Mary Byrne Boeken

The stories in Plugging the Causal Breach explore the lives of a disparate collection of characters from French life. Many live in the shadow of the wonders of historic Paris, others in the villages of Normandy, others still in the French Midi. Here, tellingly brought together, they form the scattered mosaic of a historical puzzle that is far beyond the individual's grasp. Some choose to be loners: furniture vendor M. Pierre, the drunken truck driver at the door of a cheap hotel, the sculptor watching his building go up in flames, a depressed estate agent. Others fight something bigger than themselves: Zorica's trouble with the French administration, the harassment Chantal endures while working within it. There are traces of an older France in stories from Normandy, in the tale of a German ex-POW's war and his courageous local companion, in the account by a former chateau cook of what may be a rural myth. These stories depict a lesser-known France, brimming with communicative boldness, resilience, and humor.

The book invites young readers into a world of imagination and creativity, encouraging them to explore their thoughts and feelings through engaging stories and activities. It emphasizes the importance of self-expression and understanding emotions, aiming to inspire kids to embrace their uniqueness. With a friendly tone and relatable themes, it fosters a sense of connection and encourages children to share their own experiences and perspectives.

As a facsimile reprint of a scarce antiquarian work, this edition retains the original's historical significance while acknowledging potential imperfections from age, such as marks and flawed pages. The publisher emphasizes the cultural importance of the text, reflecting a commitment to preserving and promoting classic literature through affordable, high-quality modern editions that remain true to the original.

"Hiss... Ss... Ss..." Grumpalot snarled showing his razor teeth. He was always hissing and spitting with his pink tongue shooting out. Meet Grumpalot, a grumpy goose who is terrorising the riverbank. Find out just why he behaves like this, what the riverbank creatures do about this unhappy goose and if Grumpalot has a softer side. Children will enjoy meeting the characters and looking at the colourful illustrations. They will also enjoy joining in the grumpy goose sounds!