Endeavouring to give the reader a broad overview of the history of space exploration, Jenkins begins with the pioneers of early astronomy, moves on to the history of the telescope, the development of rockets and the ensuing Space Race and takes a look at the Golden Age of Space Travel and the historic feat of Apollo 11.
The thing about counting books is that they rarely surprise. There’s a certain inevitability that means the ending can be predictable. While (spoiler alert) this book does end in 10, there are mishaps and uncertainties along the way. Yes, counting may seem simple, but these worms are unruly and Mabbitt can’t really seem to control them. Some of the worms are missing! Others are having space adventures! One just nipped to the loo! Mabbitt shakes up the classic structure of the normally linear one-to-ten narrative. There’s even a fraction involved.
This information-packed and cleverly designed illustrated book on space and space exploration will please inquisitive children of many ages and abilities. The format, using small units of information-presented in interesting ways, allows children to explore the book alone or with the help of a friendly adult co-reader.
This is a miscellany of the very best kind. Readers will be hooked by facts as varied as differing kinds of knots, different kinds of print, the periodic table of the elements, neap and spring tides, the organs of the body and a whole host of other information. At no point does the trivia seem trivial, nor the information arbitrary.
The Atlas of Oddities is a unique compendium of some of the most unusual events, objects and people that make our world such a fascinating place. From the prolific pen of Clive Gifford, author of over 150 books, and inspired by both his own travels and those of his parents who worked for an airline, this round-the-world adventure takes the reader through all of the planet’s continents and countries. Along the way the reader also learns about the rich diversity of our planet and its population of over 7 billion people, each with their own culture, interests, traditions and ways of life.
A gorgeous book that should be on every child’s bookshelf, An Animal ABC is far more than an illustrated alphabet featuring animals. This encyclopaedic book is lavishly illustrated by Pattullo using meticulous screen-prints in glorious colours.
This anthology is very ambitious. Its central idea is very laudable, to link poetry about the universe with serious and reliable scientific information and then to extend this to ideas about writing poetry and other activities for children themselves. It contains over thirty poems by twenty-seven different poets.
One shape on its own might be lonely, but joined with other shapes there are infinite possibilities for building and play. As the name suggests, Shapes at Play takes a whimsical look at shapes and the ways they can combine to create more shapes, objects and scenes.
The name Kew Gardens is synonymous with excellence in horticulture, and in this book that quality shines through. The concept of a cookbook that not only encourages time in the kitchen, but moreover makes children aware of how to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs, is one that will inspire both children and their parents, grandparents and teachers. It is a beautifully designed guide that provides clear step by step instructions for planting and growing, and also cooking written by Joe Archer, the kitchen garden horticulturalist at Kew Gardens, and Caroline Craig, a food writer.
Liked Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? Well, get ready for ‘Pride and Prejudice and Dinosaurs’. And ‘Romeo and Juliet and Dinosaurs’. And ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Dinosaurs’. This weirdly wonderful ode to classic literature is the latest entry in the Jurassic Classics series, which uses dinosaurs, puns and hilarious illustrations to make potentially stale topics interesting to children.
