{"title":"Books by James Campbell","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781800172883","title":"NB by J.C.","description":"A The Spectator and Observer Book of the Year. The NB column in the Times Literary Supplement, signed at the foot by J.C., occupied the back page of the paper for thirteen years. For a decade before that, it was in the middle pages. That's roughly 60,000 words a year for twenty-three years.   The purpose of the initials was not to disguise the author, but to offer complete freedom to the persona. J.C. was irreverent and whimsical. The column punctured pomposity, hypocrisy and cant in the literary world - as one correspondent put it: 'skewering contemporary absurdities, whether those resulting from identity politics or from academic jargon'. Readers came to expect reports from the Basement Labyrinth, where all executive decisions are made, and where annual literary prizes were judged and administered. These included the Most Unoriginal Title Prize - for a new book bearing a title that had been used by several other authors (eg, The Kindness of Strangers); the Incomprehensibility Prize, for impenetrable academic writing; the Jean-Paul Sartre Prize for Prize Refusal, and the All Must Have Prizes Prize, for authors who have never won anything.   Readers of NB by J.C. will find an off-beat guide to our cultural times. The book begins in 2001 and proceeds to 2020. The substantial Introduction offers a history of the TLS itself from birth through the precarious stages of its adaptation and survival.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43173420794034,"sku":"9781800172883","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781800172883_5ceb9049-f1b9-49dd-8479-366b0140fbd5.jpg?v=1786026781"},{"product_id":"9780140143959","title":"The Anglo-Saxons","description":"In this major survey, three distinguished historians produce an exciting introduction to the field. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Although the \"Lost Centuries\" between AD400 and 600 suffer from a scarcity of written sources, and only two writers, King Alfred and the Venerable Bede, dominate our understanding of later times, the authors have created a rich and thought-provoking account of the stormy era when Britain became Christian and sustained several waves of Viking invaders. A single nation, they suggest, slowly emerged from the rivalries and fluctuating fortunes of separate kingdoms like Mercia, Wessex and East Anglia. Major figures such as Offa, Alfred, Edgar and Cnut are discussed in detail, while the stunning illustrations convey the immense achievements of Anglo-Saxon centuries were 'simply a barbarous prelude to better things'.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43399059144882,"sku":"9780140143959","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780140143959_81af7b7c-7717-4680-9d9e-5781adabc5fb.jpg?v=1786010972"},{"product_id":"9781408898246","title":"The Funny Life of Teachers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA hilarious book from bestselling author and stand-up comic James Campbell, who has visited over 3,000 primary schools to tell stories and encourage children to write their own.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUncover the ridiculously funny life of teachers (and some things that have nothing to do with teachers but are still splendidly funny) according to James Campbell, comedian extraordinaire. Ever wondered what teachers do when they’re not in the classroom? Are they undercover detectives, champion roller-blade dancers or do they spend their evenings playing with their 576 cats?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis face-achingly funny book will also teach you why you should carry an emergency banana with you at all times, how to fart in class silently without anyone knowing it was you and how to catapult yourself to school by building a medieval style catapult in your back garden! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhether you love or loathe your teachers, want to become one when you grow up or don't give two figs about your teacher but simply love a HILARIOUS read, this book is for you. Prepare to roll around the floor laughing with the snot-inducingly brilliant \u003ci\u003eThe Funny Life of Teachers\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut be warned – this is NOT a normal book. You can read it forwards, backwards, sideways and in approximately 861,000 different ways in between. Whichever way you read it, look no further for fantastic real-life teacher facts, incredibly funny illustrations, imaginary stories and an impossibly silly read!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43406061240498,"sku":"9781408898246","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781408898246.jpg?v=1786019586"},{"product_id":"9781526627995","title":"The Funny Life of Football - WINNER of The Sunday Times Children’s Sports Book of the Year 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*WINNER of the Sunday Times Children’s Sports Book Prize 2023 * SHORTLISTED for Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2024: Non-Fiction *\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Every page is guaranteed to grab the imagination and it's the perfect thing for dipping into at half time.\" Love Reading 4 Kids\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA hilarious fact and fiction hybrid from bestselling author and stand-up comic James Campbell, who has visited over 3,000 primary schools to tell stories and encourage children to write their own.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWant to know why OCTOPUSES can’t play football? And how to play the game across multiple DIMENSIONS? How about learning the REAL RULES of how football is played, why Henry VIII banned it, plus where it came from and who the greatest players of ALL TIME are?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhether you love a game of TABLE FOOTBALL, can’t get enough of BACK-GARDEN BALL, only enjoy the game from your SOFA or would sooner swim with sharks than play it, if you LOVE to LAUGH – then this is the book for you!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut be warned - this is NOT a normal book. You can read it forwards, backwards, sideways and in approximately 861,000 different ways in between. From comedian extraordinaire James Campbell, get ready to laugh your BUTT off to a silly book filled with funny stories, partly-true facts and hilarious pictures that will make you think twice about the game everyone thinks they know so well.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43599384346802,"sku":"9781526627995","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781526627995_27e731ee-10a1-41fc-8f48-98483509c671.jpg?v=1786022010"},{"product_id":"9781526658944","title":"Don't Panic! We CAN Save The Planet","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTired of FREAKING OUT about climate change? Want to stop being an eco-WORRIER and start being an eco-WARRIOR? And do you absolutely, positively LOVE laughing? Then this hands-on and hilarious guide to saving the world is for YOU!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWritten by award-winning author James Campbell - who lives off-grid and owns a compost loo - find out how cow-farts are wrecking the world, what a fossil fuel even is and why 'earthships' (and not spaceships) are the future! This book will help you understand what climate change is and how on Earth we can stop it TOGETHER!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA hilarious and light-hearted look at the problems facing planet Earth, perfect for educating and comforting children who are worried about climate change.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43717813043378,"sku":"9781526658944","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781526658944_42eb9cd7-7b53-4adc-b225-2043582e324a.jpg?v=1786022410"},{"product_id":"9781408883655","title":"Write Your Own Funny Stories","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'James Campbell is the funniest man I know’ \u003c\/b\u003e- Chris Riddell\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA fun and engaging activity book from bestselling author and stand-up comic James Campbell, who has visited over 3,000 primary schools to tell stories and encourage children to write their own.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHave you ever wanted to write your own sizzlingly stupendous stories but just don't know where to start? Then look no further! \u003ci\u003eWrite Your Own Funny Stories\u003c\/i\u003e will guide you step by step towards becoming the witty wordsmith you always wanted to be.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWritten by children's stand-up comic and best-selling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Funny Life of \u003c\/i\u003eseries, James Campbell, this amazing interactive guide is packed full of everything you need to become an awesome author. From planning story ideas and plots, coming up with brilliant characters and settings, and, of course, 'finding the funny', this refreshing and reassuring toolbox of tips and tricks will have you reaching for your duck feather quill and writing slippers faster than you can shout silly simile!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith hands on writing and drawing activities throughout, as well as a section at the back of the book for you to write your own funny stories, prepare to astound your friends and family with your amazing superstar writing skills!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56299168727413,"sku":"9781408883655","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781408883655_fee012db-cf97-4de6-aba9-ff7e5cf274dd.jpg?v=1786019336"},{"product_id":"9781408889947","title":"The Funny Life of Pets","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA hilarious book from bestselling author and stand-up comic James Campbell, who has visited over 3,000 primary schools to tell stories and encourage children to write their own.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUncover the sidesplitting life of cucumber scaredy-cats, non-stop pooping hamsters, exploding fish and everything in-between (and some things that have nothing to do with pets but are still ridiculously funny). This hilarious book answers all the big questions, like: do sausage dogs eat sausages? Why has my cat done a poo behind my wardrobe? And how can I persuade my parents to get me a pet? For real-life pet facts, imaginary stories, and a generally laugh-so-hard-snot-comes-out-your-nose read, this is the only pet book you’ll ever need!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWritten by the outstanding children’s comedian James Campbell, prepare yourself for \u003ci\u003eThe Funny Life of Pets\u003c\/i\u003e! But be WARNED – this IS NOT a normal book…You read a normal book by starting on page one and reading to the end (BORING). You can read this book forwards, backwards, sideways, and in approximately 861,000 different ways in-between.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book with outrageous facts, hilarious jokes, insanely funny online videos and brilliant stories all about pets, the author, and all sorts of other things.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWARNING: Anything you think you might have learned from this book might not be very accurate so should not be used in a school project or as part of homework. Unless of course, you are made of stardust and are as brave as sunshine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56299173282165,"sku":"9781408889947","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781408889947_e32f5972-4b6a-4181-9f6f-3d90c9e34fb0.jpg?v=1786019432"},{"product_id":"9781788797191","title":"Japanese Patisserie","description":"\u003cb\u003eStunning recipes for patisserie, desserts, and savories with a CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE TWIST.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis elegant collection is aimed at the confident home-cook who has an interest in using ingredients such as yuzu, sesame, miso, and matcha and features 60 recipes, from reinvented classics to stunning patisserie creations made achievable to the home-cook.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eTrends like Japanese Matcha in our lattes, Korean kimchi in our burgers and Thai Sriracha hot sauce on—well everything—prove that our love-in with Asian cuisine is thriving. Over the past 20 years there has been a surge in celebrated French patisserie chefs moving to Japan to open fine patisseries. The art of French patisserie appeals very much to the Japanese culture—both share values of beauty, precision, and care within cooking. This book features 60 recipes made achievable to the home-cook. The chapters are broken into Small Cakes \u0026amp; Individual Patisserie, which includes Lemon \u0026amp; Yuzu Éclairs. Sweet Tarts offers delights such as Miso Butterscotch Tarts and the Large Cakes \u0026amp; Gateaux section offers celebration cakes like a Matcha \u0026amp; Pistachio Opera. In the Desserts section find dinner party classics with Japanese twists such as White Sesame \u0026amp; Adzuki Cheesecake. The Cookies \u0026amp; Confectionery chapter is full of fun treats like Sesame Peanut Butter Cookies and a Green Tea Kit Kat. To finish, some mouth-watering savory recipes such as Panko Doughnuts stuffed with Pork Katsu. A flavor matrix will helpfully map key characteristics of Japanese ingredients.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56306678268277,"sku":"9781788797191","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781788797191_409bb6ad-9375-4f06-8361-fc5241f286c4.jpg?v=1786027339"},{"product_id":"9781915751034","title":"The Men Who Created Winnie-the-Pooh","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Campbell opens the sketchbooks of EH Shepard to reveal how he bought Winnie the Pooh to life' – Sunday Times Magazine\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e100 years on from the first publication of the Winnie-the-Pooh books, overseer of the E. H. Shepard artistic and literary estate James Campbell has written the first ever dual biography of Shepard and Milne.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this \u003cb\u003efirst-ever dual biography\u003c\/b\u003e of A. A. 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The book takes us from their early professional and personal relationships, through their work at \u003ci\u003ePunch \u003c\/i\u003emagazine, all the way to the Second World War and beyond, including their other collaborations, most notably Shepard's renowned \u003ci\u003eThe Wind in the Willows\u003c\/i\u003e illustrations and Milne's work on the dramatization of \u003ci\u003eToad of Toad Hall\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsing \u003cb\u003enever-before-seen archival materia\u003c\/b\u003el – including \u003cb\u003eexcerpts from original manuscripts\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eand drawings\u003c\/b\u003e, draft illustrations, photographs, documents, ephemera and more – this timely book is a\u003cb\u003e beautiful, full-colour volume \u003c\/b\u003ecelebrating the centenary of these much-loved characters and ultimately uncovering just who were the men who created Winnie-the-Pooh.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308991066485,"sku":"9781915751034","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781915751034_d8297127-9b8a-4f72-a37a-851ef1b76a2d.jpg?v=1786031072"},{"product_id":"9781915751553","title":"The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlso by James Campbell:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRead about the lives of the men behind this fantastic series in James Campbell’s new book, \u003ci\u003eThe Men Who Created Winnie-the-Pooh\u003c\/i\u003e: a beautiful, illustrated biography of A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWinnie-the-Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood are some of the most beloved characters in classic children’s literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut before they appeared in many millions of books and in nearly fifty languages, they started life in the 1920s as the product of a unique collaboration between A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard; author and illustrator wove images and text together in a way that was \u003cb\u003eutterly original\u003c\/b\u003e for the time. For Shepard, it was a process that he relished, creating artwork for new editions right up until his death in 1976, at the age of ninety-six.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this \u003cb\u003ebeautifully presented\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003efull-colour volume\u003c\/b\u003e, readers will not only discover the story behind this remarkable partnership but also \u003cb\u003efollow the evolution of Shepard’s work\u003c\/b\u003e, from those first tentative sketches through to the illustrations we know and love, and even on to the characters’ later incarnations at Disney.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresenting \u003cb\u003eover 150 full-colour images\u003c\/b\u003e – including \u003cb\u003enever-before-published sketches\u003c\/b\u003e, finished artwork, personal family photographs and memorabilia – this is the perfect gift for those of us who grew up loving the books.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56309649310069,"sku":"9781915751553","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781915751553_c9dd2735-7a35-49c3-8708-fec84102d68d.jpg?v=1786030188"},{"product_id":"9781906069292","title":"Daphne \u0026 the Marmalade Cow","description":"I bet you want to know about Daphne, don't you? 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I can't even tell you about all her amazing abilities...","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56313112461685,"sku":"9781906069292","price":7.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781906069292_82d6b290-301f-4dd1-acf6-685114d5e0a5.jpg?v=1786029416"},{"product_id":"the-funny-life-of-sharks","title":"The Funny Life of Sharks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA hilarious book from bestselling author and stand-up comic James Campbell, who has visited over 3,000 primary schools to tell stories and encourage children to write their own.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEver wondered why sharks have such a bad reputation? Are they dangerous, human-munching monsters? Or have we got it all wrong? In fact, only SIX people get attacked by sharks every year across the WHOLE WORLD. And how many sharks are eaten by humans every year? ONE HUNDRED MILLION! So maybe sharks are more afraid of us …\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTake a deep dive into the ridiculously funny life of sharks (and some things that have nothing to do with sharks but are still splendidly funny) according to James Campbell, comedian extraordinaire. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis face-achingly funny book will also teach you about great white sharks, tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks, just how incredibly old sharks are, and why sharks are SO important for the environment and how to look after them.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo, whether you’re seriously afraid of sharks or love them so much you want to invite a shark to your next birthday party, this HILARIOUS book is for you. 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