A Christmas Carol & Other Christmas Writings" collects stories of matchless charm & enduring popularity that enchanted listeners at Charles Dickenss public readings. This " Penguin Classics" is edited with an introduction & notes by Michael Slater. Since it was first published in 1843 "A Christmas Carol" has had an enduring influence on the way we think about the traditions of Christmas. Dickenss story of solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is taught the true meaning of Christmas by the three ghosts of Christmas past present & future has been adapted into countless film & stage versions since it was first published. Dickenss other Christmas writings collected here include " The Story of the Goblins who Stole a Sexton" the short story from " The Pickwick Papers" on which "A Christmas Carol" was based; " The Haunted Man" a tale of a man tormented by painful memories; along with shorter pieces some drawn from the " Christmas Stories" that Dickens wrote annually for his weekly journals. In all of them Dickens celebrates the season as one of geniality charity & remembrance. This new selection contains an introduction by distinguished Dickens scholar Michael Slater discussing how the author has shaped ideas about the Christmas spirit original illustrations by Phiz & John Leech an appendix on Dickenss use of " The Arabian Nights" a further reading list & explanatory notes. Charles Dickens is one of the best-loved novelists in the English language whose 200th anniversary was celebrated in 2012. His most famous books including " Oliver Twist" " Great Expectations" "A Tale of Two Cities" " David Copperfield" & " The Pickwick Papers" have been adapted for stage & screen & read by millions. If you enjoyed "A Christmas Carol & Other Christmas Writings" you might like Dickenss " The Pickwick Papers" also available in " Penguin Classics"." ...

The books in this series provide lower ability pupils & pupils with special educational needs access to the true texts of classic novels combining abridged text from the original stories with storyboard layouts & illustrations. Each page is annotated for easy access & think" boxes encourage pupils to discuss & address key points as they read. This text is the pupils book for "A Christmas Carol" & contains just the novel so that students will be able to get a feel for the whole text & teachers will be able to use the books as they wish without being limited by prescribed activities." ...

Part of Penguins" beautiful hardback " Clothbound Classics" series designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith these delectable & collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. After reading " Christmas Carol" the notoriously reculsive Thomas Carlyle was "seized with a perfect convulsion of hospitality" & threw not one but two Christmas dinner parties. The impact of the story may not always have been so dramatic but along with Dickens other Christmas writings it has had a lasting & significant influence upon our ideas about the Christmas spirit & about the season as a time for celebration charity & memory." ...

It's Christmas in the Secret Kingdom & all of the creatures in the realm are on their way to Christmas Castle for their special Christmas Eve sleepover which will be followed by a Christmas Day visit from Santa Claus himself! Summer Ellie & Jasmine are so excited to be able to celebrate with all of their friends in Secret Kingdom but soon mean Queen Malice & her nasty Storm Sprites arrive to spoil their fun. Will the girls be able to break the queen's horrible spells & save Christmas? Secret Kingdom is a br&-new series full of the things girls love most: special friendships secrets & magical adventures. Newly confident readers will be swept away by the magical stories of three children whose courage & resourcefulness save a fantastical land from disaster. ...

From The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog" to karate princesses & hot cross bottoms there's a Jeremy Strong story to suit every child's sense of humour. Jeremy's readers range from 7 to teen perfect for fans of Roald Dahl & Andy Stanton. Streaker the dog is brilliant at many things but most of all she's brilliant at getting into TROUBLE! Something MYSTERIOUS has happened to Streaker's puppies & Trevor is on a detective mission to find them. But with Streaker causing MAYHEM everywhere she goes can Trevor track down the puppies before Christmas? Award-winning Jeremy Strong has written many wacky books for children aged 7-teen including " My Dad's Got an Alligator" & " My Brother's Famous Bottom". Most of which are illustrated by Nick Sharratt who also illustrates for Jacqueline Wilson! " The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog" is back causing more chaos & getting into more trouble in " The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog" " Lost! The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog" " Wanted! The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog" & " The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog Goes for Gold"
- guaranteed to have you laughing your socks off! Join Jeremy's Krazy Klub at website."
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Why do we have Christmas trees & what if anything do they have to do with the story of Mary & Joseph & the baby Jesus? When did the tradition of sending Christmas cards begin? What was so special about oranges that they became the favoured treasure in a Christmas stocking? Why do we have stockings anyway? What is frankincense? The twelve days of Christmas? These are just some of the questions answered in succinct informative entries in this enaging A
- Z of Christmas & the meaning behind the traditions we love or hate. Each entry

Includes:: a dictionary definition the origin of the word or phrase including its Latin roots & sometimes a further relevant snippet of information such as a biblical reference or a general description. Then follows the entry sometimes just a single paragraph giving more detailed information in concise accessible language. Christmas is so all-encompassing that everyone is caught up in it believers & non-believers alike: here is a book which will remind those who have forgotten or inform those who never knew where it all came from.


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Christmas Conspiracy When Lieutenant Nate Rylands daughter is kidnapped he finds hope in the most surprising of allies: Darcy Burkhart the woman he once considered his greatest opponent. But Darcys son has also been taken & nothing will keep them from bringing their children home. Soon Nate finds himself admiring & desiring Darcy in a way he never would have thought possible... The Reckoning Psychiatrist Alexandria will do anything to find her cousins missing daughter even if that means pairing up with Holt Chamberlain the man who broke her heart years ago. As Holt & Alex uncover the mystery can they also discover a way to overcome their past & admit their love for each other? ...

This is a wonderful book full of delicious seasonal recipes including much loved favourites & exciting new ideas to keep children happily occupied during the exciting weeks before Christmas. Recipes include chocolate truffles cheesy Christmas stars & coconut mice. This book is illustrated with easy to follow step-by-step instructions. It

Includes:: gift-wrapping ideas to make delicious treats into wonderful Christmas gifts.

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After the fantastic Decorating Cakes & Cookies" baking queen Annie Rigg is back with gorgeous & achievable ideas for Christmas cupcakes. If you are a novice baker & would like to make something pretty but un-fussy to bring to a festive party why not look at the Simple chapter for inspiration? Try the gingerbread cupcakes which will fill the house with the warming spiced smells of Christmas. Cute cupcakes will appeal to the little kid in all of us
- make a basket of adorable snowmen complete with marzipan noses & ribbon scarves or even a flock of robins & put a smile on someones face. Decorative cupcakes are that little bit more sophisticated & bound to impress. There are imaginative ideas such as little cakes topped with miniature gifts or glass stars. Theres something in this delightful book to suit every occasion."
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All you need to make the amazing Christmas decorations are the beautifully illustrated pull-out sheets in this exciting pad & some scissors & some sticky tape. Simple step-by-step instructions show how to make snowflakes folded stars paperchains angels & decorations to hang from a Christmas tree by cutting folding & sticking. All the cuts & folds that need to be made are indicated on the double-sided sheets making it easy to create stunning decorations without too much effort. ...