On March 17, 2020, the Santa Barbara Zoo closed to the public due to a global pandemic. Three days later, a little penguin named Monty started to make a big difference.A hand-raised Humboldt penguin, this curious bird loved to explore with his keepers and although the Zoo was empty of guests, it was filled with the adventures of a now-famous penguin - Monty! He explored the Zoo, meeting HoneyBun the rabbit, Bangori the Western lowland gorilla, Michael the giraffe, and the leopard tortoises, always making sure to find a favorite leaf along the way. Monty's adventures were shared online and with each new video, Monty brought more and more joy. People of all ages and from all around the world proclaimed their love for the little bird that brought smiles to their day. During uncertain times, Monty brought certainty that good exists. As people were quarantined in their homes and disconnected from one another, Monty connected everyone through their shared love of his love for the world around him. When the world felt a little lost, Monty helped it find its heart! He taught people to accept differences. He reminded people that life is in the little things and with each hug he gave his keeper Ellie, people remembered that love is the most important thing.

A diary of adventure in picturesque Sand Bay, Monty Halls' Great Escape takes readers on an extraordinary journey, from auspicious beginnings as Monty renovates his cottage and meets a rich cast of local characters, through dark days when he yearns for the trappings of urban existence. Armed with little more than optimism and a basic knowledge of DIY - and with his gigantic (possibly insane) dog, Reuben, as his companion - Monty raises sheep, pigs and chickens, grows his own vegetables, and learns all about simple living on the wild west coast.

Owners of beloved dogs will universally agree that, sometimes, it seems their pet understands everything that is being said around them. In this fantasy, Chipper provides some answers to the question: What adventures might a dog have if he could actually read words and understand what is being said by those nearby? Sit down and shake a paw with this special canine as he grows from a clumsy pup to a crime-stopping member of the local police force. Along the way, he learns to read. He is dog-napped, injured and almost euthanized. He becomes a dog who counsels other dogs...and he uses a special computer to tell the story of his adventures. Join Mary Anne and Chipper, together with their good friend Monty and his dog, Maggie, as they create a training school for dogs - The Learning Lab - whose results amaze and mystify the owners of the dogs in attendance. But these undertakings can't even compare with the superlative life-lessons Mary Anne and Chipper learn from Mom and Dad and Mr. Robb, their wise and kindly neighbor. This quirky canine is sure to find his way into your heart. He may not be able to speak, but Chipper's waggy-tailed escapades will keep you wondering, "...and what else can this dog do?"...

Words are wonderful, wacky. wise, winsome things to use. Sometimes seemingly senseless, sometimes soulful or sorrowful, sometimes spiritual or soulish, and sometimes startling, strengthening, sarcastic, sinful, or soul winning. Words are used in many ways and have many faces, fonts, facets, fortes, factions, flavors, and fans. Use them carefully for they can hurt to the quick, encourage to be quick, quicken the spirit, soothe the sorrowful, and confuse the illiterate. The paragraph above is an example of alliteration run rampant. So run, rally, reiterate, read, and return. Alliterative poems, short stories, and pithy proverbs in this book abound with humor, social comment, and even silliness. If you want a laugh, a jolt, or just a smile, you need to curl up with this book and get ready for the unexpected. Its not a childrens book, but its rated fun. Heres a couple of examples BS Bruce Sturgess bought string beans and stuffed broiled sirloin before sending Bryan Scott, burdened somewhat, back soon for baked swordfish. Bruce smiled beamingly, seemingly, because swordfish brought some bright, sweet memories to mind. Before Sandra Beavers split, Bruce and Sandra both savored baked swordfish. Bittersweet but soothing memories of being sweethearts bloomed somewhere in Bruces soul. Sandra Beavers stood, built sweetly, built solid, built slender, built sprightly, bust size beautiful and sensual. Besides stirring Bruce Sturgess best stuff between Bruces strong legs, Sandra brought sensations to brighten Sturgess brain. Somewhat better since breaking up, Sturgess became sadly bewildered sometimes, but soon Bruce would bite swordfish again, and Bryans smile would brighten Sturgess beautiful suite on Boston Street. Bitter soon after Sandras brother stiffed Bruce and Bruce stuffed Sandras brother into a blue suit, a big sack, and a black Studebaker, Sandra broke with Sturgess and stomped back to South Burbank steaming and bristling. Better start being sensible, Bruce Sturgess, said Bruce to himself, seconds before smartly backing into a Buick Skylark. Buck Smothers burst from the Skylark and busted Sturgess on Bruces suntanned beak. Big, stupid, backward, stunted, brainless student of bashing standing Buicks! screamed Buck. Be still! said Bruce. Some bystander, stand by for something beautiful! Bruce stood before Smothers, and, before some could blink, struck Buck with several blows. Smothers, bruised and somewhat bloody, slowly bowed and sank to the busy sidewalk. A bit stupid, Buster! said Bruce. Later, after settling business, Sturgess, Bryan Scott, and Buck Smothers began eating swordfish between solemn bodyguards. The bodyguards were protecting Bryan Scott, because it was Scotts bundles and such that blocked Sturgess back window and contributed to the bruised Skylark. Anyway, Bruce Sturgess, Bryan Scott, and Buck Smothers, bellies stretched by swordfish, BSd the night away. But whats the difference? This is all BS anyway! COMMENT In the forgoing piece, paired words, one beginning with B, one with S, are used for the alliterative effect. In the following piece, alliteration is achieved by the more direct traditional approach almost all of the words begin with the letter M. MUSKETS Misfired muskets mutilate millions. Must muskets multiply? Maybe muskets might make mommy miserable, but must masses be miffed? Muskets make moose huntable. Moose meat makes mighty fine eating! Moose might be merry without muskets, but musketeers might go hungry without muskets. Might a moose be misused because of muskets? Mounts and muskets make might, and me being mighty makes me militant. Mark my words, muskets must not be withheld from the masses, minorities maybe, Mormons for sure. Muskrats may multiply without using muskets to maintain a manageable balance. Missed making my mark because of my missing

This beloved account about an intrepid young Englishman on the first leg of his walk from London to Constantinople is simply one of the best works of travel literature ever written. At the age of eighteen, Patrick Leigh Fermor set off from the heart of London on an epic journey—to walk to Constantinople. A Time of Gifts is the rich account of his adventures as far as Hungary, after which Between the Woods and the Water continues the story to the Iron Gates that divide the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. Acclaimed for its sweep and intelligence, Leigh Fermor’s book explores a remarkable moment in time. Hitler has just come to power but war is still ahead, as he walks through a Europe soon to be forever changed—through the Lowlands to Mitteleuropa, to Teutonic and Slav heartlands, through the baroque remains of the Holy Roman Empire; up the Rhine, and down to the Danube. At once a memoir of coming-of-age, an account of a journey, and a dazzling exposition of the English language, A Time of Gifts is also a portrait of a continent already showing ominous signs of the holocaust to come.