Showing results by narrator "Theo Solomon" in All Categories

Orphan Oliver Twist is born into the grimmest of 19th century English workhouses and had little but a life of grinding poverty ahead of him. But he’s a fighter and after being evicted from the workhouse for asking for 'more' and surviving a stint as an undertaker’s assistant, he hopes to change his circumstances so walks to London where he meets Artful Dodger, a member of a pickpocketing gang, and their leader, Fagin.

Taking into account their history, this book explores the Black gangs of London. It addresses the important but often overlooked questions, on how, why and when they emerged—all while touching on cultural and societal influences on Black Gangs. From the Windrush generation to the ongoing stabbing epidemic, the book examines the social issues that have contributed to the rise of violence across the streets of London.

Twenty years after living there as a child, Alexis Keir returns to the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent. He is keen to uncover lost memories and rediscover old connections. But he also carries with him the childhood scars of being separated from his parents and put into uncaring hands.

Misconceptions have stalked Andrew Cole like a hatchet-man defender determined to cut him down to size. In the world of modern-day football, his reserved demeanour was often interpreted as surly intransigence. Alongside an aptitude for goalscoring, it was widely believed, ran an attitude problem. In Fast Forward, a candid and inspirational autobiography, Cole finally presents his side of the story.

Dante loves nothing more than scoring goals on the football pitch then racing to Shimmer & Shine to ace his pas de chats. But when his football friends start to tease him for his passion, Dante struggles to find the confidence to keep doing the two things he loves most. Will encouraging Miss Diamond to enter their class into a dance competition be just what Dante needs to prove how fantastic dance can be?

Stand Up Straight applies 10 simple but transformative lessons that every officer is taught during their time at the world-famous military academy. Modern and counterintuitive, with its lessons ranging from making your bed and ironing your shirt to achieving discipline, emotional intelligence, resilience and fast decision-making under pressure, the book draws on firsthand experiences from war as well as the leadership lessons taught at Sandhurst.

You're waiting for the postman - he's bringing your A-level results. University, a career as a journalist - a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings, it's your old girlfriend and she's carrying a baby. Your baby. You're happy to look after it, just for an hour or two. But then she doesn't come back - and your future suddenly looks very different.

A collection of original audio stories, counting down the days to Christmas! These new stories are especially written for the festive period, excellent listening for when you're decorating the tree, wrapping presents or making the Christmas pudding. This edition is filled with creative and engaging sound effects and is the perfect way to get little listeners excited for Santa's arrival. This audiobook is aimed at children aged four and above, for family listening and learning and development for young minds.

It is human instinct to sort and categorise. We are hardwired to discriminate and frame everything in binary black and white. It's how our brains work. Rather than reaching out to those who are different, we bond with those who are similar to ourselves. Rather than challenging our own thinking about the world, we endeavour only to confirm what we believe. The result is that the difference between polarised beliefs becomes ever greater. Dangerous possibilities arise. Black and White Thinking is an alarm call.

Drawing on eighty-six interviews with key architects of this jazz renaissance and those who came before them—from Shabaka Hutchings, Nubya Garcia and Moses Boyd to Gilles Peterson, Courtney Pine and Cleveland Watkiss — Unapologetic Expression captures the radical spirit of a vital British musical movement.

Raised in a brothel at the edge of a dying empire, a boy of no known origin creates his own identity. He is Sparrow, who sings without reason and can fly from trouble. His world is a kitchen, a herb-scented garden, a loud and dangerous tavern, and the mysterious upstairs where the ‘wolves’ – prostitutes and slaves from every corner of the empire – conduct their business.

Mack is a hopeless romantic—likely a hazard of growing up on film sets thanks to his father’s job. He has had a crush on Karim for as long as he can remember, and he can’t believe it when gorgeous, popular Karim seems into him too. But when Mack’s father takes on a new directing project in Scotland, Mack has to move away, and he soon discovers how painful long-distance relationships can be. It’s awful to be so far away from Karim, and it’s made worse by the fact that Karim can be so hard to read.

Written nearly two thousand years ago, Emperor Marcus Aurelius‘s Meditations remains a relevant and profound philosophical exploration of what it means to live a meaningful life.

Follow Peter and all his friends through beautiful night-time scenes and exciting woodland adventures before cosying-up for bedtime. Help Peter find a lost toy ladybird, camp by the lake, and even set out on a night-time raid of Mr. McGregor's vegetable patch! Featuring 24 stories, inspired by Beatrix Potter's original tales, and activities to help little ones create a healthy bedtime routine, this beautiful book makes the perfect gift to listen to every night and will become an evening tradition for Peter Rabbit fans young and old.

Kai lives in a mixed-race family on a rural council estate in Somerset, where he and his three older sisters have three different dads and his mum is being led into crack addiction by his petty-thief father. He idolises his dad, adores his friend, Saffie, and the school rabbit, Flopsy, and is full of ambition to be the fastest runner in Middledown Primary. He and Saffie build a secret world of friendship in the school garden.

Harry and Ava are two ordinary kids doing their best to survive life on a massive space station, Vantia1, after their home planet was swallowed by a mysterious black hole known as the Void. Ava is training to be a fighter pilot, while Harry uses his talent for engineering to invent amazing gadgets that help him solve any problem standing in his way. And now Vantia1 is facing a crisis. When they intercept a secret message and discover that a mysterious and unidentified object is about to attack their home, Harry and Ava realise that only they can tackle the evil mastermind responsible.

How did a photographer who was a relentless playboy, an unashamed womaniser and a leather-clad motorcyclist marry the queen's sister and become the establishment figure Lord Snowdon? The brilliantly talented Antony Armstrong-Jones often humiliated Princess Margaret, yet he was compassionate to the causes he cared about. Since his death in 2017, Snowdon still hasn't escaped the limelight, as more and more is revealed about his wild and intriguing life.

The Day We Met the Queen: 10-year-old Ahmet has become the Most Famous Refugee Boy in the World. In fact, he's so famous even the queen wants to meet him - and his four best friends! So they're off to Buckingham Palace, with a list of questions for her and one special challenge. The Great (Food) Bank Heist: On Thursdays, Nelson, Ashley and Mum head out to the bank. But not just any old bank - the food bank. With its shining tins and packets of food stacked from floor to ceiling, Nelson thinks it's the best kind of bank there is. But there's a thief in town.

Winston Smith works in the Ministry of Truth—or Minitrue as it is called in Newspeak—where he alters newspapers and reports to follow the arbitrary dictates of Big Brother’s propaganda. Beneath his outward conformity, however, Winston dreams of sharing his treasonable thoughts and breaking through the loneliness in which he lives. Thus he takes his first dangerous steps, writing a diary of his doubts and then falling in love with a woman of the Party, the beautiful and brave Julia.

An immersive anthology of stories examining home and belonging, with an introduction from former Waterstones Children’s Book Prize category winner Sharna Jackson, Happy Here features stories and poems by 10 Black British authors exploring themes of family, friendship, laughter, magic and peril - in different genres and styles, but all about joy.