For most people, the reasons for the sudden collapse of our economy still remain obscure. I.O.U. is the story of how we came to experience such a complete financial disaster, starting with the magical proliferation of credit that led to an explosion of lending on the global and local landscapes of banking and finance. Viewing the crisis through the lens of politics, culture, and contemporary history—from the invention and widespread misuse of financial instruments to the culpability of subprime mortgages—Lanchester deftly draws conclusions on the limitations of financial and governmental regulation, capitalism’s deepest flaw, and most important, on the plain and simple facts of human nature where cash is concerned. With newly updated, superbly written reportage, Lanchester delivers a shrewd perspective and a digestible, comprehensive analysis that connects the dots for expert and casual reader alike. Part economic primer, part fiscal and historical analysis, I.O.U. is an eye-opener of a book.

Three pets who can't find their voices visit an old lady in the woods with a spell that will help them, but when the spell goes awry, there are chaotic consequences.

Charlie has this little sister, Lola. Lola has been playing with Charlie’s very special rocket. Charlie says, “Did you break my rocket?” Lola says, “You absolutely told me to not ever never touch it… ever.”

Little Miss Whoops is one of those people that is always having an accident, whoops! Mr Bump is her brother and he is as clumsy as her! You know Mr Bump. Can you imagine them together!

In 2000, the total GDP of Earth was $36 trillion. At the start of 2007 it was $70 trillion. Today that growth has gone suddenly and sharply into decline. John Lanchester travels with a cast of characters - including reckless bankers, snoozing regulators, complacent politicians, predatory lenders, credit-drunk spendthrifts, and innocent bystanders to understand deeply and genuinely what is happening and why we feel the way we do.

Mr. Fox is bored, and he refuses to be impressed--his response to every attempt to attract his attention? "Big whoop." His friends say "it's not healthy," and go to ever more extreme lengths to get a smile from him in this silly story sure to appeal to fans of Oliver Jeffers. Whimsical, brightly colored, detailed illustrations draw readers into this witty tale about the efforts of a squirrel and a rabbit to amuse their eternally underwhelmed, chronically bored pal, Mr. Fox. Driven to absurdly imaginative feats, including walking to the moon on stilts made of cheese and reading 653 books in 27 minutes, they remain "confuzzled" as Mr. Fox responds with never a smile, only the phrase "Big whoop." Will this determined twosome succeed in eliciting a laugh from the frustratingly taciturn fox? Kids will crack up at the increasingly silly lengths the friends go to, while relating to the stubborn, sly resistance of Mr. Fox. ·Wacky premise and quirky humor that appeals to elementary-school kids ·Colorful illustrations with funny details draw even reluctant readers into the story ·Clever celebration of the power of imagination and friendship with a slightly subversive attitude