New Releases by Paul Jennings

This book charts the history of gin from its arrival in England in the sixteenth century to the present day. In doing so it uses a range of perspectives: economic, social, cultural and political to give a rounded picture of how the spirit developed in the way it did over some 400 years. It looks at how gin’s popularity has ebbed and flowed over the centuries among different groups in society. It is therefore concerned with the drinkers of gin and why they chose it and at the meanings which they attached to its consumption. Gin was particularly popular with women and the spirit is often associated with them, in phrases like Mother’s Ruin. This also alerts us to the fact that gin has often had a bad press, never more so than in the infamous Gin Craze of the first half of the eighteenth century, so vividly depicted in Hogarth’s Gin Lane. The book attempts to tell something of the real history of gin beneath the frequent condemnation. It ends with the resurgence of gin’s popularity with the emergence of so-called designer gins in the twenty-first century.

A sister and brother face the hardest year of their lives and discover the healing power of nature in this compelling tale from master storyteller Paul Jennings.

Paul Jennings traces the history of the British pub, and looks at how it evolved from the eighteenth century''s coaching inns and humble alehouses, back-street beer houses and ''fine, flaring'' gin palaces to the drinking establishments of the twenty-first century. Covering all aspects of pub life, this fascinating history looks at pubs in cities and rural areas, seaports and industrial towns. It identifies trends and discusses architectural and internal design, the brewing and distilling industries and the cultural significance of drink in society. Looking at everything from music and games to opening times and how they have affected anti-social behaviour, The Local is a must-read for every self-respecting pub-goer, from landlady to lager-lout.

Honest, insightful, funny - a brilliant memoir about writing and teaching and life from one of Australia''s most loved children''s authors. In the telling of his own tale, children''s author and screenwriter Paul Jennings demonstrates how seemingly small events can combine into a compelling drama. As if assembling the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle he puts together fragments, memories and anecdotes to reveal the portrait of a complex and weathered soul. The accounts of the trials and joys of turning his stories into episodes of the television program Round The Twist will be of special interest to the millions of fans of this series. Untwisted is revealing, moving and very funny. Paul Jennings has crafted perhaps his most masterful story yet ...the story of his life.

Christopher is twelve thousand miles from home. The pub has a dirt floor and the owner is as rough as guts. The forest hides snakes, feral pigs and a dark secret. Mysterious, bold and strange. Expect the unexpected. And watch your step. Enter this place and you will be different for ever. A twisting tale from Australia''s master storyteller.

A fantastic new Paul Jennings story, full of twists and turns, following the fortunes of a boy boarding a ship and leaving his past behind. Longlisted for the 2019 Carnegie Medal ''If you''ve got a bad deal,'' his father used to say, ''get out of it and move on.'' When he finds himself in a cruel orphanage Anton does just that, and hides on an ocean liner. Fear and desperation are his only companions. And this time there is no escape. Or is there? Two other passengers have secrets of their own. When nothing is what it seems, can they help each other? Or will they sink into a sea of troubles? You''ll never know. Until the last page. Another top story from Australia''s master of the trick ending.

The forest is dense and dark. And the trail full of unexpected perils. The dog can''t move. The boy can''t talk. And you won''t know why. Or where you are going. You will put this story down not wanting the journey to end. But it''s from Paul Jennings so watch out for the ambush. One of the best. From one of the best.

The gripping and surprising story of a boy, a dog and a daring rescue from the bestselling, much-loved author of the Don''t Look Now series and The Unforgettable What''s His Name. The forest is dense and dark. And the trail full of unexpected perils. The dog can''t move. The boy can''t talk. And you won''t know why. Or where you are going. You will put this story down not wanting the journey to end. But it''s from Paul Jennings so watch out for the ambush. One of the best. From one of the best.

Now you see him, now you don''t - an action-packed adventure about a boy who just wants to blend in, from a bestselling author/illustrator team. Even before all this happened I had never been like the other kids. I tried not to be seen. If I climbed a tree or hid among the bins, no one could find me. ''Where''s What''s His Name?'' they''d say. Then, one weekend, I got what I wanted. First, I blended in with things. But on the second day I changed. I mean, really changed. The hilarious story of a boy with an unusual problem, from children''s book legend Paul Jennings. Includes fantastic look-and-find colour illustrations.

A 2017 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title award winner *********************************************** This book is an introduction to the history of alcoholic drink in England from the end of the Middle Ages to the present day. Treating the subject thematically, it covers who drank, what they drank, how much, who produced and sold drink, the places where it was enjoyed and the meanings which drinking had for people. It also looks at the varied opposition to drinking and the ways in which it has been regulated and policed. As a social and cultural history, it examines the place of drink in society and how social developments have affected its history and what it meant to individuals and groups as a cultural practice. Covering an extended period in time, this book takes in the important changes brought about by the Reformation and the processes of industrialization and urbanization. This volume also focuses on drink in relation to class and gender and the importance of global developments, along with the significance of regional and local difference. Whilst a work of history, it draws upon the insights of a range of other disciplines which have together advanced our understanding of alcohol. The focus is England, but it acknowledges the importance of comparison with the experience of other countries in furthering our understanding of England’s particular experience. This book argues for the centrality of drink in English society throughout the period under consideration, whilst emphasizing the ways in which its use, abuse and how they have been experienced and perceived have changed at different historical moments. It is the first scholarly work which covers the history of drink in England in all its aspects over such an extended period of time. Written in a lively and approachable style, this book is suitable for those who study social and cultural history, as well as those with an interest in the history of drink in England.

(Percussion). This beginner''s guide takes you through the basics of the instrument and its techniques. The accompanying online videos include demonstrations of many examples in the book. Topics covered include: notation * bass and slap tone exercises * three- and four-tone exercises * basic rhythms * traditional djembe rhythms * modern technqiues * and much more.

(Percussion). This beginner''s guide for anyone learning to play the cajon take you through the basics of the instrument and its techniques. The accompanying online videos include demonstrations of many examples in the book. Topics covered include: playing position * notation * bass and slap tone exercises * grooves * changing pitch * foot slide exercises * finger doubles and triples * playing with brushes * and much more.

Ricky is an ordinary boy, about 10 years old, who dreams of being famous. And he has a secret that might just help him realise this dream. Because Ricky can fly. Truly. He can really fly. But there''s a hitch. He can only fly when absolutely no one is looking. If a person, or an animal, or a bird sees him while he''s flying, he will fall out of the sky and almost certainly die. Will he risk flying in public, just for a shot at being something more than ordinary? The first book in this brilliant new series contains two complete stories, broken into short chapters, liberally illustrated with hilarious cartoons.

At last, Ricky is friends with Samantha. But he still wants to be famous. Find out if he can finally realise his dream even though he can''t let anyone see him fly. A brilliant series presented in words and pictures by master story tellers Paul Jennings and Andrew Weldon. DON''T LOOK NOW will have readers laughing out loud at Ricky and his hilarious adventures - on and off the ground.

Book 2 in the fantastic four book series about taking risks and flying high, from the children''s book legend Paul Jennings and brilliant cartoonist Andrew Weldon. ''You''re grounded, Ricky,'' said Mum. ''Yes,'' said Dad. ''In more ways than one.'' Ricky is an ordinary boy, who can fly. He can really fly! But only when no one is looking. His dream is to one day be FAMOUS. But after accidentally opening the car window at the car wash, he''s grounded. No movies, no swimming, no phone. And definitely no flying. But he has a plan. The school concert is coming up and he has the best ever magic trick up his sleeve. Will he wow the crowd, or fall flat on his face? A brilliant series presented in words and pictures by master story tellers Paul Jennings and Andrew Weldon. Don''t Look Now will have readers laughing out loud at Ricky and his hilarious adventures - on and off the ground.

I hear a dragging sound followed by my father''s limping appearance at the door. I look at him in horror. He''s starting at me, glasses askew, waving the birds'' nest. ''You imbecile. You left me hanging there. What were you trying to do? Kill me?'' If only he knew. I''m not trying to kill him. I''m trying not to kill him! ''The tender yet unsparing depth of characterisation in the novel is matched by the limped beauty of the writing, the sensual evocation of the snowfields setting and the compelling nature of the story.'' Weekend Australian ''A dark, gripping tale.'' The Age ''The ending is a dramatic as they come.'' Sydney Morning Herald

Children all over the world can''t resist the special magic of a Paul Jennings story - for over twenty years he has entertained and enthralled young readers. This special collection of Paul''s trickiest stories proves yet again that he is the master of unexpected twists and turns!

This new edition of the bestselling guide contains a supplementary chapter, plus fully updated booklists. ''No matter where they go, children lost in books will always find their way home.'' Your child deserves the best reading teacher in the world. And the one person who will read more than anyone else to help your child learn to read... is you. In this clear and humour-filled guide, Paul Jennings cuts through the jargon and the controversies to show every parent practical and effective ways for helping their child to catch the reading bug. This legendary children''s author has spent years teaching, lecturing, writing and parenting. Now you can benefit from his advice. In this book: brilliant booklists for your child - now updated and expandedthe whole reading experience explainedgreat cartoons and anecdotessupplementary chapter on the special reading needs of boys

The Paul Jennings phenomenon began with the publication of Unreal! in 1985 and, eight million books later, readers all around the world continue to devour his stories. This special edition anthology boasts twenty of Paul''s spookiest, fun-filled yarns, hand picked by the author for a spine-tingling reading experience.

''Get the doctor,'' screamed Dad. ''The poor thing is green'' When Chris finds a baby in the cabbage patch, his life changes forever. More and more babies appear, a cabbage patch head takes control of Chirs''s mind, and Dad''s fertiliser causes some interesting problems with the neighbours. But then, this is no ordinary cabbage patch... Here in one book are all four stories from Paul Jennings'' hilarous and hugely popular Cabbage Patch series - a favourite that young readers return to again and again.

Paul Jennings'' books are enjoyed by millions of children throughout the world. From the hugely popular UnCollected series comes this special selection of tales – a showcase of Paul''s storytelling talents at their very best . . . and weirdest!

Hedley Hopkins has a few problems: he is the new kid at school, straight off the boat from England in the 1950s. The only friends he has made are the kids at the Loony Bin especially bald headed, long armed Victor. But if he could just fulfil a dare and dig out the hideous skull hidden in a grave in the sand dunes, he could impress the bullies at school and become their friend. But Hedley is not so sure. Weird things are happening to his body. Is he being punished for his terrible actions? And if his uptight parents ever found out what he was up to, they might blow up. Full-moon murderers, an open grave, religious conversions and sexual awakening meld sometimes poignantly, sometimes hilariously in this riveting, stunningly original account of growing up in 1950s Australia. This coming of age tale is Paul Jennings at his very best!

12 year-old Hedley Hopkins has been in Australia for a whole year, but he''s finding it hard to fit in. Confusing things keep happening - he can''t stop thinking about naked ladies, strange things are happening in his nether regions and the compulsory chat about the facts of life leaves him baffled and embarrassed. So when Ian Douglas issues Hedley with a dare and promises that if he fulfils it, Hedley Hopkins will be a fully fledged member of his gang, Hedley says yes. But he doesn''t know quite what he''s let himself in for. First, he has to steal a skull from the grave outside the loony bin. Then he has to deal with the ''loonies'' - actually a group of kids with learning disabilities, one of whom wants to be his friend. And when the skull starts giving him advice, Hedley knows he''s in big trouble. He has to find a way to make peace with the other kids - and return the skull to its rightful owner, before it''s too late.

Presents a collection of twenty-five humorous stories about children with unfortunate nicknames, killer foot-odor problems, and plagues of rabbits.

Modern scientific investigations of earthquakes began in the 1880s, and the International Association of Seismology was organized in 1901 to promote collaboration of scientists and engineers in studying earthquakes. The International Handbook of Earthquake and Engineering Seismology, under the auspices of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth''s Interior (IASPEI), was prepared by leading experts under a distinguished international advisory board and team of editors. The content is organized into 56 chapters and includes over 430 figures, 24 of which are in color. This large-format, comprehensive reference summarizes well-established facts, reviews relevant theories, surveys useful methods and techniques, and documents and archives basic seismic data. It will be the authoritative reference for scientists and engineers and a quick and handy reference for seismologists. Also available is The International Handbook of Earthquake and Engineering Seismology, Part B.

Designed for reluctant readers whether children or adults, the Spirals series has been expanded with 12 titles for 2003, including four non-fiction titles. Dynamic plots and storylines encourage readers to pick them up again and again, while engaging themes and attractive cover designs aim to motivate readers. Short but substantial chapters give a sense of achievement in reading whole texts and a clear text design without illustrations and activities that may distract, encourages focus on reading and enables low achievers to improve at their own pace.

Have you ever . . . swallowed a live fish? seen bugs in hailstones? had luminous teeth? used a smell-detector? been a ghost? No? Then read about kids who have - eight twisted tales to leave you tongue-tied! By the master of madness - The one and only Paul Jennings

When Amy arrives home for her birthday tea, her parents have vanished and in their place is a baby she''s never seen before. At around the same time Sprocket wakes up naked on a deserted mountainside and realises that he has lost his memory. Both kids set out on journeys to find the people they belong to, little knowing that they will soon join forces and embark, with the baby, on the deadliest quest of their lives. Morris Gleitzman writes Amy''s story and Paul Jennings Sprocket''s, with each of them contributing alternate chapters.