Two Turtle Doves

Charlie O'Shields is the creator of Doodlewash®, founder of World Watercolor Month in July, and host of the Sketching Stuff podcast. Every single day, for over three years, he created a watercolor illustration and wrote a short essay about whatever came to mind that day and posted it on his blog. These are some of the collected favorites along with some brand new musings. With over 180 illustrations, this book is part personal memoir and sometimes just a randomly fun romp through the sillier bits of this crazy world we all inhabit. Written to take on the impossible task of inspiring creativity, unleashing your inner child, and instilling hope, it will, at the very least, make you smile and touch your heart.

'I imagine its being rediscovered with delight in some dusty book case a century hence and hailed as a classic' Spectator 'A wonderful book, a hymn to the pleasurable process of making things' The Times Two Turtle Doves is the story of a life spent making things. Growing up in 1970s Suffolk in a crumbling giant of a house with wild, tangled gardens, Alex Monroe was left to wreak havoc by invention. Without visible parental influence, but with sisters to love him and brothers to fight for him, he made nature into his world. Creation became a compulsion, whether it was go-carts and guns, cross-bows and booby-traps, boats, bikes or scooters. And then, it was jewellery. From full-out warfare waged against the local schoolboys to the freedom found in daredevil Raleigh bike antics to the delicacies of dress-making and the most intricate designs for jewellery, Two Turtle Doves traces the intimate journey of how an idea is transformed from a fleeting thought into an exquisite piece of jewellery. It is about where we find our creativity, how we remember and why we make the things we do.

Today a premier tourist destination in the heart of Amish country, Ephrata was a community of radical Pietist Germans who lived in peace and contemplation among magnificent buildings and an idyllic setting. This book is the first definitive work of The Ephrata Cloister and its charismatic founder, Georg Conrad Beissel.

A series of poems on many subjects by two new poets. Poems inspired by normal every day events

A Flight in the Heavens is the first novel in an epic two tomes fantasy series from author, Gabrielle Gagne-Cyr. "I see you my little moppets." The king is dead, long live his murderer. After fifteen years of passive torment, Farrah and her implacable group of renegades endeavour to alter their fates by attempting to assassinate the man who stole everything from them, Daemon Daromas. Alas, he who wields the theurgy of the gods has no rivals in the lands of Iscar but those foolish enough to challenge their wrath. When confronted by this ancient and destructive force, the renegades have no choice but to flee the capital and embark on the airship of Iscar's most notorious sky corsair Captain Feras Sadahl, daughter of the late pirate sovereign. Their meeting with the corsair, however, might not have been as welcome as they would have hoped. As Farrah and her allies set out on a journey to find the means to challenge their oppressor, they soon discover that the price of power is steep and the road to get one's hands on it, perilous.

Two Turtle Doves: A Heartwarming Winter Tale and the Second book in the 12 Days of Christmas' Series. Imagine a magical winter forest where snowflakes twinkle like diamonds, and every branch wears a frosty coat. In this enchanting setting, two turtle doves, Timmy and Tommy, found an extraordinary friendship that warmed their hearts on even the coldest of days. Meet Timmy, the timid dove, his soft brown feathers blending seamlessly with the branches. And then there's Tommy, the bold one, his bright colored feathers sparkling in the freshly fallen snow. Fate brought these feathered friends together, and they embarked on a snowy adventure that would warm your heart. Join them as they hop from one snow-covered branch to another, their curiosity ignited by the wonders of the winter forest. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a frozen stream. Timmy hesitates, but Tommy's cleverness saves the day as they ingeniously create a pine needle bridge to cross the icy waters. But that's not the end of their adventure. A distant howl pierces the air-a lurking wolf. Timmy's fear threatens to overwhelm him, but Tommy's bravery shines as he takes flight, diverting the wolf's attention and ensuring Timmy's safety in a cozy hollow tree. As the moon bathes the winter landscape in a silvery glow, Timmy and Tommy continue their journey, relishing the beauty around them and the warmth of their friendship. They find a peaceful spot to rest, and it's here that Timmy expresses his gratitude for Tommy's unwavering support. With promises to explore the winter wonderland together again, Timmy and Tommy bid each other farewell under the starry winter sky. Timmy takes flight into the snowy night, his heart brimming with newfound courage and confidence. This heartwarming tale of friendship amidst winter's enchantment comes to life with vivid illustrations capturing the snowy forest's magic and the bond between Timmy and Tommy. Join these two lovable turtle doves on an unforgettable journey through a winter wonderland, where friendship conquers fear and even the coldest of days can be warmed by the connections we share. "Two Turtle Doves" is a delightful winter story that will capture the hearts of readers young and old, reminding us all that true friendship can brighten even the chilliest of days. Don't miss this enchanting addition to Favour Usifo's '12 Days of Christmas' series.

In the aftermath of a major earthquake, eleven-year-old Maya overcomes her own fear to help others at home and in northeast Japan, where a tsunami caused great damage. Includes author's note about the facts behind the story.

Naturalist Stephen Moss digs beneath the surface of some of our most popular Christmas carols in an ornithological celebration of the Festive Season. Using the structure of the carol as a jumping off point, he explores the place of twelve fascinating British birds in our history, culture and landscape. Some of the birds are obvious, there's the swan and of course the partridge. Other chapters are loose interpretations of a verse: for drummers drumming he delves into the woodpecker's distinctive drumming tap. Woodpeckers, he explains, have special padded skulls to mitigate against using its head like hammer drills. They carefully select dead trees for the most hollow, sonorous sound. With brilliant anecdotes and insights, Stephen Moss weaves history, culture, bird behaviour and folklore into a compelling narrative for each species, tracing its fortunes over the past two centuries. 'A superb naturalist and writer' Chris Packham 'Moss has carved out an enviable niche as a chronicler of the natural world' Daily Mail

“Here’s a song whose lyrics everyone knows and that therefore demands something spectacular to distinguish it. This version, sumptuously illustrated by Long, certainly delivers.” —The New York Times The astounding talent of Laurel Long brings this beloved song to life with breathtaking style. Set against a lush countryside, each day brings a new gift elegantly rendered. And like in the verses of the song, the previous gifts are repeated in every illustration, giving this striking artwork a hidden aspect, culminating in a staggering spread featuring them all. Readers will pore over every page, searching for golden rings, turtledoves, and all the rest, secretly tucked into each stunning painting. Laurel Long's unparalleled style makes this exquisite volume a treasure that will be cherished for years to come. “Ms. Long has secreted lyrical clues within each picture that children will relish hunting down.” —The Wall Street Journal * “Long expertly weaves religious and secular images into a visually arresting interpretation of the traditional carol.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review