A unique collection of crochet patterns for the 12 birds of Christmas. Taking inspiration from the famous Christmas carol, Kerry Lord, author of the Edward’s Menagerie series and founder of TOFT yarns, has created this unique crochet collection. Including John the Spotted Woodpecker for 12 Drummers Drumming, Lydia the Greylag Goose for 6 Geese a-laying and, of course, Felix the Partridge in a pear tree, this is Christmas fun at its most creative. Patterns include: 12 Drummers Drumming – John the Spotted Woodpecker 11 Pipers Piping – Nina the Sandpiper 10 Lords-a-Leaping – Agnes the Heron 9 Ladies Dancing – Loise the Cormorant 8 Maids-a-milking – Delilah the Cattle Egret 7 Swans-a-swimming – Margot the Black Swan 6 Geese a-laying – Lydia the Greylag Goose 5 Gold Rings – Gilbert the Pheasant 4 Calling Birds – Peter the Blackbird 3 French Hens – Ruth the Hen 2 Turtle Doves – Beatrice the Turtle Dove And a Partridge – Felix the Partridge

“Here’s a song whose lyrics everyone knows and that therefore demands something spectacular to distinguish it. This version, sumptuously illustrated by Long, certainly delivers.” —The New York Times The astounding talent of Laurel Long brings this beloved song to life with breathtaking style. Set against a lush countryside, each day brings a new gift elegantly rendered. And like in the verses of the song, the previous gifts are repeated in every illustration, giving this striking artwork a hidden aspect, culminating in a staggering spread featuring them all. Readers will pore over every page, searching for golden rings, turtledoves, and all the rest, secretly tucked into each stunning painting. Laurel Long's unparalleled style makes this exquisite volume a treasure that will be cherished for years to come. “Ms. Long has secreted lyrical clues within each picture that children will relish hunting down.” —The Wall Street Journal * “Long expertly weaves religious and secular images into a visually arresting interpretation of the traditional carol.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

A New York Times bestseller—over one million copies sold! A National Book Award winner A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live. With a forward by Markus Zusak, interviews with Sherman Alexie and Ellen Forney, and black-and-white interior art throughout, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike.

Never before published, A Partridge in a Pear Tree wasn't intended as a commercial venture. Artist Charley Harper--perhaps with his wife, Edie, also an artist--created the fun little book for his family. A playful riff on the traditional Yuletide carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," Partridge is the kind of whimsy an artist dashes off while relaxing around the fireplace--and that's the beauty of it. With its pastel sketches and humorous text, this sweet take on a holiday classic provides an intimate look at Harper's fun-loving personality.

Create a suave high-flying rhino, a lovesick elephant who knows her way around a kitchen, and a seriously chivalrous tiger . . . With just two weeks to go before her baby Edward’s due date, yarn enthusiast Kerry Lord picked up a crochet hook for the first time, and a new obsession began. Over the next twelve months, the collection of crochet animals expanded week by week until Edward’s Menagerie was complete—with forty unique patterns. These cute animals with larger-than-life personalities are made using simple crochet techniques, and the step-by-step instructions enable a complete beginner to get hooking straight away. Each animal also has a universal pattern, allowing crocheters to change their hooks and yarns to create four different sizes, making for 160 different possibilities. Be warned—these unlikely characters, made using a super-soft yarn in a sumptuous natural color palette, will become your new best friends as you hook your way through the whole menagerie!

Charlie O'Shields is the creator of Doodlewash®, founder of World Watercolor Month in July, and host of the Sketching Stuff podcast. Every single day, for over three years, he created a watercolor illustration and wrote a short essay about whatever came to mind that day and posted it on his blog. These are some of the collected favorites along with some brand new musings. With over 180 illustrations, this book is part personal memoir and sometimes just a randomly fun romp through the sillier bits of this crazy world we all inhabit. Written to take on the impossible task of inspiring creativity, unleashing your inner child, and instilling hope, it will, at the very least, make you smile and touch your heart.

A picture book with sound panel, featuring 14 sounds, incorporating the familiar tune and lively sound effects. It is suitable as a gift to treasure for Christmases to come Ages 3+ A picture book with sound panel, featuring 14 sounds, incorporating the familiar tune and lively sound effects. It is suitable as a gift to treasure for Christmases to come Ages 3+

In 1811 John Williams was buried with a stake in his heart. Was he the notorious East End killer or his eighth victim in the bizarre and shocking Ratcliffe Highway Murders? In this vivid and gripping reconstruction P. D. James and police historian T. A. Critchley draw on forensics, public records, newspaper clippings and hitherto unpublished sources, expertly sifting the evidence to shed new light on this infamous Wapping mystery. This true crime novel begins amid the horror of a dark, wintry London in the year 1811. Using elegant historical detection P.D. James and police historian T.A. Critchley piece together new and unpublished sources in an original portrayal of the Ratcliffe Highway Murders. P.D. James, the bestselling author of Death Comes to Pemberley and Children of Men, here explores the mysterious and intense emotions responsible for the unique crime of murder, with authority and sensitivity. Her only work of true crime, this novel uses forensics, unpublished sources and forgotten documents to create a vivid image of early-nineteenth century London and a gripping reconstruction of the Ratcliffe Highway Murders.

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me...' From a partridge in a pear tree to twelve drummers drumming, here is a collection sure to satisfy even the Scroogiest of readers. Taking the classic Christmas song as inspiration, these twelve stories offer a sometimes mischievous, sometimes moving - look at the festive season. The twelve contributors are, in order of song: A Partridge in a Pear Tree - STELLA DUFFY; Two Turtle Doves - MIKE GAYLE; Three French Hens - ANNABEL GILES; Four Calling Birds - VAL McDERMID; Five Gold Rings - SHELLEY SILAS; Six Geese a Laying - SOPHIE KINSELLA; Seven Swans a Swimming - HELEN CROSS; Eight Maids a Milking - BEN RICHARDS; Nine Ladies Dancing - LAUREN HENDERSON; Ten Lords a Leaping - JAKE ARNOTT; Eleven Pipers Piping - MATT WHYMAN; Twelve Drummers Drumming - PATRICK NEATE.

• A beautifully illustrated, new edition of a true holiday classic in an innovative Priddy format• Children will love to unfold the long, concertina page, which features sparkling foil throughout, to see and count all the gifts for the 12 Days of Christmas, from the single partridge in a pear tree right through to the twelve drummers drumming• The full 12 Days of Christmas song lyrics are reproduced in full, for parents or carers to read, sing and share with their young audience