Books published by Quillpen Pty Ltd T/A Leaves of Gold Press

THE SONG OF THE NIBELUNGS - With Original Illustrations. A BOOK THAT INSPIRED TOLKIEN. The Song of the Nibelungs (Nibelunglied), a thirteenth century Germanic epic, was a rich source of inspiration for Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings. Scholars have noted the influence of its pre-Christian heroic motifs - drawn from historic events and people of the 5th and 6th centuries - on his writing of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien was five years old when this beautifully illustrated translation by Margaret Armour was published in England under the title 'The Fall of the Nibelungs'. Undoubtedly a copy would have made its way into his hands during his boyhood. Armour uses an archaic form of English to preserve the high-flown style of the original poem. Here and there throughout The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien, too, employs this solemn, dignified and majestic form, which is reminiscent of the language of the King James Bible. A glossary of antiquated terms is provided at the back of this book. Armour was the wife of W.B. MacDougall, whose illustrations illuminate the text with their delicate beauty. In his turn, MacDougall was a friend of famous art nouveau illustrator Aubrey Beardsley, and his own drawings echo Beardsley's style. This classic saga, drenched in blood and tragedy, heroism and honour, beauty and nobility, gives us a glimpse into the literature that helped inform Tolkien's imagination, ultimately flowering in his most popular work - The Lord of the Rings.

CIDER APPLES (Rare and Heritage Fruit Cultivars #2)Cider is a traditional alcoholic beverage made by the fermentation of juice from specific apples. It can be brewed at home.This pleasant - and reputedly health-giving - drink has a long history. It is reported that when the Romans arrived in England in 55 BC, they found the local Kentish villagers drinking a delicious cider-like beverage made from apples. It is unknown how long the English locals had been making this apple drink prior to the arrival of the Romans.Cider apples are cultivars selected for characteristics that make high quality cider. Early settlers sailed to new lands bringing these special fruits, thus distributing them across the globe. Some of these unique, historic cultivars have survived through the years and been rediscovered by enthusiastic brewers. We list some of them here, along with what is known of their history, description, flavour characteristics and a few sources for trees.This book is one of a series written for 'backyard farmers' of the 21st century. The series focuses on rare and heritage fruit in Australia, although it includes much information of interest to fruit enthusiasts around the world.'Heritage' or 'heirloom' fruits such as old-fashioned varieties of apple, quince, fig, plum, peach and pear are increasingly popular due to their diverse flavours, excellent nutritional qualities and other desirable characteristics. They are part of our horticultural, vintage and culinary inheritance. To pick a tree-ripened heritage fruit from your own back yard and bite into it is to experience the taste of fresh food as our forefathers knew it.During the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries fruit diversity was huge, but in modern supermarkets only a limited range of commercial fruit varieties is now available to consumers.Heritage, heirloom and rare fruit enthusiasts across the world are currently reviving our horticultural legacy by renovating old orchards and identifying 'lost', unusual and historic fruit varieties. The goal is to make a much wider range of fruit trees available again to the home gardener.This series of handbooks aims to help.

Australian Flower Fairies Address BookGenerations of children have loved Cicely Mary Barker's English Flower Fairy Books - here now are their Australian cousins. Twenty-six exquisitely detailed illustrations by well-known artist Elizabeth Alger adorn this brightly coloured book, featuring the Lilly-Pilly Fairies, the Wattle Fairies, the Gum Tree Fairies and more. Each picture is accompanied by a verse, written by nature-inspired gardener, artist and poet Margaret Thornton. Her three daughters also contributed poems. The book contains pages for recording the contact details of friends and family. It is the companion volume to the Australian Flower Fairies Birthday Book, the Notebook and the Diary.

Generations of children have loved the English Flower Fairy Books - here now are their Australian cousins. Twenty-six exquisitely detailed illustrations by well-known artist Elizabeth Alger adorn this brightly coloured book, featuring the Crimson Bottle-Brush Fairies, the Waterlily Fairies, the Yellow Everlasting Daisy Fairies and more. Each picture is accompanied by a verse, written by nature-inspired gardener, artist and poet Margaret Thornton. Her three daughters also contributed poems. The book contains pages for writing down birthday dates of friends and family, to help you remember. It is the companion volume to the Australian Flower Fairies Address Book, the Notebook and the Diary.

To the Parents:Crafts are much more than just a way to pass the time - they are valuable educational tools. Activities that are suited to a child's age and level of development can encourage learning in a wide variety of areas, such as art, language, music, science and maths.Craft activities are a good way for children to express their creativity and develop fine motor skills. They can help us understand such concepts as color theory, the alphabet, measurement and numbers, and experience scientific process in a multitude of ways. For example, baking home-made modelling clay to make picture frames involves the changing properties of flour when it is mixed with water, and sticking objects together involves the alteration of glue's characteristics as it dries.These activities encourage children to use their imagination to invent their own entertainment. Making something all by themselves gives them self-esteem, and helps them gain confidence in their own abilities.To the Kids:Crafts are exciting! This book shows you how to make lots of different things to use, to decorate your house, to give as gifts or to show your friends. Choose something you like and have fun making it. Invite friends and family members to make something with you!