Worldwide it is estimated that 5.8m people have Down syndrome, the condition which gives people an extra chromosome 21 (so there are three rather than two). Today is World Down Syndrome Day (21/3) which sees many events around the world and a UN conference. The Book Depository has been proud to support (we've had book auctions, sponsored bookmarks and other fun stuff) Down Syndrome Education International - a charity which works in many countries helping children with Down syndrome with reading skills.

You can find out more about Down Syndrome here.

Douglas Adams would have been 60 this Sunday coming. There's a big party at the Hammersmith Apollo in London but if you can't make that why not have a look again at the comedy genius and his work.

Lovely video for these upcoming Moleskine LEGO special editions.

Hooray for Heroines!

I love sparky heroines, and determined young women who find their own way (often after a headlong dash in the other direction!). It's been my privilege to know the equally impressive creators of such remarkable creatures - Nina Bawden, Anne Fine, Jacqueline Wilson from these shores, and the brilliant Beverly Cleary in the USA. Sometimes they have been rather scary themselves, determined to use their wit and wisdom to make a point to this steady old editor chap! So I'm hugely proud to be able to introduce a new favourite to all their fans. Sophia Bennett has already shown with her bestselling THREADS series that fashion and compassion make a telling and emotional mix. Now her latest novel, THE LOOK, tells the heart-wrenching story of the contrasting fates of two sisters, set in the glamorous world of modelling. Real girl power and really good writing! Ideal for heroines (and some heroes) of 11+.

'Have just read THE LOOK ... one word, BRILLIANT. A difficult topic, sensitively handled.' CATHY CASSIDY

Watch Sophia reading from The Look:

We have a competition running at the moment to win a trip to India. It's one of our best ever. We thought it would be nice to highlight some Indian literature to compliment the competition but it's actually quite difficult to find contemporary Indian writers, in print, in translation and available. But we have put together a nice little list of classical Sanskrit epics alongside more recent Poetry and fiction.

Of course, it would be remiss of us not to mention the great Indian writing in English that include such well known names as Vikram Seth, Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, Amitav Ghosh, Rohinton Mistry, Vikram Chandra, Vikas Swarup, Anita Desai, Kiran Desai, Jhumpa Lahiri, Aravind Adiga and Gita Mehta.

Also, we mustn't forget a wealth of great travel writing and history.