Stories for the Festivals of the Year

Stories for the Festivals of the Year

Irene Johanson

Children's Titles

This book will be particularly appreciated by children aged six to nine years. At this age, children relate easily to the pictorial language of fairy tales and legends where both human and supernatural beings are closely connected. Irene Johanson is much at home in the world of these images and has retold some major events of Christ's life with this approach. The result is a pleasure, not just for younger children, but for the whole family. Even adults can find new perspectives from the telling of these stories. Ideally, they should be read aloud or, better still, retold to the child or family together, especially as they link to the Christian Festivals around the year. (Translated by Pauline Wehrle)

An 'eco-thriller' reader for ages 10-13 years. Foreword by David Bellamy "Join the fight to save the planet..." – urges David Bellamy in his forward to this exciting secondary school reader. Six teenagers join research ship 'Sea Shepherd' for a conservation voyage through the Everglades, the offshore oil world of the North American Pacific, the Amazon – confronting Hurricane Hannah, jungle terrors and kidnapping – and on to a dramatic climax in Antarctica. The Eden Mission provides a useful and topical link between English studies and environmental and other science studies. "The Eden Mission brings the real live world of conservation and the fight to save the planet to a whole new audience. It is not too late for us all to do our bit." (David Bellamy) "...a right riveting read." (Friends of the Earth, Birmingham) "A great achievement – and a strong message for conservation." (Professor Sir Ghillean Prance. Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) The Eden Mission is also available in braille format from the National Library for the Blind, Stockport, Cheshire, England (Phone: 0-161 355 2000 or www.nlbuk.org) Twenty pence from the sale of each copy is donated to the Solar Study Centre at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynthleth, Wales. (Phone: 01654 702400 or www.cat.org.uk)

General Interest

shaping the flame is a unique publication – inspired by the artistry that is central to life in Camphill communities in which co-workers live and work alongside people with learning difficulties. Most of the text by Bob Clay (Camphill, Loch Arthur) is in poetic form and is accompanied by lavish artwork and illustration. The book takes the reader on a 'creative journey through the year', covering seasonal activities, festivals and a wide variety of superb craft work. With a Foreword by the composer, Sir John Tavener, this title makes a superb gift. Above is a selection of the many wonderful illustrations from shaping the flame. “...The pictures, like music in song, are equal or even dominant partners with the text. Imagination and skill go hand in hand in the layout of the pages, the pictures, the lettering. It’s a beautiful production.” From the Friend 28 July 2000

As the news of Nelson’s great victory at Trafalgar reached England, the citizens of Henley-on-Thames were also celebrating another event: the opening of their ‘New Theatre’ close by the town’s own ‘haunted stream’. This modest Georgian building, now known and loved as ‘The Kenton Theatre’ has gallantly served the people of Henley ever since. Flamboyant Victorian actor-managers, the great Beerbohm Tree, hard-pressed pre-war repertory companies and glittering celebrities of the present day have all stepped out on the Kenton’s well-trod boards. But most important of all have been the generations of local unpaid actors, singers, box-office and bar staff, ‘techies’, ‘sparks’, scene-painters and countless enthusiasts who have kept The Kenton Theatre an essential living and breathing part of its community. No-one with a love of theatre, and especially amateur theatre, can fail to be intrigued and fascinated by the Kenton’s long and enthralling story. A dedicated amateur thespian himself, Bill Port has a long association with the Kenton and is part of that army of unsung heroes which helps to run and manage it. He has generously donated part of the royalties from sales of The Well-Trod Stage to support the Theatre. The book also lists every known presentation – from major professional companies to local societies' productions – for the last 200 years. “What fun we had!” reminisces Oscar-nominated Kate Winslet – who played Pandora in Adrian Mole at The Kenton Theatre. “(The Kenton) … is the fourth-oldest theatre in the country. It is a wonderful institution, and I hope you will enjoy this excellent history.’ from the foreword by Boris Johnson MP And pomp, and feast, and revelry, With mask and antique pageantry, Such sites as youthful poets dream On summer eves by haunted stream. Then to the well-trod stage anon... from L'allegro by John Milton "... a fascinating history of the theatre ... well-produced and illustrated..." from Reading Evening Post November 2005 "... a most interesting and enjoyable read." from Henley Standard November 2005