The book takes a fresh look at modern Japan, and does not treat the Japanese as enigmatic or mysterious people; their ways of thinking and their culture can be explained by an honest appraisal of their history and of the norms that have shaped this history. This book not only reveals the mentality and national character of modern Japanese people but also attempts to explore and analyze the roots of their mannerisms. Everyone knows that the Japanese are generally more polite than other nationalities, but why is this so? Why do they embrace a relaxed attitude when being served by others? Surely, there must be definite reasons for these observations. Delving into the social values of the Japanese, why do they value loyalty and commitment so much? For how long have they been upholding these virtues? Why, when interrogated by the police, even without being beaten tortured, do they easily confess guilt for crimes that they have not committed? What are the reasons for such behaviors? All thes
A charming story about pets, ideal for children practising their reading at home or in school.All Harvey wants is a pet, yet his dad says that their flat is too small. But surely it's big enough for a
Arthur wants to enter a jingle in the Crunch Cereal Contest, but he can't seem to come up with anything. Just when he's about to give up, he hears D.W. singing a catchy tune. But can he call that jingle his and enter it in the contest? In chapter-book format, for children who are ready to read on their own, this hilarious adventure will surely be a hit among Arthur fans.
Surely there's somewhere a bear can go away from prying eyes?When a shy bear feels the urge to go, there's only one thing on his mind: finding a private place where he can poo in peace. But a whole host of woodland animals - who have no qualms about pooing wherever they please - just won't leave him alone. Providing an answer to the age-old question, Does a Bear Poo in the Woods? is a funny, laugh-along picture book, brought to life by Jonny Leighton's hilarious rhyming text and Mike Byrne's firmly tongue-in-cheek illustrations.
Louis and his eccentric Grandma set out to count every dog in the neighborhood when they find out about city hall's woefully inadequate record keeping. Louis wants a dog, but his Grandma insists, "There are enough dogs in the neighborhood already." But how many dogs are in the neighborhood? Surely a sternly worded letter to City Hall will clear this up. When it turns out that City Hall doesn't keep an official count of this essential demographic, Louis and his Grandma do their civic duty and take matters into their own hands. Together they meet all sorts of dogs with hilarious names and personalities. When they're done, Louis's grandmother is sure he's missed one particularly lovable dog, a mutt named Baklava in need of a new home. Philip Stead and Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell have once again shown their knack for making quirky and endearing stories about grandparent and grandchild duos in the tradition of Follow That Frog and Special Delivery.
Grace's family are wardens of the Griffin map, using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland. And now there's someone new on the team: Tom Eely, who has been training hard to become a warden.Grace and Tom reckon they're ready to tackle a mission together, but they're disappointed when Mum sends them to a quiet mountain village where ravens have been pestering the locals. Surely they won't be any opportunities to use their exciting gadgets or combat skills there?But as the pair investigate, the situation becomes more puzzling. Why does it seem like the ravens are protecting something? And are the villagers' tales of a mountain witch really to be believed? Grace and Tom will have to use all their wit, skill and courage if they want to solve the raven riddle ...Bestseller Vashti Hardy returns with another heartfelt and action-filled addition to the Griffin Gate series.
Three women. Three dates. One missing man...'Ingenious, heartwarming and romantic' SOPHIE KINSELLA'Surprising and deeply satisfying' EMILY HENRY8.52 a.m. Siobhan's looking forward to her date with Joseph. Breakfast on Valentine's Day surely means something ...so where is he?2.43 p.m. Miranda's hoping that a Valentine's Day lunch with Carter will be the perfect way to celebrate her new job. But why hasn't he shown up?6.30 p.m.Joseph Carter agreed to be Jane's fake boyfriend at a dreaded engagement party tonight. But he's not here... Meet Joseph Carter.That is, if you can find him. An unexpected love story, The No-Show is an utterly extraordinary tear-jearker of a book, a heart-breaking and joyful novel about dating, and waiting, and the ways love can find us. 'Such a clever, finely woven, sweet and heart-rending story' BOLU BABALOLA'A brilliant, multilayered, romantic stunner' LAUREN HO'It will break your heart in a million different ways' LOUISE O'NEILL'Beth O'Leary at her very best' L
The hilarious fox and bear double act from bestseller Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is back and better than ever in a third adventure. Frank and Bert are off for a picnic in the countryside. And Bert has brought a delicious surprise! But when he falls asleep, Frank can't resist taking a peek .. . WOW! Bert has made Frank's FAVOURITE biscuits! Surely, he won't mind if Frank eats one .. . or two .. . or three .. . This big-hearted story about friendship and forgiveness is guaranteed to get children giggling!
Geronimo Stilton, adventuremouse? Not me! But surely a little skiing couldn't hurt a rodent, right? Wrong. Moldy mozzarella! When my ski trip landed me in the hospital, I was sure it was going to be t
The hilarious fox and bear double act from bestseller Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is back and better than ever in a third adventure. Frank and Bert are off for a picnic in the countryside. And Bert has brought a delicious surprise! But when he falls asleep, Frank can't resist taking a peek .. . WOW! Bert has made Frank's FAVOURITE biscuits! Surely, he won't mind if Frank eats one .. . or two .. . or three .. . This big-hearted story about friendship and forgiveness is guaranteed to get children giggling!
One thing for sure, Roxanne is playing a game that she has no clue of who the creator is. Money, greed and leadership can only lead to one thing. Making it to the top is her motive, but will her motiv
Everyone loves sports . . . except Marisol! The stand-alone companion to Newbery Medalist and New York Times–bestselling Erin Entrada Kelly’s Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey is an irresistible and humorous story about friendship, family, and fitting in. Fans of Clementine, Billy Miller Makes a Wish, and Ramona the Pest will find a friend in Marisol. Features black-and-white art throughout by Erin Entrada Kelly.Marisol Rainey’s two least-favorite things are radishes and gym class. She avoids radishes with very little trouble, but gym is another story―especially when Coach Decker announces their next unit: kickball.There are so many things that can go wrong in kickball. What if Marisol tries to kick the ball . . . but falls? What if she tries to catch the ball and gets smacked in the nose? What if she’s the worst kickballer in the history of kickball? Marisol and her best friend Jada decide to get help from the most unlikely―and most annoying―athlete in the world: Marisol’s big brother, Oz.Su
Professor and political pundit Michael Eric Dyson said that Obama brought “sexy brilliance to the White House.” I couldn’t help but wonder if Obama had a pet named “Sexy Brilliance,” because surely Dy
Originally conceived as a technical manual, but now offering the reader so much more, this timely work deals with various aspects of geohazards - surely an area of growing importance in this world of
On this dull, rainy day in early November, even Florence looks sullen and unlovely. But that is not, surely, why an elderly Jewish architect walked into the River Arno. Nor does it offer any answers a
The metamorphosis of Gregor Samsa was surely one of the momentous transformations of modern times. Kafka’s burning vision of the future ended with Gregor being swept into a dustbin. But what if Gregor
Poetry. BLUE RAIN is Dave Etter's thirty-second book of poems; his easy, unaffected voice is surely a Midwestern treasure. Who else but Dave Etter could fit all the sufferings and all the sins that fi