September 30, 2013

The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate

The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate by Margaret Mahy
illustrated by Brian Froud
     
"I Want To See The See Again"
    
4f70a2c008a054b939205010.L

Sam was a proper little man who had lived all his life in the smoky city. He had a proper little job and never wanted for anything. His mother, however, was a pirate. She had been too long away from the sea that was her home and so convinced her son to take her back.

The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate was a timid man who, over time and with the help of his mother and the sea, discovered that life could be joyous and that the sea could be home. A charming little story partnered with uniquely crafted images.
On sale: 1972
ISBN: B000P505T6
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Pirates
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

September 23, 2013

The Goblin Companion

The Goblin Companion by Brian Froud & Terry Jones

"A Field Guide To Goblins"

51J2N63P36L

Once there was a goblin king who endeavoured to keep his subjects safe from the growing advancement of the ungoblin world. So he built a great structure where all goblins could live in safety from the outside world. Eventually this became the only place goblins could be found; this was the Labyrinth.

The Goblin Companion is the accumulation of forty-three dusty, mouldering notebooks dating from 3000 B.C. created by a goblin of some talent but, unfortunately, little concentration. Painstakingly restored by the eminent goblinologist, Brian Froud, these pages are full of goblin diagrams, footnotes and facts.
On sale: 28 November 2003
Price (AU): $16.95
ISBN: 9781862056480
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Goblins
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

September 16, 2013

Introducing Aromatherapy

Introducing Aromatherapy by Margrit Bachmann

"The Beginner's Guide To Aromatic Essential Oils
For Better Health, Inner Calm and Wellbeing"

018163

So much of how we interact with the world, how we experience life, comes from our sense of smell. Scents are powerful enough to affect our moods, unlock memories and increase our appetites. Within these pages we discover how to harness this sense in a natural way for the benefit of our everyday lives.

Introducing Aromatherapy is a practical guide to essential oils, the plants they come from and how best to use them. These scented remedies are applied to a number of ailments ranging from anxiety, asthma, bruises, colds, headaches, sunburn, and many many more. A handy little book for those interested in a natural alternative to health and wellbeing.

On sale: 1997
ISBN: 9780646282794
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Smells
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

September 9, 2013

The Land Of Froud

The Land Of Froud by Brian Froud
   
"World Of Faerie"
   
5a7c224b9da075876066c010.L

Even as a child Brian Froud has held an affinity with nature and the land. His imaginings transforming the trees, rivers and stones into being of mystery and magic, manifesting the land into a world of faeries. Each image is a door into a land all its own, each with its own story to tell and each a glimpse into the possibilities of worlds yet to be created, of stories yet to be told.

The Land Of Froud is an enchanting journey into the imagination of a talented artist who has inspired and delight many throughout the years. Drawing influences from other artists, stories and legends and from the land itself, Brian Froud has evolved from a simple illustrator of other peoples stories into an artist whose pictures really do tell a thousand words. A book any Froud fan will treasure.

Go West
On sale: September 1977
ISBN: 9780553010558
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Froud
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

September 2, 2013

Discworld - Nanny Ogg's Cookbook

DISCWORLD:
Nanny Ogg's Cookbook
by Terry Pratchett,
Stephen Briggs, Tina Hannan
illustrated by Paul Kidby

Deliciously Gross, Disgustingly Tasty!

Nanny-oggs-cookbook-1

After years of people seeking out her recipes, advice and wisdom, Nanny Ogg has decided to write down much of what she knows, and if others are interested then all the better. Who else would be able to impart the secrets of Nanny Ogg's Perfectly Innocent Porridge with Completely Inoffensive Honey Mixture Which Shouldn't Make Anyone's Wife Laugh, which turns out to be honey. Or who else would you ask to ensure the proper etiquette of a wedding, the answer being plenty of strong drink for a fight to break out at.

Nanny Ogg's Cookbook is more than a collection of recipes both disgusting and strange; it is a manual for those times in life where the social rules may elude you. How else would you know who to sit where at your dinner party and what food to avoid with certain guests. It is highly recommended that you not actually try any of these recipes, for while technically edible the taste maybe highly questionable. An amusing and witty collection of recipes and advice on etiquette that is fit only for the Discworld and the odd witch.
On sale: 02 November 2001
Price (AU): $27.99
ISBN:9780552146739
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Nanny Ogg
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx