The Wind in the Willows needs no introduction - children have enjoyed the exploits of its characters for generations. Few would guess that its author, Kenneth Grahame, was a tortured soul. Marriage to the predatory Elspeth Thomson, when both seemed destined for the single life, was a shared fantasy of invented truth. Out of that union came a catastrophically spoiled son, 'mouse', for whom that greatest of children's stories was written. It was the child's tragedy that he was sucked into the unreality of his parents' lives and did not survive it, ending his life in suicide.Alison Prince brings her own highly acclaimed expertise as a children's writer to this remarkably perceptive biography of Kenneth Grahame. Drawing on hitherto unpublished material she uncovers layer upon layer of Grahame's personality to reveal the truth behind the myth of this intriguing man, 'the tortured soul of Mr Toad'.'Alison Prince describes the grim story of Grahame's marriage and fatherhood squarely and sensitively.' Independent'A meaty, well-constructed biography.' Allan Massie Daily Telegraph

The Wind in the Willows needs no introduction - children have enjoyed the exploits of its characters for generations. Few would guess that its author, Kenneth Grahame, was a tortured soul. Marriage to the predatory Elspeth Thomson, when both seemed destined for the single life, was a shared fantasy of invented truth. Out of that union came a catastrophically spoiled son, 'Mouse', for whom that greatest of children's stories was written. It was the child's tragedy that he was sucked into the unreality of his parents' lives and did not survive it, ending his life in suicide.Alison Prince brings her own highly acclaimed expertise as a children's writer to this remarkably perceptive biography of Kenneth Grahame. Drawing on hitherto unpublished material she uncovers layer upon layer of Grahame's personality to reveal the truth behind the myth of this intriguing man, 'the tortured soul of Mr Toad'.'Alison Prince describes the grim story of Grahame's marriage and fatherhood squarely and sensitively.' Independent'A meaty, well-constructed biography.' Allan Massie Daily Telegraph

A story set during World War II. It is the summer of 1944. There have been no air raids for quite a while, and people are beginning to think the war may be coming to an end. Katie and her family don''t sleep in the shelter any more, and it''s a relief to be back in the comfort of proper beds. One night in June, she wakes to hear a noise like a loud motorbike, coming closer. It stops abruptly, and there are a few seconds of silence - then an explosion that rocks the house. The Doodlebugs have arrived...

Miriam doesn''t understand why her mum is buying more food than theyneed, and storing it away. Or why her parents have given her thenickname, Mandy. Her friend Pam says it''s because war is coming. And,if the Nazis invade, it will be dangerous for her to have a Jewishname. But that''s not going to happen, is it? Outbreak is a historical story set at the start of World War II.

Bumble the hamster, so called because of his big bum, belongs to Rosie. He knows it's his job to keep Rosie happy. He entertains her with Pocket Diving, Ear Tickling and Finger Balancing. But when he tries Hide and Seek, Rosie's parents panic and insist Bumble has to stay in his cage. Rosie still feeds him delicious things, but Bumble's getting bored - and fat! Then mice arrive in the house. Rosie's parents are horrified, Rosie isn't happy - and Bumble is frantic. if things go on like this, he'll lose his job. He has to come up with a plan, and quickly...

Ernie loves music and he loves his cats, and he always counts his cats at dinner time. There's Bert and Whistle, one and two. Then, suddenly one day, there's three! Sly black cat Jezebel has sneaked in and somehow got a share of Bert and Whistle's food, their home, and Ernie's attention. The first two cats are NOT impressed by Jezebel's lively tales of hiding in cars, stealing butter and taking the best chair, but when she wanders off again, they're surprised to find they miss her. Ernie thinks maybe she'll be lured back by some lovely Mozart, but Bert and Whistle have a better idea...

Spud is a scruffy dog with a big heart - and an even bigger belly. He loves scrounging in dustbins, scaring cats and, of course, scoffing as much food as he can find. But what Spud loves more than anything in the world is his owner, Mrs Piffey, and she loves him too. But one day Spud overhears Mrs Piffey talking about a mysterious 'turkey' and she suddenly starts wearing dark glasses and strange things called 'bikinis'. Then she disappears . . .Poor Spud does his best to find her - while being kept in check by Mrs Cats-Home. And of course Mrs Piffey is soon back with a tan - and big box of Turkish delight!

Boojer is sick of being stuck in a hutch with no company and an owner who hardly ever remembers to feed him. Encouraged by some cheerful mice, he manages to escape. Boojer is only in search of juicy carrots and a friend, but he gets far more than he bargained for...

Miriam doesn''t understand why her mum is buying more food than theyneed, and storing it away. Or why her parents have given her thenickname, Mandy. Her friend Pam says it''s because war is coming. And,if the Nazis invade, it will be dangerous for her to have a Jewishname. But that''s not going to happen, is it? Outbreak is a historical story set at the start of World War II.

Edward IV has died, leaving his 12-year-old son as king. But England has been torn apart by the Wars of the Roses. Nobody wants a boy-king. Soon the boy''s uncle Richard III is on the throne - but Henry Tudor is challenging him for the crown. Henry and Richard have one thing in common: they need the young Edward V and his little brother out of the way. The two boys are sent to the Tower of London for safety. They are never seen again...A fascinating look at the brief reign of Richard III, told through the eyes of the princes'' nursemaid. What really happened to the princes in the Tower? Was Richard responsible - or has he been wrongly accused for centuries?

Edward IV has died, leaving his 12-year-old son as king. But England has been torn apart by the Wars of the Roses. Nobody wants a boy-king. Soon the boy''s uncle Richard III is on the throne - but Henry Tudor is challenging him for the crown. Henry and Richard have one thing in common: they need the young Edward V and his little brother out of the way. The two boys are sent to the Tower of London for safety. They are never seen again...A fascinating look at the brief reign of Richard III, told through the eyes of the princes'' nursemaid. What really happened to the princes in the Tower? Was Richard responsible - or has he been wrongly accused for centuries?

The Wind in the Willows needs no introduction - children have enjoyed the exploits of its characters for generations. Few would guess that its author, Kenneth Grahame, was a tortured soul. Marriage to the predatory Elspeth Thomson, when both seemed destined for the single life, was a shared fantasy of invented truth. Out of that union came a catastrophically spoiled son, 'mouse', for whom that greatest of children's stories was written. It was the child's tragedy that he was sucked into the unreality of his parents' lives and did not survive it, ending his life in suicide.Alison Prince brings her own highly acclaimed expertise as a children's writer to this remarkably perceptive biography of Kenneth Grahame. Drawing on hitherto unpublished material she uncovers layer upon layer of Grahame's personality to reveal the truth behind the myth of this intriguing man, 'the tortured soul of Mr Toad'.'Alison Prince describes the grim story of Grahame's marriage and fatherhood squarely and sensitively.' Independent'A meaty, well-constructed biography.' Allan Massie Daily Telegraph

The Wind in the Willows needs no introduction - children have enjoyed the exploits of its characters for generations. Few would guess that its author, Kenneth Grahame, was a tortured soul. Marriage to the predatory Elspeth Thomson, when both seemed destined for the single life, was a shared fantasy of invented truth. Out of that union came a catastrophically spoiled son, 'Mouse', for whom that greatest of children's stories was written. It was the child's tragedy that he was sucked into the unreality of his parents' lives and did not survive it, ending his life in suicide.Alison Prince brings her own highly acclaimed expertise as a children's writer to this remarkably perceptive biography of Kenneth Grahame. Drawing on hitherto unpublished material she uncovers layer upon layer of Grahame's personality to reveal the truth behind the myth of this intriguing man, 'the tortured soul of Mr Toad'.'Alison Prince describes the grim story of Grahame's marriage and fatherhood squarely and sensitively.' Independent'A meaty, well-constructed biography.' Allan Massie Daily Telegraph

A story set during World War II. It is the summer of 1944. There have been no air raids for quite a while, and people are beginning to think the war may be coming to an end. Katie and her family don''t sleep in the shelter any more, and it''s a relief to be back in the comfort of proper beds. One night in June, she wakes to hear a noise like a loud motorbike, coming closer. It stops abruptly, and there are a few seconds of silence - then an explosion that rocks the house. The Doodlebugs have arrived...

Miriam doesn''t understand why her mum is buying more food than theyneed, and storing it away. Or why her parents have given her thenickname, Mandy. Her friend Pam says it''s because war is coming. And,if the Nazis invade, it will be dangerous for her to have a Jewishname. But that''s not going to happen, is it? Outbreak is a historical story set at the start of World War II.

Bumble the hamster, so called because of his big bum, belongs to Rosie. He knows it's his job to keep Rosie happy. He entertains her with Pocket Diving, Ear Tickling and Finger Balancing. But when he tries Hide and Seek, Rosie's parents panic and insist Bumble has to stay in his cage. Rosie still feeds him delicious things, but Bumble's getting bored - and fat! Then mice arrive in the house. Rosie's parents are horrified, Rosie isn't happy - and Bumble is frantic. if things go on like this, he'll lose his job. He has to come up with a plan, and quickly...

Ernie loves music and he loves his cats, and he always counts his cats at dinner time. There's Bert and Whistle, one and two. Then, suddenly one day, there's three! Sly black cat Jezebel has sneaked in and somehow got a share of Bert and Whistle's food, their home, and Ernie's attention. The first two cats are NOT impressed by Jezebel's lively tales of hiding in cars, stealing butter and taking the best chair, but when she wanders off again, they're surprised to find they miss her. Ernie thinks maybe she'll be lured back by some lovely Mozart, but Bert and Whistle have a better idea...

Spud is a scruffy dog with a big heart - and an even bigger belly. He loves scrounging in dustbins, scaring cats and, of course, scoffing as much food as he can find. But what Spud loves more than anything in the world is his owner, Mrs Piffey, and she loves him too. But one day Spud overhears Mrs Piffey talking about a mysterious 'turkey' and she suddenly starts wearing dark glasses and strange things called 'bikinis'. Then she disappears . . .Poor Spud does his best to find her - while being kept in check by Mrs Cats-Home. And of course Mrs Piffey is soon back with a tan - and big box of Turkish delight!

Boojer is sick of being stuck in a hutch with no company and an owner who hardly ever remembers to feed him. Encouraged by some cheerful mice, he manages to escape. Boojer is only in search of juicy carrots and a friend, but he gets far more than he bargained for...

Miriam doesn''t understand why her mum is buying more food than theyneed, and storing it away. Or why her parents have given her thenickname, Mandy. Her friend Pam says it''s because war is coming. And,if the Nazis invade, it will be dangerous for her to have a Jewishname. But that''s not going to happen, is it? Outbreak is a historical story set at the start of World War II.

Edward IV has died, leaving his 12-year-old son as king. But England has been torn apart by the Wars of the Roses. Nobody wants a boy-king. Soon the boy''s uncle Richard III is on the throne - but Henry Tudor is challenging him for the crown. Henry and Richard have one thing in common: they need the young Edward V and his little brother out of the way. The two boys are sent to the Tower of London for safety. They are never seen again...A fascinating look at the brief reign of Richard III, told through the eyes of the princes'' nursemaid. What really happened to the princes in the Tower? Was Richard responsible - or has he been wrongly accused for centuries?

Edward IV has died, leaving his 12-year-old son as king. But England has been torn apart by the Wars of the Roses. Nobody wants a boy-king. Soon the boy''s uncle Richard III is on the throne - but Henry Tudor is challenging him for the crown. Henry and Richard have one thing in common: they need the young Edward V and his little brother out of the way. The two boys are sent to the Tower of London for safety. They are never seen again...A fascinating look at the brief reign of Richard III, told through the eyes of the princes'' nursemaid. What really happened to the princes in the Tower? Was Richard responsible - or has he been wrongly accused for centuries?