Inspiring Lives – serie

This first entry of a series covers the fascinating and enigmatic world of J.R.R. Tolkien, examining his place in literary history, his books and his iconic characters. The reader can explore facts and trivia from Tolkien’s life and works, including his early life in southern Africa and Birmingham, Tolkien on the silver screen, his role in the two world wars and his friendship with C.S. Lewis, as well as the places that inspired his fictional world of Middle-earth. Both light-hearted and highly informative, this book offers an insight for new and old Tolkien fans into one of the great writers of the twentieth century.

This miscellany explores the fascinating and enigmatic world created by the undisputed ‘Queen of Crime’, Agatha Christie. Examining her place in literary history, her books and her iconic characters, including Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, this unique collection includes facts, trivia and quotes that feature in Christie’s legendary stories and the subsequent film and television adaptations. The Agatha Christie Miscellany will also delve into the secrets, mysteries and tricks that made Christie the most sensational and successful mystery writer of her time. For example, how is it that she managed to keep us guessing the murderer until the very end? Looking at her life and the influences on her writing, this entertaining and informative miscellany will, above all, unravel the secrets of Agatha Christie’s phenomenal success.

Jane Austen is the world’s bestselling novelist. Two hundred years after her death we seem to have a never-ending appetite for the swooning of Sense & Sensibility and the smouldering passion of Pride & Prejudice, resulting in a near constant supply of film adaptations and spin-off books. The fan market for Austen – the Austenites – is huge and international. This book, previously published as The Jane Austen Miscellany and republished in an attractive new gift edition, reveals the real Jane: bitchy, gossipy and badly behaved at times, as well as showing the side we all love: the writer, sister and true romantic.

One of The Guardian's Best New Children's Books for Summer 2018.Longlisted for the North Somerset Teachers' Book Award.Instead of just studying history, let's think about HerStory too! In this uplifting and inspiring book, children can learn about 50 intrepid women from around the world and throughout history. Telling the stories of their childhood, the challenges they faced and the changes they made, each gorgeously illustrated spread is a celebration of girl power in its many forms. With a range of pioneering careers - from astronauts to activists, musicians to mathematicians and many more - young readers will be inspired to follow their own dreams and to make the world a better place. Compelling, motivating and brilliantly illustrated in equal measure, this is the perfect introduction to just some of the amazing women who have shaped our world.List of women featured: Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, Indira Gandhi, Theresa Kachindamoto, Empress Wu Zetian, Harriet Tubman, Boudicca, Hatshepsut, Isabella I of Castile, Sacagawea, Frida Kahlo, Beatrix Potter, Coco Chanel, Billie Holiday, Anna Pavlova, Mirabai, Maya Angelou, Georgia O'Keeffe, Emily Bronte, Sarah Bernhardt, Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan, Mary Seacole, Shirin Ebadi, Maria Montessori, Mother Teresa, Wangari Maathai, Elizabeth Blackwell, Eva Peron, Marie Curie, Rachel Carson, Ada Lovelace, Hypatia, Rosalind Franklin, Mary Anning, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Hodgkin, Dian Fossey, Valentina Tereshkova, Malala Yousafzai, Rigoberta Menchu, Amelia Earhart, Hannah Szenes, Rosa Parks, Noor Inayat Khan, Emmeline Pankhurst, Cathy Freeman, Sophie Scholl, Anne Frank.This is a lush non-fiction collection with beautiful illustrations, photos and interesting facts. Herstory celebrates fearless women from all over the world, and is sure to inspire young girls and women everywhere.

In this fascinating and touching book, children can learn about 50 courageous creatures from around the world and throughout history.This fully illustrated collection gathers heart-warming, surprising and often emotionally powerful stories of bravery, discovery and friendship. Featuring a range of animals - from heroes, helpers and adventurers to achievers and many more - young readers will discover some of the most famous and unforgettable animals of all time. Pickles the dog, who tracked down a stolen World Cup trophy The first mammal to be cloned - Dolly the sheep Cher Ami, the heroic pigeon who saved hundreds of livesCompelling and visually arresting in equal measure, WildLives is the perfect introduction to just some of the amazing animals whose wild lives have made history.Related teaching resource pack available on the Nosy Crow website.Other titles in the series include: HerStory and YouthQuake

Tales of powerful female figures have been told since the beginning of time and this collection brings together 50 stories from around the world. There are loving creators, wise leaders, fearsome warriors, gentle healers and mystical protectors, and they can each inspire you to find strength within yourself . . .Beautifully written by cultural historian and broadcaster, Dr Janina Ramirez, and stunningly illustrated by Sarah Walsh, this amazing book contains goddesses, guides, spirits, saints, witches, demons and many more female figures that have played an important role in shaping belief today. Based on original sources and with photographs from the British Museum collection, this incredible introduction to goddesses throughout history will entertain, engage and empower readers everywhere.Divided into thematic chapters, but connected by the power of the female, there are important stories of creation and love, action-packed stories of war and death, and heroic stories of great adventure and strength. Each gorgeously illustrated spread is a celebration of girl power in its many forms.List of goddesses featured: Inanna, Athena, Mami Wata, Nut, Ezili Danto, Rhiannon, Xiwangmu, Baba Yaga, Durga, Juno, Venus, Chalchiutitcue, Brigid, Mokosh, Pattini, Ariadne, Asase Yaa, Gaia, Eve, Mawu, Lilith, Sekhmet, Diana, Freyja, Izanami, Anat, Hel, Rangda, Medusa, Kali, Mary, Guanyin, Isis, Hecate, Sarasvati, Tara, Chang'e, Pte San Win, Lakshmi, Popa Medaw, Sedna, Itzpapalotl, Pele, Badb Catha, Oshun, Spider Mother, Tiamat, Amaterasu, Papatuanuku, Mazu

How exactly does one first become introduced to Sherlock Holmes? Even if you have not yet discovered the original stories, you’ll know that Holmes is omnipresent in everyday life. His name has become a byword, whether used sarcastically or admiringly, for someone who investigates matters or solves troublesome problems. His iconic image appears in cartoons, greetings cards and advertisements. His exploits are dramatized for the stage, radio, audio recordings, television and cinema screen. With the advent of the internet there are countless websites, blogs, discussion groups and more.In Sherlock Holmes: Inspiring Lives, explore his fascinating and enigmatic world, his place in literary history and how he has become the iconic, timeless character who is loved by millions. Here are facts, trivia and quotations from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original classic stories, as well as information about the often weird and wonderful characters you’ll encounter.Light-hearted and highly informative, this book is perfect for both the Sherlock aficionado and those new to the world of 221B Baker Street.

‘The perfect introduction to the whole Wodehousiness of Wodehouse.’ - Stephen FryP.G. Wodehouse saw his first article published when still at school, and went on to become the leading humour writer of the twentieth century. He created characters famous across the English-speaking world, such as Rupert Psmith, Stanley Ukridge, Uncle Fred, the inhabitants of the Drones Club, Bertie Wooster and Jeeves, and Lord Emsworth and his beloved Empress, all of whom remain as popular today as they were when they first appeared all those years ago.But behind all the brilliant metaphors that make us laugh outloud, there is a surprising background of reality. Wodehouse didn’t create his stories from scratch; he used real settings and exaggerated the characteristics of people he knew.P.G. Wodehouse: Inspiring Lives provides a comprehensive overview of Wodehouse’s life and works; describes the development of his legendary characters; tells us where he got his ideas from; and demonstrates why his admirers included Bertrand Russell, Berthold Brecht, George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling and the Kaiser. A must for all fans of P.G. Wodehouse.

The inspiring stories of 50 key figures in Great Britain's history, who had an impact on the ways we live, think and feel today.Throughout the centuries, the history of this small island nation has been shaped by the people who were born in Britain or arrived on its shores. From early Britons to modern pioneers, leaders, writers, athletes and activists, this country has contained a wealth of incredible talent, only made 'greater' by our history of immigration, integration and innovation.This beautiful large-format gift hardback features stunning full-colour artwork throughout. Each page spread is devoted to a tale of an incredible Briton, told by talented writer and children's book critic Imogen Russell Williams and brought to life by Sara Mulvanny's vivid illustration. Discover the enthralling and diverse stories of 50 brilliant Britons through the ages, from the warrior queen Boudicca of early Britain, who rose in revolt against the Romans, to activist Malala Yousafzai, who fights for every girl's right to an education today. The gripping tales include key figures from all areas of British life - science, medicine, entertainment, sports, activism and more.Featuring the inspirational lives and achievements of amazing people such as Florence Nightingale, Alan Turing, Mary Prince, Stormzy, Charles Darwin and Noor Inayat Khan, Great Britons is not only a celebration of our history as an island, but also as part of a far larger and greater world.

Celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the incredible history of HM Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign, told through the enthralling life stories of 25 amazing people who have called Britain home.The reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II has been long and eventful. Over the past 70 years, Great Britain has seen incredible changes in the ways we live, think and feel, shaped by the inspiring people who were born in Britain or arrived on its shores. As we approach the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, learn about the Queen's life and 25 other amazing history-makers - from modern pioneers, leaders and scientists to writers, athletes and activists - in this beautifully illustrated special edition paperback. Each page spread is devoted to a tale of an incredible Briton, told by talented writer and children's book critic Imogen Russell Williams and brought to life by Sara Mulvanny's vivid colour illustration. The book also features a gloriously illustrated timeline, showing key events from Queen Elizabeth's long reign.Discover the life-changing events of the last 70 years, from the foundation of the NHS by Aneurin Bevan to the creation of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by Sarah Gilbert. Learn about how amazing activists like Paul Stephenson and Malala Yousafzai fought hard for equal rights for all, and scientists like Stephen Hawking and Tim Berners-Lee made incredible advances that allowed us to know more about the universe, or communicate in a whole new way via the Internet. The diverse tales include key figures from all areas of British life - science, medicine, entertainment, sports, activism and more.Featuring the inspirational lives and achievements of amazing people such as Alan Turing, Malorie Blackman, Stormzy and Tanni Grey-Thompson, Great Elizabethans is not only a glorious celebration of Queen Elizabeth's reign, but also the citizens who have contributed to such an incredible 70 years.

In celebration of the incredible life of HM Queen Elizabeth II, here is the history of her reign, told through the enthralling life stories of The Queen and 25 amazing people who have called Britain home.The reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II has been long and eventful. Over the past 70 years, Great Britain has seen incredible changes in the ways we live, think and feel, shaped by the inspiring people who were born in Britain or arrived on its shores. As we commemorate the Queen's life and reign, learn about her extraordinary life and 25 other amazing history-makers - from modern pioneers, leaders and scientists to writers, athletes and activists - in this fully updated new special edition paperback. Each beautifully illustrated page spread is devoted to a tale of an incredible Briton, told by talented writer and children's book critic Imogen Russell Williams and brought to life by Sara Mulvanny's vivid colour illustration. The book also features a gloriously illustrated timeline, showing key events from Queen Elizabeth's long reign.Discover the life-changing events of the last 70 years, from the foundation of the NHS by Aneurin Bevan to the creation of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by Sarah Gilbert. Learn about how amazing activists like Paul Stephenson and Malala Yousafzai fought hard for equal rights for all, and scientists like Stephen Hawking and Tim Berners-Lee made incredible advances that allowed us to know more about the universe, or communicate in a whole new way via the Internet. Find out about the fantastic achievements of athletes like Mo Farah and Tanni Grey-Thompson and writers like Judith Kerr and Lemn Sissay, despite the challenges they faced. The tales include key figures from all areas of British life - science, medicine, entertainment, sports, activism and more.Featuring the inspirational lives and achievements of amazing people such as Alan Turing, Kelly Holmes, Stormzy and Anita Roddick, this book is not only a glorious celebration of Queen Elizabeth's life and reign, but also the citizens who have contributed to such an incredible 70 years on the throne.

True tales of wild and wonderful lives to be treasured forever!