usborne

<p>The Unexpected Tale Of Bastien Bonlivre</p>

<p>The open door felt like an invitation, or a trap. Bastien wasn't sure which, but with no other choice, he stepped inside...and hoped he'd make it out again alive.</p>

<p>Bastien Bonlivre is a boy with a big imagination, determined to finish the story his parents started, left to him in a red notebook.</p>

<p>On the other side of Paris, bestselling author Olivier Odieux is struggling to complete his latest novel. Along with his villainous brothers, he is masterminding his greatest plot yet...one that will spread fear throughout the city and beyond.</p>

<p>What connects these two stories is a dangerous secret, a hidden mystery and an unexpected race across Paris for the truth. Can Bastien and his friends Alice, Theo and Sami be brave enough to stop Olivier stealing the ending they deserve?</p>

<p>A classic adventure story about friendship, hope, bravery and the power of imagination.</p>

<p>Sticker Dolly Dressing Sports</p>

<p>Show jumping, gymnastics, surfing, tennis and swimming are just a few of the sports featured in this exciting sticker book. Dress the dolls in outfits for their different sporting events.</p>

<p>This is a new title in the fantastic "First Reading" series, aimed at children who are beginning to read. When a young boy meets a dragon who doesn't believe in violence he has to defend his new friend from the slash-happy St. George the dragonslayer. This book is developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, who is a senior lecturer in education and an early reading specialist from Roehampton University. It offers a great value quality hardback with ribbon marker guaranteed to foster pride in book ownership.</p>

<p>Light And Sounds: Unicorns</p>

<p>When little children press each button in this unique novelty book, the enchanting scenes are brought to life with twinkling lights and beautiful sounds. Join Rosie the little unicorn and her friends the fairies, elves and dragons as she searches for lots of sparkling things in this magical story. A perfect gift for all little fans of unicorns.</p>

<p>Pieces Of Her</p>

<p>The gripping standalone thriller from Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author Karin Slaughter, now a major Netflix series starring Toni Collette and Bella Heathcote

She’s the person you think you know best…</p>

<p>But what if you don’t actually know her at all?</p>

<p>Andy Oliver thinks she knows everything about her mother Laura.</p>

<p>Until, in a moment of terrible danger, Laura steps forward into the line of fire.</p>

<p>Now, Andy must embark on a desperate race against time to uncover the secrets of her mother’s past.</p>

<p>Before they both run out of time…</p>

<p>Praise for the Number One bestselling author:

‘Passion, intensity, and humanity’ Lee Child</p>

<p>‘I’d follow her anywhere’ Gillian Flynn</p>

<p>‘One of the boldest thriller writers working today’ Tess Gerritsen</p>

<p>‘Her characters, plot, and pacing are unrivalled’ Michael Connelly</p>

<p>‘A writer of extraordinary talents’ Kathy Reichs</p>

<p>‘Fiction doesn't get any better than this’ Jeffery Deaver</p>

<p>‘A great writer at the peak of her powers’ Peter James</p>

<p>'Karin Slaughter has – by far – the best name of all of us mystery novelists' James Patterson</p>

<p>‘With heart and skill Karin Slaughter keeps you hooked from the first page until the last’ Camilla Lackberg</p>

<p>‘It’s big, dark, rich, satisfying, and bloody – like a perfectly cooked steak’ Stuart MacBride</p>

<p>Space Puzzles</p>

<p>Blast off to outer space with this colourful collection of picture, word and number puzzles. Entertaining activities include cracking an alien code, finding routes through galaxy mazes, spot the difference and lots more. All the answers are at the back of the book.</p>

<p>Lift-the-flap Biology</p>

<p>Welcome to the bright and exciting world of biology. Dive in and explore the tree of life, ecosystems, the human body, the world of plants and why your planet needs you. With Usborne Quicklinks to specially selected websites about biology, from tiny microbes to entire rainforests.</p>

<p>The Princess Rules: The Mammoth Adventure</p>

<p>This third volume in THE PRINCESS RULES series sees the feisty princess take her baby brother and best friend, Bennett, on another round of adventures together.</p>

<p>Can they rescue their new-found friend the sea serpent from a travelling circus? And hold back the pirate, Five-fathom Freida. Or will Florizella’s worst fairygodmother prove that in a fairytale world, you really do have to be careful what you wish for?…</p>

<p>Monsters On A School Trip</p>

<p>Another laugh-out-loud monster adventure in the Billy and the Mini Monsters chapter book series, perfect for newly independent readers aged 6+ and fans of Claude and Horrid Henry.</p>

<p>Billy is feeling anxious. He's about to go on his first ever school trip to a museum. Luckily, Billy's Mini Monsters are on hand to help. They've come to the museum too, with a mission of their own - to find their mummies! A heart-warming story that covers the anxiety of starting a new school, going on a school trip and making friends.</p>

<p>Packed with colour illustrations, comic strips, maps and speech bubbles, with an action-packed plot, to appeal to even the most reluctant reader.</p>

<p>Collect all the books in the Billy and the Mini Monsters series!</p>

<p>1. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters in the Dark</p>

<p>2. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters go to School</p>

<p>3. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters go Swimming</p>

<p>4. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters on a Plane</p>

<p>5. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters go to a Party</p>

<p>6. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters Move House</p>

<p>7. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters on a School Trip</p>

<p>8. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters at the Seaside</p>

<p>9. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters at Halloween</p>

<p>10. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters Go Camping</p>

<p>11. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Go Green</p>

<p>12. Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters at Christmas</p>

<p>Sticker Dolly Dressing Dancers</p>

<p>From street dance to samba, ballroom to ballet, dress the dolls for a variety of dances in this lively sticker book. Perfect for young lovers of dance, there are over 300 stickers of clothes, costumes and accessories to get the dolls ready for different kinds of dancing.</p>

<p>Lift-the-flap First Questions and Answers Where Does Poo Go?</p>

<p>Crazy but true, life on Earth can't exist without poo! Starting with human sewage then moving on to animal poo, this surprisingly charming lift-the-flap book explores what happens when we flush, what animal toilets look like, why animals don't need to flush and just how important poo is - for a myriad of fascinating (and sometimes yucky) reasons.</p>

<p>Usborne Minis: Sticker Shapes Christmas</p>

<p>A mini activity book, bursting with colourful festive scenes to complete with snowmen, Christmas trees, reindeer, snowflakes and lots more using the multi-coloured stickers provided. Part of a range of pocket-sized paperbacks that make perfect stocking fillers.</p>

<p>The Devil And Miss Prym</p>

<p>In this stunning novel, Coelho's unusual protagonist sets the town a moral challenge from which they may never recover.</p>

<p>A stranger arrives in the small mountain village. He carries with him a backpack containing a notebook and eleven gold bars.</p>

<p>Burying these in the vicinity, the stranger strikes up a curious friendship with a young woman from the village - Miss Prym. His mission is to discover whether human beings are essentially good or evil.</p>

<p>A fascinating meditation on the human soul, The Devil and Miss Prym illuminates the reality of good and evil within us all, and our uniquely human capacity to choose between them.</p>

<p>Lift The Flap - Questions And Answers About Germs</p>

<p>Get the lowdown on these sneaky, microscopic intruders, from how they infect us to how our bodies fight them off. Meet the germ detectives who have managed to track them down. And spare a thought for the zillions of other microbes who are perfectly harmless - or may even be super helpful. Using authentic kids' questions, carefully considered answers and quirky, characterful illustrations, this book provides an excellent introduction to our invisible enemies.</p>

<p>Sparkly Christmas Sticker Book</p>

<p>From a snowy Christmas market to Santa's gleaming sleigh, sprinkle magic over the festive scenes as you add the sparkly stickers. Help Squirrel, Bear, Penguin and friends decorate the scenes with over 200 reusable stickers of adorable animals, Christmas presents and decorations, and a fold-out back cover to store stickers when not in use.</p>

<p>The Zahir</p>

<p>It begins with a glimpse or a passing thought. It ends in obsession.</p>

<p>One day a renowned author discovers that his wife, a war correspondent, has disappeared leaving no trace. Though time brings more success and new love, he remains mystified - and increasingly fascinated - by her absence. Was she kidnapped, blackmailed, or simply bored with their marriage? The unrest she causes is as strong as the attraction she exerts.</p>

<p>His search for her - and for the truth of his own life - takes him from France to Spain, Croatia and, eventually, the bleakly beautiful landscape of Central Asia. More than that, it takes him from the safety of his world to a totally unknown path, searching for a new understanding of the nature of love and the power of destiny.</p>

<p>With 'The Zahir', Paulo Coelho demonstrates his powerful and captivating storytelling.</p>

<p>Magic Paint Yourself Calm</p>

<p>Relax - take a moment to breathe. This delightful painting book will help make space for your mind to calm down. It's filled with exquisite scenes from the natural world that will help children - and adults - focus on the here and now and let go of worries. Simply brush water over the tranquil black and white designs to reveal an inspiring array of beautiful colours. Includes an introductory page with tips on mindfulness.</p>

<p>Operation Pedestal: The Fleet That Battled To Malta 1942</p>

<p>The Sunday Times bestseller</p>

<p>'One of the most dramatic forgotten chapters of the war, as told in a new book by the incomparable Max Hastings' DAILY MAIL

In August 1942, beleaguered Malta was within weeks of surrender to the Axis, because its 300,000 people could no longer be fed. Churchill made a personal decision that at all costs, the 'island fortress' must be saved. This was not merely a matter of strategy, but of national prestige, when Britain's fortunes and morale had fallen to their lowest ebb.</p>

<p>The largest fleet the Royal Navy committed to any operation of the western war was assembled to escort fourteen fast merchantmen across a thousand of miles of sea defended by six hundred German and Italian aircraft, together with packs of U-boats and torpedo craft. The Mediterranean battles that ensued between 11 and 15 August were the most brutal of Britain's war at sea, embracing four aircraft-carriers, two battleships, seven cruisers, scores of destroyers and smaller craft. The losses were appalling: defeat seemed to beckon.

This is the saga Max Hastings unfolds in his first full length narrative of the Royal Navy, which he believes was the most successful of Britain's wartime services. As always, he blends the 'big picture' of statesmen and admirals with human stories of German U-boat men, Italian torpedo-plane crews, Hurricane pilots, destroyer and merchant-ship captains, ordinary but extraordinary seamen.</p>

<p>Operation Pedestal describes catastrophic ship sinkings, including that of the aircraft-carrier Eagle, together with struggles to rescue survivors and salvage stricken ships. Most moving of all is the story of the tanker Ohio, indispensable to Malta's survival, victim of countless Axis attacks. In the last days of the battle, the ravaged hulk was kept under way only by two destroyers, lashed to her sides. Max Hastings describes this as one of the most extraordinary tales he has ever recounted. Until the very last hours, no participant on either side could tell what would be the outcome of an epic of wartime suspense and courage.</p>

<p>Sir Gawain And The Green Knight: With Pearl And Sir Orfeo</p>

<p>This smart new paperback edition contains the fully-reset text of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour. It features a beautifully decorated text and includes as a bonus the complete version of Tolkien's acclaimed lecture on Sir Gawain.</p>

<p>Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl are two poems by an unknown author written in about 1400. Sir Gawain is a romance, a fairy-tale for adults, full of life and colour; but it is also much more than this, being at the same time a powerful moral tale which examines religious and social values.</p>

<p>Pearl is apparently an elegy on the death of a child, a poem pervaded with a sense of great personal loss: but, like Gawain it is also a sophisticated and moving debate on much less tangible matters.</p>

<p>Sir Orfeo is a slighter romance, belonging to an earlier and different tradition. It was a special favourite of Tolkien's.</p>

<p>The three translations represent the complete rhyme and alliterative schemes of the originals, and are uniquely accompanied with the complete text of Tolkien's acclaimed 1953 W.P. Ker Memorial Lecture that he delivered on Sir Gawain.</p>

<p>Amber Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto. As if her name made up for being tiny, half Japanese and half Italian, and starting a new school with a caveman phone. Dream on! But the hardest bit about being Amber is that a part of her is missing. Her dad. He left when she was little and if he isn't coming back, she'll have to sort things out another way. And Amber has a big imagination.</p>

<p>See Inside Germs</p>

<p>Explore the microscopic world of bacteria, viruses and other microbes with this fascinating lift-the-flap book. Discover how germs spread, how the immune system works, the amazing vaccines and antibiotics humans have created, and much more. With Usborne Quicklinks to specially selected websites for activities and videos and up to date information about coronovirus.</p>

<p>A Song Of Ice And Fire Book 2: A Clash Of Kings (Slipcase Edition)</p>

<p>THE BOOK BEHIND THE SECOND SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO.</p>

<p>George R. R. Martin, a writer of unsurpassed vision, power, and imagination, has created a landmark of fantasy fiction. In his widely acclaimed A Game of Thrones, he introduced us to an extraordinary world of wonder, intrigue, and adventure. Now, in the eagerly awaited second volume in this epic saga, he once again proves himself a master myth-maker, setting a standard against which all other fantasy novels will be measured for years to come.</p>

<p>Time is out of joint. The summer of peace and plenty, ten years long, is drawing to a close, and the harsh, chill winter approaches like an angry beast. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who held sway over an age of enforced peace are dead . . . victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns, as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms prepare to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war.</p>

<p>As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky—a comet the color of blood and flame—six factions struggle for control of a divided land. Eddard’s son Robb has declared himself King in the North. In the south, Joffrey, the heir apparent, rules in name only, victim of the scheming courtiers who teem over King’s Landing. Robert’s two brothers each seek their own dominion, while a disfavored house turns once more to conquest. And a continent away, an exiled queen, the Mother of Dragons, risks everything to lead her precious brood across a hard hot desert to win back the crown that is rightfully hers.</p>

<p>A Clash of Kings transports us into a magnificent, forgotten land of revelry and revenge, wizardry and warfare. It is a tale in which maidens cavort with madmen, brother plots against brother, and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside.</p>

<p>Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory may be measured in blood. And the spoils of victory may just go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel . . . and the coldest hearts. For when rulers clash, all of the land feels the tremors.</p>

<p>Audacious, inventive, brilliantly imagined, A Clash of Kings is a novel of dazzling beauty and boundless enchantment—a tale of pure excitement you will never forget.</p>

<p>Autopsy</p>

<p>The legendary Patricia Cornwell is back with her No.1 bestselling, groundbreaking series following Kay Scarpetta</p>

<p>Kay Scarpetta is back, and this time she's right in the path of danger...</p>

<p>World-renowned forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta and her husband Benton, a psychologist with the US Secret Service, have returned to Virginia. They are headquartered five miles from the Pentagon in a post-pandemic world that's been torn by civil and political unrest.</p>

<p>Just weeks into the job, Scarpetta is called to a railway track where a woman's body has been shockingly displayed, her throat cut down to the spine. But the trail of clues will lead Scarpetta back to her own neighbourhood.</p>

<p>At the same time, a catastrophe occurs in a top-secret lab in outer space, endangering the scientists aboard. Scarpetta is summoned to the White House to find out what happened. As she starts the new investigation, an apparent serial killer strikes again, this time dangerously close to home.</p>

<p>Praise for Patricia Cornwell</p>

<p>'A pioneer of the genre of forensic psychological thriller' BBC</p>

<p>'Devilishly clever' Sunday Times</p>

<p>'The top gun in this field' Daily Telegraph</p>

<p>'Cornwell's books run on a cocktail of adrenaline and fear' The Times</p>

<p>'One of the best crime writers writing today' Guardian</p>

<p>Space Wordsearches</p>

<p>Test your knowledge with over 100 space-themed wordsearches, covering everything from stars and planets to astronauts and aliens. The wordsearches gradually get harder throughout the book, and are perfect for quiet times alone or playing with friends and family. All the answers are at the back of the book.</p>

<p>Inventions Scribble Book (Scribble Books)</p>

<p>Invent ways to reuse a plastic bag, design your own robot, discover accidental inventions and lots more in this exciting write-in activity book, filled with inventions to brainstorm, puzzles to solve and objects to design. Includes downloadable templates and links to specially selected websites to find out more about famous inventions.</p>

<p>There are five mischievous elves to meet in this touchy-feely Christmas board book, with shiny boots, fluffy scarves and soft hats to keep them warm at the North Pole. The bright pictures and textured patches for babies and toddlers to stroke are designed to help develop sensory and language awareness. A delightful book to share with little ones.</p>

<p>The Nutcracker (Musical Books)</p>

<p>A beautifully illustrated board book that tells the magical story of Clara and her nutcracker doll as they travel to the Land of Sweets. Press the embedded sound buttons to hear specially arranged music from Tchaikovsky's famous ballet.</p>

<p>The Nature Of Middle-earth</p>

<p>First ever publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's final writings on Middle-earth, covering a wide range of subjects and perfect for those who have read and enjoyed The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth, and want to learn more about Tolkien's magnificent world.</p>

<p>It is well known that J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit in 1937 and The Lord of the Rings in 1954-5. What may be less known is that he continued to write about Middle-earth in the decades that followed, right up until the years before his death in 1973.</p>

<p>For him, Middle-earth was part of an entire world to be explored, and the writings in The Nature of Middle-earth reveal the journeys that he took as he sought to better understand his unique creation. From sweeping themes as complex and profound as the metaphysics of Elvish immortality and reincarnation, and the Powers of the Valar, to the more earth-bound subjects of the lands and beasts of Numenor, the geography of the Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor, and even who had beards!</p>

<p>This new collection, which has been edited by Carl F Hostetter, one of the world's leading Tolkien experts, is a veritable treasure-trove offering readers a chance to peer over Professor Tolkien's shoulder at the very moment of discovery: and on every page, Middle-earth is once again brought to extraordinary life.</p>

<p>Little First Stickers Rainbows</p>

<p>Join the the fairies and pixies as they splash in rainbow puddles, paint rainbows in the sky, play with unicorns, prepare for a rainbow party and snuggle up in rainbow beds at the end of the day. The delightful scenes include a magical meadow with unicorns, butterflies and flowers; fairy houses; fairy baking; a fairytale castle and an enchanted wood.</p>

<p>The Creature Choir</p>

<p>Sing your heart out with a whole choir of characters, in the showstopping new picture book from number one bestselling author David Walliams, illustrated by the artistic genius, Tony Ross!</p>

<p>There's more than one star of the show... In fact, there's a whole choir of them!</p>

<p>Warble the walrus LOVES to sing.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, she is not very good at it! And when her atrocious warbling causes an avalanche, the other walruses leave her all alone.</p>

<p>But when you SING like no-one is listening, SOMETIMES, they start to hear you...</p>

<p>The perfect story for anyone who loves to laugh or sing, this brand-new story from David Walliams is a delightfully wonderful warble about doing what makes you HAPPY, and being LOUD about it!</p>

<p>Staying Safe Online</p>

<p>The internet is full of amazing possibilities but, just like the real world, there are a lot of potential dangers and difficulties too. You need to know what to watch out for and how to protect yourself. Whether you’re worried about oversharing on social media or coming across dangerous people, this guide gives you tips and tools to take control and stay safe online.</p>

<p>See Inside Atoms And Molecules</p>

<p>Marvel at the mind-boggling world of atoms and molecules - the building blocks of EVERYTHING everywhere (including you). Lift over 90 flaps to learn about atoms, molecules, compounds and electrons, and chemical reactions and explore the Periodic Table. With links to specially selected websites for activities and videos.</p>

<p>With The End In Mind : How To Live And Die Well</p>

<p>For readers of Atul Gawande and Paul Kalanithi, a palliative care doctor's breathtaking stories from 30 years spent caring for the dying.</p>

<p>Modern medical technology is allowing us to live longer and fuller lives than ever before. And for the most part, that is good news. But with changes in the way we understand medicine come changes in the way we understand death. Once a familiar, peaceful, and gentle -- if sorrowful -- transition, death has come to be something from which we shield our eyes, as we prefer to fight desperately against it rather than accept its inevitability.</p>

<p>Dr. Kathryn Mannix has studied and practiced palliative care for thirty years. In With the End in Mind , she shares beautifully crafted stories from a lifetime of caring for the dying, and makes a compelling case for the therapeutic power of approaching death not with trepidation, but with openness, clarity, and understanding.</p>

<p>Weaving the details of her own experiences as a caregiver through stories of her patients, their families, and their distinctive lives, Dr. Mannix reacquaints us with the universal, but deeply personal, process of dying. With insightful meditations on life, death, and the space between them,&nbsp;With the End in Mind&nbsp;describes the possibility of meeting death gently, with forethought and preparation, and shows the unexpected beauty, dignity, and profound humanity of life coming to an end.</p>

<p>Don't Tickle The Unicorn! (Usborne Touchy-Feely Sounds)</p>

<p>You'd better not tickle the unicorn... because it just might neigh if you do! This delightful interactive book combines touchy-feely patches with sounds: as well as the unicorn, little children will enjoy tickling the dragon, phoenix and yeti to find out what noises they make. At the end of the book, all of the animals make their noises at the same time, along with a bouncy tune guaranteed to get everyone dancing.</p>

<p>Touchy-feely Nativity Board book&nbsp;</p>

<p>Carries EU Toy Safety Directive 'CE' logo. This is a gorgeous new Christmas edition from the popular and creative Usborne Touchy-Feely team. Charming illustrations by Rachel Wells accompany a delightful, tactile retelling of the Christmas story, complete with fluffy donkeys, woolly sheep, a glittering angel and, of course, the baby Jesus sleeping in his soft blanket. This appealing large-format book makes the perfect present for young children who are experiencing Christmas for the very first time.</p>

<p>Top Customer Reviews (Source: Amazon)</p>

<p>1/Perfect for young kids!</p>

<p>Great deal, fast shipping, very cute book!</p>

<p>2/A secular nativity book?</p>

<p>This is a nice, large board book for babies and toddlers. Every page has at least one fabric insert on it that the baby can feel (the sheep are especially fuzzy).</p>

<p>The most interesting thing about this book is that it tells the entire Nativity story without mentioning anything about God. The only supernatural thing in the entire book is the angel who appears to the shepherds. I suppose this would be good for a family who doesn't want their child taught about the Christian God, but still wants a story book about the first Christmas? A small child won't notice anything strange, but to me it seemed weird without any context of the story at all.</p>

<p>3/Beautiful book, perfect for little ones</p>

<p>Beautiful book, perfect for little ones. The "touchy feely" parts are not very big, but are fun to look for. My three year old loves this book!</p>

<p>Usborne Baby's Black And White Books: Animals</p>

<p>This robust board book will fascinate babies, and introduce them to all kinds of animals. Every page is designed to stimulate developing minds, with striking high-contrast illustrations and inviting holes to peep-through.</p>

<p>Usborne Baby's Black And White Books: Outdoors</p>

<p>Take a trip outdoors in all weathers and all seasons with this eye-catching board book for babies. There are striking high-contrast illustrations and sturdy holes to peep through, to keep very young children stimulated and engaged.</p>

<p>Peep Inside The Seashore</p>

<p>Peep under seaweed and waves and into rock pools to discover all the delights of the seashore in this interactive little book. What does a limpet look like in its shell? What's inside a pelican's bulging beak? What is a sea otter cuddling as it floats on its back? From bugs in the sand dunes to turtles hatching on a moonlit beach, this book explores coastlines from all around the world.</p>