MacDonald Fiona

Where do Christmas traditions really come from and why do we do them? Christmas: A Very Peculiar History takes a witty, sideways look at the season's myths, mysteries and merriment, uncovering the stories behind everything from midwinter rituals and the Twelve Days of Christmas to decorations, gift-giving and the meaning of Boxing Day. Blending lively storytelling with quirky snippets and seasonal sidebars, readers will discover how pagan evergreens became Christmas decorations, why 'Xmas' isn't a modern invention, and how different countries celebrate the darkest days of the year. With festive features throughout, from a simple Yule Log-style recipe and a glossary for curious minds, it's the perfect dip-in companion for anyone who likes their Christmas with a twist.

Scotland's history is anything but ordinary, and this lively guide proves it. Scotland: A Very Peculiar History brings the nation's story together in one engaging volume, tracing events from early settlers and ancient monuments to kings, queens, inventors, rebels and revolutionaries. Packed with strange-but-true tales, grisly moments, surprising achievements and sharp humour, it explores how Scotland was shaped by invasion, invention, religion, empire and resistance. Readers will encounter doomed monarchs, fierce clan chiefs, religious radicals, world-changing thinkers and unlikely heroes, while discovering how Scottish identity evolved through centuries of conflict, union and dramatic change. Accessible, fast-paced and richly illustrated, this is narrative history with personality, filled with timelines, fact boxes, maps and comic-style artwork. Perfect for curious readers who want to know not just what happened but why it mattered, this book is an entertaining, informative introduction to Scotland's past for families, classrooms and anyone who enjoys history with a twist.

The books in this series take young readers back to times long ago, through fascinating facts and practical projects designed to help them understand the civilizations and peoples of early history. Each book includes pictorial timelines and fact boxes.'

This title offers a wonderful overview of mummies and tombs throughout history, which looks at the facts behind the fantasy, featuring action-packed text and stunning visuals. It includes more than 10 fun interactive projects to make and do - including a hawk-like headmask and a Pharoah's boat. Over 300 photographs and illustrations bring the past to life. It takes you on a journey into the extraordinary world of life after death. Delve into the dark secrets of the mummies of ancient Egypt and the tombs of beautiful princesses and warrior kings. Discover how some people went to great lengths to ensure a good life for themselves after death. Page by page you will discover how to preserve a body, and about magic charms, mysterious gods and secret spells. Meet the Chinese emperors who were buried with vast armies of model soldiers, a jade princess and the little Sicilian girl painstakingly preserved by her father. Find out how scientists of today piece together the faces and everyday life of the past from the remains of the dead, and how some bodies were preserved quite by chance - by natural forces.

This title lets you step back to the time of shoguns and samurai, with 15 step-by-step projects and over 330 exciting pictures. You can discover the amazing Japanese civilization and learn about a culture that has existed for thousands of years. You can marvel at the secrets of this island nation - a land of emperors and shoguns, tea ceremonies and martial arts. It features fact boxes that provide extra insights and highlight links with the present; 15 practical projects that enable you to re-create the past - wear a dramatic theatrical mask, fly a carp streamer, decorate an elaborate Japanese screen, and make a magnificent helmet fit for a samurai warrior; and more than 330 photographs and illustrations that include diagrams, a historical map and a pictorial timeline. It is ideal for home or school use for 8- to 12-year-olds. This title lets you step back in time more than 30,000 years, to when the first settlers reached Japan and a highly sophisticated civilization was born. You can explore the grand palaces of regal emperors and shoguns, be amazed by the fighting skills of the feuding samurai, and admire the exquisite embroidery of the palace women's glossy silk kimonos. It features step-by-step projects that allow you to delve into everyday life and find out about ancient Japanese foods, skills and fashions - make delicious rice balls, try your hand at the delicate art of calligraphy, and sculpt a netsuke toggle.