Books published by publisher Living Book Press

Written and Illustrated by the incomparable Howard Pyle, Men of Iron is the story of a young squire, Myles Falworth, coming of age in the 15th century as he seeks not just to become a knight, but also redeem his father’s honor. With chapters full of vivid detail, presented and described as in non-fiction, Pyle masterfully combines historical realism with a captivating fictional story. The reader will experience Myles’ adventures, share his troubles, fight his battles and rejoice in his victories as if they had been transported through the centuries are were really by his side. This edition is complete with all the original illustrations by the author.

This collection of poems was written by the author between the ages of four and nine. Most are about the things that were important to her, things like her mother, her daydreams, nature, and books that she enjoyed.Presented by age these poems are a delightful read and will inspire readers of all ages not to be afraid of trying their hand at writing poetry.

This story brings to life one of the most important voyages of history, the sailing of the First Fleet, under Captain Phillip, to Botany Bay. With John and his sister, Sue, we share the excitements and hopes of the long sea-way, the sights and sounds of strange ports, the adventures of a little family following Papa, an officer of the Marines, to the then unknown end of the earth. John gets into many a scrape with his dog, Gyp; he goes on exploring expeditions with Captain Phillip; he sees the 'hopping animal' of which he has heard so much, and manages to be in the midst of everything interesting as any boy would. The story is skilfully woven of true facts and incidents which might have happened to a boy lucky enough to sail as John sailed with Captain Arthur Phillip. “A story rich in detail, written in a style easy to read, exciting, swift-moving. It combines sound scholarship with vivid understanding of a child's taste and joys.”"Doris Chadwick has a sure taste for all the little details that children of today want to know about the children of other times. Miss Chadwick studied all the documents and old manuscripts abot1t the First Fleet until she knew exactly what happened every day of the long voyage. And against this background of fact her characters—John, Sue and all the personalities of the Sirius, from Captain Arthur Phillip to the cook, emerge as living people.”-Kylie Tennant

Even though The Wonderland of Nature has been written and produced in Australia for Australian children it is sure to be loved by all, no matter where in the world they are from. It presents the fascinating facts of Nature and Science in a simple, friendly style, with a profusion of illustrations, and with reference to the Australian scene.Children are endlessly enthralled by Nature—by the countless little things that they observe and pick up in their wanderings along bush-track and seashore. They are eager to know all about these things—and here is a book that tells them.It has been specially designed for two purposes—for children’s enjoyment, and for their practical school needs. As well as dealing with Plants, Insects, Shells, Minerals, Air, Weather, etc., it also explains such things as Light, Sound, Magnetism and Electricity.After going through several previous editions, including being printed in braille, this new edition has been revised and updated to reflect current understanding and expanded to teach new advances in science.This book draws its references from our own everyday surroundings—and delights while it teaches.

For eleven-year-old Badge the world is bounded by the high ridges that enclose his valley home, deep in the heart of Tasmania. He delights in the wild life that surround him, and cares little for the world Outside. But one day visitors arrive from Outside—Russ, a splendid cousin from America, and his friend Dr Heftman, who have come to study the local natural history: and they bring a new interest into Badge’s life. He had once been shown one of the country’s rarest animals, the nearly extinct Tasmanian tiger, coming to a pool to drink: and he had promised never to reveal its whereabouts. But, carried away by admiration of his cousin he tells the secret: and then faces a terrible dilemma, for now Russ will want to carry the rare animal away from the free life of the wilds into captivity.Against a wonderfully vivid portrayal of the Tasmanian bush, Nan Chauncy has set a compelling story, peopled with vigorously drawn characters and deeply expressive of her own great love for wild animals and life in the open air.‘… it is a book that can be read again and more extracted at every reading. It can open new pathways and new realms of experience as enjoyment increases for the young reader.’

“The eighteen stories in this volume have been chosen with a thought to their educative value as well as for the intrinsic charm of the original narratives, which in various forms have delighted many generations of readers. All have a literary interest connecting them with subjects with which every educated person is supposed to be familiar…“While you are reading this wonder-book of horses and finding entertainment in the biographies of winged steeds and war horses, of knights-errant and godlike heroes, you are really doing something more—you are making acquaintance with some of those wonderful and beautiful conceptions which in the form of classic literature have come down to us through the ages.” - from the introduction by the author.

The Lay of the Land features fifteen nature sketches written from Sharp’s personal observations of the land and its inhabitants over a number of years. Subjects include muskrats preparing a home, Christmas in the woods, buzzards nesting and much more. The title chapter urges the reader to spend time observing nature for themselves.“Nature study is the out-of-door side of natural history, the unmeasured, unprinted side of poetry. It is joy in breathing the air of the fields; joy in seeing, hearing, living the life of the fields; joy in knowing and loving all that lives with you in your out-of-doors.” - Dallas Lore SharpThis edition is complete and unabridged and features all of the illustrations from the 1922 printing to provide the best possible reading experience.

The prize for winning the canal race is a pair of silver skates, but how can Hans or his sister, Gretel, hope to win skating with their handmade wooden skates? Since falling from a dike and hitting his head Hans' father has been unable to work, forcing Hans, Gretel, and their mother to find ways to pay the bills. With barely enough to go around there isn't much left over for fancy skates, but when Hans saves up enough for his own pair and a chance to race he decides that there is something even more important.Continuously in print since it was published in 1865 this edition of Hans Brinker features 65 illustrations and the complete unabridged text of this lovely story.

Here is something entirely new in Australian natural history stories for youngsters--an exciting and humorous detective mystery tale of the busy, in which birds and animals play major parts.Clumsy old Bill the wombat, they grumpiest creature in the bush, is a positive pain in the neck and a great nuisance to police trying to investigate the theft by two thieves of a Chinese treasure box. The police are also pestered by two small boys, lovable but mischievous young rascals, and by several suspiciously-acting and inscrutable Chinese.But it is grumpy old Bill the wombat and his feathered and furred bush friends who take the centre of the stage and provide a great deal of the comedy and excitement.Authentic as to detail, the book provides young readers with much information about the interesting marsupial wombat, a creature hitherto neglected by Australian natural history writers. “Wombat” is a noteworthy addition to the popular bush animal and bird series by popular writer C. K. Thompson.