Daedalus Books

While they're busy learning, exploring, and asking questions, kids are also busy growing. And while they're growing, it's so much fun for them to keep track of their progress! This board book unfolds to a delightfully illustrated animal-themed growth chart that comes ready to hang and makes a bright and beautiful addition to any child's room. Keep track of the changes through the years, and when your little one is all grown up, it becomes a keepsake you'll cherish for years to come. This book is printed with your child's future in mind, using soy inks and FSC-certified paper.

»London Under» is a wonderful, atmospheric, imagina-tive, oozing short study of everything that goes on under London, from original springs and streams and Roman amphitheaters to Victorian sewers, gang hideouts, and modern tube stations. The depths below are hot, warmer than the surface, and this book tunnels down through the geological layers, meeting the creatures, real and fictional, that dwell in darkness — rats and eels, mon-sters and ghosts. When the Underground's Metropolitan Line was opened in 1864, the guards asked for permission to grow beards to protect themselves against the sulfurous fumes, and named their engines after tyrants — Czar, Kaiser, Mogul — and even Pluto, god of the underworld. To go under London is to penetrate history, to enter a hid-den world. As Ackroyd puts it, «The vastness of the space, a second earth, elicits sensations of wonder and of terror. It partakes of myth and dream in equal measure.»

In this engaging finger puppet board book featuring Patch and Millie, each scene is cleverly composed with a diecut for children to use the finger puppets in fun and interactive ways. The format encourages hand-eye coordination and will appeal to both child and parent.

A co-founder of Magnum and possibly the greatest war photographer of all time, Robert Capa covered five major conflicts in his lifetime before dying at the age of 40 in Vietnam. This retrospective brings together 64 rarely seen duotone photographs from his oeuvre — including images from the Spanish Civil War, the Japanese invasion of China, the 1944 D-Day landings, the Israeli War for Independence, and the French war in Indochina — all highlighting Capa's sympathy for soldiers and civilians caught up in the chaos of war. The introductory essays examine Capa's influence upon photojournalism and his passionate defense of photographers' copyrights.

This scrumptious box of thirty adorable food flashcards teaches young children Spanish and English vocabulary and reasoning skills. It includes a guide for parents containing dozens of fun ideas for games such as: What's Cooking? Ask your child to help you cook a pretend meal. Let her choose the menu and discuss what ingredients you'll need using the cards. Name That Food: Spread the flashcards out on the floor and describe one of the food items for your child to guess. «Let's Eat!» is a fun, interactive tool to help children to learn about food, nutrition, and languages from a very young age.

What is the link between map and apron, acrobat and oxygen, zeal and jealousy, flour and pollen, secret and crime? Did you know that crimson originally comes from the name of tiny scale insects, the kermes, from whose dried bodies a red dyestuff is made? That Yankee began as a nickname for Dutchmen? That omelette evolved from amulette, a thin sheet of metal, and is a not-too distant cousin of the word laminate? That jeans find their antecedent in jean fustian, meaning a cotton fabric from Genoa? The Dictionary of Word Origins uncovers the hidden and often surprising connection between words. Written in a clear and informative style, the more than 8,000 articles reveal the origins of and links between some of the most common English-language words. They also contain an extensive selection of words whose life histories are intrinsically fascinating or instructive. This dictionary shows how modern English has developed from its Indo-European roots and how the various influences on the language-from migration and invasion to exploration, trade, technology, and scholarship-have intermingled. It is an invaluable addition to any English or linguistics library.

The year is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome and healthy sons in the nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband Bingley live nearby and the orderly world of Pemberley seems unassailable. But all this is threatened when, on the eve of the annual autumn ball, the guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland. As it pulls up, Lydia Wickham — Elizabeth's younger, unreliable sister — stumbles out screaming that her husband has been murdered. Inspired by a lifelong passion for the work of Jane Austen, PD James masterfully recreates the world of Pride and Prejudice, and combines it with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly-crafted crime story. Death Comes to Pemberley is a distinguished work of fiction, from one of the best-loved, most read writers of our time.

A child's-eye view of London's top attractions blends lively artwork with fascinating facts, and features a sweeping gatefold of the city skyline. London is calling! Come along on a mother-daughter day trip as they wend their way past the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, through Trafalgar Square, and on to Covent Garden. Listen closely and you might just learn a secret about the Whispering Gallery in Saint Paul's Cathedral. Then it's on to the Tower of London and the river Thames, where a fold-out surprise awaits. Readers will be enchanted by Salvatore Rubbino's cheerful, sophisticated illustrations and abundant trivia about the one and only city of London. Cheerio!

It's time to hit the road. Let's see all the ways the Bugs go, go, go! David A. Carter's Bugs get moving in this book all about the different ways to go. The Bicycle Bugs are cruising down the street, the Hot Air Balloon Bug is floating up, up and away while the Speedy Race Car Bug is crossing the finish line. This busy Bugs adventure is sure to become a favorite in your child's library.

Ralph Steadman — artist of distinction, caricaturist of brilliance — is also a longtime dog lover. In his latest book, he shows us dogs on furniture, fashion dogs, wine dogs, fantastical crossbreeds, and even the insects that live on dogs. The Ralph Steadman Book of Dogs captures the fierce and furious, the whimsical and wistful, and everything in between, including: — Saloon Bar Dog; — Antisocial Blot Dog; — Buddhist Dogs Searching for Happiness; — Dog Baby Substitute; — Decibelle, the Noisy Mongrel. With his trademark style and strong eye, Steadman exposes the heart and bone of our canine companions to create a stunning dog book like no other.

The New Encyclopedia of Origami & Papercraft Techniques is a comprehensive guide to basic and advanced papercrafting designs and styles. The book is filled with clear instructions, color charts, and photographs to direct you through every fold, crease, corner, and cut to create beautiful and original projects. Filled with more than 200 step-by-step instructions, charts, tips, and examples of completed works, this full-color illustrated guide is perfect for both beginners and paper experts.

Here is the riveting story of the English language, from its humble beginnings as a regional dialect to its current preeminence as the lingua franca of the global market, spoken by one-and-a-half billion people worldwide. Melvyn Bragg's «adventure» takes in the Norman invasion of England in 1066; the arrival of The Canterbury Tales and a «coarse» playwright named William Shakespeare; the songs of slaves and the Lewis and Clark expedition, which led to hundreds of new words as the explorers discovered uncataloged flora and fauna.

Who was Robin Hood? Throughout history the figures of the hooded man of Sherwood forest and his band of outlaws have transfixed readers and viewers; but where does the myth come from? The story appeared out of the legend of the Green man but found its location during the reign of Richard II, the Lionheart, who was away from England fighting in the crusades. In his absence, his brother John lay waste to the country. But does this tell the full story? Was Robin a bandit prince ahead of a troop of brigands? Who was the Sherrif and was he in fact the legitimate law in the land fighting vigilantes?

Designed for young children aged 2-5, these handy little floor puzzle packs contain a 16-page board book and a giant jigsaw puzzle perfect for little hands. Children will love singing the nursery rhyme or listening to reading the story, and they'll have loads of fun doing the extra-large jigsaw. The text promotes literacy and the puzzle helps with the development of color-matching and coordination skills.

Tools for Living is a book all about ultimates — the ultimate things designed for the home — from chef knives and pots and pans, to door handles and bathroom taps, to home-office furniture and garden tools. Well-designed objects not only have superior performance but also look better and last longer, which ultimately means that they are more sustainable and provide better value for money. They also give the user a satisfying sense of reliability — they are the household tools that we use on a daily basis, which enhance life. Many of the objects included in Tools for Living are famous design classics, which are still in production. This comprehensive sourcebook features them beautifully, with full descriptions of their historic relevance and design excellence. Manufacturers' web addresses are shown for each product, so readers can easily find where to buy them. The introductory essay explains why Good Design for the home should be an important feature of our daily lives and how it makes sense not only for aesthetic and functional reasons, but also for economic and environmental reasons too. It is an essential sourcebook for all design lovers!

Stunning airbrushed portraits (up to 20 x 12 inches) of some of the world's most famous or beautiful motorcycles from the all-American Harley Davidson Twin 1000 of 1913 to the very Italian Aprilia RSV4 of 2009 illustrate this visual history of the motorcycle, scooter, and moped. Here too are factory photos, diagrams, and archival images like Marlon Brando leaning on his Triumph in The Wild Ones and Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson riding the star-spangled chopper in Easy Rider.

Homage to Catalonia is both a memoir of Orwell's experience at the front in the Spanish Civil War and a tribute to those who died in what he called a fight for common decency. Down and Out in Paris and London chronicles the adventures of a penniless British writer who finds himself rapidly descending into the seedy heart of two great European cities. This edition brings together two powerful works from one of the finest writers of the twentieth century.

Youngsters can discover the inner-workings of a castle in this fun novelty book. Readers are encouraged to peek behind doors, windows and walls, and open foldouts of four detailed scenes that reveal castle life. Illustrations.

Let's Explore a Pirate Ship! Come discover the complex inner-workings of a pirate ship from the roaring raids on a Spanish galleon to the salvage mission of a sunken vessel. From the outer decks to the crew's quarters this book reveals every part of pirate life. Beautiful and intricate illustrations show the smallest details and will even cause some laughs as you notice funny scenes hidden inside the ship. Featuring naval battle scenes, a sunken ship panorama, and even funny scenes like pirates dropping cannon balls. Peek behind decks, windows and hulls to unfold panoramic foldouts of four unbelievably detailed scenes. Then, on the next page you'll find a breakdown of each scene, with clear explanations, interesting facts and even more illustrations so learning is easy and fun.

Aerial photographer Jim Wark distills America in images of Hawaii's volcanoes and the small towns of New England, portraits of major cities and the Grand Canyon, and photos of the agricultural heartland that take on abstract patterns of irrigation circles and contour plowing. A former navy aviator and air show pilot, Wark views the airplane, camera, and photographer working as a single unit to capture images that are not simply documentary but beautiful in their own right. This book is one in a series of panoramic albums — with single-and double-page images up to 30 inches across — that capture the character of a country in unique aerial photographs views of cities and towns, familiar landmarks, and features of the landscape and coastline.

From Ruth Rendell, reigning queen of crime fiction? (Time Out), the 22nd installment in the acclaimed Inspector Wexford series.

It was summer, 1545. England is at war. Henry VIII's invasion of France has gone badly wrong, and a massive French fleet is preparing to sail across the Channel. As the English fleet gathers at Portsmouth, the country raises the largest militia army it has ever seen. The King has debased the currency to pay for the war, and England is in the grip of soaring inflation and economic crisis. Meanwhile Matthew Shardlake is given an intriguing legal case by an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr. Asked to investigate claims of 'monstrous wrongs' committed against a young ward of the court, which have already involved one mysterious death, Shardlake and his assistant Barak journey to Portsmouth. Once arrived, Shardlake and Barak find themselves in a city preparing to become a war zone; and Shardlake takes the opportunity to also investigate the mysterious past of Ellen Fettipace, a young woman incarcerated in the Bedlam. The emerging mysteries around the young ward, and the events that destroyed Ellen's family nineteen years before, involve Shardlake in reunions both with an old friend and an old enemy close to the throne. Events will converge on board one of the King's great warships, primed for battle in Portsmouth harbour.

Following on from the huge success of the «44 Scotland Street» series, Alexander McCall Smith has 'moved house' to a crumbling four-storey mansion in Pimlico — Corduroy Mansions. It is inhabited by a glorious assortment of characters: among them, Oedipus Snark, the first every nasty Lib Dem MP, who is so detestable his own mother, Berthea, is writing an unauthorised biography about him; and one small vegetarian dog, Freddie de la Hay, who has the ability to fasten his own seatbelt. (Although Corduroy Mansions is a fictional name, the address is now registered by the Post Office).

The inimitable wombat who shared her adventures (eating, scratching, digging, sleeping) in the wildly successful Diary of a Wombat is back-with a baby! This time, it's the baby who tells the story. And a perfect wombat story it is, featuring eating, scratching, digging, sleeping, and playing, as well as the important task of finding a new underground home big enough for baby and Mum. Wry, understated humor and gorgeous, funny illustrations make this new picture book a brilliant next chapter in the wombat saga.