Most Popular Books by Stephen BARKER

The Lighter Side of Cruising Part One: A Comedic Guide to Maritime Misadventures. Welcome aboard, you brave soul! Whether you''re a salty sea dog or a landlubber, prepare to embark on a voyage of laughter and maritime mischief with yours truly, Steve Barker, your self-proclaimed cruise comedian and master of comedic cruises. I assure you that this journey will be anything but a ''titanic'' snooze fest! This book is a delightful blend of helpful hints, mischievous tales, and knee-slapping moments, all revolving around the enchanting realm of cruising. Imagine sailing the high seas with a grin on your face and a cocktail in your hand, without the queasiness and awkward captain''s dinners. From the thrill of finding the perfect deck chair (hint: steer clear of the one next to the wailing toddler) to the dangers of indulging at the midnight chocolate feast, I''m here to spill the beans. Forget the stuffy, serious guides-this book is about living the cruise adventure through my eyes, in all its chaotic and side-splitting glory. It''s your personal roadmap to savouring every wave of your cruise adventure, with a mix of practical advice and humorous escapades that you won''t find anywhere else. Joking aside, but only for a moment, there is a bit at the back to help those who haven''t cruised before to choose their own misadventures. So, get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even snort your piña colada out of your nose. Welcome to the lighter side of cruising! Bon voyage!

A perfect distraction at bathtime! Chloe the Crab loves hiding - behind the rocks, in the coral, amongst the seaweed, in underwater caves, and inside shells. But she will always come out when it''s playtime! Babies and toddlers will love splashing around with these bright, colourful books with shaped covers. And the bright, sturdy bubble wand lets them create their own bubbly fun at bathtime.

Dear Young Reader, Welcome to the world of Squeak, a little mouse with a big heart and even bigger adventures! This book is filled with exciting stories about courage, kindness, and the power of friendship. Whether he''s zooming through the meadow on his shiny motorbike, racing to the finish line on Sports Day, or helping his friends overcome their challenges, Squeak reminds us that being small doesn''t mean you can''t make a big difference. As you join Squeak on his incredible journeys, you''ll meet his amazing friends-like Bella, who races in her wheelchair, and Pip, whose determination shines brighter than the sun. Together, they show us that everyone has something unique to offer and that teamwork and kindness can create magic in the world around us. These stories aren''t just about having fun (although there''s plenty of that!). They''re also about learning important lessons: how to believe in yourself, help others, and stand up for what''s right. Just like Squeak, you''ll discover that bravery comes from doing your best and being kind, no matter what challenges you face. So, grab your imagination and get ready for an adventure like no other. The world of Squeak and his friends is waiting for you-and who knows? Maybe you''ll find that you''re a little bit like Squeak, too. Happy reading!

Who does Cow meet on the farm? Find out in this interactive book designed specially for curious little hands! Use the big, sturdy tabs and dials to help you explore the farm and see the leaping lamb, pink pig with her piglets and lots of other lively animals in the busiest farm around! Babies and toddlers will adore these bright, colourful books which really do come to life in their hands!

Covert Ops: Characters and Places is your classified mission brief into the high-stakes world of the Covert Ops series-where trust is rare, danger is constant, and survival depends on knowing exactly who''s beside you and what''s waiting ahead. Across six adrenaline-fuelled novels, this companion guide brings you face to face with the people and places that define the covert war. At the heart is Steve-callsign S3-British Special Forces veteran, explosives expert, and tactical planner with a haunted past and an unshakable code. Around him, a loyal team forged in battle: George, the sniper who never misses; Simon, the transport expert with nerves of steel; Derek, the comms officer who reads chaos like a map; and Lucy-intelligence operative, sniper, and Steve''s partner-deadly, precise, and unwavering. But the team don''t operate in a vacuum. This guide exposes the faces in the shadows-ruthless arms dealers, corrupt officials, cartel bosses, rogue operatives, and informants who bleed secrets and lies. Each one with their own objective. Each one a threat in disguise. The battlefield? Global and unforgiving. From sun-scorched Caribbean beaches to the cold alleyways of Eastern Europe, from Middle Eastern oil rigs crawling with surveillance to jungle compounds veiled in fog-every mission is tied to a place steeped in history, conflict, and betrayal. Get under the skin of these hostile zones, with insights into tactical advantages, operational risks, and the layers of story that hide beneath postcard façades. Step into The Island Breeze Café, where lattes mask dead drops. Hear whispers at The Siren''s Call, a beach bar where secrets buy bullets. Cross shadowy jetties and jungle airstrips, repurposed prisons and fortified villas-every location tied to a moment where a life is saved or lost. You''ll also get a close-up of the team''s vehicles: blacked-out SUVs, RHIB boats, and covert aircraft like Spectre, each rigged for speed, stealth, and survival. This isn''t just background-it''s battlefield intelligence. And in this world, knowing who and where can mean the difference between mission success... and body bags.

What can Froggy see and hear in the garden? Find out in this interactive book designed specially for curious little hands! Use the big, sturdy tabs and dials to help you explore the garden and see the floating butterfly, the peeping snail and lots of other lively creatures in the busiest garden around! Babies and toddlers will adore these bright, colourful books which really do come to life in their hands!

When the Great War began in 1914, it demanded the mobilisation of the entire population and the recruitment of a citizen army. The 8th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was in many ways a unit typical of the British Expeditionary Force. Yet, in recent years, military historians have tended to concentrate on recording the stories of the major Pals units raised by corporations and towns, meaning many of the unknown, but no less important battalions of the New Armies have been largely ignored. Stephen Barker and Christopher Boardman have constructed a very readable and fascinating account of this little-known battalion, have trawled local and national sources, examining personal letters, newspaper obituaries and a varied selection of photographs, many of which have never before been published. The soldiers'' every-day lives are described and the actions in which they fought are forensically examined, making a contribution to the current debate about the extent to which the British Army was on a ''learning curve'' during 1916-18. The story leads the reader from the initial euphoria of recruitment into Kitchener''s Army, through the initiation into trench warfare, to the battles of the Somme, Arras and Passchendaele. It is an account of fortitude, endeavour and duty.

What can Zebra see and hear in the safari? Find out in this interactive book designed specially for curious little hands! Use the big, sturdy tabs and dials to help you explore the safari and see the roaring lion, the preening peacock and lots of other lively creatures in the busiest safari around! Babies and toddlers will adore these bright, colourful books which really do come to life in their hands!

Welcome to the thrilling supplement to the acclaimed "Covert-Ops: The Legacy," where the cloak-and-dagger world of espionage awaits. Delve deeper into the heart-pounding saga with this essential companion, offering tantalising backstories, immersive locales, and a glimpse into the transport utilised by our intrepid team of operatives. In the shadows of secrecy, the fate of nations hangs in the balance as Steve, the seasoned team leader, guides his elite unit through the perilous landscape of global intrigue. Joining him are Simon, the transport specialist with nerves of steel, and George, the deadly sniper whose precision knows no bounds. Venture further into the ranks to uncover the enigmatic Derek, whose mastery of communications is matched only by his unwavering loyalty, and Lucy, the team''s interrogator and sniper, whose past holds the key to unlocking the truth behind their mission. The story takes place in various locations, such as the United Kingdom, Bonaire and St Kitts. Our heroes are in a race against time to stop a sinister plot that could disrupt the balance of power. However, as they deal with deception and betrayal, they soon realise that the greatest threats might come from within their own team. Transportation is not just a means to an end-it''s a lifeline in a world where every second counts. Whether they''re traversing rugged SUV vehicles, soaring through the skies or boarding boats, every mode of transport is a vital tool in their arsenal, propelling them ever closer to their elusive target. "Covert-Ops: The Legacy Supplement" is essential reading for fans of high-stakes action and heart-stopping suspense.

Someone has stolen the Staff of Solomon from under Tom''s bed and as he''s released from the power of the artefact, Tom realises that Ana is missing. His search for Ana leads him from New Zealand, to England and back, as he struggles against the mysterious ancient forces held in the stone of the Staff. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.

¿Quién quiere venir a jugar? ¿Quién se esconde en la granja? En estos dos libros los niños y niñas encontrarán unos animales muy simpáticos escondidos tras unas solapas gigantes. Una estrofa y un par de pistas les ayudarán a descubrir el animal que hay debajo de cada página.

"Christopher Edmonds is on a mission to understand his old risk-taking, tearaway self. There was an accident; an old man was killed one night when Christo and his mates were out racing their cars. Christo got the blame, and a head injury -- that means his memory is not the best. Soon Christo is back on the streets, without his licence and doing community service, helping out a lonely old man, Jimmy McBreen. What''s worse -- his so called ''friend'' has stolen his girl! Inspired by a copy of ''The Count of Monte Cristo'', he begins to plot revenge -- it''s just that sometimes things don''t turn out the way you expected"--Author''s website. Suggested level: secondary.

"In August 1914 John Barker left his farm near Geraldine in South Canterbury to go to the Great War. He returned more than five years later after having served in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles at Gallipoli and throughout the Middle East. Drawing on his diary, letters and photographs, this book tells the story of John and his family whose lives were shaped by this formative period in New Zealand history."--Publisher description.