Novels
Postcards from the heart
This book is like a series of snapshots. Snapshots of feelings, maps of the life of the human heart. One tale per month. Twelve places of both the physical world and the soul described by the author Gaia Ierace, with a passion of someone who loves those places
of the heart and soul. In January, we find Tracy dealing with her New Year Resolutions. In February, we see Mien who faces a clash between public and private life, the way she appears and who she really is. In March, the reader confronts the moving story of Anja and Krista who rediscover the importance of sisterhood. In April, we arrive in Oxford Street with Steve and his ambitions. As often is the case, reading is a journey that triggers reflections on the deepest emotions of the human soul.We enjoy experiences that are universal.These characters seem to jump out of the page to become flesh and blood. These are Gaia Ierace’s postcards. They come from the heart. They outline special places and unforgettable moments.
The love alphabet
There is a moment in a love story, that epic moment when love crumbles into pieces. What if we stop and think? What if we attempt to analyse what is happening? Shall we understand what is vanishing? This moment is hard to pin down and understand. At that moment, wounds and regrets come to the surface. They are clearly visible. This is what happens to the protagonists of ‘The Love Alphabet’: Paul and Elizabeth. They are husband and wife who see their bond dissolving while they are standing there powerless.Paul has no other choice than leaving home to start travelling. Only at a distance, does he perceive what is happening. Travelling has to do with encounters. During his wandering, Paul met Carmen. Carmen is a fickle. She is full of doubts and incapable of planning for the future. Yet, Carmen is not only a new love. She is a lighthouse in the dark, a hope in an emotional wasteland.
Amor Vincit Omnia
For Francesca, nothing is more important than her son. Now he is staring death in the face, she has to relive her past in the hope it will offer a solution. It may be possible, but what lengths will Francesca be prepared to go to, and how many lives will it affect or relationships will it destroy? The reader will unravel the thread of mystery and emotions that entangle Francesca and Tony’s existence. Amor, Caravaggio’s Cupid, with his ambiguous smile, is a steady presence, hanging over the events to remind us that some battles can only be fought.
Primary school
Dracula and his Family
What happens when a family of vampires longs for a social life, parties and afternoons at the shopping mall? What if vampires became human? In this original book, Gaia Ierace, shows us Vlad and his wife who leave at night to go to the blood bank where they push a button to obtain their favourite food. These vampires politely entertain their guests to whom they distribute ‘Vamp cards’. The extraordinary is framed into the ordinary. Vampires have got a pet but it is not a dog. It is Pat ‘the bat’. Hence vampires, rather than being scary creatures, appear to kids as the very neighbour they long for.
Frankenstein at School
What if Frankenstein came alive in the Science Lab of a school? How will students react? Frankie, Gaia Ierace’s Frankenstein, comes across as a sweet and tender creature that does not share Shelley’s love for revenge but tries to be accepted by us, human beings. Frankie will become a beloved member of the school community. A community eager to accept different creatures. A community that has an inclusive gaze on those who are other than us.
The Canterville Ghost
Wilde’s extremely popular story ‘The Canterville Ghost’ has been enriched by Gaia Ierace with a varied and engaging series of activities focusing on the four skills. Students will have fun with games that involve friends and family, and make learning a deeply rewarding experience. Bright illustrations support the understanding of the story. Readers will be entertained by the adventure of the Otis, an American family, who meet an old English ghost.The cultural clash is ironic and entertaining for the reader.
A Dog’s Life
Tom is a seven-year-old child who is about to have a fantastic adventure. One morning, something magical happens in his life. He tries to speak but he can only bark. He tries to stand up but can only walk on four paws. This story is about changes and trespassing into unknown worlds. It is about the ability to adapt to new situations. A sudden, dramatic change helps Tom understand his strengths. In addition, an unexpected event gives him the opportunity to appreciate his home, his family and life more. This experience will shine a new light on his daily routine. It will help him re-discover the care and love that surround and support him daily. Tom will also learn to confront changes and get ready for the challenging adventure of growing up.
The Jungle Book
Meet Mowgli as a cub and watch him grow up in the jungle with the wolf family. Follow him as Baloo the bear and Bagheera, the panther teach him to survive in the jungle. This delightfully illustrated, adapted script version of Ruyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book edited by Gaia Ierace, will encourage students to bring the story to life by acting it out.
Secondary school
Tom & Co’s Adventures in Cyberspace
A group of teenagers find a mysterious email message. This introduces them to the world of cyberspace. During their hunt, they must solve riddles in order to win the ‘globetrotter ticket’ and become real travelers. Features include: Web sections to learn the basics of IT in English. Portfolio sections about festivities like Halloween and Guy Fawkes, KET activities, a personal Net Dictionary, a teacher’s key with a list of useful Internet addresses.
Portraits of Women
Elizabeth Gaskell, Kate Chopin, Katherine Mansfield, Virginia Woolf and Edith Wharton: five women, five writers, five short stories. The thread that connects these stories is the portrayal of a female universe where women seek empowerment. These women choose their destiny. Universal themes like marriage, loss, freedom, respect fill in the intricate map of their lives. The reader will sympathize with their determination to take control over their lives against all odds.
Business is business
Business is Business is a journey into the English speaking world. This textbook is
organized in themes that provide students with the lexis and structures linked to the topic of each module. Each module starts with key lexis. Reading comprehensions, grammar and lexical tasks follow.Eventually, students are introduced to guided writing and speaking activities that support their learning and autonomy.
Down to business
Down to Business aims at presenting Business English in a variety of professional
contexts. The objective is to prepare students to work in real professional situations. There is a huge focus on enhancing not only language skills but also soft skills and lateral thinking. Technical language is presented in its context of use.This supports memory and a holistic approach to texts rather than chunks of language. The book includes simplified tasks such as graded tasks, guided summaries, lexical worksheets. The optional volume ‘Learning Essential’ supports inclusive learning. Web TV offers many videos on the themes of the book. It includes original resources, intriguing documentaries and engaging interviews.