The Wind in the Willows is a book for those “who keep the spirit of youth alive in them;
of life, sunshine, running water, woodlands, dusty roads, winter firesides.” So wrote Kenneth
Grahame of his timeless tale of Rat, Mole, Badger, and Toad, in their lyrical world of gurgling
rivers and whispering reeds, a world which is both beautiful and benevolently ordered. But it is
also a world threatened by dark forces”the Terror of the Wild Wood” with its “wicked little
faces” and “glances of malice and hatred”and defended by the mysterious Piper at the Gates
of Dawn.

In the end, Grahame triumphantly succeeds in conveying his most precious theme: the miracle
of loyalty and friendship.

From Superman‘s very first deed of daring to his battle of wits with evil business tycoon Lex Luthor, ‘The Adventures of Superman’ tells the story of the Man of Steel from the beginning – of his love affair with Lois Lane, his frienship with Jimmy Olsen, and his battles with adversaries including Luthor, the Bizarro Superman and Metallo, the cyborg with a kryptonite heart!

In this popular selection of nursery rhymes, are such favourites as Humpty Dumpty, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Hickory Dickory Dock, Hey Diddle Diddle, Little]ack Horner, Polly Put the Kettle On, Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Doctor Foster Went to Gloucester, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Little Miss Muffet, Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Goosey Goosey Gander, The Queen of Hearts. Boys and Girls Come Out to Play, Oranges and Lemons, Wee Willie Winkie, The House That Jack Built and Little Bo Peep, all of which will thrill a new generation of children.

This exciting series brings to life traditional nursery rhymes with music, sound effects and all the full expertise of the BBC.

Our Pre-School range of Songs, Rhymes and Short Stories has been carefully selected for younger listeners. Encourage your child’s enjoyment of listening and comprehension with BBC Audiobooks.

You’ll love these great new stories about Bob the Builder and his friends!

In Bob‘s Big Plan, a special extended episode, Bob hears that Sunflower Valley, where he and his brother Tom used to camp, is being developed. Bobsville architect Mr Adams wants to build nightclubs, skyscrapers and restaurants, but Bob‘s plan for an eco-town wins the day.

Bob arrives in the valley to begin his dream town in Bob‘s Big Start. All the machines are a little bit nervous about the big job ahead, especially Muck, but he doesn’t want to show it. In Lofty’s Shelter the machines get to build their brand new shelter. Lofty decides he’d like a place there – but he doesn’t know how to tell Bob. Wendy and Scrambler visit in Dizzy and the Talkie Talkie, Wendy’s brought a surprise for the team: Talkie-Talkies, a radio headset system to help them all!

In Scoop’s Recruit Scoop needs to find a new builder to take over the old yard so that Wendy can stay in Sunflower Valley. Bob‘s Dad Robert turns out to be perfect for the job, but in Where’s Robert? he keeps getting sidetracked while Bob is trying to get things done. Then Robert goes missing! Wendy finally arrives in Wendy’s Welcome and finds that Robert and the machines have prepared some great surprises for her!

Take a trip to Sunflower Valley, and join in the fun!

“Memorable.”

“Heartwarming bit of Americana Delightful.” – Library Journal

“Warmly related from the author’s own childhood memories.” – Chicago Sunday Tribune

It’s the turn of the 20th century in New York’s Lower East Side and sense of adventure and excitement abounds for five yong sisters – Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte and Gertie.

Follow along as they search for hidden buttons while dusting Mama’s front parlor, or explore the basement warehouse of Papa’s peddler’s shop on rainy days. The five girls enjoy doing everything together, especially when it involves holidays and surprises.

But no one could have prepared them for the biggest surprise of all!

Sydney Taylor has written many books for children, including the All-Of-A-Kind Family series: All-Of-A-Kind Family, All-Of-A-Kind Family Downtown, More All-Of-A-Kind-Family, All-Of-A-Kind Family Uptown and Ella of All-Of-A-Kind-Family.

Suzanne Toren has appeared on and off Broadway and in regional theaters throughout the country. She occasionally appears on television, most recently in “Law and Order.” and has recorded hundreds of audiobooks. She was the recipient of the Narrator of the Year Award for her recordings of Talking Books for the Library of Congress and of the TORGI Award from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

Well, Tim Ferris is the main proponent of the 4 hour work week. He believes that by employing outsourcers, and reducing our time at work, you can survive. His best seller the 4 hour work week is now on audio book.
What do you think?

Moving, Talking, Dancing Elmo!

We found him very easy to play with — just press his buttons to get him going. Press Elmo’s foot and he will sit down on his stool to tell you a story. He even gestures to act out parts of his stories! Squeeze his nose, and he’ll make a variety of silly sounds; he’ll even ask you if you “have his nose” and ask you to give it back to him. Squeeze his hand, and he’ll dance. Elmo even blows kisses, asks for hugs, and says he loves you. He tells jokes, acts ticklish, and more.

When he’s laid on his back, or if your child doesn’t play with him for a while, Elmo will go into a battery-save mode. He’ll yawn, say he’s tired, and shut down. Just press one of his buttons to get him going again.

Interactive Fun for Kids of Many Ages
We particularly enjoyed that, unlike some other “talking” toys, Elmo Live! doesn’t just spout programmed phrases. Instead, he asks for interaction, and he responds as if your child is responding to him. For example, when he will ask for a hug and then say “thank you” as if he’s received one, or he’ll say he’s ticklish and then will “respond” as if your child is tickling him. This makes an almost magical experience for your child, as if her toy is really coming to life.

The Menlo Park-based startup is an online staffing and management business that helps companies hire, manage and pay an international pool of technical personnel at competitive rates.

“Think of us as an eBay for people, if you will,” said Gary Swart, chief executive officer of oDesk Corp.

ODesk is capitalizing on globalization trends, home-sourcing abilities and the access to talent, a challenge that companies face daily.

The startup presents small- to medium-sized companies with a global talent pool of technical professionals looking for an opportunity to work remotely on jobs that might not be available where they live.

Companies are trying to do more for less, might not need a full-time employee and can’t find temporary talent locally, Swart said. Companies aren’t charged for posting jobs. Professionals, however, are charged for posting their skills.

“These companies are saying, ‘If I could have a flexible bench — marketing, support or development resources — and I can take advantage of global arbitrage, maybe there’s a win there’,” Swart said.

The platform is attracting about 200 new companies seeking talent and 600 new job-hunting professionals a day, Swart said. On Oct. 24 the number of freelancers stood at about 123,000. On Nov. 4, the number had increased to more than 127,000.

ODesk raised $6 million in a 2005 A round from Globespan Capital Partners and Sigma Partners. A spring 2006 B round fetched $8 million, which was led by Benchmark Capital with Globespan and Sigma participating. This summer DAG Ventures led a $15 million C round with all three previous investors participating.

The company is growing at a rate of three times year over year, Swart said, and expects to do about $40 million in services in 2008, taking in $4 million in revenue.