Alexander McCall Smith

With an authentic Indian backdrop, this is a feel-good story of young kids chasing big dreams that shimmers with all of Alexander McCall Smith’s trademark optimism and joy – an outlook on life that makes him one of the world’s best-loved storytellers. Hari is a dreamer with an unusual talent. He spends the few coins he earns washing cars on cinema trips to watch (and learn from) his beloved Bollywood films. Then one day Hari's gloriously fancy footwork is spotted by Mr Ram, a man on a mission to resolve conflicts near and far. Hari so entrances everyone with his magical dancing that soon he is travelling all over the world and his electric feet bring harmony to all who see him dance. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+

Miten käy Naisten etsivätoimiston, kun Mma Ramotswe lomailee ensimmäistä kertaa? Mma Ramotswe, arvostetun Naisten etsivätoimisto nro 1:den perustaja, on uransa suurimman haasteen edessä: hänen pitäisi pitää lomaa. Hän jättää vastahakoisesti toimiston Mma Makutsin vastuulle. Lomailu uhkaa kuitenkin tyssätä saman tien, kun Mma Ramotswe kohtaa itsepäisen nuoren pojan, jolla on vaikea menneisyys. Eikä Mma Ramotswe ole lainkaan vakuuttunut, että hänen työtoverinsa osaisi käsitellä hienovaraisuutta vaativia tapauksia.

A new stand-alone novel from the bestselling author of 44 Scotland Street and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

In Who Built Scotland, the authors pick 25 buildings to tell the history of a nation. In vivid travelogues, they explore Scotland's social, political and cultural heritage, placing our people, ideas and passions at the heart of our architecture and archaeology. This is a story of how we shape buildings and how buildings, in turn, shape us.

Precious Ramotswe has always idolised her father, the late Obed Ramotswe. She feels that she knows all about his life - but does she? Sometimes our parents surprise us, and we discover that things were not quite what we thought them to be. And the same goes for Mma Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe's feisty assistant, who also makes certain discoveries about her own past that cause some surprise. The placid world of the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is further disturbed by the arrival in Gaborone of

The first of a brand-new series of adventure books from the creator of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (sales of over 20 million copies worldwide).

Once more, we catch up with the delightful goings-on in the fictitious 44 Scotland Street from Alexander McCall Smith . . .

A funny and poignant children's story from one of the world's most prolific and popular authors Alexander McCall Smith. It's all about hamburgers! Joe has just created the yummiest, juiciest, most delicious hamburger ever - and his friend Mr Borthwick wants to sell it in his hamburger shop to try and win back customers from the new fast-food place across the road. But there's a problem - Joe has completely forgotten the recipe... A pinch of this, a touch of that and a spoonful of something else...the race is on for Joe to remember!

Claire Benedict and Nadine Marshall star in these eight BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas adapted by Alexander McCall SmithWinner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile‘Must-listen...beautifully cast, precisely timed, simply wonderful' Daily TelegraphAlexander McCall Smith's hugely popular novels featuring Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of Botswana's only female private detective agency, have become international bestsellers. These acclaimed productions, complete with vibrant music, bring the exotic world of the books to life. In these eight episodes, Mma Ramotswe takes on her first case – and a new secretary; tries to solve a bone mystery; tackles a domestic drama and a doctor's erratic behaviour; and investigates the case of a missing American. In addition, she is hired by a beauty contest judge to check the integrity of the finalists; looks for two women wronged by her client, Mr Molefelo; learns of a rival detective agency; and is commissioned by a physiotherapist to find out what her errant husband is up to. The stories included are: The Daddy; The Bone; The Maid; Tears of the Giraffe; The Chief Justice of Beauty; The Confession; The Kalahari Typing School for Men and The Admirer. Claire Benedict stars as Mma Ramotswe, with Nadine Marshall as Mma Makutsi and Joseph Marcell as Mr JLB Matekoni. Duration: 6 hours approx

Precious and Grace is a story about life at Botswana's leading No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

The latest novel in Alexander McCall Smith's much-loved Isabel Dalhousie series.

Roll up, roll up for a sensational circus story from the bestselling author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith, with fun, energetic illustrations by Kate Hindley throughout. Join Freddie Mole as he tumbles through the air, flies around the big tent and tames four growling lions! Freddie is an ordinary boy who joins the circus one day. He can't believe his luck as he is asked to understudy some of the acts. But is he brave enough to go into the lions' cage? A joyful, exciting tale of bravery and showbusiness glamour by a much loved author.

Our beloved cast of characters are back, as are the joys and trials of life at 44 Scotland Street in this latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith's delightfully charming series. Bertie's mother, Irene, returns from the Middle East to discover that, in her absence, her son has been exposed to the worst of evils--television shows, ice cream parlors, and even unsanctioned art at the National Portrait Gallery. Her wrath descends on Bertie's long-suffering father, Stuart. But Stuart has found a reason to spend more time outside of the house and seems to have a new spring in his step. What does this mean for the residents of 44 Scotland Street? The winds of change have come to the others as well. Angus undergoes a spiritual transformation after falling victim to an unexpected defenestration. Bruce has fallen in a rather different sense for a young woman who is determined to share with him her enthusiasm for extreme sports. Matthew and Elspeth have a falling out with their triplets' au pair, while Big Lou continues to fall in love with her new role as a mother. And as Irene resumes work on what she calls her Bertie Project, reinstating Bertie's Italian lessons, yoga classes, and psychotherapy, Bertie begins to hatch a project of his own--one that promises freedom.

Astu Mma Ramotswen seurassa Komeiden miesten kahvilaan, jossa tuoksujen ja makujen lisäksi voit nauttia lempeästä huumorista ja päästä kadonneen jäljille. Vuosien ajan Mma Ramotswe on löytänyt monia kadotettuja asioita, mutta koskaan aiemmin häntä ei ole pyydetty etsimään henkilön kadonnutta historiaa. Samaan aikaan Mma Makutsilla on monta rautaa tulessa, eikä äidiksi tulo näytä hidastavan hänen uramenestystään, kun hän esittelee uuden yrityksensä: Handsome Man’s De Luxe Cafén. Pian käy kuitenkin ilmi, että hän on haukannut liian ison palan. Väsymättömällä myötätunnolla ja huumorilla Mma Ramotswe ja hänen ystävänsä kohtaavat nämä suuret muutokset ja huomaavat matkan varrella mitä todellinen ystävyys tarkoittaa.

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher A collection of great travel writing by authors from around the globe, including original stories set in Scotland, Thailand, Malaysia, Moldova, Tanzania, Austria and beyond, edited by long-term Lonely Planet collaborator Don George. The 35 impassioned stories included in this collection - of fortune tellers, tribal baboon hunters, a friendly Japanese family, and other notable characters - span a worldwide spectrum of themes, styles and settings, but all show how travel in its unexpected turns tests and teaches us, making us aware that we are resilient, that we are not alone, and that there is so much love and connection to be had if we open ourselves up. This collection affirms that if we follow the compass of the heart, we will always find our way. Whether you read the book on the road or in an armchair at home, these tales are sure to entertain, amuse and inform you, and resonate long after the book is finished. 'As you travel through these pages, may your mind be widened, your spirit enlivened, and your own path illuminated by these worldly word-journeys.' --Don George With sparkling contributions from some of the most acclaimed names in contemporary fiction and travel writing plus some new voices from around the world, including: Ann Patchett, Francine Prose, TC Boyle, Karen Joy Fowler, Pico Iyer, Torre DeRoche, Blane Bachelor, Rebecca Dinerstein, Jan Morris, Elizabeth George, Jane Hamilton, Alexander McCall Smith, Keija Parssinen, Mridu Khullar Relph, Yulia Denisyuk, Emily Koch, Carissa Kasper, Jessica Silber, Candace Rose Rardon, Marilyn Abildskov, Shannon Leone Fowler, Robin Cherry, Robert Twigger, Porochista Khakpour, Natalie Baszile, Suzy Joinson, Anthony Sattin, LH McMillin, Bridget Crocker, Maggie Downs, Bishwanath Ghosh, Jeff Greenwald, James Dorsey and Tahir Shah. About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, gift and lifestyle books and stationery, as well as an award-winning website, magazines, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)

An irresistible bind-up edition of two infectiously entertaining adventure mysteries, Spaghetti Tangle and Teacher Trouble, from the bestselling author of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith, and with amazing illustrations by Kate Hindley throughout. Spaghetti TangleJohn and Nicky would give anything in the world for a bowl of chips or a piece of chocolate cake, but they live with their strange aunty and she won’t let them eat anything that’s not raw! One day they sneek out and slurp down a plate piled high with spaghetti. Now they want more ... Lucky for them, there’s a competition to visit the spaghetti factory and eat as much as you like. What will aunty say? Teacher TroubleIt’s Jenny’s first day at a new school and she looks very grown-up – her mum has made sure of it. But when she arrives at the school, she looks so smart that the rest of her class think she is their new teacher! Soon Jenny finds herself in all sorts of tricky situations. How long will it be before Jenny is found out? And what will happen then?

We catch up with the latest delightful goings-on in the fictitious 44 Scotland Street from Alexander McCall Smith.

National treasure Alexander McCall Smith joins up-and-coming illustrator Zoe Persico in this utterly adorable story of family, acceptance and difference. Part of Barrington Stoke's picture book range for all the family, with easy-read font. Jane has always been just a little bit different – she has springs in her knees! She bounce, bounce, bounces all over town and they call her Springy Jane. She wins all the high jump competitions and can reach the top book shelf, and if anyone stares too hard she just bounces right over them! But a terrible flood and a trapped old lady mean Springy Jane is called on for help – will her springs save the day? Part of Barrington Stoke's picture book range for all the family, with easy-read font.

Isabel Dalhousie, the insatiably curious Edinburgh sleuth and philosopher, takes on a case unlike any she's had before: a six-year-old boy has been experiencing vivid recollections of a past life. His visions include a perfect description of a Scottish island and a house where he claims to have lived. The boy's mother asks Isabel to investigate, but her findings continue to perplex as her efforts to seek rational explanations are thwarted by the unusual mystery unfolding before her. Isabel is presented with further challenges as she begins to prepare an important issue of the Review of Applied Ethics. Two visiting academics, Lettuce and Dove, arrive in Edinburgh with plans that may upset the harmonious balance of her life. These trials will require all of Isabel's wit and understanding--but happily, in her blissful home life with her husband and young son by her side, Isabel is always reminded of her blessings.