If, like most of us, the only thing you know about AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a somewhat scary movie where the robots become sentient and rise up against humans, then this book makes for a reassuring read that robots and AI are not going to take over in the near future.
This informative book with excellent illustrations is the perfect guide for young people navigating the digital world there they are bombarded with hot takes, calls to ‘cancel’ problematic individuals, trolls, fake news and celebrity sales pitches.
There’s a certain ubiquitous juvenile sea creature, with his own catchy theme tune and an endless stream of merchandise that ensures sharks have become a favourite topic for toddlers across the globe. Not surprising then that this marine animal can inspire a cut-out style board book filled with facts for young minds, and there’s certainly plenty to recommend here.
Coll is part of the greatest crew there is: Wolf, a giant, mechanical Construct that roams her territory, protecting humans and waging battle against other Constructs. Coll takes pride in the fact that he and the rest of the crew that operates Wolf would do anything for their Construct, so when he finds himself separated from Wolf, his crew, and the only home he has ever known, he has a choice to make: forge a new identity, or find and rejoin Wolf, no matter the cost.
Exploring a tiny world full of life in an ingenious and enticing way for young readers, the strength of this book is the clever combination of illustrations and text used playfully to create an adventure that represents what a child experiences when exploring the outside natural world.
In a flooded world reminiscent of Venice, NOA, a giant yellow robot, tends to tropical animals marooned on buildings and strips of land. Sharing a name with Noah of the Old Testament, this kindly character builds a ship to save the animals, and is in turn rescued by a purple robot with the chance to start a new world.
Readers are invited on a fascinating trip through the continents exploring examples of animal and plant friendships, some millions of years old. Sometimes two is better than one, even when the twosome seems very strange indeed – did you know, for example, Lydia or boxer crabs wear stinging sea anemones like boxing gloves? Or that with a flap of their fins on the water sunfish can summon a seagull to peck off parasites? What child wouldn’t giggle at how the barbel fish’s favourite snack is hippo poo? Or that woolly bats use pitcher plants as toilets?
This lively and hugely enjoyable picturebook is the sequel to the lovely Martha Maps It Out with educational illustrated content shared in an offbeat style on every fun-filled page from talented writer-illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson.
Humans give slugs a hard time, often shouting, ‘Ewww’ or ‘GROSS’ when they encounter them. Stevie is a very grumpy slug as a result. All of the remarks made by the humans have really gotten him down. So much so, that he has a hard time liking himself as well as the other slugs around him.
This captivatingly illustrated non-fiction book is a great introduction to the fascinating history of inventions. Seamlessly combining ancient and modern inventions, readers are taken on a balanced journey that involves rocks, metals, wheels, modern plastics and beyond.
