{"title":"Books by Tom Read Wilson","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780711291638","title":"Wonderful Words That Tell a Tale","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom everyone's favourite wordsmith Tom Read Wilson comes another breath-taking adventure through the English language. Discover the fascinating origin stories behind the everyday words we use in this delightful follow-up to \u003ci\u003eEvery Word Tells a Story\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDid you know that:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe word 'astronaut' means 'star sailor' in Ancient Greek?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOr that the word 'fart' comes from the world's oldest language, Sanskrit, in the form of 'pard'?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOr, that the word 'volcano' comes from the Roman god of fire Vulcan?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnlock a whole new side to language in this abundant literary adventure. The etymological route, definition and word origin are explored for four words from every letter of the alphabet, unlocking over 100 wonderful word tales. One word per letter is brought to life with an extended poem that can be read or enjoyed aloud, making this a wonderful book to read alone or share with friends and family.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery word is paired with timeless, characterful watercolour illustrations by Ian Morris. \u003ci\u003eWonderful Words to Tell a Tale \u003c\/i\u003eis a journey into the English language through beautiful stories and artwork, a venture to be dipped into and enjoyed over and over again.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44583337001138,"sku":"9780711291638","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780711291638_8777a943-dbda-474a-9fc9-5bb51d68463d.jpg?v=1786015134"},{"product_id":"9780711276673","title":"On the Tip of My Tongue","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNavigate every situation in modern life with eloquence and grace with this curated list of words featuring witty analysis of their origins, meanings, and practical applications.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eOn the Tip of My Tongue\u003c\/i\u003e, logophile and television star \u003cb\u003eTom Read Wilson takes a delicious dive into the etymology and usage of all kinds of words\u003c\/b\u003e, euphemisms, and bon mots.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDivided into sections spanning dating, personal development, show business, compliments, curses, complaining without being a Karen, and more, discover words and phrases like:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCompanion:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e Panis\u003c\/i\u003e is the Latin root meaning “bread”. At first glance, \u003ci\u003ecompanion\u003c\/i\u003e seems to be no companion of our root. However, etymologically, we have a “person one breaks bread with”. \u003ci\u003eCompanion\u003c\/i\u003e, as we use it today, may seem adrift from its root but it is not the only word that metamorphosed, over time, from mere dining partner to chum: \u003ci\u003eMate\u003c\/i\u003e comes from the Old English \u003ci\u003emete\u003c\/i\u003e, which once meant all food – not just animal flesh. So your mate was the person with whom you shared your meat. Isn’t that lovely?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eI have become the Bayeux Tapestry:\u003c\/b\u003e There are, naturally, occasions – though they are of course rare – where one is just too tired to attend a party. Tired, fatigued, flat, all sound so beige and drear-full that I always find myself leaning toward euphemism instead. My favourite is “threadbare”. However, sometimes even threadbare gets a bit threadbare so I plump for the most famous of all threadbare pieces to demonstrate the point. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eJOMO:\u003c\/b\u003e Acronyms tend to be quite bold. The reduction of a phrase to single initials is often an endeavour to soften it while retaining your core assertion. Acronyms remove the sting. Somehow, telling your chum that you experienced JOMO missing that dinner party when you were rather threadbare is a lot more innocuous than saying you felt the Joy Of Missing Out, which I experience a great deal more than its counterpart, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith Tom’s wit and lifelong love of words by your side, you’ll \u003cb\u003enever be lost for words again\u003c\/b\u003e, whether you are trying to understand the many metaphors for sex or trying to tell your mother you love her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a delightful and hilarious etymological solution to the Dear Mary dilemmas and conundrums of modern life and \u003cb\u003ea must-read for every budding vocabularian.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56296506589557,"sku":"9780711276673","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780711276673_a2ed5064-cd85-4e88-91ba-f29e996917c7.jpg?v=1786032625"},{"product_id":"pricklepapers-letter-magic","title":"Pricklepaper's Letter Magic","description":"'A unique, warm and clever picture book.' – Books for Keeps'A story that leads with kindness, just like its author, all while being educational to young readers. Think The Rainbow Fish, but spikier.' – Press AssociationJoin Pricklepaper the litter-picking hedgehog on his evening rounds, sharing the letters he finds and discovering that small acts of generosity can lead to something even more magical in return.    Pricklepaper the hedgehog loves collecting scraps of paper in the park – especially when the letters he finds spell a new word that makes him feel all warm and snuggly!  On his way home after a successful night collecting, Pricklepaper encounters some friends in need. He lends his ear and offers advice to each of his friends and discovers some of the letters he has collected on his quills might just be the solution to their problems . . .   Pricklepaper is happy he was able to help his friends, but when he gets home, he is sad. He has given away his precious letters which spelled out a fun new word, and now the leftover letters stuck to his quills make no sense at all!  But then, as he places the remaining letters on the floor, he realises he now has a brand-new word – L.O.V.E.  From actor, author, TV presenter and celebrated wordsmith, Tom Read Wilson, Pricklepaper's Letter Magic is built around delightful rhyme and wordplay, offering the pleasure of spotting patterns and seeing how small changes in language – and good deeds – can make a meaningful difference.   Brought to life with adorable, timeless full-colour illustrations by Rebecca Bagley, this rewarding picture book invites children to both celebrate sharing and kindness, and engage playfully with words.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57507625599349,"sku":"9781836009726","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781836009726.jpg?v=1787042635"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-tom-read-wilson.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}