Christopher Robbins – författare

The only thing most people know about Kazakhstan is that it is homeland to Borat - and he isn't even real. Actually this vast place - the last unknown inhabited country in the world - is far more surprising and entertaining. For one thing, it is as varied as Europe, combining stupendous wealth, grinding poverty, exotic traditions and a mad dash for modernity.Crisscrossing a vanished land, Christopher Robbins finds Eminem by a shrinking Aral Sea, goes eagle-hunting, visits the scene of Dostoyevsky's doomed first love, takes up residence beside one-time neighbour Leon Trotsky and visits some of the most beautiful, unspoilt places on earth.

Very funny and genuinely moving, THE EMPRESS OF IRELAND is an inspiring portrait of the unique and improbable friendship between Christopher Robbins, then an impoverished writer in his twenties, and Brian Desmond Hurst, Ireland's most prolific film director. It began when the author -- a journalist who had never read a script -- was asked to write the screenplay for Hurst's swansong movie, an ambitious biblical epic intended to be his ticket to heaven. As work commenced on the 'Box Office Blockbuster', and later the director's life story, the 'Big Bestseller', an unlikely but uproarious rapport was born. Full of character, incident and humour, Robbins' memoir is a warm and wonderful tribute to friendship and to one of life's true originals.

The true story of Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter Michel Thomas and his lifelong war against ign. The fascinating and thrilling biography of Michel Thomas, who survived torture and concentration camps to teach languages to the stars.

Did you know elephants have parades, camels have caravans, and porcupines have prickles? From a shoal of aardvarks to a zeal of zebras, kids can learn the names of animal groups in this adorable padded board book. With bright, trendy illustrations and plenty of hidden puns, A Caravan of Camels showcases punny animal families of all kinds from A to Z. Whether it’s a smack, a barrel, or a zeal, it's a family!

All aboard! This noisy train is leaving the station! Every car on the 56” fold-out train celebrates a different style of music, along with the instruments and styles that make it so unique. Jam with the jazz cats in one train car, break dance with the rappers on another, and belt with the opera soprano on another! With hilarious characters you just might recognize and clever details for young readers to spot, this book-and-toy combination is sure to be a hit with both music lovers and young listeners just finding their tune.

A book, toy, and decoration all in one, this interactive board bookintroduces toddlers to the solar system with simple, engaging facts—from the sun to the Kuiper BeltAll aboard the Space Train! Put on your space suit and strap in for an interstellar adventure through our solar system.Starting at the sun and learning facts about each planet along the way, this adorable two-in-one, sturdy, die-cut board book unfolds into a 56'' train (perfect for playtime or room decor!). Printed on both sides with boldly colored illustrations, the book includes a handy clasp to keep everything snuggly shut when reading time is over.A perfect interactive primer for teaching the solar system to kids, Space Train provides that colorful, educational, and toylike experience that makes learning fun.Part of the On-Track Learning series, featuring interactive fold-out trains that bring your child's favorite subjects to life through playful, hands-on learning adventures.

Author Christopher Robbins and illustrator Susanna Covelli’s Ocean Train is an interactive primer that teaches numbers and sea creature names to children, providing a colorful, educational, and toy-like learning experience that makes learning fun.Ahoy! Take a dive under the sea with Ocean Train and learn about numbers and marine life. With a yellow submarine engine, little nautical explorers will love this 56-inch fold-out train (perfect for playtime or room decor)! Printed on both sides with boldly colored underwater illustrations, the book includes a handy clasp to keep everything snuggly shut when reading time is over.

Take a trip back in time to the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs walked the earth!

2026 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL HOT OFF THE PRESS PICKExperience a quiet day on the river with Papa in this sentimental picture book about fly fishing and conservation that Kirkus Reviews says “captures the magic of nature.”The crisp autumn morning nips my nose and ears as Papa and I gather our vests for today’s trip to the river. “We are fly fisherman, the artists of the sport,” my papa says.Papa and child spend a day on the river, tying fishing lures, admiring nature, mastering the art of fly fishing, and most importantly, spending valuable time together while doing something they love.For fly fishers who love to share their pastime with family, Fly Fishing with Papa is a sentimental picture book that honors the sport and celebrates the bond between adult and child. Written by Familius’ founder and fly fisherman, Christopher Robbins, the descriptive narration accurately captures the adventures of fly fishers while conveying the importance of conservation and bonding through shared experiences. This adventure and the great outdoors come to life with soft but vibrant illustrations from Yukari Mishima, making every page feel like a glimpse into your own memories of fishing with your papa.

A counting primer with all the famous sights, sounds, and places in South Carolina, this board book is designed for the youngest readersFrom one black-and-white lighthouse to 10 children eating yellow Carolina peaches, numbers and colors are more fun in South Carolina! In this dynamic, colorful primer, young readers count the places, animals, and other wonderful things that make South Carolina so unique. Perfect for locals and tourists alike!

A book, toy, and decoration all in one, this 56" foldable train tours the wild animals of Africa from A to ZAll aboard the Safari Train! Grab your binoculars and buckle up for a journey deep into the wilds of Africa. With facts about lions, giraffes, and other wildlife throughout the journey, this adorable two-in-one sturdy die-cut board book unfolds into a 56" train (perfect for playtime or room decor!). Printed on both sides with boldly colored illustrations that capture the hues of the savanna, this book includes a handy clasp to keep everything snuggly shut when reading time is over. A perfect interactive primer for teaching animals and geography to kids, Safari Train provides that colorful, educational, and toylike experience that makes learning fun.

A touching picture book retelling of Holy Week, with soft watercolor art that beautifully captures the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection—an inspiring gift for Easter, Christmas, and Christian families. I am the donkey that He rode.I am the palm leaves they waved in celebration of Israel’s king.I am the room where He ate the Last Supper. With lyrical, scripture-inspired verses from Christopher Robbins and radiant watercolor illustrations by Yumi Shimokawara, He is Risen offers a moving retelling of Holy Week through the eyes of the animals, plants, and objects that witnessed Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.This fresh perspective gently introduces children to the Easter story and the enduring symbols of Christianity. Both reverent and heartfelt, it’s a meaningful read-aloud for Christian families and a beautiful gift for Easter, Holy Week, Christmas, and other Christian holidays.Available in English and Spanish!

Un conmovedor libro ilustrado recontando la Semana Santa, con suaves acuarelas que plasman bellamente la historia de la crucifixión y resurrección de Jesucristo: un regalo inspirador para Pascua, Navidad y otras festividades cristianas. «Soy el burro que Él montó.Soy las hojas de palma que agitaron en honor al Rey de Israel.Soy la habitación en la que celebró la última cena». Con efusivos versos de Christopher Robbins, inspirados en las Escrituras, y radiantes ilustraciones en acuarela de Yumi Shimokawara, Ha resucitado ofrece un conmovedor recuento de la Semana Santa a través de los ojos de los animales, las plantas y los objetos que fueron testigos de la crucifixión y resurrección de Jesucristo.Esta nueva perspectiva presenta dulcemente a los niños la historia de la Pascua y los símbolos perdurables del cristianismo. Reverente y sincera al mismo tiempo, es una importante historia para familias cristianas a ser leída en voz alta y un hermoso regalo para Pascua, Semana Santa, Navidad y otras festividades cristianas.¡Disponible en inglés y español!

Michel Thomas survived French concentration and slave labour camps, endured interrogation and torture and after the war became a Nazi-hunter, capturing important war criminals. It was through these remarkable and terrifying experiences that Thomas came to develop his revolutionary language learning system - a system that is currently taking the world by storm. This is his remarkable story, told by his friend and biographer Christopher Robbins.

Old MacDonald had a farm . . . in Utah! In this delightful Utah twist on the familiar farm tune, the black bear goes grr grr here, the seagull goes squawk squawk there, and everywhere there’s lots of Utah pride! This chunky layered board book cleverly reveals each Utah animal and, when closed, forms an adorable pickup truck! Friendly Utah animals and scenery fill the pages of this irresistible book for kids.

Row, row, row your boat . . . in Michigan! The sights and scenery of Michigan spring to life in this adorable twist on the favorite children’s song. Each die-cut page of the layered board book reveals an imaginary boat sailing past Lake Michigan, Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Windmill Island, and more! A delightful children’s introduction to the iconic places of Michigan. And when you’re done with your journey?Row, row, row your boat back around the bend. If you love Michigan, sing the song again!

All aboard the dino train! Join Brachiosaurus, Triceratops, and Velociraptor on a train ride that teaches fun facts about the adorable alphabetized dinos aboard this 56-inch fold-out train (perfect for playtime or room decor)! Printed on both sides with boldly colored and hilarious dinosaur illustrations, the book includes a handy velcro clasp to keep everything snuggly shut when reading time is over. A perfect interactive primer for teaching dinosaur names and letter sounds to kids, Dino Train provides that colorful, educational, and toy-like experience that makes learning fun.

A tongue-in-cheek primer for Texas-born babies, filled with pop culture references, historic sites, and enough Texas pride to delight parents too.Howdy, y’all! We’re known as the Friendship State, but don’t mess with Texas!We’ve got skeeters and bobcats, and the best darn brisket you’ll ever taste. But how do we pass our love of this great state on to our little ones? Introducing 100 First Words for Little Texans, a state primer for kids learning their first words!Forget apple and dog. Little Texans are ready to move from ABC to BBQ and other Texas-specific words like oil, Alamo, and Tex-Mex (if you know, you know).Packed with hilarious illustrations and 100 words every Texas-dwelling baby should know (before any others, of course), 100 First Words for Little Texans is the perfect board book for families who call the Lone Star State home—and a memorable baby shower or new baby gift for the next generation of proud Texans.Once they've mastered Texas, there's a whole lot more to say. Discover more places, passions, and playful first words in the 100 First Words series.

Join the fun and get your baby in on the lingo of being a true Utahn from day one in this colorful, humorous board book celebrating 100 First Words for Little Utahns.Driving up and down the I-15, exploring gorgeous national parks, and dipping everything in fry sauce, we’re Utahns in every fiber of our being. But how do we pass on our love for this bea-UTAH-ful state to our baby? Oh my heck!Introducing 100 First Words for Little Utahns, a state primer for kids learning their first words from author Christopher Robbins! Forget apple and dog. Little Utahns are ready to move from ABC to MLM and other Utah-specific words like Timp, Pando, and deseret. Packed with hilarious illustrations by McKay Rappleyea and 100 words every Utah-born baby should know.Whether you bleed red or blue, 100 First Words for Little Utahns is the perfect board book for families who call Utah home.