The writer explores his beloved Australia in a memoir that is “a delight to read [and] a call to arms . . . It beseeches us to revere the land that sustains us” (Guardian). From boyhood, Tim Winton’s relationship with the world around him?rock pools, sea caves, scrub, and swamp?has been as vital as any other connection. Camping in hidden inlets, walking in high rocky desert, diving in reefs, bobbing in the sea between surfing sets, Winton has felt the place seep into him, and learned to see landscape as a living process. In Island Home, Winton brings this landscape?and its influence on the island nation’s identity and art?vividly to life through personal accounts and environmental history. Wise, rhapsodic, exalted?in language as unexpected and wild as the landscape it describes?Island Home is a brilliant, moving portrait of Australia from one of its finest writers, the prize-winning author of Breath, Eyrie, and The Shepherd’s Hut, among other acclaimed titles.
'A perfect, warm escape from these cold, dark times' Kate Eberlen 'Bursting with hope and heart' Cathy Bramley 'Wonderfully engaging . . . beautifully drawn' Mike Gayle ----- Lorna's world is small but safe. She loves her daughter and the two of them are all that matter. But after nearly twenty years, she and Ella are suddenly leaving London for the Isle of Kip, the tiny remote Scottish island where Lorna grew up. Alice's world is tiny but full. She loves the community on Kip and how her yoga classes draw women across the tiny island together. Now Lorna's arrival might help their family finally mend itself - even if forgiveness means returning to the past... And as the two women find friendship, Lorna also starts to find her place in the world. Can coming home mean starting again? ----- Join the community of readers who love Libby's bright, moving storytelling: 'A wonderfully evocative and enveloping novel ... a perfect, warm escape from these cold, dark times' Kate Eberlen, author of Miss you and Only You 'Tender, heartfelt ... The Island Home explores every aspect of love and shows us it's never too late to fix what's broken.' Lindsey Kelk, author of In Case You Missed It 'Radiates warmth, happiness and hope' Veronica Henry
Four sisters search for true family in this story of resilience by a Newbery Honor author. When the McCready sisters' parents are washed away in a tsunami, their Great Aunt Martha volunteers to have them live with her on Pine Island in British Columbia. But while they are traveling there, Martha dies unexpectedly, forcing Fiona, the eldest, to come up with a scheme to keep social services from separating the girls - a scheme that will only work if no one knows they are living on their own. Fiona approaches their grouchy and indifferent neighbor Al and asks if he will pretend to be their live-in legal guardian should papers need to be signed or if anyone comes snooping around. He reluctantly agrees, under the condition that they bring him dinner every night. As weeks pass, Fiona takes on more and more adult responsibilities, while each of the younger girls finds their own special role in their atypical family. But even if things seem to be falling into place, Fiona is sure it's only a matter of time before they are caught. Written in Polly Horvath's inimitable style, gentle humor and tough obstacles are woven throughout this story about the bonds of sisterhood and what makes a family. Don’t miss the sequel, Pine Island Visitors, which Kirkus Reviews described as “terrifically entertaining” in a starred review. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
The tang of salt in the air. Sunlight sparkling on clear blue water. Pomegranate seeds glistening like jewels in your palm. Australian artist, designer and photographer Claire Lloyd had a successful career in London, a beautiful apartment and a life filled with excitement and travel. However, she was beginning to feel exhausted by her life's hectic pace. One day a chance conversation with a friend led her to the Greek island of Lesvos, where she finally found what she was looking for - a sense of peace and the return of her creative drive. This book describes Claire's journey to a small village in Greece - the ancient land of gods and poets, where the seasons govern a way of life that has barely changed over thousands of years. Accompanied by Claire's stunning photographs filled with colour and light, this inspirational story of reconnecting with nature and community, and finding beauty in the smallest details, will make you see the world anew. For more please visit: ClaireLloyd.com ClaireLloydloves.wordpress.com
The dry season set in at the beginning of the second week of October. This is the first spring month in the Southern zone. The winter in this nineteenth degree of latitude between the Equator and the tropic of Capricorn had not been very severe. The inhabitants of New Switzerland would soon be able to resume their wonted labours. After eleven years spent upon this land it was none too soon to attempt to ascertain whether it was a part of one of the continents laved by the Indian Ocean or whether it must be included by geographers among the islands of those seas. Since the rescue by Fritz of the young English girl upon Burning Rock, M. Zermatt and his wife, his four sons and Jenny Montrose had been happy on the whole. Of course they had at times fears of the future and of the great improbability of deliverance reaching them from outside, and they had, too, memories of home and a longing to get into touch again with mankind. To-day, then, at a very early hour, M. Zermatt passed through the orchard of Rock Castle and walked along the bank of Jackal River. Fritz and Jack were there before him, equipped with their fishing tackle. As for Ernest, always bad at getting up, yearning for five minutes longer between the sheets, he had not yet left his bed. Mme. Zermatt and Jenny were busy within doors. "Papa," said Jack, "it is going to be a fine day." "I think it is, my boy," M. Zermatt replied. "And I hope that it will be followed by many more as fine, since we are at the beginning of spring." "What are you going to do to-day?" Frank asked. "We are going fishing," Fritz answered, showing his net and lines. "In the bay?" M. Zermatt enquired. "No," Fritz answered; "if we go up Jackal River as far as the dam, we shall catch more fish than we shall require for breakfast." "And then?" said Jack, addressing his father. "Then, my boy," M. Zermatt replied, "we shall not be at a loss for a job. In the afternoon, for example, I am thinking of going to Falconhurst to see if our summer dwelling requires any repairs. Besides, we shall take advantage of the first fine days to visit our other farms, Wood Grange, Sugar-cane Grove, the hermitage at Eberfurt and the villa at Prospect Hill. And then there will be the animals to attend to and the plantations to get into order."
The twelve-year-old son of a Union army doctor killed during the fighting in Fredericksburg comes to understand the meaning of war and the fine line between friends and enemies when he begins corresponding with a young Confederate prisoner of war.
Jamaica My Island Home introduces very young readers (KS0-1; ages 4-6) to their Jamaican heritage, the beauty of Jamaica and how they can best preserve this beauty. Covering topics like geography, history, cooking, sport and culture, and with full-colour images throughout, young readers will learn to appreciate the vast array of beauty and wonder that Jamaica has to offer.
