The Wind in the Willows needs no introduction - children have enjoyed the exploits of its characters for generations. Few would guess that its author, Kenneth Grahame, was a tortured soul. Marriage to the predatory Elspeth Thomson, when both seemed destined for the single life, was a shared fantasy of invented truth. Out of that union came a catastrophically spoiled son, 'mouse', for whom that greatest of children's stories was written. It was the child's tragedy that he was sucked into the unreality of his parents' lives and did not survive it, ending his life in suicide.

Alison Prince brings her own highly acclaimed expertise as a children's writer to this remarkably perceptive biography of Kenneth Grahame. Drawing on hitherto unpublished material she uncovers layer upon layer of Grahame's personality to reveal the truth behind the myth of this intriguing man, 'the tortured soul of Mr Toad'.

'Alison Prince describes the grim story of Grahame's marriage and fatherhood squarely and sensitively.' "Independent"

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""'A meaty, well-constructed biography.' Allan Massie "Daily Telegraph"

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Edward IV has died, leaving his 12-year-old son as king. But England has been torn apart by the Wars of the Roses. Nobody wants a boy-king. Soon the boy's uncle Richard III is on the throne - but Henry Tudor is challenging him for the crown. Henry and Richard have one thing in common: they need the young Edward V and his little brother out of the way. The two boys are sent to the Tower of London for safety. They are never seen again... A fascinating look at the brief reign of Richard III, told through the eyes of the princes' nursemaid. What really happened to the princes in the Tower? Was Richard responsible - or has he been wrongly accused for centuries?

Tim is terrible at French, so when his football coach Max offers to help with his homework he's thrilled. He knows it's wrong, but his marks are so much better he pushes that out of his mind. When Max starts charging for his help, Tim gets entangled in a web of lies and doesn't know if he will ever escape. Thought-provoking drama. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.