Steve Roud was Local Studies Librarian for the London Borough of Croydon and served as Honorary Librarian of the Folklore Society for over fifteen years. He has been researching British folklore for over thirty years and is the joint author of the Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore, plus other books on traditional drama and folk song, and the Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland, which won the Katharine Briggs Folklore Award in 2004. His publications include London Lore (2008) and The Lore of the Playground (2010). He also compiles the Folk Song Index and the Broadside Index, two internationally acclaimed computer databases of traditional folk and popular song. He lives in Sussex.

Steve Roud

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Nick Offerman

"Want to have some fun? Little Woodchucks is for every kid and 50-year-old woman who wants to make something cool with their hands." - Amy Poehler 
 
Many know Nick Offerman from his role as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation. But in addition to acting and comedy, woodworking is one of the great passions of Nick’s life. (The others are his wife, family, and friends, his dogs, music, cheese curds, the great outdoors, bacon and eggs, his bride, the Chicago Cubs, puzzles, Beef Wellington, the theatre, his canoe, his wife, Wilco, and single-malt Scotch whisky.) In Little Woodchucks, Nick and his team at the Offerman Woodshop open their doors to woodworkers of all ages, sharing their passion for their craft and showing you how to make a range of their most popular and accessible projects. From carved twig animals and box kites to tool boxes and simple hayloft benches, these twelve family-friendly projects are the perfect way to discover the joys of woodworking, and share the love of crafting with others. 
 
Written with Nick’s signature wry humour an charm, and with clear illustrated step-by-step instructions, Little Woodchucks is a quality piece of bookery from an American original.

Little Woodchucks

Offerman Workshop’s Guide to Tools and Tomfoolery

Sid Waddell

Bellies and Bullseyes is simply the greatest account there will ever be about the sport of darts - as told by one of its most legendary characters - Sid Waddell. It mixes Sid's own personal journey from the coalfields of the North East with the entire history of the sport. What is revealed is a hilarious yet epic Darts Babylon, covering every significant event and every character to walk the oche from Eric 'The Crafty Cockney' Bristow to Phil 'The Power' Taylor. 
 
In words as ripe as his commentaries, Sid brings an authentic whiff of fags, hard drink, hot tungsten and moist polyester to the whole cabaret. Sid has been friend and confidante to most of darts' stars over the years as well as being instrumental in the game's progress himself. Nobody is equipped to tell the story quite like he is. 
 
From the early days of hustling in bars and the 1960s money-race pub competitions that spawned the likes of John Lowe and Leighton Rees, to ITV's brilliantly daft The Indoor League and the glory days of BBC's coverage; from the bling of Bobby George and the belly of Jocky Wilson to the awesome professionalism of Phil Taylor; from smoky Northern working men's clubs to the Houses of Parliament; this is the complete, incredible story of darts.

Bellies and Bullseyes

The Outrageous True Story of Darts

Jeremy Hardy

When Jeremy Hardy decided to explore his ancestry it was, in part, to get to the bottom of his grandmother Rebecca's dubious claims that the family descended from a certain 17th-century architect and that, more recently, Jeremy's great-grandfather was a Royal bodyguard. Other legends ranged from the great aunt who ran illegal hooch during Prohibition to the wronged Victorian servant girl who bore an illegitimate Hardy, not forgetting the family's rightful claim to a large country estate. 
 
Wild stories aside, Jeremy sets out to such diverse locations as the Croydon one-way system and the hostile waters around Malta in order to find traces of recognisable family traits and a sense of how he came to be. With wry humour and a keen eye for the absurd and the frustrating, Jeremy takes us on a by turns funny and moving journey into the world of family ancestry. 
 
My Family and Other Strangers will be enjoyed by anyone who has tried to decipher the 1901 census records, or simply wishes they too had asked their grandparents more about their lives.

My Family and Other Strangers

Adventures in Family History

Shane Spall

Shane and Tim Spall are on the second leg of a very big adventure, taking their Dutch barge The Princess Matilda around the coast of Britain. 
 
From Matilda’s winter berth in Cardiff, Shane and Tim follow the Welsh coast, before ambitiously deciding to visit the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. Along the way they cross Cardigan Bay in the company of a pod of dolphins, meet the king and queen of Piel Island, get lost in shipping lanes near Liverpool, successfully cross the notorious Irish Sea (twice!), accidentally sail through an army firing range, and experience the matchless beauty of Scotland’s Caledonian canal. Emerging into the North Sea at Inverness, they set a course down the east coast for London, back where their journey began. 
 
Tim and Shane aren’t the amateur sailors they once were, but things still don’t always go to plan. It’s not easy navigating our dangerous coastal waters, and crashing waves and strong tides can be terrifying. But it’s exhilarating too, and the realisation of a dream they have had for a very long time. 
 
It’s a slow journey, but a satisfying one, visiting fishing villages and ports, and exploring Britain’s windswept coast. Along the way they meet brave lifeboat crews, lockkeepers, fishermen and a whole host of people who make their living or their leisure on the water. The Princess Matilda Comes Home is a funny and warm hearted story about sharing a great adventure with someone you love.

The Princess Matilda Comes Home

Julian Stockwin

Lt Cdr Julian Stockwin shares his love and knowledge of the sea in this entertaining collection of maritime stories and little-known trivia. Featuring nautical facts and feats, including superstitions at sea, the history of animals on the waves - until 1975 when all animals were banned from Royal Navy ships - and how the inventor of the umbrella helped man the British Navy, it is packed with informative tales. Focusing on the glory days of tall ships he explores marine myths and unearths the truth behind commonly held beliefs about the sea, such as whether Lord Nelson's body was really pickled in rum to transport it back to England after his death at Trafalgar. Interspersed throughout are salty sayings showing the modern words and phrases that originate from the mariners of old - 'cut of his jib', 'high and dry', 'the coast is clear', 'first rate' and 'slush fund'. Accompanied by nostalgic black and white line drawings Stockwin's Maritime Miscellany is a charming giftbook guaranteed to appeal to the sailing enthusiast, but also amuse and inform even the staunchest landlubber.

Stockwin's Maritime Miscellany

A Ditty Bag of Wonders from the Golden Age of Sail

Stuart Maconie

Everyone talks about 'Middle England'. Sometimes they mean something bad, like a lynch mob of Daily Mail readers, and sometimes they mean something good, like a pint of ale in a sleepy Cotswold village in summer twilight. But just where and what is Middle England? Stuart Maconie didn't know either, so he packed his Thermos and sandwiches and set off to find out... 
 
Is Middle England about tradition and decency or closed minds and bigotry? Is it maypoles and evensong, or flooded market towns and binge drinkers in the park? And is Slough really as bad as Ricky Gervais and John Betjeman make out? From Shakespeare to JK Rowling, Vaughan Williams to Craig David, William Morris to B&amp;Q, Stuart Maconie leads the expedition, with plenty of stop-offs for tea and scones, to discover the truth.

Adventures on the High Teas

In Search of Middle England

Paul Sinha

'That night, I'd survived my life flashing before me, with my dignity intact. 
Yes, this chaotic life has always been a gamble. 
... But what a gamble.' 
 
Paul Sinha is an award-winning comedian, a quizzing mastermind and a happily-married husband. But for much of his life none of these seemed remotely imaginable. 
 
As a boy, Paul struggled to find his place in a world where he didn't quite fit. Who was he? An over-achieving schoolkid with the world's knowledge at his fingertips? A traditional Bengali son, destined for a career in medicine that he never once craved? A young gay man yearning to breathe freely? Or was he yet another flawed human being on a self-destruct mission? 
 
Amid life's mayhem, it was frequently Paul's love of facts in which he found solace, whether funding his lifestyle through quiz machines or simply trying to show off to his mates. Stumbling serendipitously into both a career in stand-up and a clandestine network of competitive quizzers introduced him to a new sense of purpose, a new identity, and, eventually, new love... 
 
A hilarious and moving coming-of-age memoir of one man's search for fulfilment, One Sinha Lifetime is an unconventional odyssey through love, family, and the joy of general knowledge.

One Sinha Lifetime

Comedy, disaster and one man’s quest for happiness

Jennifer Craig

'What is your name?' she asks, staring at me. 
'Jennifer Ross.' 
'Jennifer Ross, Sister. Well, Nurse Ross, you are dressed in the uniform of a nurse from the Leeds General Infirmary. Such a uniform is not worn with a cardigan. Take it off at once.' 
'Yes Sister.' I can feel my face turn red. 
 
A trainee nurse in the 1950s had a lot to bear. In Jennifer Craig's enchanting memoir, we meet these warm-hearted yet naïve young girls as they get to grips with strict discipline, long hours and bodily fluids. But we also see the camaraderie that develops in evening study sessions, sneaked trips to the cinema and mischievous escapades with the young trainee doctors. 
 
The harsh conditions prove too much for some girls, but the opportunity to help her patients in their time of need is too much of a pull for Jenny. As she commits to her vocation and knuckles down to her exams, she is determined that when she reaches the heights of Ward Sister herself she will not become the frightening matron that struck fear into her student heart ... 
 
Rich in period detail, and told with a good dose of Yorkshire humour, Yes Sister, No Sister is a life-affirming true story of a life long past.

Yes Sister, No Sister

My Life as a Trainee Nurse in 1950s Yorkshire

Whether you're on lockdown with your family, partner, or flatmates: Games for Bored Adults is packed full of gaming inspiration to liven up any dull situation. Why not play human Buckaroo with a sleeping stranger, take on the After Eight challenge, or laugh in the face of pulled muscles in the ultimate ‘Cereal Killer’ game? 
 
 Challenge your family, indulge your competitive streak and prove yourself the undisputed victor in a whole range of funny and imaginative games for every occasion.

Games for Bored Adults

Challenges. Competitions. Activities. Drinking.

Cherry Lam

Begin your new cosy, creative hobby! 
 
Unlock childlike joy with delightful scenes printed on premium quality paper. 
 
40+ bold and easy colouring images featuring cosy date scenes, meet-cute moments and romantic rendezvous. With single-sided pages to avoid bleed-through, all you need are your favourite pencils or markers to get started. 
 
Whether you are part of the colouring community on TikTok or looking for a fun activity away from screens, Cosy Cupid, is ideal for anyone seeking moments of artistic mindfulness.

Cosy Cupid

Cute and Relaxing Colouring Book

Begin your new cosy, creative hobby! 
 
Unlock childlike joy with delightful Halloween scenes printed on premium quality paper. 
 
40+ vibrant and easy colouring images feature fun Halloween activities, spooky settings and cute dress ups. With single-sided pages to avoid bleed-through, all you need are your favourite pencils or markers to get started. 
 
Whether you are part of the colouring community on TikTok or looking for a fun activity away from screens, Cosy Creepy is ideal for anyone seeking moments of artistic mindfulness.

Cosy Creepy

Christopher Winn

We all love to be beside the seaside! 
 
Be it the crunch of the sand beneath your feet, or the promise of an unexplored rock pool that draws you to the sea, prepare to be whisked away by bestselling author Christopher Winn as you delve into the charming tales of England's coastline. 
 
Divided into eighteen chapters – one for each of the coastal counties in the UK – this book will entertain and illuminate, by casting new light on the many points of intrigue to be explored along 3000 miles of spectacularly diverse and historically rich English coast. 
 
Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white line drawings, by Mai Osawa, this book makes the perfect companion for any seaside outing. You’ll find yourself exclaiming again and again – I never knew that!

I Never Knew That About Coastal England

Daria Song

The Time Garden is a magical adventure and the best-selling debut colouring book from Korean author and artist Daria Song, now available in English for the first time. 
 
'A pleasure from page one' -- ***** Reader review 
'What a wonderful book. Pure fantasy' -- ***** Reader review 
An amazing colouring book. A pleasure to colour in' -- ***** Reader review 
'Stunning' -- ***** Reader review 
'So so so so beautiful!' -- ***** Reader review 
 
************************************************************************** 
The Time Garden will sweep you away into an enchanted world, created in intricate pen and ink by Korean artist Daria Song. 
 
Journey through the doors of the cuckoo clock and into its inky innerworkings to discover a magical land ready and waiting for you to customize with whatever colours you can dream up. 
 
With gorgeously detailed colouring pages that also contain simple creative challenges to help readers customise pages and bring the story to life in their own way, this will keep adult you absorbed for hours, no matter your age. 
 
The Time Garden is an international best-selling colouring book and this edition finally makes it available in English. Full of beautifully detailed illustrations and printing on high quality stock paper, this is the perfect gift for colouring fans of all ages.

The Time Garden

A magical journey and colouring book

Begin your new cosy, creative hobby to unlock childlike joy! 
 
Charming scenes to colour in at home printed on high quality paper. 
 
40+ bold and easy colouring images feature cosy vibes, cute characters and peaceful settings. With single-sided pages to avoid bleed-through, all you need are your favourite pencils or markers to get started. 
 
Whether you are part of the colouring community on TikTok or looking for a fun activity away from screens, Cosy Calm is ideal for anyone seeking moments of artistic mindfulness. Escape the chaos of everyday life, relax, and colour with an array of drawings designed to inspire inner calm and a cosy feeling.

Cosy Calm

Matt Sewell

In this beautiful follow-up to 2012's hit, Our Garden Birds, street artist Matt Sewell offers more watercolours and quirky descriptions of British songbirds. 
 
In Matt's world, the peewit sings the blues, and the bittern fills his neck 'like a tweed pair of bellows'. Distinctive and enchanting, with a songbird for each week of the year, this delightful gift book will appeal to birders, children and adults, and art and design fans alike.

Our Songbirds

A songbird for every week of the year

Marian Hughes

No Cake, No Jam is the heart-warming true story of a little girl’s London childhood during the Blitz, and of how she rose above adversity through sheer guts and strength of character. 
 
Marian Hughes was born in the same year as her father committed suicide. She spent most of her early childhood with her elder sisters and brother in Spurgeon’s Orphanage in South London. There she learned to love extravagant hymns and to receive regular beatings. 
 
Suddenly, when Marian was ten, her mother appeared. All four children were swept up by their mother to live in a damp and filthy flat off Baker Street. There began a life of moonlight flits, camping and squats. Marian’s mother forgot to feed her children, and paid no attention to school or the bombing. Marian soon turned to begging and stealing to help the family get by. 
 
Marian’s brother and elder sisters left home as soon as they could, but Marian remained to support her deranged and frequently violent mother, evading Care and Protection Orders and often running away. Then the day finally came when Marian had to sign the papers to have her mother committed. From that moment, 14-year-old Marian had to find out if she was strong enough to live for herself ... 
 
Throughout all the twists and turns of her childhood, Marian never lost her spirit and never faltered in her loyalty. Full of vigour, truth, humour and curiosity, No Cake, No Jam is a passionate celebration of a life and love.

No Cake, No Jam

Hardship and happiness in wartime London

Johanna Basford

From the bestselling 'Queen of Colouring', a gorgeous new colouring book that explores fairytale worlds and intricate magical vistas. 
 
Magical Worlds is a colouring book of faraway lands, enchanted castles, and inky realms, all featuring Johanna Basford&rsquo;s trademark illustrations. Let your creativity take you on an incredible journey as you add colour to underwater cities, tiny, cosy cottages, and marvellous tree houses. 
 
A beautiful lay-flat binding, thick cream paper and cover laced with delicate gold foiling make this book a treasure to bring to life with colour.

Magical Worlds

An Enchanted Colouring Adventure

Begin your new cosy, creative hobby! 
 
Unlock childlike joy with celebratory delightful scenes printed on premium quality paper. 
 
40+ bold and easy colouring images featuring daily joys, relaxing activities and comforting settings. With single-sided pages to avoid bleed-through, all you need are your favourite pencils or markers to get started. 
 
Whether you are part of the colouring community on TikTok or looking for a fun activity away from screens, Cosy Charm, is ideal for anyone seeking moments of artistic mindfulness.

Cosy Charm

Begin your new cosy, creative hobby! 
 
Unlock childlike joy with celebratory Christmas scenes printed on premium quality paper. 
 
40+ bold and easy colouring images feature joyful holiday activities, festive settings and merry occasions. With single-sided pages to avoid bleed-through, all you need are your favourite pencils or markers to get started. 
 
Whether you are part of the colouring community on TikTok or looking for a fun activity away from screens, Cosy Cheer, is ideal for anyone seeking moments of artistic mindfulness.

Cosy Cheer

Drew Pritchard

Sunday Times bestseller 
 
'When I see something old, that I think is beautiful, special, valuable, it's not about the money. It's about being in another time and place.' 
 
Star of TV's Salvage Hunters, Drew Pritchard will go to the greatest lengths for the best deals. He discovered the casts Lord Elgin made of his infamous marbles in a school garage, and broke the bank to buy the tool box Malcolm Campbell used when he set the water speed record in 1934. He made a million. Lost it. And made it again. 
 
The face of the compulsively fascinating business of finding and restoring lost treasures, visionary Drew takes us up and down the country, into garages, factories, schools and pubs, digging out incredible items from that 'other time and place'. Then by lovingly restoring them, he brings our history back to life. 
 
A flat cap among silver spoons and old school ties, our favourite no-bullshit expert may be a one-off, but his story makes us all dream of that obscure piece of antiquity gathering dust in the garden shed...

Man with a Van

My Story

Begin your new cosy, creative hobby to unlock childlike joy! 
 
40+ vibrant and easy colouring images feature adorable characters, tranquil snowy settings and heartwarming moments. WIth single-sided pages to avoid bleed-through, all you need are your favourite pencils or markers to get started. 
 
Whether you are part of the colouring community on TikTok or looking for a fun activity away from screens, Cosy Chill is ideal for anyone seeking moments of artistic mindfulness.

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