'The story of the village goes back a long, long time, and it still goes on. I have listened to my neighbours' accounts of tales long ago, and with what unfailing curiousity I observe the happenings of today!' From an unusual weight-loss recipe in an old notebook - and used with alarming consequences - to the queen of copy-cats who drives her neighbour mad with anger, Over the Gate is a hugely entertaining collection of tales from Fairacre, past and present. Miss Read, the school mistress, continues to attract odd stories and village folklore, and retells them with her characteristic compassion and humour.

Fairacre is a village of cottages, a church and the school - and at the heart of the school, its head mistress, Miss Read. Through her discerning eye, we meet the villagers of Fairacre and see their trials and tribulations, from the irascible school cleaner Mrs Pringle, to the young school children, with their scraped knees, hopeful faces and inevitable mischief. Miss Read takes us through the school year, beginning with the Christmas term, when the bitterly cold weather challenges the school's ancient heating system, right through to the hot summer day when school is over for another year. Full of Miss Read's unique, acerbic wit and wry observations, Village School is an intriguing glimpse into a forgotten world and has become a true classic.

In her first book Village School Miss Read gave a picture of the small but detailed world of a typical primary school in a remote country area, a world peopled by the children themselves, Miss Clare the venerable infants teacher, glum Mrs Pringle the cleaner, the vicar and other inhabitants of Fairacre. In Village Diary Miss Read describes the people of Fairacre with the same exactitude, sense of comedy and sharp observation. In addition to those characters familiar to readers of Village School there are newcomers, including dictatorial Amy, an old college friend, Mr Mawne, whom the village sees as a possible husband for the unwilling Miss Read and the earnest new infants teacher. Overshadowing everything, there is the mammoth country pageant in which Fairacre is so sharply and painfully divided...

'No matter how devoted, dedicated, conscientious and altogether noble a teacher is, I feel pretty sure that each and every one feels that same sense of freedom and relief from her chains when the end of term arrives...' So it is for Miss Read - but on the very first day of the long summer holiday, she falls and breaks her arm. Instantly, all her plans for the holidays are in tatters. But Miss Read's friend, Amy, comes up with a plan: and so it is that the two of them leave Fairacre for the island of Crete. The change of scene provides a welcome break for both women, giving Miss Read the opportunity to recuperate and for them both to discuss the merits of single and married life. And when Miss Read returns refreshed to Fairacre, she is ready to tackle the problems which await her...

There is something strange about Coraline's new home. It's not the mist, or the cat that always seems to be watching her, nor the signs of danger that Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, her new neighbours, read in the tea leaves. It's the other house - the one behind the old door in the drawing room.

There is something strange about Coraline's new home. It's not the mist, or the cat that always seems to be watching her, nor the signs of danger that Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, her new neighbours, read in the tea leaves. It's the other house - the one behind the old door in the drawing room.

A nostalgic collection on rural schools, childhood and English country life from the much-loved author of Village School. From organising the school summer fete... 'Because of our inability to recognise our climatic shortcomings from the outset, arrangements for outdoor jollities get completely out of hand'. ...to the sometimes rather odd passions of childhood: 'I collect stones with holes in them'. Miss Read captures the essence of rural life, and in particular of village schools, as only she can. This collection also includes extracts from her letters: 'Michael Joseph wrote after the Observer thing and is throwing out feelers for a book. I shall know if he still feels like it - me too! - after we've met'. It will also include an Introduction on how 'Miss Read' was first created: 'Miss Read was born fully clothed in sensible garments and aged about forty. She was born, in fact, when I was struggling to write my first book and needed a village schoolmistress as the narrator.'

On a blustery March day in the village of Fairacre, Miss Clare sees two strangers, 'pacing slowly, side by side, along the edge of Hundred Acre Field which lay on the other side of Miss Clare's garden hedge...' So begins a story which brings all the villagers of Fairacre together, as they face the prospect of developers who hope to build new houses on the fields adjoining old Mr Miller's farm. Everyone has an opinion - but not everyone is in agreement about the development. Under the watchful gaze of Miss Read, the school teacher, we meet old characters and new, from retired teacher Miss Clare and the surly Mrs Pringle, to the new assistant teacher, Miss Jackson - who brings with her problems of her own...

One day Izzy and her friends are surprised to find that their teacher, Miss Jones, is actually being nice to them. This is the woman who was caught secretly smiling when Maisie Miller fell off her chair. There can only be one conclusion: she’s been taken over by aliens, and now she wants to make them all aliens too! Another brilliantly funny longer read for the newly confident reader from the best-selling, award-winning, author-illustrator team, Pamela Butchart and Thomas Flintham.

Summer at Fairacre charmingly recounts this bright, bustling season and the problems and possibilities that unfold against the backdrop of roses, skylarks and bees. Joseph Coggs finds a temporary home in the schoolhouse while his mother is in the hospital. Miss Read's friend Amy mysteriously disappears. Perhaps most difficult of all, Mrs. Pringle, the grumpy school cleaner, is unable to work because of her 'bad leg'. Still, the sounds of children playing and the fragrance of summertime flowers fill the air, as Miss Read shepherds her students and friends through the warm season.

Little Miss Tiny is very excited for the first day of school! There is so much to learn and so many new friends to make. Step inside Little Miss Sunshine's classroom and join the Mr. Men and Little Miss for a busy day at school. Read this story to help little ones preparing for their first day at nursery, playgroup or school. The Mr. Men and Little Miss Every Day series takes Roger Hargreaves' beloved characters on trips and activities that children will recognise from their own lives. All the stories have a 'Where's Walter' feature with Walter the worm hiding in every story making for a fun and interactive reading experience for children aged two years and up.

Germany, 1946 History hides many secrets One woman will hunt for the truth... *Previously published as Miss Grahams Cold War Cookbook* A perfect summer read; gripping, original, well-drawn and compassionate Joanne Harris Celia Rees is a superb writer, and this novel has one of the most irresistible and unique story hooks Ive ever come across Sophie Hannah Daughter. Sister. Friend. Spy. Its 1946 and the dust of war has settled over Europe. But for Edith Graham, an ordinary woman living an ordinary life, her journey is only just beginning. Escaping her humdrum existence, Edith is swept into war-torn Germany and recruited to draw elusive Nazis out of hiding. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more blurred the line between good and evil. In a shadowy world of shifting loyalties, where no-one is quite who they seem to be, who can Edith trust? Readers are gripped by Miss Grahams War: This is a thoroughly absorbing post World War 2 novel Netgalley reviewer Its a story that will stay with me for a long time Netgalley reviewer The characterisation is perfect . . .It really was a super read and it took me through the emotions as I was reading Netgalley reviewer Spellbinding and heartbreaking Netgalley reviewer A brilliant story, based on the facts of what actually went on during this time, you have to read this book! Gripping and highly satisfying Netgalley reviewer What a superb read! The plot is exceptionally well-written and much research has gone into the book Netgalley reviewer

Germany, 1946 History hides many secrets One woman will hunt for the truth... *Previously published as Miss Grahams Cold War Cookbook* A perfect summer read; gripping, original, well-drawn and compassionate Joanne Harris Celia Rees is a superb writer, and this novel has one of the most irresistible and unique story hooks Ive ever come across Sophie Hannah Daughter. Sister. Friend. Spy. Its 1946 and the dust of war has settled over Europe. But for Edith Graham, an ordinary woman living an ordinary life, her journey is only just beginning. Escaping her humdrum existence, Edith is swept into war-torn Germany and recruited to draw elusive Nazis out of hiding. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more blurred the line between good and evil. In a shadowy world of shifting loyalties, where no-one is quite who they seem to be, who can Edith trust? Readers are gripped by Miss Grahams War: This is a thoroughly absorbing post World War 2 novel Netgalley reviewer Its a story that will stay with me for a long time Netgalley reviewer The characterisation is perfect . . .It really was a super read and it took me through the emotions as I was reading Netgalley reviewer Spellbinding and heartbreaking Netgalley reviewer A brilliant story, based on the facts of what actually went on during this time, you have to read this book! Gripping and highly satisfying Netgalley reviewer What a superb read! The plot is exceptionally well-written and much research has gone into the book Netgalley reviewer

There is something strange about Coraline's new home. It's not the mist, or the cat that always seems to be watching her, nor the signs of danger that Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, her new neighbours, read in the tea leaves. It's the other house - the one behind the old door in the drawing room. Another mother and father with black-button eyes and papery skin are waiting for Coraline to join them there. And they want her to stay with them. For ever. She knows that if she ventures through that door, she may never come back.

The arrival of a stranger in the village of Thrush Green stirs up ripples of speculation and interest. Not only does the village find itself paying tribute to this stranger's hero - a missionary born and bred in Thrush Green - but his presence has a dramatic affect on Miss Dimity Dean's romantic prospects… As the story plays out, Miss Read succeeds in portraying village life with all its often unexpected incidents and her unwavering eye for detail beautifully captures the character of a gradually disappearing aspect of rural English life.

The bestselling children's books series for over 50 years! Little Miss Fickle is always changing her mind! The Mr Men and Little Miss have been delighting children for generations with their charming and funny antics. Bold illustrations and funny stories make Mr Men and Little Miss the perfect story time experience for children aged two up. Have you met them all?