The book is about Merlin, the wizard who helped the legendary King Arthur in the Middle Ages in England. He is also a fictional character. It tells the story of Merlins School of Witchcraft and three particular students who had joined the school.

A TIMELESS EPIC, A NEW CLASSIC FOR ALL AGES -- MERLIN "Once upon a time...no, no, that's not the way to start. You'll think this is a fairy tale. And it isn't". In the terrible years of tyrants and invaders, England's surviving pagans cry out for help to their deity -- and Mab, Queen of the Faery realms, creates for them a champion. Merlin. Half human, half Magic; raised in the love of his foster mother, Ambrosia, trained in sorcery by the gnome Frick, destined by Mab to lead England back to the Old Ways. But Mab, once beloved, has grown selfish and cruel, so Merlin turns against her. And their war of magic will change the world.

Who was Merlin? Is the famous wizard of Arthurian legend based on a real person? In this book, Merlin's origins are traced back to the story of Lailoken, a mysterious 'wild man' who is said to have lived in the Scottish Lowlands in the sixth century AD. The book considers the question of whether Lailoken belongs to myth or reality. It looks at the historical background of his story and discusses key characters such as Saint Kentigern of Glasgow and King Rhydderch of Dumbarton, as well as important events such as the Battle of Arfderydd. Lailoken's reappearance in medieval Welsh literature as the fabled prophet Myrddin is also examined. Myrddin himself was eventually transformed into Merlin the wizard, King Arthur's friend and mentor. This is the Merlin we recognise today, not only in art and literature but also on screen. His earlier forms are less familiar, more remote, but can still be found among the lore and legend of the Dark Ages. Behind them we catch fleeting glimpses of an original figure who perhaps really did exist: a solitary fugitive, tormented by his experience of war, who roamed the hills and forests of southern Scotland long ago.

Five starred reviews! “An instant classic.” —The New York Times Book Review From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes “a memorable family story” (Booklist, starred review) about a girl adjusting to her new home—with the help of a little magic. When Abi’s father marries Max and Louis’s mom, their families start over together. Abi suddenly finds herself the middle child, expected to share far too much—especially with grubby little Louis. Then they move into an eerie, ivy-covered house, big enough for all of them. But for the children, strange things start to happen in that house. Abi reads alone, and finds herself tumbling so deep into books, they almost seem real. Louis summons comfort from outdoors, and a startling guest arrives—is it a cat or something else? Max loses his best friend…and falls in love. Meanwhile, Louis’s secret visitor is becoming much too real. Now Abi, Max, and Louis must uncover the secrets of their new home—for there can be danger in even the most beautiful magic. From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes a story that is at once enchanting and thrilling—if you don’t get lost in it first.

If you want to learn to create out-of-this-world photos that capture the heart and soul of a dog, you've come to the right place. Whether you're a professional looking to up your dog photography game, or an amateur striving to take better pictures of your four-legged best friend, Dogtography is your guide to crafting jaw-dropping photographs that are exploding with personality. And there is no better teacher than Kaylee Greer, one of the world's most in-demand dog photographers. Kaylee travels the globe photographing dogs for some of the biggest pet brands on Earth, teaches industry-renowned workshops, and stars in Nat Geo Wild's original television mini-series Pupparazzi, chronicling her colorful adventures photographing dogs across America.

Dogtography is jam-packed with tips and tricks and—just like Kaylee and her award-winning photographs—an infectious personality. In this book, you’ll learn Kaylee’s best-kept secrets, including camera settings, lens choices, and post-processing techniques. You’ll explore tried and true methods for working with dogs of all shapes and sizes, unlock the power of positive reinforcement, and discover the gift of giving back to dogs in need through the magic of photography.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Speak Dog
Chapter 2: Camera Settings
Chapter 3: Lenses
Chapter 4: Dirty Little Secrets
Chapter 5: Sunshine Wrangling
Chapter 6: Catchlights
Chapter 7: Location
Chapter 8: Expression
Chapter 9: Shooting Action
Chapter 10: Group Photo Techniques
Chapter 11: The Canine Variety Power Hour
Chapter 12: Illumination Nation
Chapter 13: Post-Processing
Chapter 14: Giving Back

Full-color photos and informative stories of Brittany's legends, history, and people are captured in this lively guide. Includes detailed itineraries, full-color maps, practical travel information, and dining and lodging listings.