This new Beginner Book about manic skiing squirrels—by J. Hamilton Ray with illustrations by Pascal Lemaitre—has the feeling of an old classic read-aloud."Nobody knew how the mania grew. First there was one, and then there were two. Three more came gliding from under the trees. LOOK! On the hill. Those are squirrels on skis! Below lay the town, snow-covered and still. Not a sound could be heard. All was silent, until . . . Swwwishhhh swooped the skiers, al...

This new Beginner Book about manic skiing squirrels—by J. Hamilton Ray with illustrations by Pascal Lemaitre—has the feeling of an old classic read-aloud."Nobody knew how the mania grew. First there was one, and then there were two. Three more came gliding from under the trees. LOOK! On the hill. Those are squirrels on skis! Below lay the town, snow-covered and still. Not a sound could be heard. All was silent, until . . . Swwwishhhh swooped the skiers, al...

Have you ever wondered...How the Navy and the Marines came to be ‘royal’? How Samuel Pepys helped professionalise the Navy while at the same time penning his famous diary. What the origins of everyday expressions like ‘toeing the line’, ‘showingyour true colours’ and ‘piping-hot food’ are? Marvel at the magnificent vessels that have always been the backbone of the force, from the Tudor warship Mary Rose to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest warship ever bui...

Have you ever wanted to know…Which junction to take for Gibraltar?How to save £35,040 a year on Dartford Crossing tolls?How many assassins were buried within the concrete of the M25? (at least one)Why it’s important that North Ockendon declares itself independent from Greater London at the earliest opportunity?This indispensable biography of a road profiles the 117 miles of Britain’s most infamous motorway, from its controversial origins to its prese...

This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, handy hints and captivating stories and quotes from the world of bikes, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of cycling.

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.Take a whistle-stop journey through time to discover the remarkable people, places, artefacts and events that make up the story of Britain through the ages. Discover the stomach-churning scope of Henry VIII’s voluminous diet, learn about the engineering excellence behind the Supermarine Spitfire and brush up on your knowledge of iconic British TV and radio programmes. These and many more fascinating facts are presented in this be...

The Tour de France is one of the most prestigious and physically challenging sporting events in the world and is the jewel in professional cycling's crown.This pocket-sized miscellany is packed with the Tour's most memorable moments, with curious facts, amazing anecdotes and intriguing statistics from over a century of unforgettable racing.

Do You Know…Which British war leader was shot at by guerrillas in Cuba on his twenty-first birthday? Which intelligence officer turned the tide of World War One in the Middle East after being initially rejected by the Army for being too small? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this celebration of the UK’s land force. From the heroes, special forces and famous campaigns and battles that make up the British Army’s impressive history, through to the remarkable people ...

‘Artillery adds dignity to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl.’Frederick the Great‘I am the Flail of God… If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.’Genghis Khan‘Everyone's a pacifist between wars. It's like being a vegetarian between meals.’Colman McCarthyFrom Churchill to Sitting Bull, and from Agincourt to the Khyber Pass, history is rich in rousing rhetoric, inspiring quotations and heroic ...

This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, handy hints and captivating stories and quotes from the world of golf, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of hitting the fairway.

HOP ON BOARD, SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE!Whether you pine for the romantic age of the steam engine, thrill at the speeds of today’ssuperfast trains, dream of travelling on the world’s great long-distance rail journeys or yearn to take the ‘Toy Train’ to Darjeeling, this book offers a fantastic, whistle-stop tour of train travel.

Do you know…What are the most unusual things left behind by passengers on British trains? How China is using trains to recreate the ancient Silk Road? How many of the sixty Sherlock Holmes stories feature travel by rail? The appeal of trains travels far and wide. More than just a means of transport, these revolutionary machines connect communities, evoke memories and promise adventures galore. This fact-packed miscellany tracks their development across the globe from the earliest st...