Alfie and Alfreeda work to calm down Freddie, a beagle who is scared of thunder.

Freddie and his friends have a lot of fun and adventure, building the coolest box fort; until they have to deal with a skunk intruding their fort.

Five more characters join the hugely exciting Thomas the Tank Engine Story Library this spring! Arthur, Caroline, Murdoch, Neville and Freddie all appear in their own adventure. Add them to your collection now!

Despite being America’s most produced bomber, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator has forever flown in the shadow of its more famous and glamorous B-17 rival. The workmanlike B-24 performed multiple unheralded roles in all theatres beyond its also multiple offensive missions, making it the war’s most versatile heavy bomber. Besides its offensive bombing, anti-submarine, and mining missions, the Liberator performed many little known “inoffensive” duties. Undoubtedly the most colorful of all Liberators were the so-called assembly ships of the Groups of the 2nd Air Division. Their unique paint schemes of stripes, polka dots, and checkerboard, were designed to make them ultra-conspicuous for their task of acting as leaders on which a Group formation could assemble their combat formations more quickly for a combat mission The Consolidated F-7 was a photographic reconnaissance version of the B-24 Liberator. The F-7 saw service in most theatres of the war. The long range of the Liberator also made it well suited to mapping missions during the war and post-war. Beginning in early 1944, to aid the Allied liberation of Europe, Carpetbagger B-24s were utilized to parachute spies, called “Joes” or “Janes”, or provide aerial supply of weapons and other matériel to resistance fighters in occupied Europe. Liberators also participated in the dropping of 2.75 billion propaganda leaflets using various techniques and delivery devices. Electronic Warfare played an important part in Allied global pre-invasion plans to discover the location of enemy radars, and, if possible, destroy them. This interception and analysis of an enemy electronic radiation was the origin of present day ELINT (ELectonicINTelligence). Modified RAF B-24D Airborne Electronic Reconnaissance Liberators, codenamed Ferret, were Radio Counter Measures and Electronic Intelligence aircraft that played a major role in European air opera¬tions. During 1942 the AAF became interested in aerial refueling as a means to bombing Japan. A shorter-range B-17E was selected as the receiver aircraft while the more spacious B-24D acted as the tanker. Although these tests were considered to be successful, the availability of longer-ranging B-29s and bases ever closer to Japan diminished the urgency of wartime aerial refueling. During the war, eighty-three B-24s crashed or made forced landings in Switzerland, sixty in Sweden, and several in Russia, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey. Many of these Liberators landed undamaged or were repaired to be flown by these nations. Of particular interest are the six Liberators that were captured and flown by the Luftwaffe. Packed with a unique collection of photographs. Special Operations Consolidated B-24 Liberators reveals the most unusual and little-known facets of the Second World War’s most versatile bomber.

Does public speaking paralyze you and tie your stomach into knots? Want to get a standing ovation every time? What goes into a dazzling opening and closing? Does the prospect of facing embarrassing judgment make your palms sweat? Or do you want to learn how to absolutely own the stage and become a magnetic speaker? Public speaking and presenting is one of the most common phobias -- and it’s completely understandable. When else in our lives are we so open and vulnerable? But it’s a necessary evil in all aspects of our lives, whether professionally and personally. From making a presentation in the boardroom to being more confident with the opposite sex, your speaking skills will take you to the next level and get what exactly what you want in your life. Fearless Public Speaking is the rare book that will (1) help you destroy your anxiety so you can confidently take any stage, and (2) once you’re up there, be unforgettable and captivating as a speaker. The tenets in this book come from studying the experiences of the best presenters in the world, from CEOs, standup comics, to actors, and more. Jason Bax, noted actor, speaker, and entrepreneur, lends his thoughts in a guest chapter. And me? I'm a social skills and charisma coach, speaker, and semi-professional musician who thrives in front of the crowd... but I wasn't always like this - I know your struggles and I can help you from point A to point B! How will you learn to captivate audiences? •Why knowing where your audience gets their news is key to your memorability. •How to construct a bulletproof opening and closing. •How to make sure you reach any audience emotionally. •Overcoming stage fright and jitters with mental rehearsal techniques. As well as... •What rehearsed spontaneity is and how it makes your audience connect. •Stage presence techniques of the masters of performance like Freddie Mercury. •How standup comics own the stage and win over hostile crowds. •What a memory palace is and how it will help you memorize your speech. Put the audience in the palm of your hand, starting now! •Feel confident and empowered in taking the stage anywhere, anytime. •Speak your way to better jobs and relationships with each mini-presentation. •Build a reputation as an effective and engaging speaker. •Learn to overcome judgment and build self-confidence. •Own the room, audience, and applause.

Hollywood's leading aviators were heroic knights of the sky on the screen as well as in real life. These leading aviators performed aerial stunt sequences and acted, plus some wrote and directed motion pictures. Directing giant Cecil B. DeMille was so enthralled with aviation that he owned three airfields. Charlie Chaplin's family airfield also doubled as a motion-picture set. Thomas H. Ince, the famous producer who invented the studio system, owned Ince Airfield, which became the hub of Hollywood aviation. Eternal legends Rudolph Valentino, Oliver Hardy, Harry Houdini, and Mary Pickford performed in aerials. Many aviators gave their lives making motion pictures; three fatalities were incurred for Howard Hughes's great air epic, Hell's Angels. Hughes himself broke records within aircraft and film production. Aviators brought their screen work to life between films through barnstorming. The roaring in 1920s Hollywood was often aviators soaring beyond limits.

Fearless Freddie is the story of Britain's first boxing superstar. A legend who had it all: a young family, regular TV appearances, and a thriving nightclub. Surely someone this outgoing would not kill himself? However, Freddie was a man with dark secrets. Did those secrets drive him to take his own life, or was it something more sinister?