J. E. Copus'Äôs "As Gold in the Furnace" is a compelling exploration of transformation and resilience, narrated through the struggles of individuals facing intense personal trials. The title itself evokes a metaphorical crucible, signifying how extreme adversity can refine the human spirit. Copus employs a poetic and lyrical style, rich in imagery and emotional depth, allowing readers to engage with the characters'Äô inner turmoil and triumphs. Set against a backdrop of socio-cultural uphe...

Baseball Chronicles: A Collection of 32 Classic Storybooks captures the essence and nostalgia of America's pastime through a rich tapestry of stories that span myriad literary styles and contextual settings. Within this anthology, readers will find an exploration of the game's cultural impact, a testament to its roots, and its evolution through history. From dramatic narratives to humorous anecdotes, the collection showcases the multifaceted relationship between baseball and society, often...

A must have for anyone who needs help improving their academic writing.Packed with top tips on grammar, structure and style, this handy guide provides succinct and practical guidance on students' most common writing concerns. Each tip is accompanied by authentic examples of student writing, suggested rewrites and useful exercises.Lively illustrations help students to understand and remember essential principles of grammar and punctuation, and end-of-chapter...

When night falls my bed is an air balloon.I sail through the slipsiverse, close by the moon.I float above treetops where fluttertufts are sleepingAnd flowering hills where the whifflepigs go creeping;Ponds strung with starlight that glitter like glass,A floog with her velvet nose bent to the grass.Such treasures I spy on! My bed in the treesSwings me up high, like a circus trapeze.Now the cool, night-rustling airSlips through m...

Drawing on classical and emerging research perspectives, this comprehensive book provides an up-to-date review of local government in Europe.Featuring an impressive range of contributors from both eastern and western Europe, the book addresses three main topics: territorial reforms, democratic empowerment of citizens and the role of local leadership, as well as new trends in local finances.Acknowledging their inherent diversity, the book examines the ways that local governm...

One Saturday, in the middle of June,one bright and windy afternoon,all the creatures by Piggyback Woodwere getting ready - as fast as they could.There was only a short time left to preparefor the birthday party at Badger's lair.On the invitation was written in red:Will guests please arrive with a hat on their head?Harry and Lil are getting ready for Badger's party, but just as Lil goes to get her hat off the washing line, it flies a...

It was night in the village - a still, dark night -and Harry the Hog was sleeping tight.In her house at the foot of Piggyback Hill,also asleep, was Candy Stripe Lil.The second Harry and Lil story from acclaimed Faber poet Julia Copus, who has recently turned her hand to picture books for the first time! The tale of a hog - and his friend Candy Stripe Lil - kept awake by mysterious noises in the night is sure to delight adults ...

In defence of councillors is an unashamed defence of local representative democracy and of those elected to serve as councillors from the often ill-informed, ill-judged and inaccurate criticism made by the media, government and public, of councillors' personal, political and professional roles.By using qualitative research from a number of related projects, the book examines the roles, functions and responsibilities of councillors and the expectations placed upon them by c...

Told in fizzingly original rhymes from a rising star in the poetry world this was the first brand-new picture book on the Faber Children's list.The tale of a hog in the fog.This is the story of Candy Stripe Liland Harry the Hog who lived over the hill.. . . and a foggy March day, roundabout three,when Lil had invited Harry for tea .Lil is expecting Harry the Hog for tea, but there's ...

Directly elected mayors are political leaders who are selected directly by citizens and head multi-functional local government authorities. This book examines the contexts, features and debates around this model of leadership, and how in practice political leadership is exercised through it.The book draws on examples from Europe, the US, and Australasia to examine the impacts, practices, and debates of mayoral leadership in different cities and countries. Themes that recur througho...

WINNER OF THE DEREK WALCOTT PRIZE FOR POETRYJulia Copus's new collection, Girlhood, is a book of transgressed boundaries and seductive veneers. Restlessly inquisitive, it exposes the shifting power balance between things on the verge of becoming and the forces that threaten to destroy them.Reading these poems, we have the sense of encountering a series of filmic installations arranged by episode in a gallery. Lost, censored or disparaged voices speak out from seclude...

WINNER OF THE DEREK WALCOTT PRIZE FOR POETRYJulia Copus's new collection, Girlhood, is a book of transgressed boundaries and seductive veneers. Restlessly inquisitive, it exposes the shifting power balance between things on the verge of becoming and the forces that threaten to destroy them.Reading these poems, we have the sense of encountering a series of filmic installations arranged by episode in a gallery. Lost, censored or disparaged voices speak out from seclu...