Today's globalized society faces some of humanity's most unprecedented social and environmental challenges. Presenting inspiring and effective approaches to a range of these challenges, the timely volume before you draws upon individual cases of exemplary leadership from the world's Dharma traditions-Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The volume's authors refer to such exemplary leaders as "beacons of Dharma," highlighting the ways in which each figure, through their inspirational life work, provide us with illuminating perspectives as we continue to confront cases of grave injustice and needless suffering in the world. Taking on difficult contemporary issues such as climate change, racial and gender inequality, industrial agriculture and animal rights, fair access to healthcare and education, and other such pressing concerns, Beacons of Dharma offers a promising and much needed contribution to our global conversations. Seeking to help alleviate and remedy such social and environmental issues, each of the chapters in the volume invites contemplation, inspires action, and offers a freshly invigorating source of hope.

It never stops for the Magnificent Dancing Circle Snails. The adventures just keep on finding them, even when they don't want to be found! In the seventh collection of fun snail capers, they receive visitors come from a colourful, sunny island, and from high up in the Alps. What will these two very different places teach our dance crew about the world? Then there's the strange sneezing snail, who turns up looking for help one day, as well as some game-loving snails with an important message. Most shocking of all is when the snails' garden is stormed by superfans! Not even a pandemic could discourage them. Is this another job for the Thunder Snails? And you'll never believe how, once upon a time, some particularly slow snails threatened the entire animal kingdom.

New dances, new food, a new hero, new adventures, all in this new collection of stories about your favourite group of musical molluscs! The Dancing Circle Snails are once again destined for excitement and fun as they're visited by a parade of colourful characters from far and wide. There are plenty of new faces, as well as the return of some old friends too, if the snails can make room for one particularly oversized chum ... and her whole family! And, of course, the brave and bold Thunder Snails drop in for some of their famous heroics. The Circle Snails' fame draws visitors from all over, in fact so many that it starts to attract the WRONG kind of attention, more than once. What if the Circle Snails are too magnificent for their own good?

It's been a thrilling ride so far for the Magnificent Dancing Circle Snails! Once just an ordinary bunch of snails, they now shot to worldwide fame thanks to some help from their human friends. With their stellar celebrity status came lots of terrific adventures and new friends. Surely it must be time for a well-earned rest now? But as a new year begins, there's a whole lot more in store for this shell-wearing dance troupe. The Circle Snails are about to find themselves slap-bang in the middle of the many wonderful festivals and celebrations happening throughout the year. From haggis to dancing dragons, and from maypoles to rockets, they'll experience it all. Join them for a tremendous year-long party through the seasons of Britain. As Joey would say, it's going to be `cool!'

Magnificent laughs and adventures in three parts. We know Trixie, Ella and Lizzy Parsley as the amazing guardians of a troupe of dancing snails. But if you thought snail-wrangling was strange, wait until you step into their dreams with them, where roads lead to nowhere and all is not what it seems. The girls will need to work together as a team to stay safe and return home. Then there's many a funny story from the Parsleys' lives: A dog walk that takes an unexpected - and smelly - turn. Or there's that time that Nala the Alsatian caused havoc across the land with her dodgy digestive system. Not to mention the case of the runaway reptile ... And the zany cases of the chicken counsellor, barking dog trainer and a chicken missing its 'do' bring a touch of Monty Python into the mix to tickle readers of all ages.

Meet the Magnificent Dancing Circle Snails who live in the Parsley family garden. Follow the snails' adventures as they meet other groups and sample new cultures through dance, food (picnics) and celebration and when needing help are rescued by the Thunder Snails. Become a Snail Guardian!

Life is never dull in the Parsley family's garden, particularly when it's home to the Magnificent Dancing Circle Snails. Every day brings new friends to meet, new things to learn and, of course, new dances to practise! As their fame spreads, snail visitors come from far and wide, and even Santa Snail drops in to say hello. But things aren't always easy, and perhaps there are problems that not even the Thunder Snails can solve.

They were just an ordinary bunch of snails, minding their own business in the Parsley family's garden. That was, until a young girl befriended them and taught them a few things. Now they're the Magnificent Dancing Circle Snails! As the Circle Snails' reputation spreads far and wide, adventure comes their way time and time again in the form of snail visitors from all over. There is many a new friend to be made, many a new food to be sampled . . . and many a new way to celebrate! But even famous and talented snails aren't free from danger and peril, and before long the group will have to call on a rather daring bunch of heroes, as well as discovering their own courage within. Have they got what it takes to be world-famous superstars?

Jacob and Tyler have been best friends since first grade at William Dawes Elementary in Litchfield, Massachusetts. They've gone to each other's birthday parties and played at recess. But the summer after fourth grade, Tyler changes and will now be known as Brianna. He'd always been a girl inside, just not on the outside. Jacob understands fifth grade will be interesting for both of them. It's not going to be easy. He worries about the class tough guy and a teacher who makes everybody miserable. He thinks about the girl he secretly loves and if he'll have the courage to talk to her. Jacob wonders how he'll protect his best friend when Brianna's secret is revealed. Can Jacob use the power of his words to unite the gang and get the grown-ups on their side? A fiction book for kids, Song of the Spring Peepers follows ordinary students as they deal with questions of identity, bullying, prejudice, love, and loyalty. It will be a year the students at William Dawes will remember.

A collection of comedy one-act plays by Irish-based playwright Michelle Read. Suitable for amateur production. Also contains information on applying for performance rights.