How much trouble could one little octopus get into exploring all by herself? Join Marina as this curious little octopus stumbles upon some treasure and just a little trouble! The newest picture book from Ripley’s features fun and engaging stories around another Ripley’s Aquarium mascot, this time Marina the Giant Pacific Octopus. Filled with expressive illustrations, silly situations, and lovable characters, kids and parents alike will be charmed by this little girl’s adventure!

To sum it up: Seashell Cove is a cute seaside town where the lovely children's book "Barbie's Magical Mermaid Encounter" takes place. Following the adventures of a young girl named Barbie, who has always loved the sea, she has an amazing meeting with Marina, a mermaid. Barbie loves to play in the sand, build sandcastles, and watch the waves crash on the shore to pass the time. Her eyes are the color of the sea, and her hair is golden. On a sunny morning, she bravely and intrepidly explores a mystery cave that is said to hold secrets below the sea's surface. Barbie is amazed by the bioluminescent algae, bright corals, and unique seashells in the cave. Marina, a beautiful mermaid with long hair and a tail that sparkles, is the most amazing thing she has ever found. Marina, the cave's guardian, greets Barbie with open arms. The two become friends as they share sea stories, exciting underwater experiences, and the mysteries of the cave. Barbie's dream of meeting a real mermaid comes true when she spends magical hours with Marina swimming and exploring the ocean's wonders. Marin tells Barbie that she can come back to Seashell Cove whenever she wants, even though she had to leave as the sun went down. Barbie comes back with gifts, and Marina gives her a beautiful pearl necklace. This makes their friendship stronger. They study the sea, look out for the animals that live in it, and teach the people of Seashell Cove how to take care of the earth. When they save dolphins caught in fishing nets, it makes their ties as marine guardians stronger. The sea and the animals that live in it celebrate their win as they let the dolphins go. The coral reef, sea life, and even the currents seem to respect how brave and kind they are. Barb and Marina's shared desire to protect the ocean and its creatures moves the people of Seashell Cove. There are many stories in town about Barbie and Marina, the sea's guardians. These stories serve as a lesson that people can make amazing friends and change the world by doing the things they enjoy and being open to new experiences. As they continue their trip, they explore the ocean's depths, trying to figure out what's going on there and protecting the creatures that live there. These people will always love the ocean because of the time they saved the dolphins. As ocean ambassadors, they tell people to love and care for the earth. A story about friendship, bravery, and caring for the environment, "Barbie's Magical Mermaid Encounter" shows kids that they can make the world a better place by following their dreams and being nice to others. It shows how beautiful the ocean is and stresses how important it is to protect it for future generations. This is how the story starts: Barbie was a little girl who lived in Seashell Cove, a pretty beach town. She liked how time seemed to go by slowly there. Her hair was golden and sparkled like a river of sunshine. Her eyes were as blue as the ocean. She was the picture of beauty. Barbie was the breathtaking beauty of Seashell Cove, a place where simple joys of life lived together with the grandeur of nature. Barbie's true love and the thing that kept her alive came from the water. As long as she could remember, the beautiful waves had been with her all the time, and their steady beat had made her feel better. Barbie loved the sea more than toys and games, even though other kids would have been happy with those things. She was interested in the secrets that lay below the surface and found comfort in the sky that seemed to go on forever. Every morning, as the sun came up over the seaside town, Barbie would walk down to the beach. She would go on her daily search for seashells with a box that she had made herself. She saw these fragile gems as more than just seashells; she knew they had stories for her to find. Barbie was amazed by the shells' complicated patterns and wide range of colors. Each one told a story of a faraway trip. Barbie's trips to the beach didn't end with gathering shells. She was also very good at building dreams, and she used golden sand grains as building blocks. She painted on the sand and made amazing castles with towers that looked like they reached the sky with each stroke of her brush. As Barbie worked on her masterpieces, she could feel the beauty of the water in every grain of sand. This showed how creative she was. The people of Seashell Cove were amazed by Barbie's artistic skills, but it was also her unshakable love of the sea. Barbie would spend her afternoons sitting on a worn-out piece of driftwood and looking out at the waves that were moving in the sun. She watched as their foamy fingers touched the shore, making it swell and break. Barbie saw more than just beauty in the waves. She thought they showed how life goes up and down. She thought of them as a sign that things are always changing and that even when things are bad, there is beauty. The sound of the waves hitting the shore was like a natural symphony. It was a sea music that spoke to her deeply. As the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Barbie's love for the ocean grew. She learned how to read the waves and guess how the sea would feel. She found secret coves and pools full of colorful fish darting in and out of coral gardens and seahorses dancing under seaweed that was waving. She went underwater to hide. There, she could swim with her friends and enjoy the beautiful colors and beauty of the ocean. But even with all of these wonderful things, Barbie still had one wish that she couldn't grant. The older people in Seashell Cove had taught her in whispers about the magical beings that lived in the ocean's deepest parts. What they said was that they had seen mermaids with beautiful tails that sparkled like moonlight on water. Barbie had always wished she could meet a real mermaid, but she never quite got the chance. She had no idea that her life was about to take a crazy turn and that she would meet a mermaid, which was her dream. In Seashell Cove, where the green waters meet the rough rocks, Barbie was about to have a miracle that would change her life.

In this final installment of the Transylvanian Trilogy, childhood friends Marina and Cristina become amateur investigators, traveling from New York City and Paris to Istanbul to learn more about a web of crime among the countries’ leaders. Romanian leader Ceausescu had traveled to Tehran three days before he was executed on Christmas day, 1989, with suitcases filled with gold—gold that was never found. In their travels, the women risk their lives but deepen their friendship. Treasure Seekersexplodes with crime, passion, and a love story for the ages. But above all, it is about uncovering political truths.

The Incredible Ice Mammoths Summary: "The Incredible Ice Mammoths" is a touching story about a young boy named Milo who, by chance or fate, finds a hidden valley where the majestic and gentle ice mammoths roam freely, untouched by time or human interference. It is a world where magic and mystery mix with nature's pure beauty. Secrets will soon be revealed in this valley, wrapped in the embrace of eternal winter, thanks to a surprise find: a magical rock lying beneath the snow, ready for Milo to touch it to release its power. Milo talks to ice mammoths through this crystal, which is full of old magic. He does this by using a language of love and understanding to bridge the gap between them. Thanks to this gift, Milo meets Mira, a young ice mammoth whose soft nature and interest in life are a lot like his own. They go on a trip together because of the bond they've just found, which shows the heart-to-heart connection that exists between people and animals. A huge blizzard is expected to cover the valley and put the ice mammoths' lives in danger, threatening their natural environment in a way that no one knows about. With the magic of the crystal and the knowledge of the valley's oldest mammoth, Elder Tusk, Milo, and Mira set out to find the Heart of the Valley, a legendary being said to be able to control the weather and keep the natural world and the magical forces that run through the area in balance. A lot of hard things happen on their trip that test their bravery, determination, and relationship. They meet creatures made of snow and ice, climb dangerous slopes, and walk through frozen woods. Each step teaches them about being brave, sticking with something, and how important it is to live in harmony with nature. Along the way, they learn that the blizzard is really a sign of a greater problem: an evil that has spread through the Valley and into its heart. Milo and Mira are very brave and selfless as they use the crystal to perform an old rite that cleans the Heart and gets rid of the taint. The valley comes back to life when the snow melts and the sun comes out. There will be a celebration of their bravery and a memorial to the strength of friendship and the unwavering spirit of people who dare to love at the end of their trip. "The Incredible Ice Mammoths" is more than just a fun story; it's also a moving lesson of how fragile the balance is between nature and the magic that lives inside us. The story shows us that friendship knows no limits, bravery comes in many forms, and even small actions can have big effects on the world. Through Milo and Mira's eyes, we see how important it is to protect the environment and the unique life that depends on it. This leaves a memory of inspiration and hope for future generations to value and protect. Chapter 1: The Secret Valley. A long-lost secret is kept in a hidden valley in a world full of wonderful things to discover. Milo, a brave and interested boy, is where our story starts. Milo got lost in the snow-covered mountains around his house and found a trail he had never seen before. The snow and ice seemed to have moved out of the way, letting him explore and figure out what was going on. Milo found himself in a beautiful valley that was unlike any other he had seen. Huge ice statues rose from the ground, probably to protect the valley. In the sun, the snow looked like a sea of diamonds. However, the most stunning sight was the group of beautiful ice mammoths that were free to roam the land. Even though they were very big, these gentle giants moved with grace. Their fur was as white as snow, and their long, bent tusks sparkled like ice. Milo was amazed at how well these amazing animals were getting along with their surroundings. His breath made clouds in the cold air. As Milo went deeper into the valley, he saw something shining in the snow. He found a gem after digging around in the warm but cold blanket. It had a glow from within that pulsed gently, making it look different from any other rock or gem he'd seen. This wasn't just any rock; it held the key to understanding the power of both the ice mammoths and the valley. As Milo held the crystal in his hands, he felt a warmth that had nothing to do with temperature. It looked like the crystal recognized him and said hello. At the time, he had no idea that this finding would lead to an amazing journey that would change his life forever. Milo quickly realized that the crystal would help him connect with the ice mammoths in ways that no human had ever been able to do before. This would help him understand how they felt and what they thought. The secret valley was a magical place with ice mammoths and magical crystals. It was a wonderland and a reminder that magic is still out there for anyone who is brave enough to look for it. Milo's story didn't end here. He had to get through tough times, figure out puzzles, and make new friends. This trip wasn't just an adventure; it was a journey of learning about the place he was in, the animals that lived there, and the strength we all have when we talk to nature and listen to its stories. An enchanted crystal light brought a boy and some ice mammoths together to become friends in the secret valley, where the impossible became possible. It reminded me that the most amazing stories and adventures are out there for people who are brave and curious enough to find them. Chapter 2: The First Meeting In the middle of the remote valley, Milo's trip took an unexpected turn. The air is filled with the beauty of fresh snow and the quiet stories of the ice. While he was walking and enjoying the scenery and the gentle giants that lived in this area, he met someone very nice. No, this "someone" wasn't a person. It was a young, curious ice giant with eyes the color of the frozen lakes nearby. Mira was her name, and she was just as interested in Milo as he was. People from two very different worlds came together because they were friends, but their lives were very different in many ways. Milo's finding a beautiful stone made the whole thing truly amazing. When I got this rock, something strange happened. Milo thought Mira's deep, booming voice meant more than just sounds when she spoke. Instead, the crystal turned what she said into feelings and ideas that he could understand. They could talk to each other without words, as if a door had opened between their hearts. This stone wasn't just a link; it was a secret key that let them understand how to talk to each other. Milo interested Mira because she was naturally interested. She had never met a person before, and Milo seemed like a fun friend because he could understand her. Even though they were huge, ice mammoths were beautiful animals with loving hearts. She had the spirit of those animals. She was calm and nice. When a boy and a giant went exploring together in the cold valley, they quickly became friends. Milo rode on Mira's back as they laughed and told stories as they went along frozen rivers and snow-covered fields. The wind made his face feel cold. Their love was like the magic of the valley. They saw the northern lights dance across the sky, found secret tunnels filled with sparkling ice crystals, and shared their knowledge. Milo told him stories about the world beyond the mountains while Mira showed him the beauty of the valley, the plants and animals that made it through the winter, and the stories that have been told for hundreds of years about the ice mammoths. The first time Milo and Mira met, it wasn't just a lucky accident; it was the start of a close and lasting relationship. It showed that friendship doesn't depend on gender, language, or even huge chunks of ice and snow. They found someone who was like them and were ready to explore, learn, and go on an amazing trip together. This link would be there for them through good times and bad. It would show them the magic that can happen when we are open to the unknown and love and care for the Earth and all of its species.

'Scintillating, skilful and spellbinding, beautifully written and researched' Bestselling author of The Witch's Tree, Elena Collins In an underground labyrinth a lost soul wanders, waiting for revenge, waiting for love... London 1900 Alice Webster has made the worst decision of her life. When her Aunt Agatha offers her the chance to go on a Grand Tour she jumps at the opportunity to get away from the glare of scandal. Heading off to see the world as the century turns, Alice begins to believe her broken heart can be healed, and a chance encounter on a train bound for Paris changes everything. When their journey takes them to a Cretan house thick with history, and the world-famous dig at Knossos, stories from the past begin to echo through Alice’s life. London Present Day Eloise De’Ath is meant to be a grieving widow. But if people knew the truth about her late husband, they’d understand why she can’t even pretend. Needing to escape, Eloise heads to Crete and the house her father-in-law Quinn left her, and slowly Quinn’s home begins to reveal its mysteries. In his office Eloise discovers his life’s work: the study of the Victorian excavation to find the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Fascinated by the diaries of a young woman from the dig, Eloise is drawn into Alice’s tale of lost love and her growing obsession with Ariadne, the princess of the labyrinth. Three women divided by time but connected by the long-hidden secrets of the past. As their stories join in a golden thread, a terrible injustice might finally be undone... This unforgettable timeslip novel is perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins and Diana Gabaldon. Praise for Alexandra Walsh: 'Alexandra Walsh weaves a perfectly crafted dual timeline tale that will enthral and delight the reader from the first words until the very last sparkling moment.' Elena Collins 'I absolutely loved this beautifully written and characterful novel which intrigued me as it moves seamlessly between 1900 and the present with a throwback to Theseus and The Minotaur of ancient Crete.’ Carol McGrath 'Alexandra Walsh is a master storyteller and does historical time hops so well. The mystery, the intrigue and beautiful storytelling is ever present in The Forgotten Palace, as it is in all Alex’s novels. The plot, mixed with the Greek mythology, and characters make her latest fiction another masterpiece and one that stays with you a long time after you turn the last page.’ Michelle Rawlins What readers are saying about Alexandra Walsh: 'As much as I wanted (needed) to know what the links between the past and present were, I also didn't want this book to end, as I became so captivated and drawn to the characters. A great read that feeds the soul. I'm so looking forward to the author's next book .' 'I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one lengthy sitting of eight hours. It contains everything I love in a book, interesting believable characters , mystery and a story that grabs you from the very first page.' 'A host of characters populate this wonderful timeshift novel, all necessary and beautifully woven together in this compelling multi-generational family tale. I couldn't put it down - it kept me awake way beyond lights out time until I finally finished reading it.' 'Very cleverly written, how someone can come up with a story as complex as this one I think is nothing short of amazing. I love the way both Victorian and modern day is nicely tied up. This has to be the best timeshift story I have ever read. High recommendation from me.'

Scrapbooking afficionados keep coming back for more from Marina du Plessis! And it’s little wonder, because she knows exactly what scrapbookers want. In this, her third collection, she offers more cost effective projects that revolve around her versatile and internationally unique three-dimensional figurines created mostly with paper and imagination. So even if you have less disposable income to devote to your favourite craft than before, Marina’s templates for the figurines and lettering and other elements will see you happily scrapping in an affordable manner. Best of all, you can replicate the projects as is, or you can mix and match, vary and choose to create your own personalised layouts. Included in the templates are figurines, frames, letters, titles, tags, envelopes and other decorative elements. The 40+ themes ensure that there is something suitable for girls and boys (of all ages!), and cover birthdays, festivals and special events, weddings, memories, pets and simply good times. Accompanied by full-colour photographs, instructions are clear and easy to understand, for both advanced and beginner scrappers.

Artistic Narratives for Young Minds is a delightful collection of artistic stories designed to take children on imaginative adventures, enhancing their understanding of the environment and the universe. Through enchanting tales, young readers explore mystical forests, dive into vibrant oceans, journey through outer space, travel back to ancient times, and wander through magical kingdoms. Each story is crafted to spark curiosity and creativity, teaching valuable lessons about nature, history, science, and the power of imagination. The author’s intent is to inspire a sense of wonder and discovery, encouraging children to look at their surroundings with new eyes. With rich storytelling and beautiful illustrations, this book aims to foster a love for learning and exploration, making it a perfect addition to any child's library. Artistic Narratives for Young Minds is more than just a collection of stories; it’s an invitation to embark on endless adventures.

In the previous story, Ivan Thompson, a bright, and resourceful middle class youngster was not by far the "underdog's underdog." Having discarded his whipping board status, he invoked war upon his opposition against everyone who has mocked, ridiculed, and of course bullied him. As a result, dozens of egos were destroyed outright. In the North Lawndale neighborhood located on Chicago's west side where he lives, many who have known him for most of his life(so far) both friend and foe alike develops a newfound respect. However, despite his struggles, and ordeals which eventually gave way to victories, there are yet still other challenges. Among them is a very formidable adversary who has closely monitored his every move. Will Ivan prevail, against this particular enemy and continue to triumph? Or will he suffer a humiliating defeat? AND SO THE JOURNEY CONTINUES.