Spike Milligan had published volumes of humorous and children's poetry before the 1970s, but Small Dreams of a Scorpion is the first volume to feature some of his most personal and painful musings: partly on his own bouts of clinical depression and hospitalisation; partly about some of his darkest moments as a soldier in World War II; and also about some of the terrible moments of post-war world history and his reactions to them - the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, the Aberfan school disaster and the assassination of Robert Kennedy.

    Her best friend, Santana Corn Eyes, knows about the project, as does a ghost who visits her, silently urging her on. Yirah says the spirit is that of her departed uncle, but Santana is worried. Why would a ghost be crossing over to this world? Maybe it’s not such a good idea to get a a dead man’s motorbike running again. And if Yirah does succeed, will she be patient enough to learn how to safely handle it? Set in the Painted Hills near Santo del Vado Viejo, this original short story is loosely connected to de Lint’s acclaimed novel, The Wind in His Heart. “One of the most original fantasy writers currently working.”—Booklist “Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint’s vivid, original world. No one does it better.”—Alice Hoffman “De Lint creates an entirely organic mythology that seems as real as the folklore from which it draws.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review “De Lint is a romantic; he believes in the great things, faith, hope, and charity (especially if love is included in that last), but he also believes in the power of magic—or at least the magic of fiction—to open our eyes to a larger world.”—Edmonton Journal “It’s hard not to feel encouraged to be a better person after reading a book by Ottawa’s Charles de Lint.”—Halifax Chronicle Herald “If Ottawa-area author Charles de Lint didn't create the contemporary fantasy, he certainly defined it. …writer-musician-artist-folklorist de Lint has lifted our accepted reality and tipped it just enough sideways to show the possibilities that lie beneath the surface… Unlike most fantasy writers who deal with battles between ultimate good and evil, de Lint concentrates on smaller, very personal conflicts. Perhaps this is what makes him accessible to the non-fantasy audience as well as the hard-core fans. Perhaps it's just damned fine writing.” —Quill & Quire “In de Lint's capable hands, modern fantasy becomes something other than escapism. It becomes folk song, the stuff of urban myth.” ―The Phoenix Gazette

    They're all here in this brand-new full-color compilation comic strip book: Jon, Odie, Nermal, and, of course, our favorite fat cat, Garfield! Leftovers? Garfield doesn't get the concept. The conscientious fat cat does his best to reduce food waste, gobbling all the grub the first time. (Besides, ignored edibles develop low self-esteem.) Garfield fans will feast on this binge-worthy new collection of comics!

    Bert is a friendly chap who has many strange and exciting adventures. For instance, one morning as he struggles to put on a shirt, Bert falls down the stairs, out the door, and into the back of a truck, which takes him on an unplanned journey to Scotland. Another time, Bert is chased down the street by a giant sausage. Not to worry! Plucky, enthusiastic Bert always rises to the occasion, in this high-spirited collaboration between an internationally acclaimed author and illustrator, who are working together for the first time.

    One minute she's over the moon and the next she's down in the dumps.She's bright, attractive and twelve years old, but she has to rely on more than just her looks to get her the grades she needs to qualify for the Founder's Day dinner and dance.And what’s she going to do when her eyes mysteriously puff up? Who's going to want to take her to the dance in that state, least of all a dish like golden-haired Sun God Matt?

    Will this be the end of the beloved six pirates or will the bickering buccaneers find their way to a new home?

    Featuring the conclusions to Issue 57's cliffhanger stories by Booker Prize nominee Oyinkan Braithwaite, Brian Evanson, and Mona Awad.

    This a rare treat for lovers of French literature, art, and culture.

    Lady Cottington's previously unknown twin brother, Quentin, employs his "psychic image nebulizing generator" and "psychic odour nasalizing gasificator" to analyze the protoplasmic nature of the mysterious stains left by pressed fairies.

    It is the first children’s book that demonstrates what not to say after a natural disaster. On September 19, 2018, Donald Trump paid a visit to New Bern, North Carolina, one of the towns ravaged by Hurricane Florence. It was there he showed deep concern for a boat that washed ashore. “At least you got a nice boat out of the deal,” said President Trump to hurricane victims. “Have a good time!” he told them. The only way his comments would be appropriate is in the context of a children’s book—and now you can experience them that way, thanks to the staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Whose Boat Is This Boat? is an excellent teaching tool for readers of all ages who enjoy learning about empathy by process of elimination. Have a good time!

    Certain he will die before he has even had an opportunity to live, Ahmed is reduced to tears. The sound of Ahmed's crying, and the wetness of the tears themselves, awaken a sleeping giant — a slumbering god that rises from the desert sand and soars into the night's sky. The newly resurrected and jubilant god's name is Gonn-Ben-Allah. Gonn is touched by young Ahmed's dilemma but pleads for the boy to escape his past and what is left behind; live for the future, he says, for living in this manner is the only way to improve one's present and to achieve one's dreams. Gonn and Ahmed then embark on a wondrous journey through time and space. During this journey, Gonn teaches Ahmed many of life's important lessons, lessons of which adults — not only young boys and girls — need constant reminding. Gonn teaches Ahmed that there is no failure in trying. The only failure, Gonn explains, is to never try; only never trying will ensure the death of a dream. This despicable human act is what damages Gonn; it is why he has been killed and buried countless times before. At one point, Ahmed and Gonn witness a sleeping man, a metaphoric statement of passivity, a willingness to pass by opportunity, to allow what is to be without any attempt to improve or influence the situation. It is upon witnessing such an act that Gonn begins to shrivel and die. Has Ahmed learned Gonn's teachings well enough to save his giant friend from thishorriblefate? Ahmed and the Oblivion Machines is a very short but very delightful fable. Bradbury reminds us once again that dreaming is not only for children but for anyone who wishes to improve. This soon-to-be-classic tale, which is filled with illustrations from the skilled Chris Lane, is a wonderful gift for children, both young and old. Its message is valuable, and its story is enjoyable and enriching. —

    The Curse of Treasure Island is a thrilling sequel to the classic Treasure Island.

    Patty Hirst was no great scholar, but she was the "nicest girl" at Morton Priory, and a gifted artist as well.

    In the seaside village of Frip live three families: the Romos, the Ronsens, and a little girl named Capable and her father. The economy of Frip is based solely on goat’s milk, and this is a problem because the village is plagued by gappers: bright orange, many-eyed creatures the size of softballs that love to attach themselves to goats. When a gapper gets near a goat, it lets out a high-pitched shriek of joy that puts the goats off giving milk, which means that every few hours the children of Frip have to go outside, brush the gappers off their goats, and toss them into the sea. The gappers have always been everyone’s problem, until one day they get a little smarter, and instead of spreading out, they gang up: on Capable’s goats. Free at last of the tyranny of the gappers, will her neighbors rally to help her? Or will they turn their backs, forcing Capable to bear the misfortune alone? Featuring fifty-two haunting and hilarious illustrations by Lane Smith and a brilliant story by George Saunders that explores universal themes of community and kindness, The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip is a rich and resonant story for those that have all and those that have not.

    Mansbach's quirky, clever humor is unforgettable and absolutely addicting! While Seriously, You Have to Eat is totally kid appropriate, adults will seriously chuckle too."--Word SpelunkingOn the heels of the New York Times best seller You Have to F**king Eat (a sequel to the worldwide mega-best seller Go the F**k to Sleep), now comes the version that is entirely appropriate to read to--and with--children. While the message and humor will be similar to the adult version, there will, of course, be no profanity whatsoever.Step aside Green Eggs and Ham, there's a new, 21st-century book in town that will compel all finicky children to eat!