Books published by publisher Melia Publishing Services Ltd

Conquistadors of the Red City: The Moroccan Conquest of the Songhay Empire recounts the ambitions of a sixteenth century Moroccan ruler to defy geography and send his army across the Sahara Desert in search of the elusive gold fields of West Africa. In destroying the empire of the Songhay, the Moroccans established a trans-Saharan state, but their quest for riches proved to be futile and ruinous, for themselves and for the entire region. This extraordinary chapter of African history is told through Moroccan and West African chroniclers, as well as Western travelers and hostages at the Moroccan imperial court in Marrakech. Their unique perspectives offer rare insight into one of the most important chapters in the history of early modern Africa, and the precursor of an even more devastating phase of the exploitation of the continent—the Atlantic slave trade.

We all have within us powerful gifts to help us create our best lives. I Am Here is a story filled with sweet reminders designed to inspire and guide children to live their best lives with purpose. Weaving together images of the natural world with the powerful feelings children experience every day-a beautiful, magical sunrise connects to the happiness within; a still, quiet pond to the peace we carry inside-this book encourages us to recognize these strengths. By connecting nature with feelings, I Am Here helps children understand that everything they need to live a beautiful life-joy, love, peace, confidence, and more-is already right inside them.

Illustrations by Cady Driver. Things can be tough for a child whose father, for whatever reason, is not in the home. I Miss My Daddy explores some of the feelings and challenges one little boy faces because his dad is no longer there. With caring adults to guide him, can he succeed in coping with his anger and find a new way of looking at life? Beautifully illustrated by Cady Driver, this story can be a valuable resource to any child experiencing the loss or absence of a parent.

It's time for Strawbert to experience the world with all of his senses. His parents offer good advice: You might not like something at first. You might not even be sure about it the second time. But remember, it's important to try ten times before really knowing what your body thinks. Strawbert's friends join him on this adventure of savory smells, sensational sounds, spectacular sights, tantalizing tastes, and tremendous textures. Strawbert's Sensational Story tells a fun and interactive tale that shows children eating doesn't have to be scary, but rather an exciting multiple-step adventure, exploring and building a positive relationship with food. Praise for Strawbert's Sensational Story "Strawbert's Sensational Story is a great therapy tool for Feeding Therapists using a systematic desensitization approach to teaching children about food. It helps to turn the work of learning about eating into an adventure!

In ?Anxious Andy,? we follow a young boy who is struggling to cope with his social and generalized worries at school. During his walk home, he encounters some not-so-helpful ?friends? that suggest distraction methods that prove to be ineffective and downright silly. It isn?t until Anxious Andy talks to his mother about the concerns and some proper advice is given. Andy is able to overcome his fears and feel more comfortable with who he is. Anxious Andy bursts at the seams with positive energy through cute rhyming and message-delivering abilities. The story finds a comforting way of introducing a disorder that affects millions of children without invasiveness. The story is designed to be a fun and engaging educational tool for parents, therapists, teachers, and caregivers to use when the suspicion that anxiety may be a concern with a child during their early stages of emotional development.

Bobbie is a little boy who isn't very appreciative for the good things he has. One day, a special superhero named Gilly comes to visit. Gilly has a unique superpower to teach kids of all ages the importance of practicing gratitude and being thankful for everyone and everything. Throughout the day, Gilly teaches Bobbie how to be thankful for all the blessings he has in his life, no matter how basic. From the food he eats, to the school he attends and for his family and home, Bobbie learns to feel gratitude for it all. This rhyming, vibrant picture book for children follows Gilly as he teaches the art of gratefulness.

Every day, many children watch as a parent goes off to a military assignment, often in dangerous situations. Most children will later welcome home their parents who served without incident. Others, however, will greet a parent who suffered a head injury, which changes all their lives. While brain injury is a complex topic, it is an unfortunate fact that certain types of brain injuries, which are all too common in military personnel, affect a person's behaviors such as mood and temper. A previously kind and loving parent may become irritable, short-fused and be intolerant of frustration after a brain injury. To a child, this change can be scary and overwhelming. Children may not understand why Mom or Dad is so different and may blame themselves for their parent's moodiness. With illustrations by Valerio Mazzoli, this book offers young readers practical coping tools to empower children to feel confident about themselves and become a more active participant in his or her injured parent's life.

All around the world, people speak, read, and write in many different languages. Some languages have different alphabet systems, and others make sounds that don’t exist in English. Not only can our languages be different, but so can the ways we dress, eat, and greet others. When children come to the United States from other countries and need to learn English, they become English language learners. I Am an English-Language Learner introduces eight children from various countries who are learning English in their new homes. They share what they miss about their native countries, how they feel about living in the United States, and what they dream of doing. Each one has a new story and unique journey, helping everyone understand that the best education comes from learning about one another. This children’s book introduces young readers to new customs and cultures through the stories of students who are learning English as a second language.