Twenty-five short stories.

This bestselling Christmas picture book by renowned children's author Michael Morpurgo and illustrator Jim Field, is now available in paperback for the first time. Michael Morpurgo frames his powerful message about protecting the environment in this beautiful personal story about a grandpa's wish for his granddaughter to live in a better world. This vital and timely story is paired with Jim Field's emotive illustrations in this gorgeous Christmas picture book, perfect for the whole family to share. Dearest little Mia, This Christmas, instead of a Christmas card - you'll have plenty of those - and instead of a present - you'll have plenty of those too, I am sending you a letter ... Every Christmas Mia and her family read a letter which her Grandpa wrote to her. His letter is a warm, impassioned and heartfelt wish for a better world for Mia to live in. He remembers fondly the times they spent in his garden finding frogs and worms and planting seeds. But Grandpa worries that all the things they love so much are in danger ... His letter is a hopeful plea to Mia (and to all of us) to continue to care for and protect our precious world. Michael Morpurgo is a master storyteller who has written over one hundred books and won countless awards. In 1976 Michael and his wife Clare started the charity Farms For City Children, which aims to relieve the poverty of experience of young children from inner city and urban areas. In 1999 they were awarded the MBE for their work in creating these farms and in 2006 Michael received an OBE. His novel War Horse has been adapted into a hugely successful and critically acclaimed West End play as well as a film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg. Michael is a tireless champion for children's books and was formerly the Children's Laureate. Jim Field is an award-winning illustrator, character designer and animation director. He is perhaps best known for drawings frogs on logs in the bestselling picture book series Oi Frog! He has illustrated children's books with Kes Grey, Michelle Robinson, Rachel Bright, Jeanne Willis, Steve Cole and comedian David Baddiel. His first picture book Cats Ahoy won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and he has been nominated for several other awards including the Kate Greenaway Award and the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award. In 2016, The Bookseller listed Jim as the 6th top selling illustrator. Jim grew up in Farborough and now lives in Paris with his wife and daughter.

Christian in tone, relaying good morals and virtues, and told in delightful verse and meter, these old-fashioned Christmas poems will be enjoyed by the whole family "Old Dingledorf Square" is a Christmas allegory set in Victorian times that has enormous relevance to today's modern audience. What happens to this little town, famed around the world for their handmade Christmas bells, when a deafening silence overtakes the Christmas joy? Why have the residents lost their religious faith? Come and see how Terwilliger Mugs, a beggar seeking a hot meal and respite from the bitterly cold night, teaches the townsfolk the true meaning of Christmas. "Cruthers Smuthers and the Green Ghost of Christmas" studies the materialistic theme with a young tyke who becomes the consummate brat through his greedy consumption of Christmas-until he meets a green ghost that scares him to his wit's end "The Light of the Beggar" focuses on two urban beggars who view their lack of wealth differently-one with derision, the other, with Christlike optimism. These allegorical and spiritual poems will captivate the mind through sonorous and memorable rhyme set to match the music of Christmas.

"Nick is pretty sure Santa is his grandpa! Follow along to see if you agree ..."

This is a Christmas story where children will discover why Santa Claus has no beard, the problems he encounters,all the way to the exciting ending. The Christmas Santa Had No Beard brings a refreshing answer to the quetion,"Who is that man behind the fake beard?" This story helps to reaffirm and restore the magical image of Santa Claus within every child's imagination.

When Riley discovers his grandmother's enchanted necklace, he finds himself transported back in time to her college days. Riley knows that her true love dies an unfortunate death after which she marries the man whom Riley nauseatingly remembers as his abusive grandfather. As he tries to manipulate and change history, it still manages to unfold as it was fated to. Will Riley be able to influence history and prevent the untimely death of his grandmother's true love or is their fate already sealed? And when the necklace that is his passkey is lost, how will Riley return to his own time?

This book is a collection of twenty-four inspirational stories written to inspire adult and child alike while encouraging the spirit of Christ in heart and home during the Christmas season. Each fictional story in this wonderful collection is based on real life events to read as a family on the twelve nights before Christmas. The first half contains stories for families with older children, while the last half has stories read to the Author's children at Christmas time and added upon their request. Read them on the twelve nights before Christmas, or from December 1st until Christmas Eve and let these inspirational stories bring the joy of Christmas to you and yours.

Kindergarten Tales and Then Some is about students in kindergarten and then some more stories. The story about the bus is intended to show the children riding the school bus the first time there is nothing to fear. When I first went to school I only needed a Big Chief tablet, lead pencil, and a box of crayons. I wrote the story on required school supplies so someday the children now in kindergarten will be able to look back and compare what they needed versus their grandchildren. Santa is present in some of the stories along with his reindeer and sleigh. It goes without saying where there is Santa there will be some of his elves. There are stories about how holidays are celebrated by kindergarten students. The book also tells of the compassion and generosity of the children toward others. Put all the stories together and they will show you the world will be in good hands in the future.

New Authors and collections. Stories of the end of civilized life have always fascinated us, from the mythological world endings, Armageddon to Ragnorok, to the flood stories of across the Ancient world. They make us wonder what we would do if all around us came to an end: no transport, no fuel, no communications: a retreat into the desperation, the onslaught of disease, how would we survive? This is the source of zombie literature and provides the inspiration for this fabulous mix of horror and adventure, of classic and brand new writing in the successful series of Gothic Fantasy titles from Flame Tree. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Mike Adamson, Bill Davidson, Michael Paul Gonzalez, Michael Haynes, Liam Hogan, Jennifer Hudak, Curt Jeffreys, Su-Yee Lin, Wendy Nikel, Konstantine Paradias, Darren Ridgley, John B. Rosenman, Zach Shephard, Meryl Stenhouse, Morgan Sylvia, Lucy Taylor, Natalia Theodoridou, and Shannon Connor Winward. These appear alongside classic stories by authors such as Stephen Vincent Benét, George Allan England, M.P. Shiel, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.