LoveReading4Kids, a leading book recommendation website, has launched an online bookstore with a social purpose, allowing 25% of the money spent to be donated to schools. This initiative supports schools across the nation by encouraging reading for pleasure and funding new books, with £50,000 already donated.

The UKLA Book Awards, the only national children's book awards judged by teachers, have received a record number of submissions this year. The longlisting team, led by Christine Lockwood, has curated four exceptional longlists from 494 submissions. The awards, sponsored by LoveReading4Kids, are celebrated for their unique judging process, which involves teachers sharing the books with their classes to gauge their impact. Deborah Maclaren of LoveReading4Kids expressed excitement about the longlists and the value of the awards in promoting reading for pleasure among children.

The LoveReading family emphasizes the importance of reading and its transformative power. Their leading book recommendation websites now include an online bookstore with a social purpose, allowing 25% of the money spent to be donated to a school chosen by the buyer or to schools in need. The LoveReading4Schools Portal is used by schools nationwide to promote reading for pleasure and fund new books, with £50,000 already donated to schools.

Philip Pullman's 'Dæmon Voices' offers a collection of essays that delve into the art of storytelling, reflecting on human nature, the responsibilities of storytellers, and the mechanics of stories. Edited by Simon Mason, the book covers a wide range of topics, including the importance of rules, form, and knowledge in storytelling. The essays are praised for their wit and insight, making the book a valuable resource for readers and writers alike. Pullman, known for his acclaimed 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, continues to share his wisdom and passion for literature through this compelling collection.

Sally Nicholls' 'Godfather Death' is a children's book that tells the story of a poor fisherman seeking an honest godfather for his son. Rejecting offers from Father God and the Devil, the fisherman chooses Death, leading to his eventual downfall. The narrative, complemented by Júlia Sardà's autumn-hued illustrations, explores themes of truth and human frailty, echoing suspenseful, folkloric prose.

Yours from the Tower is an epistolary novel set in late-19th-century Britain, focusing on the lives of three young women, Tirzah, Polly, and Sophia, as they navigate their futures after school. The novel, primarily told through their letters, explores themes of confinement, teaching, family life, romance, and the pursuit of a financially advantageous marriage. It is praised for its structure, character development, and celebration of female friendship and independence. The book is recommended for readers aged 14-18 and is a companion to the 2013 novel If He Had Been With Me, which tells the story of Finn, Autumn, and Jack dealing with the aftermath of Finn's death and their struggles with grief, mental health, and the complexities of young adulthood.

CCTV footage of a 'pickpocket' returning a wallet to his victim after realizing he was caught on camera has gone viral, amassing over 18 million views and nearly 200,000 shares on Facebook. The incident, believed to have occurred in Austria, shows the thief returning the wallet and alerting the victim. Social media users suspect the event was staged due to the poster's resemblance to the thief.

An oblivious woman caused a pile-up on a busy street in India after crossing the road without looking both ways. The incident, captured on video and posted on LiveLeak, shows a driver swerving to avoid the woman, resulting in a collision with a motorcyclist and subsequent injuries to pedestrians. The extent of the injuries is unknown. India, with one of the highest road fatality rates globally, aims to halve road deaths within two years through stricter traffic laws and road-building programs.

Atlanta United is set to debut in their new £1.38 billion Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The stadium features a retractable roof, a massive 360-degree TV screen, extensive parking, and seating for 71,000 spectators. It also offers numerous amenities, including a large number of beer taps and enhanced toilet facilities. The design draws inspiration from Ancient Roman architecture and incorporates green energy solutions. The venue is already booked for major events like the Superbowl in 2019 and the NCCA Final Fours in 2020.

British Columbia mortgage holders are concerned about rising interest rates, with a significant portion holding variable-rate mortgages. The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate to 5.0%, the highest since 2001. Vancity's Senior Manager of Mortgage Services, Bradley Finerty, provides insights on mortgage options, borrowing limits, and strategies for managing mortgage payments. The article also discusses the benefits of different mortgage types, payment frequencies, and the importance of pre-approval. Financial institutions and government programs like the First Home Savings Account offer various incentives and support for homebuyers.