This is a warm, funny and mostly true account of the first year that Gervase Phinn spent as a schools' inspector in North Yorkshire. His brilliantly portrayed cast includes his fellow inspectors who range from endearing to eccentric, sporting lords of the manor, Ministry bigwigs, formidable teaching nuns and a very attractive head-teacher who happens to be single, adding up to an enchanting montage of experiences. But it is the children themselves who steal the show, whether fresh-faced from the farms or worldly-wise from the towns. Gervase Phinn is a born raconteur who has transferred his talents to the written word with outstanding success.

Continuing where THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DALE ended, Gervase Phinn begins his second year as a schools inspector in Yorkshire. His colourful cast of characters are now becoming firm favourites - the mostly mad staff at County Hall, the teachers who range from saints to stand-ins, and of course the children themselves who find ways of embarrassing school inspectors with innocent ease. Gervase's colleagues rag him unmercifully about his faraway look whenever the name of Christine Bentley of WinneryNook Nursery and Primary School is mentioned, and he realises it is time to take action - but how to put the question? Gervase Phinn has an extraordinary talent to entertain, and OVER HILL AND DALE will make you laugh out loud.

For more than 5000 years these profound secrets have been carefully shielded from public dissemination in the belief that something holy and sophisticated could not be appreciated or comprehended by an uncultured audience. Jesus in Mathew 7: 06 advised, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet." The Masonic motto is, "See all, hear all, and say nothing." The classic admonition has always been, He who knows does not say. He who says does not know. Nobody has ever publicly disclosed the meaning of the hidden messages embedded within many common cultural icons. The revelations in these pages do just that. The coded messages indicate something far greater than the apparent is hidden deep within each of us. They tell us we are very much more than we believe ourselves to be. The message speaks loudly and eloquently from the past on its own behalf. We have only to listen.

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child. Not a speck, not a stain on her gray school skirt and blue blouse to show what terrible thing had happened . . . If only by putting on something fresh and new, they could begin the day again. When twelve-year-old Sade's mother is killed, she and her little brother Femi are forced to flee from their home in Nigeria to Britain. They're not allowed to tell anyone - not even their best friends - as their whole journey is secret, dangerous - and illegal. Their dad promises to follow when he can, but once the children arrive in London, things go from bad to worse when they're abandoned by the people they had been told would protect them. Sade faces challenge after challenge - but her dad has always taught her to stand up for what is right, and to tell the truth no matter what. And with that strength of spirit in her heart, Sade will find the courage to fight for the new, happy life she, Femi and her dad deserve. A powerful novel which explores what it means to be classified as 'illegal' and the difficulties which come with being a refugee - winner of the Carnegie Medal 2000. 'A marvellous read ... that refuels the desire for justice and freedom' - Jon Snow 'Beverley Naidoo breaks the rules, producing books for young people which recognize that they want to know about the real world' Guardian 'This novel wholly deserves its classic status . . . still relevant and poignant.' Booktrust

Poetry collection by Canadian poet, Dale Winslow.

For almost 30 years I was married to the man the rest of the world knew as Gilligan. Almost five decades of reruns have made his television character iconic, but the Bob Denver I knew and loved was legendary to me for his courage, his commitment to his severely autistic son and his love for the wife of his dreams, maybe the reason he called me Dreams. Devoting the last 21 years of his life to our son Colin speaks volumes about Bob Denver, the man. Our love story is one for the ages. Anyone who knew us in our years together will tell you that. Our devotion to each other and to Colin was complete, and the courage of this man during the last six months of his life exemplifies the definition of the word. This is the story of a man and woman who made vows to each other and kept them. This is the story of parents facing the challenge of autism together, never wavering in their love for each other or their son. This is the story of Bob and me, two imperfect people who fit perfectly together. Losing Bob was the hardest thing I've ever faced, but his love left me stronger, more focused and in the end, able to survive even when I thought I couldn't. Being loved by this man was the greatest gift of my life. For every challenge we faced and every minute we spent together, I love you, Bob Denver.

Hit 50 yet? Sarah Dale is about to. This impending event set her wondering about successful ageing, what life looks like for women who have been there and done that, and what adventures are to be had on the other side of 50. In this fascinating and celebratory book, Sarah talks to 20 inspiring women who have not only made it past 50, but are happy to be there. These open and honest conversations, punctuated by Sarah's observations about her own journey, reflect on friendship, work, health, creativity, marriage, motherhood, money - and whether you should stop dyeing your hair. Sarah Dale is a chartered psychologist and accredited coach. She devised the Creating Focus programme and is the author of Keeping Your Spirits Up. She was born in 1964...