‘The Sicilian BB5 Revealed’ follows the huge success of ‘The Benko Gambit Revealed’ and ‘The Queen’s Pawn Attack Revealed’ in a new and innovative series of books. Using fresh, clear presentation, the key ideas of the openings are explained in an entertaining and accessible way.

The aim of this series is to provide the essential knowledge to play the opening, while at the same time revealing the current thinking of the World’s elite players. For example, ‘First Moves’ leads readers through the basic opening moves. ‘Heroes & Zeroes’ gives the best and worst performances with the opening and features some of the leading exponents of the Benko Gambit. ‘Tricks & Traps’ reveals how you might catch out your opponent. ‘What’s Hot’ pinpoints the very latest ideas from the world’s elite. A detailed table in the style of ECO is given at the close of the book, summarising the main variations with assessments. 

‘The Sicilian BB5’ is the most popular and successful Anti-Sicilian Variation. It first came to attention when it was used by Vassily Ivanchuk to score a stunning win against Gary Kasparov at Linares in 1991. It has since become recognised as the perfect way to avoid mainline Sicilian theory without compromising White’s attacking ideals.  As such it has proved a deadly weapon in the hands of Adams and Grischuk – and even Kasparov himself. 

In this book you will find full coverage of both 2…d6 3.Bb5+ and 2…Nc6 3.Bb5. You will be shown how to implement in your own games the ideas and attacking systems that have worked so successfully at the highest level.

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most famous openings with plenty of attacking options for White and Black. It is favoured by world champions, such as Kasparov and Anand, and played successfully at every level. It is possible to understand and improve by knowing the typical themes and tactical combinations that have been discovered in recent years. Popular amongst beginners and advanced players alike, the Ruy Lopez is easy to learn but difficult to beat.

Landscape is a theme being explored more and more in contemporary quiltmaking. Recent exhibitions have showcased breathtaking quilts depicting subjects such as undulating patterns of a furrowed field, the sun setting over a distant horizon, or rolling hills as far as the eye can see, rendered in varying degrees of abstraction. This beautifully illustrated book is a guide to creating landscape-themed quilts, from the earliest source of inspiration to the finished article. It is useful for quiltmakers of all abilities: beginners can progress through clear and simple instructions, while more accomplished quiltmakers will find stimulation in the glorious photographs of quilts from the world’s most outstanding textile artists. Practical exercises scattered throughout the book help the reader to channel their creativity, and the author encourages the reader to keep detailed records in sketchbook form.

The book covers:

• Photographs as Inspiration: how to develop visual ideas from a simple starting point
• Colour and Cloth: choosing the type of materials best suited to the subject, including a section on colour theory
• Texture and Stitch: explores how different types of stitch can be harnessed to create texture and depth
• Design: outlines the rules of design and when they can be broken
• Quilt Assembly: practical information on progressing to the finished piece.

The Queen’s Bishop Attack, also known as the Pseudo-Trompowsky, is used by bold, enterprising players who want to cut across their opponent’s intention to play a Slav or Queen’s Gambit. It has long been a favourite of top-rated UK chess players, including Julian Hodgson, Michael Adams and the late Tony Miles, and this is the first ever book to cover it. Grandmaster James Plaskett has successful practical experience on both sides of the Queen’s Bishop Attack, and so is the perfect guide to this sound, challenging and yet reassuringly off-beat opening.

This book is the latest in the innovative ‘Revealed’ series, in which the key ideas of chess openings are explained in an entertaining and accessible way, using fresh, clear presentation – ideal for improving players.

• ‘First moves’ leads you through the basic opening moves
• ‘Heroes and Zeros’ reveals both star performances and pitfalls in the Queen’s Bishop Attack
• ‘Tricks and Traps’ guides you through the sharpest variations
• ‘What’s Hot’ pinpoints the key battlegrounds among the world’s elite

Following the success of ‘Ideas Behind Modern Chess Openings’, this comprehensive companion volume gives the complete opening repertoire for Black. A must for anyone who plays with Black pieces, these low-maintenance, easy-to-follow openings can be played from the very first move, enabling players to dictate the development of the game from a very early stage.

Chess grids throughout demonstrate key lines and aid and accelerate learning. Gary Lane annotates the illustrated games in the instructive and accessible style that has made him one of the most popular chess writers in the world today.

Miguel Najdorf has been described as a flamboyant poet of the chessboard. A celebrated Grandmaster, his playing career spanned six decades. He is perhaps best known for the eponymous Najdorf opening variation of the Sicilian Defence – often used to good effect by Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. A highly influential chess writer he won many International tournaments although never played for the World Championship.

Here we have an informed biography complemented by one hundred selected games that demonstrate his originality and brilliance. The games are fully annotated by the well-respected authors.

Batik has moved a long way since its interest in the West began. In ‘Batik’, Britain’s leading batik artist provides a book that takes the craft beyond the basics to include new materials as well as new techniques. Lavishly illustrated in colour and clearly arranged and written, it includes working on paper, wood and leather as well as textiles, plus a series of step-by-step sequences of key techniques. The work of the author and international batik artists and historical pieces will be used to illustrate the techniques and materials covered in the book.

An adorable collection of the sweetest baby animals you’ve ever seen, brought to life by Hannah Dale, creator of Wrendale Designs.

This gorgeous celebration of new life features over 50 British baby animals, painted by award-winning artists Hannah Dale. From the playful fox cub to the tiny fluffy duckling, from the prettiest baby seal to a wobbly thoroughbred foal, everyone’s favourite mini creatures are charmingly brought to life in the author’s quirky inimitable style.

Each animal portrait is accompanied by informative and entertaining text on how these little creatures will make their way in the world. Did you know that kingfisher chicks have to leave the nest after four days, while young dolphins remain in their mother’s care for three to six years?

A new and larger edition of a bestselling book, the gorgeous baby animal paintings get even more space to shine. It’s an irresistible book for nature enthusiasts who will love the cuteness within.

A handsome anthology of 366 poems from around the world and throughout history, all especially selected for reading aloud, with one glorious poem for every day of the year.

Everyone benefits from reading aloud, whether it’s a bedtime story with Dad or Granny, an intimate moment with a loved one, or a performance to a group of people. When spoken, the poet’s words hit us more powerfully and meaningfully, and what’s more, it’s good for our health: mindfully reading aloud helps with relaxation, improves working memory and aids vocabulary acquisition.

With a wide and diverse range of poets including the 14th-century Persian poet Hafiz and Mary Oliver in the 21st century, old favourites such as Emily Dickinson and more recent voices such as Lemn Sissay, the obvious classics such as Wordsworth’s Daffodils and slightly more offbeat fare like Spike Milligan, there’s something for everyone in this book: poems that are funny, sad, consoling, uplifting and everything in between.

Whether you’re a teacher enthralling a class of children or a carer entertaining a group of pensioners, if you’re looking for a reading for a special occasion or a powerful piece for a performance, you’ll find everything you need here. It’s the perfect book to dip into daily to share a poem with anyone, to hear the true beauty and rhythm of words and the magic they can weave.

Make your own beautiful mid-century wooden objects for the home.

With over 80 projects, from the simple to the advanced, this is the perfect book to progress your woodworking skills and create something beautiful for your home. These sought-after classic designs from the 1950s and 60s include a range of items for home and garden, simple display shelves, bookends and a tray to a chest of drawers and a desk. 

Every project includes a clear pattern and diagrams, detailed step-by-step instructions and  illustrations of the finished pieces. The projects are arranged by level of difficulty as you go through the book; some suit those fairly new to woodworking and some work best for more experienced hands. Packed with useful tips and hints, and featuring spotlights on individual techniques within every chapter, this book is perfect not just as a project book but as a way to build up your knowledge. No complicated equipment is needed and all projects can be made at home. 

So whether you want the iconic curves of a mid-century coffee table, the warmth of walnut wood in a cabinet or the clean lines in an easy chair, this book has it all.  

An extended volume of favourite illustrations from the No.1 bestselling colouring book illustrator Millie Marotta.

This ultimate Millie Marotta colouring book brings together her favourite illustrations from Secrets of the Sea, Woodland Wild and Island Escape, plus five exclusive new images. This bumper edition features 120 glorious illustrations, inviting colourists to indulge their creativity and bring these adventurous animals to life. Whether it’s the homely hedgehog or the other-worldly Chinese water dragon, award-winning illustrator Millie Marotta covers quirky and exciting creatures from all over the world. 

Millie Marotta is one of the planet’s most popular colouring book illustrators. This is an essential edition for all Millie Marotta fans, as well as for those looking to discover her much-loved illustrations for the first time with 120 of her favourite distinctive pieces. The book is printed on high-quality paper with minimal showthrough, suitable for colouring with all forms of media.

Grab your pens or pencils and lose yourself in the most satisfyingly mindful activity you will ever find: come on a colouring adventure.

Fascinating stories of the birds and birdsong from the Tropics for every week of the year, with QR codes to bring the birdsong to life.

From the incredible screech of the macaw, who shows amazing intelligence, to the imitations of humans of the mynah bird and the humming sounds of the hummingbird, this is a beautiful collection of stories about one of nature’s wonders: tropical birds. Bird expert and writer Dominic Couzens invites you to enjoy not only their songs but also their amazing feats and colourful displays. With stunning illustrations from award-winning Madeleine Floyd and QR codes to listen to their songs as you read, you can immerse yourself in a tropical wonderland. 

A natural wonder that has captivated and fascinated generations, tropical birdsong is unique. This book offers the perfect tonic, whether you are an avid birdwatcher or just want to understand the songs from the most iconic birds in the world. 

With 52 weekly stories, the book takes you through the calendar year of tropical life. Listen and read about jewel-like toucans, mating cries of the cock-of-the-rock bird of paradise, duet songs of sunbirds, the fascinating glossy starling oxpeckers who sit on the backs of elephants and the gorgeous songs of hornbills.

The latest research and information about these bright lights of the bird world is captured here by one of the most respected but accessible writers on birds. It’s like joining him on a field trip. Anyone interested in birds and nature will be captivated by these stories and sounds.