How can a blind man see more than his companion the hunter? What will become of the peddler who decides to follow his dream? & how do fishes find themselves swimming in the grass of a forest? Nothing is quite as it seems in this book; so young readers should prepare themselves to be astonished intrigued & enchanted as they follow the magical transformations that occur. They will meet remarkable animals as well as extraordinary people. Now comes with free story CD. ...

Why are some carpets magic? What is a wish-tree? & where can the fountain of eternal life be found? The answers to these & many other intriguing questions can be found in Sally Pomme Claytons enchanted storytelling journey through Central Asia. On her travels in the region Sally has accumulated a wealth of folklore & knowledge of nomadic cultures. These 12 exotic retellings of stories related to the author in storytelling tents combined with Sophie Herxheimers brilliantly-patterned artwork reveal the richness of the little-known faraway lands of Central Asia. Follow the trials & triumphs of a British mother of three living in Kazakhstan of Big Beluga Baby by clicking here ...

Fifteen years ago southern Afghanistan was in even greater chaos than it is now. The Russians who had occupied the country throughout the 1980s were long gone. The disparate ethnic & religious leaders who had united to eject the invaders
- the famous mujaheddin
- were at each others' throats. For the rural poor of Kandahar province life was almost impossible. On 12 October 1994 a small group of religious students decided to take matters into their own hands. Led by an illiterate village mullah with one eye some 200 of them surrounded & took Spin Boldak a trucking stop on the border with Pakistan. From this short & unremarkable border skirmish a legend was born. The students' numbers swelled as news of their triumph spread. The Taliban as they now called themselves
- taliban is the plural of talib literally 'one who seeks knowledge'
- had a simple mission statement: the disarmament of the population & the establishment of a theocracy based on Sharia law. They fought with a religious zeal that the warring mujaheddin could not match. By February 1995 this people's revolt had become a national movement; 18 months later Kabul fell & the country was effectively theirs. James Fergusson's fascinating account of this extraordinary story will be required reading for anyone who wishes to understand the situation in Afghanistan now & for the future...



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Rukhsana is a spirited young journalist working for the Kabul Times in Afghanistan. She also takes care of her mother & her younger brother Jahan. Their quiet but tenuous way of life is shattered with the arrival of a summons for Rukhsana to appear before the infamous Ministry to Promote Virtue & Punish Vice. The Minister Zorak Wahidi has two things in mind: to threaten the traditionally anti-Taliban news reporters & to announce the Talibans intention to hold a cricket tournament the winner of which will represent Afghanistan in the International Cricket Council. By the end of the meeting he has a third desire: Rukhsanas hand in marriage. Driven into hiding & cloistered in a burqua Rukhsana doesnt despair
- the Minister without knowing it has given her a way out. You wont be able to forget this soaring novel of resilience. Rukhsanas story will remind us what one person
- one woman
- can do to reclaim her voice in the face of brutality & repression. With tenderness & clarity Timeri Murari shows us how no tyranny is ever absolute when love still exists.


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Rukhsana a spirited young journalist in Kabul is summoned to the infamous Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue & Prevention of Vice to face its terrifying minister Zorak Wahidi. A cricket tournament is announced with the winning team to travel to Pakistan for training & then represent Afghanistan at an international level. In reality the idea is ludicrous. The Taliban will never embrace a game rooted in civility fairness & equality. & no one in Afghanistan even knows how to play cricket except Rukhsana. The tournament offers hope
- a means of escape for her brother & young cousins. & for Rukhsana escape is essential
- Wahidi wants to marry her a frightening proposition which will enslave her in his home. With the help of her cousins Rukhsana devises an audacious plan that could ensure their freedom. All they have to do is learn to play cricket
- & win. A soaring novel of resilience strength hope & tenderness The Taliban Cricket Club reveals how love can overcome & outwit the power of tyrants.


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The legend of the Headless Horseman & a proposed marriage de convenance both have their impact on the mystery of a golden talisman ring & Lord Lavenham's young heir Ludovic. Neither Sir Tristram Shield nor Eustacie his young French cousin share the slightest inclination to marry one another yet it is Lord Lavenham's dying wish. For there is no one else to provide for the old man's granddaughter while Ludovic remains a fugitive from justice.. . Yet again Georgette Heyer shows the qualities that made her one of the most successful & best-loved romantic novelists of her age & why her popularity endures to this day. ...

The descendants of the Elven house of Shannara have all completed their quests: Paranor the Druids Keep has been restored; the Elves have been returned to the Four Lands; & Par Ohmsford has found what he believes to be the legendary Sword of Shannara. But their work is not yet done. The Shadowen still swarm over the Four Lands poisoning all with their dark magic & their leader is determined to prevent the scions of Shannara from sharing the knowledge that will end the sickness. To this end he sets his traps. For Walker he will dispatch the Four Horsemen; for Wren he sends an untrue friend; & for Par he devises the most terrible fate of all... The charges given by the shade of the Druid Allanon seem doomed to failure
- unless the Shannara children can escape the traps being laid for them & Par can unlock the secret of the Sword of Shannara.
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They met at a party. It was hate at first sight. Ruth was far too beautiful too flamboyant. Not at all Anns kind of person. Until a chance encounter in the bathroom led to an alliance of souls. Soon they were sharing hankies during the late showing of Sophies World" wolfing down sundaes sodden with whipped cream telling truths of marriage mortality & love secure in the kind of intimacy no man could ever know. After years of shared secrets guilty pleasures family life & divorce they face a crisis that redefines the meaning of friendship & unconditional love. This is the story of Ruth & of Ann. & all of us who wonder what wed say if we knew we didnt have forever." ...

This is a vibrantly practical & engaging book with a solid foundation in research. This book will be an invaluable resource to teachers in both primary & secondary schools." Professor Debra Myhill Associate Dean for Research College of Social Science & International Studies University of Exeter UK " This is a tremendously rich & exciting book. It is reassuring in these days when simple views of literacy & its teaching are the only approaches to win official approval that authors such as Pie Corbett & Julia Strong are able to outline & explore a much more subtle & complex approach." Professor David Wray Director of the Institute of Education University of Warwick UK Talk for Writing is a proven approach to teaching creative writing that is fun engaging & motivating for children. Now you can apply this approach to teaching non-fiction writing across the curriculum. Talk for Writing across the Curriculum shows you how to help children speak the language of non-fiction before they attempt to write it. This is a three-step process using fun multi-sensory activities. It helps build childrens confidence & linguistic ability to such an extent they are able to create their own writing. This practical resource offers: Fully worked tried & tested examples of how to apply Talk for Writing to each non-fiction text type A wide range of fun warm-up oral activities such as connective games Professor Know-It-All as well as text-based activities such as boxing up creating toolkits & magpieing Guidance for teachers on how to apply the approach across the curriculum DVD of Pie Corbett s workshops with teachers showing Talk for Writing in action Video footage of classes engaged in the Talk for Writing approach Advice on how to use the DVD & handouts to train all staff in the approach Evidence of impact Talk for Writing across the Curriculum is designed for busy teachers in mind & will help them transform their childrens writing & attainment across the curriculum." ...

Talk French is the ideal course for absolute beginners. Designed for adults learning at home or in a class it covers all the basic language youll need in everyday situations so you can make the most of your visit from the moment you arrive! Talk Frenchs rewarding step-by-step approach makes progress rapid & is effective in teaching even the least confident of language learners. Illustrated in full colour & featuring a wealth of enjoyable activities it makes learning French fun. This 128-page book is also available to buy in a pack with two 60-minute audio CDs (9780563520108) to get the most out of your learning. ...