Kate Thompson - Böcker

I wonder, my little one, who will you bewhen you're out in this world, big and wide?A bundle so precious and tiny and loved,you will carry my heart by your side . . .A beautiful and inspiring letter of hope and love to a child taking their first steps into the big, wide world. This heartwarming book expresses every parent or carer's hope that their child will be kind to others, caring to the world and, above all else, true to themselves.With gorgeous illustrations throughout, this is the perfect book to share together to help children find their way in the world and to give parents the confidence to guide them as they grow.With stunning, dreamy artwork by new illustrator Kitty Harris, and a lyrical rhyming text by an exciting new voice in picture books, Kate Thompson.“An exquisite snuggle of a book!” Frances Tosdevin, author of The Bear and her Book“All I Hope For You is more than just a picture book—it’s a keepsake, a book to be treasured” Clare Helen Welsh, Books That Help

“For parents who want their children to read about the true meaning of Christmas” The BooksellerIt's three days until Christmas and Holly is fizzy with excitement! Her tree is a sparkle-fest, she's been to the Mistletoe Street Christmas Market and - best of all - she's met Father Christmas himself!But when Holly notices that there's one house on her street which isn't lit up, she's determined to include its elderly resident, Ivy, in the Christmas fun. And when a power cut strikes on Christmas Eve, will anyone remember Ivy? And can Holly lead her neighbours to bring joy to the whole of Mistletoe Street?A heartwarming and festive tale from new talent Kate Thompson and brought to life by Natelle Quek. This truly special book is perfect for sharing with the whole family at Christmas time.“Capturing the spirit of the season perfectly” – The Independent’s Best Christmas Picture Books for Kids 2025

This book is a challenge to the silos in our human services that an ‘atomised’ focus gives rise to. They are evident in the chasm that can exist between child and adult mental health care, between competing therapeutic approaches and, most importantly for this volume, in the segmentation of support for adults who are partners as well as parents. The contributors, all with substantial experience of providing front-line services, identify the problem their intervention is designed to address, provide a conceptual justification for the approach they have used and supply evidence for its effectiveness. Vivid illustrations bring the work to life and provide examples of best practice whose relevance can readily be transported to different settings. Unusual in bringing together approaches that encompass internal and external realities in responding to the challenges of physical constraint, emotional distress and an often-volatile social environment, the contributions are assembled to highlight a common thread that can inform services at different stages of the life course. Each chapter is accompanied by a commentary from specialists in their field who elucidate and critique the key points made by the authors and help the experience of reading the book to be one of dialogue.Engaging Couples: New Directions in Therapeutic in Work with Families explores new ways of approaching some of the key issues of contemporary family life, including depression, living with long-term conditions, inter-parental conflict and domestic abuse to name but a few, refracting them through a lens that sees our relationships as fundamental to the fabric of our lives – the most important social capital of all.It represents essential reading for clinicians and family practitioners of all persuasions, and those that train and support them in their work.

This book is a challenge to the silos in our human services that an ‘atomised’ focus gives rise to. They are evident in the chasm that can exist between child and adult mental health care, between competing therapeutic approaches and, most importantly for this volume, in the segmentation of support for adults who are partners as well as parents. The contributors, all with substantial experience of providing front-line services, identify the problem their intervention is designed to address, provide a conceptual justification for the approach they have used and supply evidence for its effectiveness. Vivid illustrations bring the work to life and provide examples of best practice whose relevance can readily be transported to different settings. Unusual in bringing together approaches that encompass internal and external realities in responding to the challenges of physical constraint, emotional distress and an often-volatile social environment, the contributions are assembled to highlight a common thread that can inform services at different stages of the life course. Each chapter is accompanied by a commentary from specialists in their field who elucidate and critique the key points made by the authors and help the experience of reading the book to be one of dialogue.Engaging Couples: New Directions in Therapeutic in Work with Families explores new ways of approaching some of the key issues of contemporary family life, including depression, living with long-term conditions, inter-parental conflict and domestic abuse to name but a few, refracting them through a lens that sees our relationships as fundamental to the fabric of our lives – the most important social capital of all.It represents essential reading for clinicians and family practitioners of all persuasions, and those that train and support them in their work.

The unsung and remarkable stories of the women who held London's East End together during not one, but two world wars.'Inspiring tales of courage in the face of hardship' Mail on Sunday'Inspiring . . . Takes you back to a time of community and helping one another' 5***** Reader Review'It made me laugh and gasp in equal measure' 5***** Reader Review______Meet Minksy, Gladys, Beatty, Joan and Girl Walker . . .While the men were at war, these women ruled the streets of the East End. Struggling against poverty to survive, and fighting for their community in our country's darkest hours.But there was also joy to be found. Across the East End the streets were alive - you need only walk a few steps for a smile from a neighbour or a strong cup of tea.From taking over the London Underground, standing up to the Kray twins and crawling out of bombsites, The Stepney Doorstep Society tells the vivid and moving stories of the matriarchs who remain the backbone of the East End to this day.______'Kate Thompson's study of five working-class women who lived through the blitz shows how informal collectives can provide lasting support and inspiration . . . [a] fascinating account' Guardian'An important glimpse into a vanishing world' Sunday Express'One of the best books I have read in recent years' 5***** Reader Review'Crammed full of fascinating stories' BBC 2 Steve Wright'Fascinating . . . It was fascinating to hear how these women kept going' 5***** Reader Review'Astonishing' Radio 5 Live

Couples as Parents: Explorations in Couple Therapy explores the complex task of parenting from the perspective of the couple relationship.A book for clinicians and parents alike, it describes problems that can occur during the transition to parenthood and the initial decision to have a child to raising young children and adolescents. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the nature and patterns of intimate partner relationships and how they can be affected by such things as the loss of a baby, raising a child with autism or adoption. Chapters delve into issues unique to same-sex parents and those facing an empty nest. With moving clinical examples, it illustrates how a couple's sex life can be altered on becoming parents and describes how parents can best help their children as they separate. Couples as Parents explains how couple therapy has a unique stance with which to help parents and describes clinical vignettes that demonstrate how parents have been helped in the past.The book considers the historical context of couple relationships, utilises research and psychoanalytic ways of thinking to further understanding for psychotherapists and interested parents, as well as offering a variety of therapeutic approaches to the specific needs of parents, whether as a couple, separated or single.

Couples as Parents: Explorations in Couple Therapy explores the complex task of parenting from the perspective of the couple relationship.A book for clinicians and parents alike, it describes problems that can occur during the transition to parenthood and the initial decision to have a child to raising young children and adolescents. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the nature and patterns of intimate partner relationships and how they can be affected by such things as the loss of a baby, raising a child with autism or adoption. Chapters delve into issues unique to same-sex parents and those facing an empty nest. With moving clinical examples, it illustrates how a couple's sex life can be altered on becoming parents and describes how parents can best help their children as they separate. Couples as Parents explains how couple therapy has a unique stance with which to help parents and describes clinical vignettes that demonstrate how parents have been helped in the past.The book considers the historical context of couple relationships, utilises research and psychoanalytic ways of thinking to further understanding for psychotherapists and interested parents, as well as offering a variety of therapeutic approaches to the specific needs of parents, whether as a couple, separated or single.

This fully updated edition gives an insight into the opportunities and challenges of mental health professionals and interpreters working together in mental health.Drawing on extensive theory, research, and practice, chapters combine contributions from a range of disciplines on topics including interpreters in medical consultations; issues of language provision in health care services; the application of theoretical frameworks to the work with interpreters; and the work of interpreters in a variety of practice settings. This thoroughly revised edition also features additional chapters exploring interpreter perspectives on their work, along with new chapters on working with interpreters in forensic settings, in National Health Service talking therapies/primary care settings, in humanitarian work, in schools, and with older adults, as well as presenting an interprofessional approach to interpreter and therapist training.This book will be invaluable for practitioners of psychology, psychiatry, social work, and other health professionals. It will also be relevant to interpreters working with mental health professionals and their managers and service leads. It will be of interest to anyone involved in commissioning language support in health and social care services.

This fully updated edition gives an insight into the opportunities and challenges of mental health professionals and interpreters working together in mental health.Drawing on extensive theory, research, and practice, chapters combine contributions from a range of disciplines on topics including interpreters in medical consultations; issues of language provision in health care services; the application of theoretical frameworks to the work with interpreters; and the work of interpreters in a variety of practice settings. This thoroughly revised edition also features additional chapters exploring interpreter perspectives on their work, along with new chapters on working with interpreters in forensic settings, in National Health Service talking therapies/primary care settings, in humanitarian work, in schools, and with older adults, as well as presenting an interprofessional approach to interpreter and therapist training.This book will be invaluable for practitioners of psychology, psychiatry, social work, and other health professionals. It will also be relevant to interpreters working with mental health professionals and their managers and service leads. It will be of interest to anyone involved in commissioning language support in health and social care services.

First published in 1998, this seventh volume of Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland reports the main findings of the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes survey carried out in 1996. In this survey, views were obtained on community relations in Northern Ireland; the growth of home ownership; attitudes to the countryside; the role of government in Northern Ireland; attitudes to the National Health Service; attitudes to the environment and belief and trust in the political process. The various chapters provide a measure of the feelings, attitudes and beliefs of the people of Northern Ireland on a wide range of matters. Many of the chapters chart trends from the early 1990s and analyse changes in attitudes over the period.

First published in 1998, this seventh volume of Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland reports the main findings of the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes survey carried out in 1996. In this survey, views were obtained on community relations in Northern Ireland; the growth of home ownership; attitudes to the countryside; the role of government in Northern Ireland; attitudes to the National Health Service; attitudes to the environment and belief and trust in the political process. The various chapters provide a measure of the feelings, attitudes and beliefs of the people of Northern Ireland on a wide range of matters. Many of the chapters chart trends from the early 1990s and analyse changes in attitudes over the period.

'Mama, it's me.' I held her hand in mine, hoping it would give her the strength to hold on. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.'Do not cry when I die.''Quite simply the most important book you will read this year' Hazel Gaynor'An extraordinary read' Lorraine Kelly'Deeply moving' Daily MailFrom invasion to liberation, September 1939 to April 1945, as Renee was marched from ghetto to camp, there was one constant. One hand that clutched hers - her mother's. Every day for nearly six years, mother and daughter were bound together in hell. From Auschwitz-Birkenau to Bergen-Belsen, they were a powerful source of solace and hope for one another.The strength of Sala's love gave them both something fragile yet beautiful to cling to in an ugly, depraved world. It was her mother who hid Renee, lied to the SS, went right when she was directed left - whose small actions had life-saving consequences. Now, for Renee, the need to share has finally overcome the desire to forget.A Mother's Promise is a love letter to a mother eighty years in the making.*****'Will stay with me for a long time... A beautiful account, so movingly told' Anna Stuart'Powerful, poignant, and deeply important. A must-read' Elizabeth Bellak 'This is a story the world needs to know' Madeline Martin 'This book travels to the very heart of existence' Joshua Levine

'Mama, it's me.' I held her hand in mine, hoping it would give her the strength to hold on. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.'Do not cry when I die.''Quite simply the most important book you will read this year' Hazel Gaynor'An extraordinary read' Lorraine Kelly'Deeply moving' Daily MailFrom invasion to liberation, September 1939 to April 1945, as Renee was marched from ghetto to camp, there was one constant. One hand that clutched hers - her mother's. Every day for nearly six years, mother and daughter were bound together in hell. From Auschwitz-Birkenau to Bergen-Belsen, they were a powerful source of solace and hope for one another.The strength of Sala's love gave them both something fragile yet beautiful to cling to in an ugly, depraved world. It was her mother who hid Renee, lied to the SS, went right when she was directed left - whose small actions had life-saving consequences. Now, for Renee, the need to share has finally overcome the desire to forget.A Mother's Promise is a love letter to a mother eighty years in the making.*****'Will stay with me for a long time... A beautiful account, so movingly told' Anna Stuart'Powerful, poignant, and deeply important. A must-read' Elizabeth Bellak 'This is a story the world needs to know' Madeline Martin 'This book travels to the very heart of existence' Joshua Levine

The Sunday Times Bestseller'Quite simply the most important book you will read this year' Hazel Gaynor'An extraordinary read' Lorraine Kelly'Deeply moving' Daily Mail'Mama, it's me.' I held her hand in mine, hoping it would give her the strength to hold on.Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.'Do not cry when I die.'From invasion to liberation, September 1939 to April 1945, as Renee was marched from ghetto to camp, there was one constant. One hand that clutched hers - her mother's. Every day for nearly six years, mother and daughter were bound together in hell. From Auschwitz-Birkenau to Bergen-Belsen, they were a powerful source of solace and hope for one another.The strength of Sala's love gave them both something fragile yet beautiful to cling to in an ugly, depraved world. It was her mother who hid Renee, lied to the SS, went right when she was directed left - whose small actions had life-saving consequences. Now, for Renee, the need to share has finally overcome the desire to forget.A Mother's Promise is a love letter to a mother eighty years in the making.*****'This book travels to the very heart of existence' Joshua Levine'This is a story the world needs to know' Madeline Martin'Will stay with me for a long time... A beautiful account, so movingly told' Anna Stuart'Powerful, poignant, and deeply important. A must-read' Elizabeth Bellak

Jersey, 1943. Once a warm and neighbourly community, now German soldiers patrol the cobbled streets, imposing a harsh rule on the people of the island. Grace La Mottée, the island's only librarian, is ordered to destroy books which threaten the new regime. Instead, she hides the stories away in secret. Along with her headstrong best friend, postwoman Bea Rose, she wants to fight back. So she forms the wartime book club: a lifeline, offering fearful islanders the joy and escapism of reading.But as the occupation drags on, the women's quiet acts of bravery become more perilous - and more important - than ever before. And, when tensions turn to violence, they are forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . .Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times - as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at war.EVERYONE LOVES THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB:'Wish I could give it more stars' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I was utterly enthralled . . . it reminds us how strong we can be in the face of adversity' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Tears, laughs and genuine love for all the characters in this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A heartwarming tale . . . shows against all odds and hardships people can survive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Full of wonderful characters and their determination to get through the worst times' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐AND SO DO YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS...'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES'Engaging' RACHEL HORE'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON

*BASED ON A TRUE STORY, CONTAINS 50+ PAGES OF EXTRA CONTENT ON THE REAL PEOPLE THE BOOK IS INSPIRED BY*Jersey, 1943. When the German Army invades the tranquil island, librarian Grace La Motée is determined to keep her services running. Ordered to destroy books which threaten the Nazi regime, she refuses, instead hiding them away and fighting back by forming a book club: a lifeline to help islanders escape the terror of war, one chapter at a time.But soon Grace's quiet acts of bravery become even more perilous. She's harbouring dangerous secrets - ones that put her life in danger - and when tensions turn to violence, she is forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . .Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times - as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at war.EVERYONE LOVES THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB:'Wish I could give it more stars' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I was utterly enthralled . . . it reminds us how strong we can be in the face of adversity' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Tears, laughs and genuine love for all the characters in this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A heartwarming tale . . . shows against all odds and hardships people can survive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Full of wonderful characters and their determination to get through the worst times' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐AND SO DO YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS...'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES'Engaging' RACHEL HORE'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON

Two women, torn apart by war. One shared belief in the power of books...London, 1939. When war breaks out on librarian Joyce Kindred's doorstep and a call for help rings out across the libraries of London, she's determined to act. Joyce knows only the world of books can offer safety and comfort to her neighbourhood - and she will make sure no one is left behind.Joyce sets up a mobile library scheme, but soon her acts of resistance go beyond sharing books. She shelters a young Jewish refugee, Adela - and it's not long before she discovers Adela has a secret that could turn their world upside down again...Occupied Poland, 1942. Dorotha knows any chance of her escaping the barbed wire fences and cruelty of the Łódź ghetto dwindles by the day. Reading isn't just an act of defiance: it's the only thing left in her life over which she has any control. And so she shares books under the cover of darkness, creating a secret library away from her captors - that is, until even that last ray of hope is taken from her...Joyce and Dorotha were once librarians, ordinary women, and best friends. The war has forced them into acts of unimaginable bravery - but will they ever find each other again?Based on astonishing real events, this absolutely heart-breaking page-turner brings to life the remarkable untold story of two women during WW2. Fans of Anna Stuart, Kristin Hannah and Heather Morris won't be able to stop racing through the pages.Readers love The Secret Society of Librarians:'Oh my word... heartwarming... heartbreaking... exceptional... awe-inspiring... will stay with me for a long time.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Wonderful... absolutely heartbreaking... beautiful.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Will stay in my heart for a long time... Exceptional.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Moving... Truly wonderful.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Your favourite authors love Kate Thompson:'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES'Engaging' RACHEL HORE'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON

Two women, torn apart by war. One shared belief in the power of books...London, 1939. When war breaks out on librarian Joyce Kindred's doorstep and a call for help rings out across the libraries of London, she's determined to act. Joyce knows only the world of books can offer safety and comfort to her neighbourhood - and she will make sure no one is left behind.Joyce sets up a mobile library scheme, but soon her acts of resistance go beyond sharing books. She shelters a young Jewish refugee, Adela - and it's not long before she discovers Adela has a secret that could turn their world upside down again...Occupied Poland, 1942. Dorotha knows any chance of her escaping the barbed wire fences and cruelty of the Łódź ghetto dwindles by the day. Reading isn't just an act of defiance: it's the only thing left in her life over which she has any control. And so she shares books under the cover of darkness, creating a secret library away from her captors - that is, until even that last ray of hope is taken from her...Joyce and Dorotha were once librarians, ordinary women, and best friends. The war has forced them into acts of unimaginable bravery - but will they ever find each other again?Based on astonishing real events, this absolutely heart-breaking page-turner brings to life the remarkable untold story of two women during WW2. Fans of Anna Stuart, Kristin Hannah and Heather Morris won't be able to stop racing through the pages.Readers love The Secret Society of Librarians:'Oh my word... heartwarming... heartbreaking... exceptional... awe-inspiring... will stay with me for a long time.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Wonderful... absolutely heartbreaking... beautiful.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Will stay in my heart for a long time... Exceptional.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Moving... Truly wonderful.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Your favourite authors love Kate Thompson:'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES'Engaging' RACHEL HORE'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON

Two women, torn apart by war. One shared belief in the power of books...London, 1939. When war breaks out on librarian Joyce Kindred's doorstep and a call for help rings out across the libraries of London, she's determined to act. Joyce knows only the world of books can offer safety and comfort to her neighbourhood - and she will make sure no one is left behind.Joyce sets up a mobile library scheme, but soon her acts of resistance go beyond sharing books. She shelters a young Jewish refugee, Adela - and it's not long before she discovers Adela has a secret that could turn their world upside down again...Occupied Poland, 1942. Dorotha knows any chance of her escaping the barbed wire fences and cruelty of the Łódź ghetto dwindles by the day. Reading isn't just an act of defiance: it's the only thing left in her life over which she has any control. And so she shares books under the cover of darkness, creating a secret library away from her captors - that is, until even that last ray of hope is taken from her...Joyce and Dorotha were once librarians, ordinary women, and best friends. The war has forced them into acts of unimaginable bravery - but will they ever find each other again?Based on astonishing real events, this absolutely heart-breaking page-turner brings to life the remarkable untold story of two women during WW2. Fans of Anna Stuart, Kristin Hannah and Heather Morris won't be able to stop racing through the pages.Readers love The Secret Society of Librarians: 'Oh my word... heartwarming... heartbreaking... exceptional... awe-inspiring... will stay with me for a long time.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Wonderful... absolutely heartbreaking... beautiful.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Will stay in my heart for a long time... Exceptional.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Moving... Truly wonderful.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Your favourite authors love Kate Thompson:'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES'Engaging' RACHEL HORE'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON

Secrets of the Singer Girls is Kate Thompson's heartwarming and moving novel about the brave, hardworking women who kept the homefires burning in the East End of London during World War Two.1942. Sixteen-year-old Poppy Percival turns up at the gates of Trout's clothing factory in Bethnal Green with no idea what her new life might have in store. There to start work as a seamstress and struggling to get to grips with the noise, dirt and devastation of East London, Poppy can't help but miss the quiet countryside of home. But Poppy harbours a dark secret – one that wrenched her away from all she knew and from which she is still suffering . . .And Poppy's not the only one with a secret. Each of her new friends at the factory is hiding something painful. Vera Shadwell, the forelady, has had a hard life with scars both visible and concealed; her sister Daisy has romantic notions that could get her in trouble; and Sal Fowler, a hardworking mother who worries about her two evacuated boys for good reason. Bound by ties of friendship, loyalty and family, the devastating events of the war will throw each of their lives into turmoil but also bring these women closer to each other than they could ever have imagined.

Secrets of the Sewing Bee tells the story of the defiant and courageous women on the home front, from Kate Thompson, author of Secrets of the Singer Girls.Orphan Flossy Brown arrives at Trout's garment factory in Bethnal Green amidst the uncertainty of the Second World War. In 1940s London, each cobbled street is strewn with ghosts of soldiers past, all struggling to make ends meet. For the women of the East End, their battles are on the home front.Flossy is quickly embraced by the colourful mix of characters working at Trout's, who have turned their sewing expertise to vital war work. They fast become the family that Flossy has always longed for. Things aren't so easy for Peggy Piper, another new recruit at the factory. She's used to the high life working as a nippie in the West End, and is not best pleased to find herself bent over a sewing machine.Dolly Doolaney, darling of the East End, sets up a sewing circle and the ladies at Trout's play their part in defending the frontline as they arm themselves with their needles and set about stitching their way to victory. But as the full force of the Blitz hits London, the sewing bee are forced to shelter in the underground tube stations on a nightly basis. In such close quarters, can Dolly manage to contain the secret that binds them all? And how will Peggy and Flossy cope as their lives are shaped and moved by forces outside of their control?

A new series from bestselling author Kate Thompson.'Kate Thompson's wartime novels always strike a chord and Secrets of the Homefront Girls is no exception. You can almost smell the Yardley violets drifting over the factory as the girls live lives complicated by the trials and tribulations of war' My Weekly'Kate Thompson's put the lives of women working in the Yardley factory during the Blitz at the heart of her latest novel' Woman's HourStratford, 1939.Britain may be at war, but on the home front keeping up morale and keeping up appearances go hand in hand. For the young women working on the lipstick production line at Yardley's cosmetics factory, it's business as usual.Headstrong Renee Gunn is the queen of the lipstick belt - although her cheeky attitude means she's often in trouble. When Esther, an Austrian refugee, arrives at Yardley's, it's Renee who takes her under her wing and teaches her to be a true cockney.But outside of the factory, things are more complicated. Lily, Renee's older sister, has suddenly returned home after six years away, and is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile Esther is finding life in England more difficult than expected, and it's not long before Renee finds herself in trouble, with nowhere to turn.In the face of the Blitz, the Yardley girls are bound together by friendship and loyalty - but could the secrets they are hiding be the biggest danger of all?'A compelling saga set around the tenacious women of the East End' Daisy Styles'Kate Thompson is a skillful and humane storyteller who lights up the sooty face of the old East End with tales full of drama and human interest.' Annie Murray

'A twisty plot, warm-hearted characters, laughter, secrets and heartbreak - and bursting with fascinating detail' - Annie MurrayStratford, 1943. World War Two is still raging across Europe. But for the Lavender Girls, the workers at the Yardley cosmetics factory in East London, there are even more challenges on the home front.Esther, newly married, is learning to juggle life as a working woman with her duties as a wife and homemaker. And she must find a way to help her adopted family on the Shoot, who are battling their own hidden demons . . .Headstrong Patsy, a new recruit at the Yardley factory, has a double life that takes her from the East End lipstick belt by day to the stage in the West End at night. But will she be able to keep her secrets hidden from her controlling mother, Queenie?For bubbly Lou, a forbidden love forces her to choose between family loyalty and a chance at true happiness. Can she be brave enough to forge her own path in the chaos of a war?One thing is certain: the Lavender Girls need one another more than ever if they are going to survive . . .

Expressive writing is life-based writing that focuses on authentic expression of lived experience, with resultant insight, growth, and skill-building. Therapists, coaches, healthcare professionals, and educators have known for decades that expressive writing is a powerful tool for better living, learning, and healing. But until now, few have had access to practical applications that have proven successful.In this groundbreaking collection, you’ll discover:how expressive writing can call us into healing communityexciting new discoveries about how writing can support neuroplasticity and actually help change our brains—and thus our thinking and behaviornew research on the role of expressive writing for prevention of compassion fatigue in RNshow transformative writing can create art from the ashes of traumathe role of journal writing for emotional balance sensible ideas about the synergy of expressive writing and play therapy for children, teens, and adultsinterventions and strategies for the use of expressive writing in acute psychiatric carehow interactive expressive writing helps deaf teens communicate inarticulate feelings and thoughtshow cancer survivors can use expressive writing to reclaim identity and strength post-treatment the role of expressive writing in developing the roots of resilience for practitioners

Expressive writing is life-based writing that focuses on authentic expression of lived experience, with resultant insight, growth, and skill-building. Therapists, coaches, healthcare professionals, and educators have known for decades that expressive writing is a powerful tool for better living, learning, and healing. But until now, few have had access to practical applications that have proven successful.In this groundbreaking collection, you’ll discover:how expressive writing can call us into healing communityexciting new discoveries about how writing can support neuroplasticity and actually help change our brains—and thus our thinking and behaviornew research on the role of expressive writing for prevention of compassion fatigue in RNshow transformative writing can create art from the ashes of traumathe role of journal writing for emotional balance sensible ideas about the synergy of expressive writing and play therapy for children, teens, and adultsinterventions and strategies for the use of expressive writing in acute psychiatric carehow interactive expressive writing helps deaf teens communicate inarticulate feelings and thoughtshow cancer survivors can use expressive writing to reclaim identity and strength post-treatment the role of expressive writing in developing the roots of resilience for practitioners

The Wedding Girls is a heartwarming story of love and friendship in the East End, by Kate Thompson, the bestselling author of Secrets of the Singer Girls.If a wedding marks the first day of the rest of your life, then the story starts with the dress.It's 1936 and the streets of London's East End are grimy and brutal, but in one corner of Bethnal Green it is forever Hollywood . . . Herbie Taylor's photography studio is nestled in the heart of bustling Green Street. Tomboy Stella and troubled Winnie work in Herbie's studio; their best friend and hopeless romantic Kitty works next door as an apprentice dressmaker. All life passes through the studio, wishing to capture that perfect moment in time.Kitty works tirelessly to create magical bridal gowns, but with each stitch she wonders if she'll ever get a chance to wear a white dress. Stella and Winnie sprinkle a dusting of Hollywood glamour over happy newly-weds, but secretly dream of escaping the East End . . .Community is strong on Green Street, but can it stand the ultimate test? As clouds of war brew on the horizon, danger looms over the East End. Will the Wedding Girls find their happy ever afters, before it's too late?