From the bestselling author of Miss Appleby's Academy, comes the first in the Black Family trilogy. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Anna Jacobs and Catherine King. Ella's happy childhood in the Swan Island district of Durham is abruptly ended when her father dies, leaving the family bankrupt. Ella and her mother leave their home behind to go and live with her grandmother, who runs the Silver Street cafe. After a first, unhappy marriage she settles into domesticity with a local businessman, David Black. But Ella can never quite forget her first love. Now a contented wife and mother, Ella soon finds she must make an impossible choice. Note: this book was previously published under the title Swan Island.
Ella love-love-loves her brand-new umbrella. It's sky blue with white clouds, and it makes the most satisfying whoosh-click sound. Rain or shine, Ella insists on taking it with her everywhere. Unfortunately, a whoosh-clicking umbrella can cause serious trouble . . . especially at a ballet recital. It's a good thing Ella's a problem solver, because she's going to need to be creative to get what she wants.
As in Rimbauds The Drunken Boat, Empire of Light will take you down a stream of consciousness stream in a rudderless boat to experience visions of ruin and beauty. This book explores a peculiarly American landscape of magnificence and decay, reveling in nightmarish and dreamlike events. The world of Empire of Light will fascinate you.
A comical story of imagination and friendship—now available as a paperback! Elephant is enjoying a peaceful walk with his green umbrella, when suddenly a Hedgehog says: I believe you have my boat. Elephant listens patiently as Hedgehog insists: I crossed deep oceans . . . tasted the salty spray of whales [in that umbrella-boat]. Cat, Bear, and Rabbit soon interrupt Elephant—each claiming that his umbrella is really their tent, flying machine, and cane. Elephant is flabbergasted—after all, it’s an umbrella, and it certainly hasn’t been on any adventures more exciting than a walk in the rain. Or has it? Jackie Azúa Kramer and illustrator Maral Sassouni have created a gem in this fun read-aloud! Praise for The Green Umbrella, hardcover edition A 2017 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Mom's Choice Award - Gold A 2017 Parents' Choice Silver Honor The lesson about sharing and generosity is elegantly wrapped around lovely language."—Kirkus Reviews
Excitement and the unexpected sometimes comes with four paws, a wagging tail, and a bark. And for one couple who needed a change, a newspaper article gave Jessie Garth the sudden inspiration she needed to nudge her adamant husband, Ken, to welcome the unexpectedto foster, train, and welcome home a guide dog puppy. In The Lady at the End of the Leash, author Jessie Garth shares the exciting, heart-warming, and bittersweet story of Ella, a spritely, delightful, six-week old Labrador retriever puppy who would return to Guide Dogs Queensland for extensive training to become a working Guide Dog. Content in his well planned, semi-reclusive retirement, Ken reluctantly agrees to become a puppy raising familybut hes not prepared for the consequences as he fights to keep his daily routine. As both Jessie and Ken quickly realise the seriousness of their commitment, they learn to break their routine and enjoy a wonderful new lifestyle. Ella would even help their grandchildren grow up within the discipline of raising a guide dog puppybeing proud to walk by Ellas side when out and about, and sharing in the joy, the laughter, and the care. Join Jessie and Ken in their story about wanting more out of lifemore excitement, and a little of the unexpectedwith Ella, a remarkable puppy who bounded into their lives and changed Kens routine, bringing havoc, love, joy, and laughterand teaching them as much as they taught her.
Describes the life and career of the Barbadian singer, from her discovery at age fifteen by a music producer to her international success as an R&B singer.
“A subtle, deceptively simple book about inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming the ‘other.’” —Kirkus Reviews “A boundlessly inclusive spirit...This open-ended picture book creates a natural springboard for discussion.” —Booklist “This sweet extended metaphor uses an umbrella to demonstrate how kindness and inclusion work...A lovely addition to any library collection, for classroom use or for sharing at home.” —School Library Journal In the tradition of Alison McGhee’s Someday, beloved illustrator Amy June Bates makes her authorial debut alongside her eleven-year-old daughter with this timely and timeless picture book about acceptance. By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have. Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room. Lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates cowrote with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain.