The Pig Who Wished To Be A Horse

The pig was in the midst of reiterating his prayer for an umpteenth time when God's gruff voice broke in on his consciousness. "What do you want, pig?" The pig was startled. At first, he was speechless, but then he managed to stammer, "Is... is that You, God?" "It's Me. What do you want?" "O Lord, I want to be a horse," said the pig, excitedly. "Please make me a horse!" This was impossible. The pig could not be a horse. What would the farmer say if he came outside the next morning and found a horse in the pigsty? In this collection of Once upon a time stories for adults, Peter Gillies tells tales of pigs and horses, angels and gods... and mice & men.

A gentle, perceptive story about facing our fears, worries, and anxieties—and the power of a supportive friend “I have something in my head and it is scaring me,” Pig said. “What is it?” asked Horse. “I can’t say. I’m trying to ignore it.” Pig can’t stop thinking about something that is bothering her. Try as Horse might to get her mind off of it—with bike rides, swims, and silly hats—it's no use. But maybe if Pig shares the something with her friend, they can talk about it and figure out how to face the something together. With charming illustrations, subtle whimsy, and a gentle approach to serious themes, Pig and Horse and the Something Scary acknowledges the fears and worries that children can feel in their bodies and minds. It encourages heartfelt conversations about emotional challenges, while also exploring the power of a supportive, caring friend.

If Wishes Were Horses is a moving coming-of-age novel that explores the depth of friendship, the hope for redemption, and the heartbreaking choices one must make in a difficult, brutal world. It's 1974, and 16-year-old Star Hennessey is living with three other foster children in a broken-down central New York town. The daughter of an alcoholic prostitute, Star has so far escaped the gritty, painful circumstances of her life through the poems and stories she writes and recites in her head. When she discovers she is pregnant, Star's search for the right course of action brings her face-to-face with the cruel exploitation she fears is her legacy--but culminates in her personal and spiritual triumph. If Wishes Were Horses is a stunning story expertly told by Merry Whiteford, a graceful writer who delves into Star's harsh reality with compassion, hope, and beauty.

Is it right to eat a pig that wants to be eaten? Are you really reading this book cover, or are you in a simulation? If God is all-powerful, could he create a square circle? Here are 100 of the most intriguing thought experiments from the history of philosophy and ideas - questions to leave you inspired, informed and scratching your head, dumbfounded.

"Developing Baseline Communication Skills" is a practical resource designed to fit with the baseline assessments that are now part of the national curriculum in schools. It contains a programme of games and activities aimed at fostering personal and social development and promoting language and early literacy skills. Teachers often express concern about the many children who enter reception classes lacking the listening, understanding and speaking skills necessary to make a successful start to their school years. This resource seeks to address some of these problems by offering: Games and activities suitable for four to five-year olds in nursery education, playgroups, reception classes and those attending speech language therapy clinics. These are appropriate for both mainstream and special schools. There are two hundred games and activities, graded into level of difficulty, for whole classes or smaller groups, with a key to indicate where each activity can be easily incorporated into the existing school curriculum. It has a clear aim and full instructions for the games, which are easy to organise and with equipment kept to a minimum. Photocopiable templates are included where necessary. It includes activities that can be carried out between teachers, classroom assistants or volunteers, with simple record sheets for optional use. The book includes materials that may be used as an effective part of a speech and language programme in consultation with a speech and language therapist. This is a unique manual that should be an essential addition to the materials used by every professional working with young children.