Discworld - The Folklore Of Discworld

DISCWORLD:
The Folklore Of Discworld
by Terry Pratchett and Jacqueline Simpson

Full Of Things Most People Know, But Things Not Known By Most!

Some of the most unique and magical beings on the Discworld are born from stories and belief alone. Here Gods walk the Disc, along with trolls, vampires, witches and many other creatures of human imagination. In this alternate universe stories, superstitions and the supernatural are all warped and re-imagined into a reality both humorous and flat, as just about everything on this flat world has its roots on the round world of Earth. For on the Discworld magic is real and all things that have been imagined have been given life.

The Folklore Of Discworld and the folklore of our world are almost identical but for a few differences, the most obvious of which being that in our world folklore is just that, folk tales and legends, but in the Discworld folklore has become much more, it has become reality, albeit a twisted reality. Here the fairy tales, myths and legends that are ingrained within our collective consciousness are collected, manipulated and explained through the combined efforts of Terry Pratchett's unique wit and Jacqueline Simpson's folklore knowledge creating a book both informative and funny.

Terry Pratchet Webpage

Terry Pratchet @ Random House

On sale: 01 October 2009
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN:9780552154932
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Folklore
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Hunger Games Book 2: Official Illustrated Movie Companion

THE HUNGER GAMES:

Catching Fire Official Illustrated Movie Companion

    

"The Girl On Fire"

A year ago Katniss competed in the Hunger Games and not only did she win, she defied those in power to do so. In her defiance she has become a symbol for the people of the districts, a beacon of hope and that has made her enemies who will stop at nothing to see her destroyed. With talk of rebellion and fear of an uprising, Katniss is once again called to compete in the arena in a more dangerous Hunger Games and these images prove it.

Catching Fire Official Illustrated Movie Companion is a look behind the scenes into the second film in this trilogy. A bigger, brighter and bolder movie to complement the book it is based on. This full of colour companion brings you closer into this world and the way it is created for the big screen. With everything you should want to know about this film, this book will inform and delight any fan of this series.

Suzanne Collins Webpage

Hunger Games @ Scholastic
Hunger Games
Hunger Games (Movie)

On sale: 01 December 2013

Price (AU): $24.99

ISBN: 9780545599337

Recommended age: 12+

In a word: Catching Fire

Re-read it: possibly

Recommend: yes

Star rating: four out of five

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The Fairies' Oracle

The Fairies' Oracle by Brian Froud
text by Jessica Macbeth
     

"Working With The Faeries To Find Insight, Wisdom, And Joy"

Whether this is your first experience with oracles and tarots, or faeries for that matter and you are looking for fun or just to learn, or whether for serious reflection or you are an expert at reading cards or communicating with faeries, these cards will open your mind to the possibilities and potentials that exist both in our world and the faery realm as well as within ourselves.

A selection of faeries both favourable and frightening have been drawn together, each to impart their own story and wisdom to those brave enough to search their depths for deeper meaning. There are as many meanings and interpretations of these faeries as there are ways of reading these cards and it is up to each individual to find their own path.

The Faeries' Oracle brings the enchanting and mystical artwork of the talented Brian Froud together with the insightful and spiritual teachings of Jessica Macbeth to guide us through the pathways of faery and our inner selves. This oracle set is unique in both meaning, imagery and magic, despite many of these faeries having been introduced to us before in Brian Froud's Good Faeries/Bad Faeries. A truly versatile and inspiring set.

These faeries enhance our journey of discovery, wisdom and joy as we uncover insights into our lives. These insights are discovered through images as lively and charismatic as the definitions they embody. Below is a simple three card reading representing past, present and future, more information about which can be found inside The Faeries' Oracle.

The Faeries' Oracle - three card reading

Brian Froud - World Of Froud

Jessica Macbeth Webpage

Brian Froud @ Simon & Schuster

(includes 66 Cards + 208p Hardcover book)
On sale: 29 November 2000
Price (AU): $39.99
ISBN: 9780743201117
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Faeries
Re-read it: yes, many times
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Hunger Games Book 1: Official Illustrated Movie Companion

THE HUNGER GAMES:

The Hunger Games Official Illustrated Movie Companion

 

"May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour"

Every year tributes are taken from the twelve districts to compete in the Hunger Games. These twenty four children are pampered, trained then sacrificed for the entertainment of others: their deaths a punishment for crimes past and a means to contain their futures. The districts, the Capital, the arena and the colourful characters that inhabit this world are all brought to life on the big screen as seen within these pages.

The Hunger Games Official Illustrated Movie Companion takes you behind the scenes and into the history, cast and creation of this books journey into film. A bright and insightful look at the places and props created in order to bring this world to life. This companion offers a gleaming aspect into the people, filming and legacy of this popular book made into a movie. A perfect accompaniment to the series for any collector, and a book any fan will treasure.

Suzanne Collins Webpage

Hunger Games @ Scholastic
Hunger Games
Hunger Games (Movie)

On sale: 01 March 2012
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780545422901
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Hunger Games
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Strange Stains And Mysterious Smells

Strange Stains And Mysterious Smells
by Brian Froud & Terry Jones

"Quentin Cottington's Journal Of Faery Research"

During his time at the Institute for the Criminally Insane, Quentin Cottington devoted his life to the study of stains both great and small, and their associated smells both foul and sweet. His so called research led him to believe that these stains were more than just something to be scrubbed, washed out and removed, these were living, breathing, stinking beings.

Strange Stains And Mysterious Smells uncovers a world never before imagined, a world of stains come to life and smells having personalities. With the fame of his twin sister Angelica, it seems strange that we have not before heard of Quentin Cottington, especially with the content of his research. A uniquely stench filled book that's rich with stains, personality and beings of a disgusting nature.

Brian Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 03 November 1997
ISBN: 9780684832067
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Quentin
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Raven Cycle Book 2

THE RAVEN CYCLE:
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Not All Dreams Should Come True!

Ronan had pulled a living breathing Chainsaw from his dream and brought it into reality. If he could bring Chainsaw, a raven, into the waking world from his dreams what else was he capable of dreaming into reality? If he could do it once why not again? Why not other objects? As Ronan delves deeper into his ability, manifesting all manner of objects from his sleep, he discovers his father's hidden secret and the dire consequences of this gift used thoughtlessly; Cabeswater is weakening and uncontrollable things are slipping through into reality, things that could never be, should never be, things of nightmares.

The Gray Man is unobtrusive, indistinguishable, unremarkable. He enters a place with little fuss keeping only to himself, until his job is done, then he is on his way again. Although a self professed hit man his job mostly consists of hunting for things unable to be found, brought or acquired. At the present the Gray Man has been hired to hunt for the Greywaren, a relic that allows its owner to take objects out of dreams. But even as others are searching themselves, there are other obstacles in his way, namely a psychic named Maura and a boy named Ronan. For it turns out the Greywaren is not a thing but a person.

The Dream Thieves unveils the true identity of the Greywaren, at least one of them, as Ronan soon discovers he is not the only one. With more than one person searching for this relic, this enthralling tale sees the Raven boys distracted from their mission to find the sleeping king as secrets are revealed, decisions are made and danger is faced. A welcomed return to a world where life can be dreamt, enemies can be friends and where mystery and myths still exist. This second book in the series is as addictive and engaging as the first, its cast just as complex and memorable and its magical realism just as seamless and attainable.

Maggie Stiefvater Webpage

Maggie Stiefvater @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 November 2013
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780545424943
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Greywaren
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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A Midsummers Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream by Charles and Mary Lamb

illustrated by Brian Froud
      

"All These Adventures Were Visions Which They Saw In Their Sleep"
  

Long ago in Athens there was a night where confusion reigned, love was made and magic was played. The fair Hermia was in love with Lysander, and he with her. Her dearest friend Helena was in love with Demetrius, but alas Demetrius was in love with Hermia and had her father's consent to marry. When Hermia and Lysander made to run away they were followed by Demetrius, who was followed by Helena. Here enter that great trickster Puck and a night of mischief begins.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, the well known Shakespearean play is here rewritten into a story worded plain enough but littered with quotes direct form the original script. It is within these pages we find the famous king and queen of the Fairies, Oberon and Titania, here again immortalised within this dreamy new version. A story that blends ancient words with striking new images as soft and whimsical as the story itself, bringing new appreciation to a timeless tale.

(illustrator) Brian Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 1972
ISBN: 9780851663333
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Dream
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Are All The Giants Dead?

Are All The Giants Dead? by Mary Norton

illustrated by Brian Froud
 

"There's No Giant Living!"
 

James, while sleeping safely in his bed, is awoken my Mildred, a magical woman, and taken on an adventure into a fairy-tale land. At a dream like castle James befriends a princess who is burdened by great loneliness and a christening curse. A bad fairy had cursed the princess and it was now her fate to marry a toad. Understandably upset by the thought of a toad as a husband, the princess runs away and seeks help in breaking her curse. This is when she finds James who decides to help her. But what has all this to do with giants?

Are All The Giants Dead? James is about to discover the answer to this question as he goes against good advice and involves himself in the lives of these fairy-tale characters. In particular, his decision to aid the princess Dulcibel in her toad marrying curse soon brings about a change in this magical land and the town of Much-Belungun-under-Bluff. Despite James' fondness for science fiction, this is a story bursting with fairy-tale characters and references. Accompanied by black and white Froud images, this story is a charming fairy-tale all its own.

(illustrator) Brian Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 15 April 1997
ISBN: 9780152015237
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: James
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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My First Book Of Fairy Verse

My First Book Of Fairy Verse by Shirley Barber
 

Carry A Verse Wherever You Go!

Within these pages fairies are found, in ponds and forests, markets and mountains.
A magical place where rhyming abounds, in seas and gardens and flowing fountains.
An assortment of authors here come together, to share their great love of magical beings.
This magical book is made all the better, through poetic sounds and pretty seeings.

My First Book Of Fairy Verse, a cute board book of great rhyming example.
Looking just like a sweet little purse, it comes complete with pink carry handle.
With rhymes to treasure day and night, filled with fairies, mermaids and a little elfman.
A book that will bring great delight, a book not just for girls but all children.

Shirley Barber Webpage

On sale: 01 May 2002
Price (AU): $12.95
ISBN: 9781865036434
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Fairy
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Faeries Of Spring Cottage

The Faeries Of Sping Cottage by Terri Windling

art by Wendy Froud
   

With A Story In His Heart And Courage In His Hands!

Sneezle is a tree root faerie living in the Old Oak Wood, but through a series of events he soon finds himself facing a fearful giant, a human girl named Rowan. Far from his safe home of the wood, Sneelze finds he is trapped in Spring Cottage, a human dwelling, with no way to return home to his wood.

Sneezle soon finds out that Spring Cottage is full of faeries, but unlike any Sneezle has ever meet before, usual knights serving a King and Queen, brownies turning into boggarts, rats with swords, and dolls come to life. Sneezle's only chance of returning home will depend on courage, new friendships and a story or two.

The Faeries Of Spring Cottage are a strange and dangerous group who have lost their way and allowed their fear to change them, transforming them into angry and mean faeries. But not all the faeries have lost their way and with Sneezle's help they will find peace once again. A story that will delight both young and old and will remind us that it's never too late to believe in faeries.

Terri Windling Webpage

Wendy Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 01 May 2003
Price (AU): $39.99
ISBN: 9780743202350
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Sneezle
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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