perfect. Its script, a masterpiece. Its score too. It became 1972's highest grossing movie and would remain the world's top grossing film for decades. And it received unprecedented critical acclaim. The Little Book of The Godfather is a celebration of this classic slice of cinema on its 50th birthday. It has everything a Godfather fanatic could want, and certainly could not refuse: from to killer stats to stunning facts, production notes to classic quotes, stories and tales from the set and the ongoing impact of the film's now legendary status. It's all here. Come and get it. 'Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.' Peter Clemenza 'You found paradise in America. You had a good trade, you made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. So you didn't need a friend like me. Now you come and say "Don Corleone, give me justice." But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me "Godfather". You come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married and you ask me to do murder – for money.' Don Corleone

Challenge yourself with word puzzles Calling all word search wizards! Here are 300 entertaining new puzzles that will have you hunting for hours. Inside you’ll find a wonderful world of thematic word searches to explore, with some real brain teasers along the way. Wherever you are these are the puzzles for you! So sit back, relax, and prepare for a non-stop word search extravaganza. Solutions appear in the back.

"Who would have thought you could create a cat bed from a washing-up bowl, design a doll's house from an old shoe box or make a flower pot from a margarine tub - all on live television!" Valerie Singleton, Blue Peter presenter 1962-1972 "My ultimate favourite has to be Tracy Island. I loved all the little details, such as the bendable pipe cleaner, palm trees and that it was compatible with the shop bought Thunderbirds toys." Konnie Huq, Blue Peter presenter, 1997-2008 Blue Peter is the longest-running children's programme in the world. At its peak, before the days of streaming and social media, it notched up 8 million viewers an episode and received a thousand letters a day. Recently voted the UK's best children's TV programme of all time, it was - and remains - famous for its makes, all of which used inexpensive household items such as cereal boxes and squeezy bottles, as well as the essential sticky-backed plastic and rubber solution glue. This affectionate celebration of the favourite makes from the show, has facsimiles from the Blue Peter annuals and includes the iconic Advent Crown, made with wire coat hangers, tinsel and candles. A Christmas Door Decoration, made from a polystyrene ceiling tile, some more tinsel and a cake doily. A Luxury Cat Basket, made from a washingup bowl. Plant Pots using old margarine tubs. A Doll's House made from a shoebox (with furniture made from matchboxes). Plus, of course, the instructions for the Blue Peter version of Thunderbirds Tracy Island.

Discover the wonders of the paranormal with this collection of spellbinding puzzles and brain-training activities, here to focus your mind and inspire creativity Immerse yourself in all things mystical with this assortment of pleasing puzzles and calming conundrums, guaranteed to bewitch and enchant you. From white witchcraft and secret symbols to rituals and runes, the enigmas in these pages will take you on an expedition through the mystical world. Featuring a huge range of puzzles, games and activities for you to enjoy, this treasury of brain-training teasers will help you engage your mind and find peace in your day. Inside you will find: A varied selection of puzzles, including crosswords, word searches, word ladders, anagrams, sudokus, spot-the-differences, acrostics and more Mindful activities to help you relax, such as colouring pages and mazes A selection of enchanting affirmations to awaken your imagination and inspire creativity Stimulate your mind and unlock the secrets of the magic world as you embark on this spellbinding journey.

One in four children will suffer from anxiety at some point in their young lives. As a parent it can often be difficult to know how best to support your child when they become fearful and worried, and whether their worries are something they can deal with themselves or a symptom of something more serious. This guide offers ways to help you to help your child articulate how they are feeling and offers effective coping strategies and simple lifestyle tweaks to manage anxiety by building their resilience and self-confidence for life. Identify the source of your child's anxiety Instil good sleeping and eating habits Help your child create a list of calming actions for when they feel anxious Simple relaxation exercises Know when to seek support

This luxurious blank sketchbook is designed for artists and enthusiasts who appreciate both aesthetics and quality.

Crafted for artists and admirers of fine art, this refined blank sketchbook showcases on its cover a delicate detail from Vincent van Gogh’s “Almond Blossom,” capturing the serene beauty of the blooming branches against a tranquil blue sky. Inside, the pages are high-quality, unruled paper, providing a pristine canvas for sketches, drawings, or notes.

The edges of the pages are sprayed, adding an extra touch of elegance to this already exquisite package. This sketchbook seamlessly blends artistic inspiration with practicality, making it an elegant and useful tool for creative minds, especially those who appreciate Van Gogh’s work and want to be inspired by his artistry every time they open to a new page. Its luxurious design makes it a perfect gift for art lovers, adding a touch of sophistication to their collection of art supplies

Festive fun for all the family! Do you know… • Which band has had the most Christmas number ones? • How many cover versions of ‘All I Want for Christmas’ have been recorded? • Which Christmas song is the most popular single ever released? Can you… • Identify a classic Christmas song from a line sung backwards? • Fill in the blanks of iconic Christmas film lines? • Guess the Christmas film from the critic’s review? Get ready to beat your friends and family in a game of festive charades, discover the joys of Christmas-song Mad Libs, test your competitive side with a game of Who’s in Santa’s Bag?, have a good old-fashioned Rockin’ Robin team quiz, indulge in some merry drinking games; or escape with a Jollyword Puzzle. You’ll soon have Christmas all wrapped up! You’ll find hours of festive fun inside to make sure everyone has a very Holly Jolly Christmas!

The Nutcracker ballet, danced by guinea pigs

As the curtain rises, Clara is opening her presents under the Christmas tree. She falls in love with a present from her godfather Drosselmeyer: a wooden Nutcracker. When Clara falls asleep that night, she is swept up in a battle between the Nutcracker (who has become a handsome prince) and the terrible Mouse King. This leads to a magical trip into the realms of fantasy, a sweet-filled wonderland where the beautiful Sugarplum Fairy dances...

This is the world famous ballet, as you've never seen it before.

'I love these books ... the best books ever. Brilliant' Chris Evans QI is the smartest comedy show on British television, but few people know that we're also a major legal hit in Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Africa and an illegal one on BitTorrent. We also write books and newspaper columns; run some (frankly thriving, if we do say so ourselves) social media pages; and some of us appear on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Showon BBC Radio 2 every week to answer your questions. At the core of what we do is the astonishing fact - painstakingly researched and distilled to a brilliant and shocking clarity. In Einstein's words: 'Everything should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.' Did you know that: Cows moo in regional accents. The entire internet weighs less than a grain of sand. Tintin is called Tantan in Japanese because TinTin is pronounced 'Chin chin' and means penis. The water in the mouth of a blue whale weighs more than its body. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, it is explicitly illegal in Britain to use a machinegun to kill a hedgehog. 1,227 QI Facts To Blow Your Socks Off will make you look at the universe (and your socks) in an alarming new way.