It is 1755 - 1756 within the deep interiors of West Africa. A boy of eleven years is kidnapped with his eight year old sister. Strap your sandals and embark on an intriguing journey with Olaudah Equiano as he weaves a captivating tale of escape and resale from one African slave master to another. Get lost in time as Olaudah renders the most enchanting accounts of the implausible events he encountered during his travels as a child slave, from the interiors to the coast of West Africa. Before We Set Sail offers a gripping, refreshingly witty and highly adventurous account of the Africa of 1755 - 56, from the double points of view of an African boy and a British adult writing in 1796. Out of 250 submissions, Before We Set Sail was one of six shortlisted for the Penguin Publishers Award for African Writing.

Championship racers and professional adventurers disclose their favorite destinations in an inspiring volume of stories, travel tips, and photos. Featuring some of the best-known men and women in the sport—Tom Whidden and Gary Jobson (members of the winning 1987 America’s Cup crew), Jeff Johnstone (of J-Boats), award-winning sailing writer Lin Pardey, and many others—this is a unique full-color celebration for sailors to relive their greatest memories or plan their next big adventure. The amazingly diverse places they’ve selected include: Australia: Fremantle and Sydney Bermuda: St. George’s Harbor Brazil: Bay of Ilha Grande California: Channel Islands and San Francisco Bay Chile: Cape Horn Italy: Costa Smeralda, Sardinia Maine: Boothbay Harbor, Penobscot Bay, Southwest Harbor Florida: Biscayne Bay and Key West Scotland: Firth of Clyde South Africa: Cape Town…and dozens more For each place, the sailor recommending the venue spins an entertaining yarn about their experience there, and each description is accompanied by a “make you want to go there now” photograph. From the relative indolence of cruising the Dodecanese or the British Virgin Islands, to the white-knuckle adventure of rounding Cape Horn, to the thrill of partaking in the regatta off Newport, Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die captures the rich and varied world of recreational sailing—and may just inspire you to set sail on some new adventures of your own.

'Truly unforgettable ... deserves to be read and studied by all' - Onjali Q. Rauf, bestselling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class Secrets from the past are the keys to the future...if two children can find them. Bold adventure, timely themes and breath-taking writing from award-winning author, Sita Brahmachari. Usha is devastated when her grandmother Kali Ma passes away. Then straight-talking Imtiaz arrives - her new adoptive sister - and the two girls clash instantly. They both feel lost. That is until Kali Ma's ghost appears...with a task for them. Immy's and Usha's home is full of history and secrets. Many years ago it was The House of the Ayahs - for those nannies who couldn't return to their Indian homeland - and Kali Ma made a promise she couldn't keep. She can't pass on to the other side until the girls fulfil it. Today, Usha and Immy's over-worked parents run the house as a home for refugees, but eviction threatens. The precious documents that could save them are lost. As the house slowly fills up with ghosts, that only Usha and Imtiaz can see, the girls realise they have more to save than just one grandmother's ghost. With help from their new friend Cosmo, Usha and Immy must set off on a quest through London, accompanied by two bickering ghosts, working together to find a series of objects that shine a magical light on their family's past and hold the clues to securing their future. If they can set the secrets of generations free, will they be in time to save their home? Endorsed by Amnesty International. *Sita Brahmachari is a World Book Day author for 2021 with gorgeous short story, The River Whale!*

Who can love the spread of canvas and the bend of the oak and not thrill to the names of the great clippers built by Donald McKay? Great Republic, Sovereign of the Seas, Lightening, Star of the Empire, and Westward Ho — these names ring from an era when the windships were the queens of the ocean and sail was king. But the most famous, the one that most securely captured the hearts and imaginations of the entire nation, was McKay’s masterpiece, the Flying Cloud. Here is the story of Enoch Thacher, a boy whose father lost his fortune at sea, who McKay takes on during the lofting, building, and rigging of the Cloud, and who finally ships out on her for her maiden, record-breaking trip around the Horn. Accompanied by Sperry’s wonderfully vigorous drawings, this realistic and riveting narrative will keep even landlubbers pegged to their seats.

It's anchors away for Ella the elephant, as her magic red hat takes her on an ocean adventure that shows her what it truly means to be lucky. Ella loves the annual Elephant Island Carnival for its rides, its cotton candy and the fun she always has with her friends. But this year isn't looking promising: Belinda's being a pest, Ella's allowance is all gone, and it looks like a storm's coming. Has Ella's luck finally run out? Then a great gust of wind blows Ella's special hat out to sea, and she hops into a paddle boat to save it. A storm races in, and the wild ocean strands poor Ella on an island she's never seen before. Is Ella in for a miserable time, or is she going to learn what REAL luck is all about?The fourth charming adventure starring Ella the Elephant, now the inspiration for an animated series on Disney Junior.

A very special mouse escapes from a lab to find his missing family in this charming story of survival, determination, and the power of friendship. What makes Isaiah so unique? First, his fur is as blue as the sky—which until recently was something he'd never seen, but had read all about. That's right: Isaiah can read and write. He can also talk to humans . . . if any of them are willing to listen! After a dramatic escape from a mysterious laboratory, Isaiah is separated from his "mischief" (which is the word for a mouse family) and has to survive in the dangerous outdoors, and hopefully find his missing family. But in a world of cruel cats, hungry owls, and terrified people, it's hard for a young, lone mouse to make it alone. When he meets an equally unusual and lonely human girl named Hailey, the two soon learn that true friendship can transcend all barriers.

As the eighteenth century draws to a close, a mystic figure appears on the timeline of history whose presence is even felt today. Some call him a pirate sailing under the black flag of death. Others call him a ghost-a figment of the imagination. To those who know him, however, he is just an ordinary man who comes full circle in life. He comes to realize that life's greatest treasures are the simple pleasures and the God-given blessings that are regularly bestowed upon the children of God. He sails the west coast of Florida during some the most turbulent times, and he aids a young nation during the political unrest of 1812. Through love, political intrigue, and adventures at sea, José Gaspar becomes the last of the buccaneers.

Hungry for adventure . . . and breakfast? Set sail with a grandpa and his intrepid granddaughter as they look far and wide for the perfect pancake ingredients! Margot and her grandpa have tummies grumbly for pancakes. Only there’s a problem . . . there’s no flour, milk, or eggs! But Grandpa has the perfect solution; they’ll get on his boat the Beluga Blue and go to Chicken Island, Cow Island, and Flour Mill Island to get the ingredients. Set sail for pancakes!