• ISBN13: 9780241666173
• Binding: Hardcover
• Subject: N/A
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK
• Publisher Imprint: Penguin Random House Children's UK
• Publication Date: October 17, 2024
• Pages: 128
• Original Price: GBP 25.0
• Language: N/A
• Edition: N/A
• Item Weight: 882 grams

<p><span class="a-text-bold">Adapted from Mother Tongue this stunningly illustrated book by Bill Bryson tells the story of English, from the first words ever spoken to the very first dictionaries.</span><span><br><br></span></p><p><span>Perfect for ages 8 to 80!<br><br>Every day, you do something incredible, and I bet you barely ever think about it: you speak. But have you ever wondered why the English language turned out like it did?<br><br></span><span class="a-text-bold">If so, this is the book for you. It will also answer some VERY important questions . . .</span><span><br><br>? Why do we have the Vikings to thank for words like glitter and sky?<br>? Why did goodbye used to be god be with you?<br>? Why did LOL originally mean little old ladies?<br>? And why did no one know what majestic meant until Shakespeare came along?<br><br>In this epic journey through words, rhymes - and even a few jokes - Bill Bryson will teach you how the English language came to be (clue: lots of invasions) and what makes it a rich and beautiful thing (lots of Shakespeare).<br><br></span><span class="a-text-bold">Get ready . . . because the story of the English language is an EXTRAORDINARY one.</span><span><br></span></p>

<h3><span>About the Author</span></h3> <div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <p><span>Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. His bestselling books include The Road to Little Dribbling, Notes from a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods, One Summer and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. In a national poll, Notes from a Small Island was voted the book that best represents Britain. His acclaimed work of popular science, A Short History of Nearly Everything, won the Aventis Prize and the Descartes Prize, and was the biggest selling non-fiction book of its decade in the UK. His new book The Body: A Guide for Occupants was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize and is an international bestseller.<br>Bill Bryson was Chancellor of Durham University 2005-2011. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. He lives in England.</span></p> </div>