This is the biography of the life, times and countryside of the rather sad and curious author of 'The wind in the willows'. He was the youngest Secretary of the Bank of England and yet lived in a dream world, creating wonderful stories.

For all its wild beauty, the Matobo Hills is a friendly place. Of course, there's always the chance one might step on a puff adder or meet a wounded leopard, but these are unlikely occurrences, and the joy in my serendipitous wandering was well worth any minor risk. And then along came a honey badger, touted as the most fearless animal in the world: one to whom Trouble and Danger are the very stuff of life. He is totally unreasonable. He hates peace and quiet - he's a one-man street gang, the Mafia Boss, the executioner waiting at the scaffold with a great grin on his face. Trouble? Bring it on. I'm ready.' In this third book in the Stone Hills series, Badger grows up and launches himself into the world of dangerous snakes, angry bees and deadly scorpions wi th his family i n anxious at tendance. Once again, the stories range widely, from witchcraft and wilderness, to pygmy cannibals and the torrid romancing of the red-backed toad. But laughter and tears are never far apart in Zimbabwe, not least when a small badger leaves home and makes his way into his own, perilous world.

The faery queen has forbidden Aidan from stalking his prey, but Cassie should have known that nothing would keep him from what he wants: to steal her away forever into the realm of the Fae.Cassie struggles to pick up what’s left of her life, keeping true to her promise to watch over her best friend’s son. But despite the faery queen’s promise of safety, the shadow of Aidan is ever present in her mind, haunting her dreams and turning forest shadows into nightmares. The rest of her friends are getting ready for college, but not her. The Fae haven’t left yet. Cassie knows because Laney lingers still, drawn to the son she gave up, the foliage at his window sill bright green and flourishing at her touch.Laney’s son is safe in the arms of his adoptive parents, and the babe has Cassie to watch over him from afar. That should have been enough for the new faery, but it wasn’t. She couldn’t let her son go. Laney watches him from afar, motionless, ageless, addicted to his tiny movements and contented sighs. The thought of leaving him is unbearable, even if she knows leaving is the only way to keep her best friend safe from Aidan’s grasp.When the faery queen’s threat of departure becomes all too real, Aidan takes matters into his own hands, throwing the Fae into a battle that risks their very existence. His action impels Laney to choose which side she really belongs on—human or faery—and forces Cassie to decide just who she can trust, at last, with the truth.

When her baby brother is kidnapped by crows, Prue McKeel begins an adventure that will take her and her friend Curtis way beyond her hometown and deep into the Impassable Wilderness. There they uncover a secret world in the midst of violent upheaval, a world full of warring creatures, peace-loving mystics and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. What begins as a rescue mission becomes something much bigger as the two friends find themselves entwined in a struggle for the very freedom of this wilderness. A wilderness the locals call Wildwood. Wildwood is a spellbinding tale full of wonder, danger and magic. It combines the thrill of a secret world and the buzz of modern city life. Original and fresh, yet steeped in classic fantasy, this is a novel that could have only come from the imagination of Colin Meloy, celebrated for his inventive and fantastic storytelling as the lead singer and songwriter of The Decemberists. With dozens of intricate and beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Carson Ellis, Wildwood is truly a new classic for the twenty-first century.

Offers practical advice on outdoor clothing, packs, sleeping bags, shelters, fire making, use of the ax, outdoor sanitation, camp cookery, edible plants, canoeing and trailcraft.

"Readers craving a witchy story full of found family, lush nature, and small-town secrets will find it utterly enchanting.” —Hester Fox, author of The Witch of Willow Hall Step into a world of hope, fate, and folk magic in this bewitching debut when a young woman travels to a sleepy southern town in the Appalachian Mountains to honor her best friend. Mel Smith’s life is shattered after the sudden death of her best friend, Sarah Ross. In an effort to fulfill a final promise to Sarah and find herself again, Mel travels to an idyllic small town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. But Morgan’s Gap is more than she ever expected. There are secrets that call to Mel, from a salvaged remedy book filled with the magic of simple mountain traditions to the connection she feels to the Ross homestead and the wilderness around it. With every taste of sweet honey and tart blackberries, the wildwood twines further into Mel’s broken heart. But a threat lingers in the woods—one that may have something to do with Sarah’s untimely death and has now set its sights on Mel. The wildwood is whispering. It has secrets to reveal—if you're willing to listen . . . Praise for Wildwood Whispers: "A feast for the senses. Willa Reece has written a magical, romantic tale about our essential connections to nature and to each other." —Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author “A beautifully woven tale of fantasy, feminism, and mystery set in rural Appalachia.”―Constance Sayers, author of A Witch in Time

Once Upon a Wild Wood is a richly imagined story packed full of familiar fairy tale characters as you've never seen them before. A fabulously funny adventure, full of warmth, wit and delightful details to discover - this is Chris Riddell at his picture book best! Little Green Raincape is on her way to Rapunzel's party, deep in the wild woods. The way is long and dark, but Green is a smart girl. Smart enough to turn down apples offered by kindly old ladies and smart enough to turn down travel advice from helpful wolves . . . Above all, Green is smart enough to solve a wealth of classic fairy tale problems - not least mend a lovelorn beast's broken heart. Including Red Riding Hood, Thumbelina, Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, the Three Bears, the Seven Dwarfs - and many more - Once Upon a Wild Wood is a beautiful book for curious young readers. For the perfect picture book pairing, check out Chris Riddell's The Emperor of Absurdia - an enchanting adventure full of Chris's trademark humour and incredible illustrations.