Sandra Lawrence – författare

Features 50 of the city's seminal structures, with specially commissioned illustrations accompanied by text. Once the card around the buildings is removed, you are left with your own version of London to treasure and display.

Features 53 of the city's seminal structures, with specially commissioned illustrations accompanied by text. Once the card around the buildings is removed, you are left with your own version of Paris to treasure and display.

A romantic journey through forty captivating gardens lost to time. All over the world, once-flourishing horticultural spaces have been abandoned and forgotten. From the once-crumbling grandeur of the Villa d’Este and the magic of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, to the sculptural surrealism of Las Pozas and the colourful rebirth of Le Jardin Majorelle, there are countless gardens around the world with fascinating stories to tell.   Author and journalist Sandra Lawrence takes readers on a tour of 40 horticultural gems from around the world that have been lost either through neglect, abandonment or destruction. Many have been consigned to history, never to be seen again, while others have been revived and restored by the care and dedication of new owners and communities. These marvels of horticulture take many forms: stately homes, floating allotments, roof gardens and more. But all of them have one thing in common: the romance of paradise lost.  Featuring one bespoke illustration of each garden by renowned artist Lucille Clerc, this book is a written celebration of our love of nature, and the importance of keeping these oases of green alive and well – if not in reality, then at least on the page.  These charming gardens are brought back to life, including: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, England Las Pozas, Mexico Le Jardin Majorelle, Morocco The Garden of Dreams, Nepal Villa d’Este, Italy Paleis Het Loo, Netherlands Crowninshield Garden, USA  Discover the remarkable stories behind the creation, decline and occasional rebirth of these astonishing spaces, and meet the people and societies that first created and enjoyed them. The perfect gift for garden lovers, armchair travellers and cultural enthusiasts.

Take a trip into the world of hallucinogenic plants in this latest addition to Kew's Witch's Garden series. From ancient ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon to substance-fuelled partying in the Summer of Love, psychoactive plants have been used for thousands of years for everything from shamanic ceremonies to staying awake. The Psychedelic Garden is a fascinating exploration of these incredible species that, for centuries, have helped shape the way we see the world. With expert text and gorgeous botanical illustrations from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this mind-expanding book delves into the folklore, cultural history and botanical background of these remarkable plants.

The magical use of edible plants - from the orchard and vineyard to the fig pit and hedgerow - is a tale as old as time. From Persephone's pomegranates in ancient Greek myth to dragon fruit being born of the mythical creature's fiery breath, and from hazel trees growing at the end of the world to breaking fast with dates, almost every ingredient in an ancient or modern orchard has been said to have powerful properties.Featuring over 60 species, with dozens of fascinating entries from around the world, this informative and entertaining gift book is the latest in Kew's esoteric Witch's Garden series.

One day a collection of very old maps in found in a dusty library. They show where in the world monsters from mythology and folklore can be found. According to the notes left with them they were made by Cornelius Walters, an intrepid explorer from the 15th century. But did Walters really make these elaborate maps, or is it all a hoax? The librarian who discovered them is not certain ... and what are the strange messages in a cryptic code that Walters records in his ship's log?Inside this wonderous atlas are trolls and dragons, minotaurs and krackens, goblins and giants ... and there is a puzzle to solve. Stuart Hill's spectacular illustrations evoke the beauty of a medieval map, but with a contemporary twist.

'An amazing read! I galloped through it' Lady Antonia Fraser'Lawrence has done an excellent job of recreating this eccentric gardening guru's life' The Times'My pick for gardening book of the year is this page-turning life story of Ellen Willmott' The Sunday Times'Sandra Lawrence tells her story with brio and affection' Daily Mail'Simply brilliant and a joy to read' The English GardenEllen Ann Willmott was a remarkable woman whose achievements in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, photography and more, should have made her one of the most well-known trailblazers of her age. Yet, both posthumously and within her lifetime, she instead became known as a bitter, cantankerous and eccentric miser, and her reputation has been forever stained by the image of her maliciously seeding other people's gardens with thorns.The beginnings of this prickly myth can be traced back to her conspicuous absence at what should have been the pinnacle of her career: the Royal Horticultural Society's inaugural Victoria Medal of Honour Award ceremony, at which she was due to be one of only two female recipients. Universally interpreted as the rudest of snubs, nobody has ever stopped to question why Ellen wasn't there, or if she was really as difficult and mean as she has been portrayed ever since.Author, Sandra Lawrence, has been granted unparalleled access to her archives, and with it has uncovered the secrets behind this thorniness. This is a book with it all: gossip, sisters, rivalry, squandered inheritance, forbidden love, bad marriages and, at the heart of it all, trailblazing talent.

Instant History pulls together all the pivotal moments in modern history into one concise volume. Each page contains a discrete 'cheat sheet', which tells you the most important facts in bite-sized chunks, meaning you can become an expert in an instant. From the Boston Tea Party to the Cold War, the Grand Tour to the Great Depression, the Industrial Revolution to the Russian Revolution, every key event, character or turning point is expressed in succinct and lively text and graphics. Perfect for the knowledge hungry and time poor, this collection of graphic-led lessons makes history interesting and accessible. Everything you need to know is here.

The Witch's Garden describes over 50 of the world's most powerful, harmful, legendary and storied plants - from the screaming mandrake to calming St John's Wort, to predicting the weather with seaweed, the creation of salves for broken hearts, sore heads, protection from evil spirits and to even induce immortality. Wise women, apothecaries, witches, herbalists: whatever you like to call them, those who cultivate plants for their apparent mystical properties have existed for thousands of years. The Witch's Garden tells the story of our folkloric fascination with these magical specimens, documenting the beliefs and rituals surrounding the natural world. Illustrated with pages from herbals held within the archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, along with botanical illustrations and archival images depicting magic and mayhem, The Witch's Garden beautifully evokes the bewitching nature of mysterious plants.

Explore the wonderful world of some of the most incredible natural forms on our planet – fungi.At the centre of countless superstitions, folkloric tales and magical beliefs, as well as appearing in recipes and medicines both traditional and modern, mushrooms have incredible powers.Featuring images of over 100 fascinating species, sourced from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Magic of Mushrooms shows that from saving lives to expanding the mind, the potential of these fascinating organisms should not be underestimated.

Cultures all over the world have great heroes and heroines whose exploits have made them the stuff of legend. In this wondrously illustrated atlas, explore some of the great figures of mythology and their incredible exploits. From Heracles of Greece, to Maui of the Pacific, to the Empress Jingu of Japan, The Atlas of Heroes and Heroines is full of fascinating stories of bravery and cunning.From the author and illustrator of The Atlas of Monsters.

This beautifully illustrated collection tells the awe-inspiring stories of 50 women who have pushed the boundaries of human excellence and endeavour. Standing out for their achievements in sport, science, the arts, politics, and history, these women have made huge contributions to today's society. Featuring incredible women from the past and present such as Beyoncé, Sheryl Sandberg, Mary Anning, Emmeline Pankhurst and Malala Yousafzai. The Anthology of Amazing Women is a wonderful read for anyone wanting to read up on the incredible women who have lived and changed our lives.

There is a whole world of food to discover!What did the ancient Romans snack on?And how has the humble potato shaped history?Will algae burgers be a future fast food?Everywhere on our planet where people can be found, there are different foods that we enjoy, and different ways of preparing and eating them, too. From fruits, vegetables, cheeses and grains to foods of the future, explore the fascinating history behind what we eat. Find out where foods come from, and what we grow, farm, forage and cook, too. Featuring more than 100 mouth-watering dishes and food traditions from every corner of the globe, this book will make you hungry!Bursting with colour and fascinating facts, the World of... series looks at what we have in common, and celebrates our differences.

There is more folklore, mythology and magic associated with our trees and forests than with any other living things.Known throughout the world as dark and wild places where witches make mischief and eerie creatures dwell, forests are also places of sanctuary for the ancient magic and the most enchanting species of trees.Kew: Witch's Forest is a beautifully illustrated, captivating journey through the magical woodland and its stories, from birch broomsticks and the sacred olive, to alder doorways and the Tree of Life.

Madame Volare, apothecarist and witch extraordinaire invites you to be her apprentice and learn about the world's most magical plants.For thousands of years, plants have been used to heal and soothe. Discover the amazing power within a humble leaf, seed, petal and stem, and how our ancestors feared or revered flowers and herbs. From the mandrake that bestows luck to the calming St John's wort, take a fascinating walk through a witch's garden, exploring the uses, folklore and history of over fifty common plants.Respect and marvel at the pure magic of the natural world and how you can harness its power for your own health and happiness.

Madame Volare, apothecarist and witch extraordinaire invites you to be her apprentice and learn about the world's most magical trees.For centuries, our ancestors looked to trees not just for shelter but for healing and pure magic. From towering bamboo to sturdy oaks, this is a beautifully illustrated and fascinating exploration of more than fifty of the world's most magical trees, their uses, folklore and history.Respect and marvel at the pure magic of the natural world and how you can harness its power for your own health and happiness.

There is a whole world of food to discover!What did the ancient Romans snack on?And how has the humble potato shaped history?Will algae burgers be a future fast food?Everywhere on our planet where people can be found, there are different foods that we enjoy, and different ways of preparing and eating them, too. From fruits, vegetables, cheeses and grains to foods of the future, explore the fascinating history behind what we eat. Find out where foods come from, and what we grow, farm, forage and cook, too. Featuring more than 100 mouth-watering dishes and food traditions from every corner of the globe, this book will make you hungry!Bursting with colour and fascinating facts, the World of... series looks at what we have in common, and celebrates our differences.

Gardens both real and imagined have long captured our imaginations. They are places of mystery and magic, beauty and danger, romance and revelation; writers have used them to reflect longing and create unforgettable moments of drama, escape and wonder.Literary Gardens explores thirty of the most atmospheric and emotionally charged gardens in literature. From The Secret Garden and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to Rebecca and The Great Gatsby, these fictional gardens capture the atmosphere and emotion of the stories they belong to. Some feel peaceful or nostalgic, others are rich with mystery or unspoken tension – each is shaped by the characters and moments that are revealed within them. In Literary Gardens, readers will uncover new stories and rediscover old favourites, guided by Sandra Lawrence’s lyrical storytelling and Lucille Clerc’s evocative vision.Literary Gardens is a tribute to the spaces that have stayed with us long after the final page – a perfect gift for yourself, or anyone who has ever wanted to step through the page and into another world.

Learn all about the festivals and folktales which shape cultures around the world in this beautifully illustrated book.Find out where lost loved ones are remembered with paper lanterns and which culture tells the story of Rama and Sita. Discover the origins of Diwali and which US state builds massive sandcastles.This fascinating book celebrates all that makes our brilliant world so special; how we all have similarities and differences; how despite our various cultures and beliefs we are united by storytelling and celebrations.Vibrant artwork from Emma Trithart and Jane Newland perfectly illustrations the rich and unique festivals and myths which are central to many religions, nations and cultures.

Take a high-speed journey through the past, present and future in this illustrated book that celebrates the things that go! From the invention of the wheel, we have held a need for speed and this book uncovers the different modes, methods and machines we have used.