Lynn Huggins-Cooper

This book offers a whistle-stop guide to the history of leathercraft and tanning. The story begins in prehistory when people discovered, perhaps by chance, that skins exposed to smoke or accidentally soaked in autumnal puddles lasted longer. Skins were a valuable resource, used for everything from clothing to shelter, blankets and vessels. The book looks at evidence that shows us how tanning and leather continued to be of prime importance across the globe throughout history, in economic as well as functional terms. The second part of the book brings us up to date, via interviews with modern day leather crafting artisans. These leather crafters generously allowed the author access to their studios and discussed the way they use and adapt traditional methods, techniques and tools for the twenty first century. Photos of their craft, and their working environment offers a unique window into the world of leathercraft. Finally, if you are inspired to try your hand at this fascinating and most ancient of crafts, the book also has a resources section. It includes a valuable list of suppliers of leather, dyes, tools and tanning materials, as well as information about training courses, useful websites and more-everything you need to get started.

A young soldier's honest portrayal, told through letters home and a frank journal, of his enthusiasm for the 1914 recruitment campaign, and joining up – followed by the disillusionment and degradation of soldiering in the trenches of World War I. Sixteen-year-old Sydney is overwhelmed by the excitement of the 1914 recruitment campaigns and the bravado of men leaving for the Great War. Bursting with enthusiasm, he runs away to join up, but soon finds himself a long way from home in a frontline trench where reality - and the rats - begin to bite. Told through Sydney's optimistic letters home and his journal, this is his honest portrayal of the disillusionment and degradation of life and death in the trenches of World War I. 'Find room for this indictment of the First World War' - Bookseller

D&T Workshop is a major new series of information books devised to inspire primary-age children to investigate, design and make a wide range of products using different technologies like levers, gears, cams, batteries, winding mechanisms, food technology and more. Each book explores a different set of products and the technology behind them. Pupils investigate existing products and then carry out focused practical tasks which provide opportunities to learn and practise the necessary skills, e.g. testing alternative designs, building a specific component, or learning to use tools safely. Each book ends with a full-scale design and make activity that encourages children to put into practice the skills, knowledge and understanding they have learned.

D&T Workshop is a major new series of information books devised to inspire primary-age children to investigate, design and make a wide range of products using different technologies like levers, gears, cams, batteries, winding mechanisms, food technology and more. Each book explores a different set of products and the technology behind them. Pupils investigate existing products and then carry out focused practical tasks which provide opportunities to learn and practise the necessary skills, e.g. testing alternative designs, building a specific component, or learning to use tools safely. Each book ends with a full-scale design and make activity that encourages children to put into practice the skills, knowledge and understanding they have learned.