Pocket Tales is part of Pocket Reads, a superb collection of quality books that really capture children's imaginations! Pocket Reads have fantastic breadth and variety of genre, with Pocket Sci-Fi, Pocket Facts and Pocket Chillers making up the rest of the collection of independent readers. The fiction books are beautifully illustrated and are guaranteed to appeal to even the most reluctant of readers. The non-fiction readers are equally as stunning and will captivate and excite children with fascinating facts. The 105 pocket-sized fiction and non-fiction readers have each been carefully levelled to the National Curriculum and Book-Banded to ensure children make progression. You can therefore be assured that every reading experience is one that counts.

Vermouth is hitting its stride—again. The cocktail resurgence has put a spotlight on an often-overlooked ingredient in some of the most iconic cocktails of our time: vermouth. It appeared in America in the 1860s, reigned supreme in drinks like the Manhattan and the Martini, then fell out of favor during the counterculture days of the 1960s. But with artisanal cocktails now the rage, interest in vermouth is at a peak. After all, without it, your martini is merely a chilled vodka or gin.More and more cocktail lovers are requesting more than a whisper of vermouth in their drinks. In fact, it’s touted as a low-alcohol alternative to sip on its own, or, if the ratio is tweaked, as tasty way to lighten up more traditionally strong drinks. Vermouth has a rich history, deeply intertwined with that of America, and, here, expert Adam Ford offers the first-ever detailed look into the background of this aromatized, fortified wine, as well as its rise, fall, and comeback in America.With bold and delicious cocktail recipes?there are twists on the classic Boulevardier, a once-forgotten Brooklyn Cocktail, and a refreshing White Negroni?and color photographs throughout, Vermouth is a must-have book for anyone interested in drinking, or learning about, great cocktails.

Mindfulness is a lifelong exercise and the older we get the more appreciative we can become of the practice. Galileo & The Art of Ageing Mindfully reveals how the father of modern science introduced a new era in our mindful understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. Adam Ford turns his telescope towards the stars to reveal a natural fusion of science and spirituality and to offer his own perspective on ageing. Questions of deep time and existence, and spiritual insights are shared alongside wise notes to his grandchildren. Add in a constellation of meditative insights, and Adam proves how our existential journey with ageing is the natural opportunity to experience the true benefits of mindfulness.

Mindful Thoughts for Walkers explores how walking is an opportunity to deepen our levels of physical and spiritual awareness.Mindful walking can help us face the existential questions of ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where have I come from?’, What am I doing here?’ and ‘Where am I going?’ Through a series of 25 succinct meditations on walking, Adam Ford presents an enlightening guide to how mindfulness and walking can help us improve our conscious living, including:  • Taking time to breathe• Finding your rhythm• Being aware of your surroundings ­• Long-distance walking• Walking with others• Walking by night, by rivers and canals, and exploring the cityFrom a gentle daily stroll to a brisk hike across the mountaintops, this is a powerful reading companion for rural and urban walker alike.  If you like this, you might also be interested in Mindful Thoughts for Runners, Mindful Thoughts for Gardeners and Mindful Thoughts for Birdwatchers.

Mindful Thoughts for Birdwatchers brings us closer to the birds we share the world with.  Part of the Mindful Thoughts series, this beautifully illustrated little book meditates on all aspects of birdwatching, including:City birdsThe magic of birdsongThe art of looking and listeningFlock behaviourThe migration cycle…and much moreNoticing and appreciating the awesome nature of birdlife is a spiritually affirming activity – reconnecting us to the natural world, even if seen only from our window or back garden. From the sight of birds heading to roost at sunset to the delight of birdsong at dawn, there are moments every day when being aware of the avian life around us is inspiring and rewarding.In 25 focused reflections, author Adam Ford shares observations on bird habits and qualities, including the delicate genius of the feather, the flight of the swallow and the intricacies of birds’ nests, reminding us of the wonders of our feathered friends.  If you like this, you might be interested in Mindful Thoughts for Gardeners, Mindful Thoughts for Walkers and Mindfulness and the Natural World. . .

Religions flourish everywhere around the planet, shaping people’s lives, providing meaning and spiritual guidance in a perplexing world, giving comfort in times of distress. Divided into 52 sections and grouped into four chapters Religion: A Crash Course takes a geographical approach. It covers the ancient religions that emanate from the Indian subcontinent, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism through to the Abrahamic faiths of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims of Arabia and Europe. The third section looks at the way Indian religions found their way to China and Japan, mingling Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Finally, the less well-documented tribal religions of Africa, Australasia, and the Americas are explored as well as recent phenomena in the New World: the Mormons, Rastafarians, and Pentecostalists.

As an Anglican priest and former Priest-in-Ordinary to the Queen, a lecturer in Buddhism, and a devoted walker, Adam Ford is an inspiring guide with a refreshingly eclectic viewpoint. Contemplating the concept of a purposeful walking, he applies the notion of mindfulness to walks ranging from a simple journey to work to a personal odyssey in the Australian outback. Exploring the idea of the walk as both medium and metaphor, and considering ideas of pilgrimage alongside the notion of the walk in literature, he draws on his personal experience of both spirituality and walking. This book celebrates and enchances those moments: both for the hardened hiker and those who like to contemplate past walks from the comfort of their armchair.

The Art of Mindful Silence explores our existential search for mindful solitude, what it can mean, and how we can all benefit from peaceful solace.Silence-seeker Adam Ford wisely interrogates the quiet spaces and pauses in life, drawing upon the spirtual use of solitude in religious traditions from Native American intitiation ceremonies to Christian hermitages. He examines the creative power of silence as a source of inner strength and self-knowledge, and also reveals its darker side when used as a political or relationship weapon.Through personal anecdote and practical daily meditations, The Art of Mindful Silence shows how we can all find moments of soothing peace to nourish our spirits in an increasingly chaotic world.

Pocket Tales is part of Pocket Reads, a superb collection of quality books that really capture children's imaginations! Pocket Reads have fantastic breadth and variety of genre, with Pocket Sci-Fi, Pocket Facts and Pocket Chillers making up the rest of the collection of independent readers. The fiction books are beautifully illustrated and are guaranteed to appeal to even the most reluctant of readers. The non-fiction readers are equally as stunning and will captivate and excite children with fascinating facts. The 105 pocket-sized fiction and non-fiction readers have each been carefully levelled to the National Curriculum and Book-Banded to ensure children make progression. You can therefore be assured that every reading experience is one that counts.

Vermouth is hitting its stride—again. The cocktail resurgence has put a spotlight on an often-overlooked ingredient in some of the most iconic cocktails of our time: vermouth. It appeared in America in the 1860s, reigned supreme in drinks like the Manhattan and the Martini, then fell out of favor during the counterculture days of the 1960s. But with artisanal cocktails now the rage, interest in vermouth is at a peak. After all, without it, your martini is merely a chilled vodka or gin.More and more cocktail lovers are requesting more than a whisper of vermouth in their drinks. In fact, it’s touted as a low-alcohol alternative to sip on its own, or, if the ratio is tweaked, as tasty way to lighten up more traditionally strong drinks. Vermouth has a rich history, deeply intertwined with that of America, and, here, expert Adam Ford offers the first-ever detailed look into the background of this aromatized, fortified wine, as well as its rise, fall, and comeback in America.With bold and delicious cocktail recipes?there are twists on the classic Boulevardier, a once-forgotten Brooklyn Cocktail, and a refreshing White Negroni?and color photographs throughout, Vermouth is a must-have book for anyone interested in drinking, or learning about, great cocktails.

Mindfulness is a lifelong exercise and the older we get the more appreciative we can become of the practice. Galileo & The Art of Ageing Mindfully reveals how the father of modern science introduced a new era in our mindful understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. Adam Ford turns his telescope towards the stars to reveal a natural fusion of science and spirituality and to offer his own perspective on ageing. Questions of deep time and existence, and spiritual insights are shared alongside wise notes to his grandchildren. Add in a constellation of meditative insights, and Adam proves how our existential journey with ageing is the natural opportunity to experience the true benefits of mindfulness.

Mindful Thoughts for Walkers explores how walking is an opportunity to deepen our levels of physical and spiritual awareness.Mindful walking can help us face the existential questions of ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where have I come from?’, What am I doing here?’ and ‘Where am I going?’ Through a series of 25 succinct meditations on walking, Adam Ford presents an enlightening guide to how mindfulness and walking can help us improve our conscious living, including:  • Taking time to breathe• Finding your rhythm• Being aware of your surroundings ­• Long-distance walking• Walking with others• Walking by night, by rivers and canals, and exploring the cityFrom a gentle daily stroll to a brisk hike across the mountaintops, this is a powerful reading companion for rural and urban walker alike.  If you like this, you might also be interested in Mindful Thoughts for Runners, Mindful Thoughts for Gardeners and Mindful Thoughts for Birdwatchers.

Mindful Thoughts for Birdwatchers brings us closer to the birds we share the world with.  Part of the Mindful Thoughts series, this beautifully illustrated little book meditates on all aspects of birdwatching, including:City birdsThe magic of birdsongThe art of looking and listeningFlock behaviourThe migration cycle…and much moreNoticing and appreciating the awesome nature of birdlife is a spiritually affirming activity – reconnecting us to the natural world, even if seen only from our window or back garden. From the sight of birds heading to roost at sunset to the delight of birdsong at dawn, there are moments every day when being aware of the avian life around us is inspiring and rewarding.In 25 focused reflections, author Adam Ford shares observations on bird habits and qualities, including the delicate genius of the feather, the flight of the swallow and the intricacies of birds’ nests, reminding us of the wonders of our feathered friends.  If you like this, you might be interested in Mindful Thoughts for Gardeners, Mindful Thoughts for Walkers and Mindfulness and the Natural World. . .

Religions flourish everywhere around the planet, shaping people’s lives, providing meaning and spiritual guidance in a perplexing world, giving comfort in times of distress. Divided into 52 sections and grouped into four chapters Religion: A Crash Course takes a geographical approach. It covers the ancient religions that emanate from the Indian subcontinent, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism through to the Abrahamic faiths of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims of Arabia and Europe. The third section looks at the way Indian religions found their way to China and Japan, mingling Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Finally, the less well-documented tribal religions of Africa, Australasia, and the Americas are explored as well as recent phenomena in the New World: the Mormons, Rastafarians, and Pentecostalists.

As an Anglican priest and former Priest-in-Ordinary to the Queen, a lecturer in Buddhism, and a devoted walker, Adam Ford is an inspiring guide with a refreshingly eclectic viewpoint. Contemplating the concept of a purposeful walking, he applies the notion of mindfulness to walks ranging from a simple journey to work to a personal odyssey in the Australian outback. Exploring the idea of the walk as both medium and metaphor, and considering ideas of pilgrimage alongside the notion of the walk in literature, he draws on his personal experience of both spirituality and walking. This book celebrates and enchances those moments: both for the hardened hiker and those who like to contemplate past walks from the comfort of their armchair.

The Art of Mindful Silence explores our existential search for mindful solitude, what it can mean, and how we can all benefit from peaceful solace.Silence-seeker Adam Ford wisely interrogates the quiet spaces and pauses in life, drawing upon the spirtual use of solitude in religious traditions from Native American intitiation ceremonies to Christian hermitages. He examines the creative power of silence as a source of inner strength and self-knowledge, and also reveals its darker side when used as a political or relationship weapon.Through personal anecdote and practical daily meditations, The Art of Mindful Silence shows how we can all find moments of soothing peace to nourish our spirits in an increasingly chaotic world.