Emma Smith Books

A prisoner gardens his way to freedom in this inspiring picture-book biography.When Elliott Michener was locked away in Alcatraz for counterfeiting, he was determined to defy the odds and bust out. But when he got a job tending the prison garden, a funny thing happened. He found new interests and skills--and a sense of dignity and fulfillment. Elliott transformed Alcatraz Island, and the island transformed him.Told with empathy and a storyteller's flair, Elliott's story is funny, touching, and unexpectedly relevant. Back matter about the history of Alcatraz and the US prison system today invites meaningful discussion.

100 Ways in 100 Days to Teach Your Baby Maths appeals to new parents looking for cheap, simple activities to improve their baby's academic start in life but also raises important questions, such as why is there such large differences in maths ability between different countries?

Toddlers will love this beautifully illustrated board book adaptation of the story of Claude, the California Academy of Sciences' beloved albino alligator, which celebrates individuality and accepting differences.

The city of Paris wanted to tear down the Eiffel Tower! Gustave Eiffel, an engineer and amateur scientist, had built the incredible structure for the 1889 World's Fair. Created using cutting-edge technology, it stood taller than any other building in the world! More than a million delighted people flocked to visit it during the fair. But the officials wondered, beyond being a spectacle, what is it good for? It must come down! But Eiffel loved his tower. He crafted a clever plan to make the tower too useful to tear down by turning it into "a laboratory such as science has never had at its disposal”. As the date for the tower's demolition approached, Eiffel raced to prove its worth. Could science save the Eiffel Tower?

Focusing on the bond between abandoned dogs and their rescuers, this heartwarming narrative explores themes of love, hope, and redemption. It highlights the struggles faced by these animals and the compassionate individuals who dedicate their lives to saving them. Through touching stories, the book showcases the transformative power of kindness and the deep connections formed between humans and dogs, inspiring readers to reflect on the importance of empathy and the impact of second chances.

A genius and prophet whose timeless works encapsulate the human condition like no others. A writer who surpassed his contemporaries in vision, originality and literary mastery. Who wrote like an angel, putting it all so much better than anyone else. Is this Shakespeare? Well, sort of. But it doesn't really tell us the whole truth. So much of what we say about Shakespeare is either not true, or just not relevant, deflecting us from investigating the challenges of his inconsistencies and flaws. This electrifying new book thrives on revealing, not resolving, the ambiguities of Shakespeare's plays and their changing topicality. It introduces an intellectually, theatrically and ethically exciting writer who engages with intersectionality as much as with Ovid, with economics as much as poetry: who writes in strikingly modern ways about individual agency, privacy, politics, celebrity and sex. It takes us into a world of politicking and copy-catting, as we watch him emulating the blockbusters of Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Kyd, the Spielberg and Tarantino of their day; flirting with and skirting round the cut-throat issues of succession politics, religious upheaval and technological change. The Shakespeare in this book poses awkward questions rather than offering bland answers, always implicating us in working out what it might mean. This is Shakespeare. And he needs your attention.

This book, generously illustrated with key pages from the publication and comparative works, tells the human, artistic, economic and technical stories of the birth of the First Folio - and the birth of Shakespeare's towering reputation.

On a day when school was canceled due to a threatening blizzard, Amy rode with her classmates in Mrs. Rhys's van until the road ended, then trudged through the snow to her home, Gwyntfa, where she lived with her grandmother, Mrs. Bowen. Once inside, Amy felt safe, reassured by her grandmother's well-stocked larder and the promise of a cozy snowed-in experience. They enjoyed each other's company, often sitting by the fire, working on a patchwork quilt, and playing cards before bed. However, on that snowy day, their routine was shattered by a growl from Amy's dog, a loud thump at the door, and an unexpected intrusion. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their intruder, Mrs. Bowen sensed he meant no harm. Over the next four extraordinary days, filled with tension and unexpected visitors, Amy learned her grandmother's instincts were correct. Set against the backdrop of a Welsh hill farm in winter, the story builds suspense as Amy and her grandmother confront a ruthless evil, captivating readers with its beautifully crafted narrative by a distinguished writer.

Just a few hundred copies of the 1623 edition of Shakespeare's collected plays exist, making it one of the most sought-after publications in history. Emma Smith explores the First Folio's post-publication life, the stories of individual copies, and the way readers, forgers, collectors, actors, scholars, and booksellers have interacted with them.

"An electrifying new study that investigates the challenges of the Bard's inconsistencies and flaws, and focuses on revealing, not resolving, the ambiguities of the plays and their changing topicality. A genius and prophet whose timeless works encapsulate the human condition like no others. A writer who surpassed his contemporaries in vision, originality, and literary mastery. A man who wrote like an angel, putting it all so much better than anyone else. Is this Shakespeare? Well, sort of. But it doesn't tell us the whole truth. So much of what we say about Shakespeare is either not true, or just not relevant. Now, Emma Smith--an intellectually, theatrically, and ethically exciting writer--takes us into a world of politicking and copycatting, as we watch Shakespeare emulating the blockbusters of Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Kyd, the Spielberg and Tarantino of their day; flirting with and skirting round the cutthroat issues of succession politics, religious upheaval, and technological change. Smith writes in strikingly modern ways about individual agency, privacy, politics, celebrity, and sex, and the Shakespeare she reveals in this book poses awkward questions rather than offering bland answers, always implicating us in working out what it might mean"-- Provided by publisher