Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell

$14.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books | Reading Level: 4 Non Fiction

Katherine Rundell - Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and prize-winning author of five novels for children - explores how children's books ignite, and can re-ignite, the imagination; how children's fiction, with its unabashed emotion and playfulness, can awaken old hungers and create new perspectives on the world. This delightful and persuasive essay is for adult readers. ...Show more

Lover's Path by Kris Waldherr

$12.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

A fictional love story, The Lover's Path is inspired by the true love story of one of Venice's most famous courtesans Tullia d'Aragona. Set in Venice in the 1500s, this feminist epic is narrated by Filamena Ziani, a renowned singer and composer, a woman of independent means, and the younger sister of th e most famous courtesan of her times. In recounting the tale of a forbidden love affair of her youth, Filamena brings to life the romance and rich sensuality of a remarkable era in Venetian history. Each chapter of her tale begins with a classic love story, an allegorical device common to 16th-century literature, which the author has illustrated. The book also contains "actual" letters exchanged between Filamena and her lover, a sampling of tarot cards (Filamena has her cards read in the story), and a map. ...Show more

This Book Is Literally Just Pictures of Cute Animals That Will Make You Feel Better by Smith Street Books Staff (Editor)

$21.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

This zoological and photographic odyssey documents the cutest, cuddliest, and silliest animals of all time, to brighten up the days of humans across the world.   As its name subtly suggests, this book features eighty pictures of excessively cute animals. That's literally it. Among other gems, you can expect some cats flaunting some fabulous wigs, sloths dangling casually, otters holding hands (an actual thing that occurs in nature) and piglets wearing little rain boots for some adorable reason. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this book is a landmark moment in the history of photojournalism.   While turning these puppy-peppered pages, your mood will literally become one of delight and tenderness. And therein lies the powerful magic of pictures of cute animals. Just simply peering into those big eyes carries with it all the gravitas of a David Attenborough nature documentary, but without having to actually watch a documentary.   The resilience of the animal kingdom is endlessly inspiring. Cast your mind to this iconic image: a kitten dangling from a tree branch, while sagely encouraging us humans to just "hang in there." And hang in there we did--in order to own this book. This is literally exactly what our turbulent world needs right now. With its unique meow factor, this is the book that you deserve after a ruff day at work. (It should be said that, mercifully, no animal puns are included in this book.)   ...Show more

The Little Book of Otter Philosophy by Jennifer McCartney

$16.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

Otters are some of the most delightful animals on the planet. These long, lean, furry creatures embody pure joy in so many ways: What other species builds water slides for fun?Or holds hands with their friends just because?Or wraps themselves in seaweed so they can nap without floating away?These intel ligent, water-dwelling mammals are not only an essential part of the world's ecosystem (not to mention YouTube's ecosystem), but they have a lot to teach us about the way we live life. ...Show more

Forever Frida: Celebration of the Life, Art, Loves, Words, and Style of Frida Kahlo by Kathy Cano-Murillo

$28.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

Revel in the enduring legacy of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo--from the self-portraits, to the flower crown, to her iconic eyebrows--with this fun and commemorative book   With her colorful style, dramatic self-portraits, hardscrabble backstory, and verve for life, Frida Kahlo remains a modern icon , captivating and inspiring artists, feminists, and art lovers more than sixty years after her death.   Forever Frida celebrates all things Frida, so you can enjoy her art, her words, her style, and her badass attitude every day. Viva Frida ...Show more

All That Glisters... And Other Quotations You Should Know by Caroline Taggart

$22.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

Quotations - or snippets from them - are commonly used in everyday speech, most often without the speaker knowing where they came from. From words of comfort to advice for the lovelorn, you can bet that someone, somewhere has come up with phraseology that perfectly sums up whatever situation you find yo urself in - and put it more succinctly than you could ever dream of. In All That Glisters ... Caroline Taggart presents some of the pithiest, wisest and most fascinating quotations we should all know, detailing where the quotation has come from and why it may be useful when searching for an elegant or informed line to illustrate a point, spice up conversation or impress one's friends. Part of the pleasure of this book is to reveal the provenance of the well-worn quote (or misquote) - my cup runneth over, ay, there's the rub, to err is human, the spice of life - but also to introduce some less familiar ones. Most of the quotations included are from classic sources - from the Bible, the works of Shakespeare, other poets, classical authors, Dickens (God bless us everyone, waiting for something to turn up, very humble), Charlotte Bronte (Reader, I married him) and George Bernard Shaw (who didn't actually say Youth is wasted on the young, but may have said something like it. Somewhere. No one seems to know for sure). This entertaining and informed - but not too serious - take on the wit and wisdom of the last 2000 years is ideal for modern readers who like their knowledge in tweet-sized chunks. ...Show more

A Little Book About Me & My Mum by Jedda Robaard

$19.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

This is a book to fill in and share with your mum. Write, draw and store your favourite memories of you and your mum in this beautiful picture book. It is a celebration of the special relationship between mothers and children.

Hillary Rodham Clinton - Her Essential Wisdom by Carol Kelly-Gangi (Editor)

$19.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

Pocket Maya Angelou Wisdom - Empowering Quotes and Wise Words from a Literary Icon by Hardie Grant Books (Editor)

$14.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books | Series: Pocket Wisdom Ser.

Pocket Maya Angelou Wisdom is a collection of some of her best and most empowering quotes. This is the ultimate keepsake for fans of Maya Angelou's beautiful poetry, as well as for anyone looking for a bit of in-the-moment inspiration to have in their back pocket.    Some quotes from Maya Ange lou:   'If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.'   'You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.'   'When we unite in purpose, we are greater than the sum of our parts'   'Love recognises no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive as its destination full of hope.'   'Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.' ...Show more

Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany for People Who Love Books by Jane Mount

$49.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books

The ultimate gift for book lovers, this volume brims with literary treasures, all delightfully illustrated by beloved artist and founder of Ideal Bookshelf, Jane Mount. Book lovers, rejoice! In this love letter to all things bookish, Jane Mount brings literary people, places, and things to life through her signature and vibrant illustrations. Readers will: * Tour the world's most beautiful bookstores * Test their knowledge of the written word with quizzes * Find their next great read in lovingly curated stacks of books * Sample the most famous fictional meals * Peek inside the workspaces of their favorite authors A source of endless inspiration, literary facts and recommendations, and pure bookish joy, Bibliophileis sure to enchant book clubbers, English majors, poetry devotees, inspiring writers, and any and all who identify as bookworms. ...Show more

Pocket Frida Kahlo Wisdom by Hardie Grant

$14.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books | Series: Pocket Wisdom Ser.

Frida Kahlo is undoubtedly one of the most innovative and influential painters of the 20th century and is widely considered a style icon thanks to her eclectic taste and love for color, print and hauls of jewelry. From a young age, Kahlo forged her own path, overcoming polio as a child, and stoically ba ttling the after-effects of a tragic road accident that left her with lifelong injuries. Pocket Frida Kahlo Wisdom is an inspiring collection of some of her best quotes on love, style, life, art and more, and celebrates the Mexican icon's immense legacy.   "Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light."   "The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration."   "I am my own muse, I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to know better." ...Show more

Sparkle with Sympathy

$9.99 NZD

Category: Gift Books