An entire world of hilariously horrible and delightfully dreadful children in one incredible box set! From the phenomenal number-one bestseller David Walliams, these cautionary tales are illustrated in glorious and gruesome colour by artistic genius, Tony Ross.

THE WORLD’S WORST CHILDREN
Are you ready to meet the World’s Worst Children? Five beastly boys and five gruesome girls! Like Sofia Sofa – a TV super-fan so stuck to the sofa that she’s turning into one! Or Dribbling Drew – a boy whose drool gets him into trouble on a school trip! And not forgetting Blubbering Bertha – a girl who bawls and tells terrible tales!

THE WORLD’S WORST CHILDREN 2
Ready for more? The beastly boys and gruesome girls in this book are even ruder, even more disgusting and WORSE than you could ever imagine! The gruesome characters will make you snort with laughter and thank your lucky stars that you don’t know anyone like Gruesome Griselda or Fussy Frankie in real life. It also features a special appearance from fan-favourite Raj!

THE WORLD’S WORST CHILDREN 3
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to your bookshelf, 10 more horrendously hilarious stories about the absolute worst children ever! From ten-year old Hank and his endless pranks on his poor, long-suffering family, to Tandy and her titanic tantrums – this compendium of catastrophically horrid boys and girls is the perfect companion to books 1 and 2.

NO GOD
NO CREATURE
NO WAR
CAN COME BETWEEN THEM

The epic new enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak from number one SUNDAY TIMES bestseller Rebecca Ross

Eighteen-year-old Iris dreams that one day her writing will make a difference. A war between gods is raging, and she’s landed a prestigious job at the Oath Gazette.

But at home, she’s barely holding it together. Her brother is missing on the frontline. Her mother is lost in a haze of addiction. And each night Iris pours her heart out in letters to her brother.

Letters that will never be answered. Or so she thinks…

They’ve made their way into the hands of the last person Iris trusts: Roman Kitt. Her cold, unforgiving rival at the paper.

Drawn together by fate and magic, they form an unlikely connection. They say love conquers all… but can it triumph in a war between gods?

The first ever official David Walliams annual, packed with fun activities and featuring characters from his laugh-out-loud stories.

With spectacular stories, fantastically fun activities and devilishly difficult puzzles, this official David Walliams annual is stuffed with laughs and the perfect Christmas gift for children everywhere!

Learn to draw Gangsta Granny, create your own character profiles, practise your creative writing and colouring skills and test your knowledge with the MEGA QUIZ.

TORN APART BY WAR. REUNITED BY LOVE?

The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.

Two weeks have passed since Iris returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over.

Roman is missing, lost behind enemy lines, with no memory of his past, or Iris. Hoping his memories return, he begins to write again – but this time for the enemy.

When a strange letter arrives through his wardrobe door, he strikes up a correspondence with a penpal who seems at once mysterious… and strangely familiar.

As their connection deepens, the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

A delightfully dreadful collection of the most gruesome grown-ups – from the phenomenally bestselling David Walliams and artistic genius Tony Ross

Think your teachers are bad? Wait until you meet this lot. These ten tales of the world’s most splendidly sinister teachers will have you running for the school gates.

Dr Dread teaches science and is half man, half monster! And watch out for the always furious Miss Seethe – she’s on a detention rampage!

Evolution is a series of bets, and no animal gambles the way humans do. This has led us to unprecedented ecological dominance, via the steepest odds and unlikeliest of outcomes, but our winning streak cuts both ways: the secret to our success may yet be our downfall.

The Gambling Animal offers a revelatory retelling of the human story. Drawing on their unique research into the risk psychology of humans and other animals - including our most impressive rivals, elephants - Don Ross and Glenn Harrison reveal the hidden logic of our rise.

Even before the dawn of civilisation, we bet the Earth on our ability to keep doubling down. But with an ecological crisis on the horizon, how long will our winning streak continue?

Ten cautionary tales and a delightfully dreadful cast of characters from number one bestselling author David Walliams! Are you ready to meet the world's worst children? Five beastly boys and five gruesome girls! Like Sofia Sofa, a TV superfan so stuck to the sofa that she's turning into one! And Blubbering Bertha, a bawling big sister with a horrid habit of telling tales! From number one bestselling author David Walliams comes this collection of deliciously mischievous tales, illustrated throughout by artistic genius Tony Ross.

‘Walliams balances high comedy with an emotional message’ Daily Mail ‘Walliams does comedy with profound, genuine heart’ Guardian From No. 1 bestselling author David Walliams – an extraordinarily brilliant and rollicking mystery adventure illustrated by artistic genius, Tony Ross, and the sequel to the much-loved Gangsta Granny. Ben is getting used to life without his beloved granny. She was a cabbage enthusiast, a Scrabble partner… and an international jewel thief known as The Black Cat. Now, only the memory of their extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on. Then something inexplicable happens. World-famous treasures are stolen in the dead of night and the clues point to none other than The Black Cat? But that’s impossible…? Expect the unexpected in this wonderfully entertaining and laugh-out-loud adventure, which will have readers on the edge of their seats as they join Ben on his quest to unravel the mystery of the return of The Black Cat. This first ever sequel from David Walliams will delight new fans, as well as the millions of readers that have loved Gangsta Granny.

The eighth novel from NUMBER ONE bestselling author, David Walliams - now available in paperback! Jack's Grandpa... *wears his slippers to the supermarket *serves up Spam a la Custard for dinner *and often doesn't remember Jack's name But he can still take to the skies in a speeding Spitfire and save the day... An exquisite portrait of the bond between a small boy and his beloved Grandpa - this book takes readers on an incredible journey with Spitfires over London and Great Escapes through the city in a high octane adventure full of comedy and heart. Illustrated by the award-winning Tony Ross.

Jy kry allerhande soorte pa’s. Daar is vettes en maeres, langes en kortes. Daar is lawwe pa’s en ernstige pa’s, pa’s wat bulder en pa’s wat sag praat.

Daar is natuurlik goeie pa’s.

En daar is slegte pa’s …

Frank se pa was ’n kampioen-stampkarrenjaer, die koning van die renbaan. Gilbert die Grote! Maar ná ’n aaklige ongeluk noem mense hierdie topjaer ’n flopjaer. Nou is Frank en Gilbert platsak – en in ’n wrede boewebaas en sy trawante se kloue. En wanneer Gilbert in die tronk gegooi word, kan net Frank hom red … David Walliams se tiende roman is ’n doller-as-kopaf-rit saam met ’n pa en seun op ’n opwindende avontuur om die bose meneer Groot op sy plek te sit!

Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, and Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar Workbook, both in their third edition, provide an innovative reference guide to Mandarin Chinese, alongside exercises and language tasks to facilitate practice and reinforce language use. The Grammar is divided into two parts. Part A covers traditional grammar points such as phrase order, and the structure of noun phrases, and verb phrases. Part B is carefully organized around language functions and situations such as: • Asking questions • Communication strategies • Making comparisons • Giving orders and making requests • Expressing apologies, regrets, and sympathy Meanwhile, the Workbook's main features include: Exercises at various levels of challenge for a broad range of learners Cross-referencing to the related Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar A comprehensive index to exercises alphabetically arranged in terms of structures, functions, and key Chinese structure vocabulary. An extensive answer key at the back to enable students to check on their progress, The third edition includes new sections on character structure, social media, speaker perspective, updated illustrative sentences, exapanded exercises including new task-based exercises, and an expanded index. Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar is ideal for all learners of Mandarin Chinese, from beginner to intermediate and advanced students.

'Walliams balances high comedy with an emotional message' Daily Mail 'Walliams does comedy with profound, genuine heart' Guardian The new children's book from No. 1 bestselling author David Walliams - an extraordinarily brilliant and rollicking mystery adventure illustrated by artistic genius, Tony Ross, and the sequel to the much-loved and bestselling Gangsta Granny. Ben is getting used to life without his beloved granny. She was a cabbage enthusiast, a Scrabble partner... and an international jewel thief known as The Black Cat. Now, only the memory of their extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on. Then something inexplicable happens. World-famous treasures are stolen in the dead of night and the clues point to none other than The Black Cat? But that's impossible...? Expect the unexpected in this wonderfully entertaining and laugh-out-loud adventure, which will have readers on the edge of their seats as they join Ben on his quest to unravel the mystery of the return of The Black Cat. This first ever sequel from David Walliams will delight new fans, as well as the millions of readers that have loved Gangsta Granny.

Noirish thriller about a man who enters into a dangerous extra-marital affair, with deadly consequences. When Dave Ford (Matt Long) returns to his home town to attend his father's funeral, he is reunited with old friends Emily (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and Brian Nicholson (Luke Mably), who are now married and very wealthy. When Emily and Brian offer to help Dave restore his father's house, the old friends instantly pick up where they left off years ago. But when Emily and Brian's relationship suddenly turns violent, Emily runs to Dave for protection from her abusive husband. Despite warnings that Emily may not be who she appears to be, Dave is unable to resist his feelings towards her and the two begin an affair. But as the truth about Emily is revealed, Dave finds himself caught up in a deadly game with no easy way out.

The mysterious Nowhere Emporium has appeared once more. With its shining bricks the colour of midnight, and rich scents of melting chocolate and exotic spices, it's easy to see why inquisitive Mirren isn't the only one bewitched by the magical store. Behind the Emporium's red velvet curtain lies a palace of unimaginable treasures - glittering jewels and gleaming gold, sparkling diamonds and shining armour. But hidden among these wonders, something sinister is lurking. The Emporium is under the control of a menacing figure in a top hat who calls himself Vindictus Sharpe. Who is he? And where is the Emporium's rightful owner, Daniel? Return to a world where imagination is power and anything is possible in the heart-stopping finale to the multi-award-winning Nowhere Emporium trilogy.

FROM THE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HOLY ISLAND AND SEVEN BRIDGES He thought he was invincible, but he was wrong... When an old man is found dead inside the ancient hermitage at Warkworth Castle, Northumbria CID are called in to investigate. With no apparent motive, it's their job to unravel why he was murdered - and this time they're forced to do it without their star detective... DCI Ryan is thousands of miles away. He's tracked a killer across Europe and has sworn not to return until he has his man in custody. Nathan Armstrong is a dangerous psychopath but there's just one problem - he's also an international celebrity; a world-famous thriller writer with money and connections. Ryan is a stranger in a foreign land, but he knows one thing - he'll never give up. Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular landscapes of Northumberland and Tuscany. "LJ Ross keeps company with the best mystery writers" - The Times "A literary phenomenon" - Evening Chronicle

The latest jaw-achingly funny, number-one bestselling novel from David Walliams - now out in paperback. Make your appointment if you dare... Darkness had come to the town. Strange things were happening in the dead of night. Children would put a tooth under their pillow for the tooth fairy, but in the morning they would wake up to find... a dead slug; a live spider; hundreds of earwigs creeping and crawling beneath their pillow. Evil was at work. But who or what was behind it...? Read this book and find out!

Fly into a fiery and fantastical future with No. 1 bestselling author David Walliams, in an epic adventure of myth and legend, good and evil, and one small boy who must save the world…

Illustrated by the artistic genius Tony Ross!

It is 2120 and London is in ruins.

The young Prince Alfred has never known a life outside Buckingham Palace – but when strange goings-on breach its walls and stalk the corridors in the dead of night, he is thrust into a world of mystery, adventure and monsters.

And when his mother, the Queen, is dragged away to the Tower of London, Alfred must screw up his courage and battle to save her, himself… and the entire city.

In a future of myths and legends, join the bestselling David Walliams and venture forth into his most enthralling tale yet!

This notebook features a beautiful illustration of the iconic oystercatcher in its natural habitat. With cover illustrations by fine art printmaker Sarah Ross Thompson, this notebook contains blank paper, with head-and-tail bands.

A fantastically funny festive story about the Bear and Mouse who ALWAYS disagree from the award-winning Ross Collins, creator of the bestselling There's a Bear in My Chair. Bear and Mouse have finally overcome their differences and are living together in perfect harmony . . . until it's time to decorate the Christmas tree! Bear wants dazzling lights, while Mouse prefers gigantic baubles . . . and, wait a minute, did Mouse just put a MANATEE on the top?! A topsy-turvy tree is definitely THE LAST STRAW and it looks as if Christmas is RUINED. But maybe, just maybe, Bear and Mouse can reach a compromise in time . . . ?

Current debates in life course studies increasingly reference theories of individualization, standardization, and differentiation in the structure of the life course. This volume brings together leading scholars from a variety of fields to assess the theoretical underpinnings, the empirical evidence, and the implications of existing arguments. The contributions include comparative-historical work, demographic analysis, and detailed survey research. The topics covered include historical, cross-cultural, and racioethnic variation in the transition to adulthood, the school-to-work transition, educational careers, retirement, activity characteristics over the life span and the life course context of psychological well-being. The various contributions expand our understanding of the contemporary life course and its implications. The authors offer innovative theoretical and methodological approaches that demonstrate the utility of holistic approaches to conceptualizing the life course and understanding its implications for modern society.

In Hollywood Left and Right, Steven J. Ross tells a story that has escaped public attention: the emergence of Hollywood as a vital center of political life and the important role that movie stars have played in shaping the course of American politics.
Ever since the film industry relocated to Hollywood early in the twentieth century, it has had an outsized influence on American politics. Through compelling larger-than-life figures in American cinema--Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Edward G. Robinson, George Murphy, Ronald Reagan, Harry Belafonte, Jane Fonda, Charlton Heston, Warren Beatty, and Arnold Schwarzenegger--Hollywood Left and Right reveals how the film industry's engagement in politics has been longer, deeper, and more varied than most people would imagine. As shown in alternating chapters, the Left and the Right each gained ascendancy in Tinseltown at different times. From Chaplin, whose movies almost always displayed his leftist convictions, to Schwarzenegger's nearly seamless transition from action blockbusters to the California governor's mansion, Steven J. Ross traces the intersection of Hollywood and political activism from the early twentieth century to the present.
Hollywood Left and Right challenges the commonly held belief that Hollywood has always been a bastion of liberalism. The real story, as Ross shows in this passionate and entertaining work, is far more complicated. First, Hollywood has a longer history of conservatism than liberalism. Second, and most surprising, while the Hollywood Left was usually more vocal and visible, the Right had a greater impact on American political life, capturing a senate seat (Murphy), a governorship (Schwarzenegger), and the ultimate achievement, the Presidency (Reagan).

An initial public offering (IPO) is one of the most significant events in corporate life. It follows months, even years of preparation. During the boom years of the late 1990s bull market, IPOs of growth companies captured the imagination and pocketbooks of investors like never before.
This book goes behind the scenes to examine the process of an offering from the decision to go public to the procedures of a subsequent equity offering. The book is written from the perspective of an experienced investment banker describing the hows and whys of IPOs and subsequent equity issues.
Each aspect of an IPO is illustrated with plenty of international examples pitched alongside relevant academic research to offer a combination of theoretical rigour and practical application.
Topics covered are:
- the decision to go public
- legal and regulatory aspects of an offering; marketing and research
- valuation and pricing
- allocations of shares to investors
- examination of fees and commissions
* Global perpective: UK, European and US practices, regulations and examples, and case studies
* First hand experience written by an IPO trader with academic rigour
* Includes the changes in the market that resulted from 1998-2000 equity boom