Tom's Drum

Is young Will a thief? Is young Tom playing tricks? Why are Tom’s parents angry with the cook and the haughty servant? Why do the elves, gnomes and pixies visit Tom’s grand house and Will’s humble cottage on Christmas Eve?

Tom’s Drum provides answers to these questions. It also paints a lively picture of Britain during the early reign of Queen Victoria: when the rich and the poor, the masters and the servants, were expected to know their places.

A story of music and magic, families and friendship, Tom’s Drum begins and ends with Christmas, but is guaranteed to entertain young readers at any time of the year. And as this is a fairy tale, someone is sure to have a happy ending: but who will it be?

Fairy Tales for Adults

Mr. Artemis Moon and Miss Solaris reside in the Kingdom of Sky, where they have a bird’s-eye view of events unfolding on Earth. Both are deeply passionate about children’s welfare, feeling compelled to intervene when they witness injustice.

Solaris, Artemis Moon’s lifelong friend and confidant, appreciates his wicked sense of humour and love of pranks. She often enlists his help in playing practical jokes on humans who have strayed from the path of kindness.

These enchanting tales showcase the triumph of good over evil, illustrating how our words and actions can profoundly impact others. Each story carries a moral lesson, as the residents of the Kingdom of Sky invite readers to join their campaign to improve humanity.

The book calls on each of us to become advocates for compassion, empathy, and kindness, in the hope that love may ultimately conquer all.

Doubly Amazing

Animals captivate children not because they mimic human abilities, but because they possess extraordinary adaptations that seem almost beyond human reach.

With whimsy, inventive language, and playful rhyme, Doubly Amazing celebrates the remarkable talents of quadrupeds, winged creatures, and aquatic wonders. From the familiar elephant to the exotic axolotl, each animal appears twice, paired with a different counterpart to highlight their unique skills in a fun, lighthearted competition of one-upmanship.

As young readers discover these fascinating abilities, they may begin to wonder: if animals are so gifted, where do humans stand? The answer might surprise them.

The Other Side of the Flag

A small group clustered on the outer deck of the ship, watching the dock and shoreline slowly recede. On one side of me stood the next King of England; on the other, ‘The Best Prime Minister Britain Never Had.’ Beers in hand, we listened as the familiar strains of Rule, Britannia! rose from the crowds ashore and from the countless small craft dotting the harbour. The Royal Yacht of the same name slowly departed from the last vestige of the British Empire, mere minutes after Hong Kong was handed back to Chinese rule, marking the end of 150 years of British governance.

Those standing on the deck were lost in their own thoughts. For me, it was the conclusion of my 17-year odyssey in this most vibrant of city-states. What began as a quest for adventure – a stark contrast to my comfortable but unexciting life in England – ended with my intimate involvement in a pivotal moment in history.

My career in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force had unfolded like a Hollywood script: from the riot squad to bodyguard duty, to a decade in counterterrorism, and finally as the last Aide-de-camp to the last Governor of Hong Kong. Along the way, I experienced countless headline-making incidents – and some that never made it to the press. It was a career rich in exhilaration and variety, far beyond anything I could have imagined when my journey began.

Charles Dickens Has a Wish

Charles Dickens Has a Wish explores Dickens’ use of ‘secret writing’ (inspired by Edgar Allan Poe) while composing A Tale of Two Cities. To fully understand A Tale of Two Cities, readers must solve the riddle Dickens introduces early in the novel and follow its directions. This book highlights and explains that riddle, along with other subtle clues Dickens uses to guide readers. Some of Dickens’ characters even have unnamed alter egos. By following the riddle’s directions, readers can uncover which characters have these hidden identities.

Dickens encourages readers to experience events through the perspectives of his characters. This mirrors Plato’s attempt, in the ‘Allegory of the Cave’ from The Republic, to have readers see the world through the eyes of the unchained captive. Both authors believed that experiencing life through another’s viewpoint activates what Socrates referred to as the quality of ‘Goodness.’ Often called the ‘third eye’ in Hindu traditions, this concept may also be tied to Gnostic teachings. Could this shared vision explain why The Republic was discovered among the Nag Hammadi texts? Readers who follow Dickens’ riddle may trigger this transformative experience automatically.

In essence, Dickens hid a profound plan for world peace within A Tale of Two Cities. He sought to instill ‘Goodness’ in his readers’ minds, envisioning a future where parents pass this lesson to their children for generations. His ultimate wish? Peace for all people on earth – forever.

General Smudge’s Last War

War has been declared between Gorgonia and Farfallonia, and their armies stand poised for battle. But when General Smudge gives the order to attack, his soldiers simply sit down. ‘It’s too dangerous out there,’ they protest. ‘Someone could get hurt.’

With traditional combat no longer an option, the entire concept of warfare must be reimagined. New, harmless weaponry is devised – ensuring that no one is injured while still allowing General Smudge to pursue his dreams of military glory.

Though often veering into slapstick comedy, this satirical tale carries a deeper message beneath the humor, challenging the very nature of war itself.

The Glows

Since the dawn of time, the Glows have maintained the illusion that the world is full of colour. However, after a chance encounter with their arch-nemesis, the Negatives, Gillray Glow is faced with a profound choice: can the world make room for two opposing truths, or must the lie continue for eternity?

Funnyology

Contrary to what those in the profession can easily start to believe, life does exist beyond the classroom; not only before, but during – and after – a career in Education. In this brand-new collection, writer Guy Newmountain, author of “Please I Can To The Toilet Go?” (The Memoirs Of A Supply Teacher), presents a multi-faceted assemblage of hilarious true stories focusing on the more humorous aspects of everyday life.The book is illustrated throughout by the author himself, who readily accepts his own quirky eccentricity in observations stretching from earliest childhood through the most puerile teenage practical jokes to his working years in a score of different vocations. Within these pages can be found a refreshingly broad range of anecdotes; all demonstrating vividly how life, with its many career changes, hair-raising predicaments and extraordinary experiences can be the longest, most unpredictable of tapestries. You really couldn’t make it up!

No Recourse

Jenny Sears, a hard-working, divorced mother of two, is a strong-minded, independent woman succeeding in the tough business world of London, 1900. Captain Nick Blackburn, badly wounded in action, has just returned home, though he has no memory of who he is, just where ‘home’ might be. A twenty-year veteran of the London Police, Wilfred Pool has dealt with the worst, most vicious criminals the city has to offer.

Increasingly weary, cynical, he is thrust into a new investigation involving a rash of gruesome murders resulting from the appearance of a precious ‘Black Diamond’ within the underworld realm he knows all too well. When Jenny is caught up in an abrupt, violent encounter with her current suitor, a volatile gypsy named Felice, to her astonishment she is helped, protected by a randomly passing Nick Blackburn, a man she was once deeply involved with years ago, but who now doesn’t recognise her, has no idea even who he is himself.

Ruthlessly pursued by Felice, himself a prime suspect in Pool’s investigation of the Black Diamond killings, Jenny finds her life starkly threatened by the suddenly treacherous present, at the same time unexpectedly confronted with the uncertain reappearance of a ghost from her past, a man forgotten in every sense of the word.

Soul Full of Sunshine

In this collection, I explore the raw and tender moments that have shaped my life, from the echoes of childhood to the reflections of adulthood. Each poem is a window into the joys, challenges, and quiet revelations that define our human journey. Whether you find a familiar feeling or a new perspective, these verses are meant to resonate with your own story, offering comfort, connection, and a sense of shared experience.

Reggie the Rooster

Join Reggie the Rooster on a heart-warming adventure as he sets out to find his lost voice.

Along the way, he meets his loyal friends including Doug the Dog, Harry the Horse, and Perry the Pig, who help him discover the true meaning of the valuable lessons of friendship. Will Reggie find his voice and learn the importance of friendship?

This delightful tale is perfect for readers of all ages, reminding us that sometimes, the journey is just as important as the destination.

Finding Oliver a New Home

Once upon a time, a happy family of four turtles lived in one of the most beautiful waters in the world: the patient Papa Turtle, the sweet Mama Turtle, and their children, naughty Oliver and little princess Eva. But little did they know that their heavenly home was about to be transformed into land for humans…

Can Oliver protect his family and save their precious home?