Book reviews - Hachette Books

All sorts of interesting questions are answered in this book, and all of them are just what inquisitive children will ask. When did woolly rhinos live in Britain? Why did Iron Age tribes build hill forts? How much do the stones at Stonehenge weigh? The bright presentation of the book will have instant child-appeal; two page spreads include well-sized colour photos with informative captions, accompanied by additional information. Children will love the 'Fact Cat Facts' which are full of interest. The book also poses questions which children will need to research to find the answer - really good to see this encouraged for KS1 children. There is also a quiz and a detailed glossary.

Roald Dahl's life is just as gripping as his fiction, and this book, which charts his life, is an ideal way to encourage young readers to read his books - as if they need encouragement! Through his childhood and schooldays, onto his time in Africa and his exploits as a fighter pilot, we learn about the background of one of the funniest, most famous and best-loved children's authors of all time. A light-hearted quiz and brief summaries of James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG are included. The accessible text is perfect for readers of 6+ and there are lots of black-and-white line drawings for readers to enjoy.

350 years ago, the Great Fire of London raged - and today's young readers can follow the adventures of baker's boy Will Farriner. When he wakes to the sound of crackling flames and the smell of smoke, he knows something is terribly wrong! As his family escape the flames engulfing their bakery, Will realises he must stop the fire from spreading. As the exciting story unfolds, Will is at the heart of the action, with a key part to play. The story races along,just like the fire, and this short but very exciting text is suitable for struggling readers but engaging enough to give confident readers a quick, fun and informative read. Suitable for use in schools as guided reading texts or for reading independently.

Beautifully photographed, Galaxies & Stars gives children a chance to explore the mysteries of the night sky. With a variety of font styles and sizes, the book can be used by children of 6+; information is clearly presented in text and fact boxes, making it highly accessible. There is an excellent index and glossary, which really add to the value of the book, as does the list of useful websites. This is one in a series which is ideal for children who wonder what can be found on the dark side of the moon, or what other galaxies lurk beyond the Milky Way. From the Sun, asteroids and comets to planets far and near Earth, you will discover here the most recent developments in space exploration and research.

Good non-fiction is an excellent way to encourage reading; many young readers are more attracted to fact than to story books, so make the most of that interest by providing books on topics that appeal, like the books in the 'What's Inside' series. There are two sections for each vehicle - firstly, learn something amazing about each vehicle and then turn the page to see it sliced in two and clearly labelled to show the key parts and their uses. Simple text with large labels and captions will make the bite-sized pieces of information appeal to a wide range of reading abilities, and the artwork is both friendly and accessible. A great way to encourage reading, and very informative.

This colourful and informative fact book teaches KS1 children about the catastrophic fire of 1666. It explores how we know about the fire, from popular songs to diaries, and looks at how it led directly to the renaissance of London; it's good to see that, even at this age, children are being taught about where we gain information about history. I really like the approach taken by the book - it makes history enjoyable, accessible and relevant. It is well written and excellently illustrated, and poses questions that will encourage children to think about their learning. Basic historical vocabulary is introduced and explained and there's a timeline which puts events into context. Attractive and a good way to stimulate an interest in history.

Fact Cat are super books for KS1 and lower KS2 children - they present facts simply and succinctly, with plenty of illustrations to keep interest high. Children will learn about the exciting life of Emily Davison; her childhood and the marches and protests of the WSPU; and discover what happened at the Epsom Derby. Finally, and due in a large part to Emily Davison, they will learn how women finally got the vote in Britain. Fact Cat Facts are interesting snippets of information that children will enjoy. Colourful backgrounds make the pages enticing.

Children will learn about the five senses, how we use them and why they are important, through simple text and plenty of pictures. "Our Special World is a series of books offering a simple text and photographs that help young children learn about the world around them. The books seek to show the diverse nature of the world with lots of photographs of children with a disability and from different ethnic backgrounds. Each book includes questions to promote speaking and listening skills. They are perfect for early years learning." The book encourages children's natural desire to learn by posing appropriate questions throughout the book; it really makes them think about our senses and how we use them.

A popular celebration with children, Eid al Fitr is known as The Sweet Festival. It is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan fasting and this book children discover how people around the globe celebrate this important festival and what it means to them, with age-appropriate language. It's important that children learn about other religions, so that they can understand and accept the beliefs of others. The history, preparation and celebration of the festival are all visualised with beautiful photography, capturing the many ways in which this festival is marked. This approach offers children a visually arresting and diverse introduction to one of the most celebrated religious festivals. Attractive layout and excellent photos make the book appealing.

See how puppies grow from tiny, helpless balls of fur into strong, independent dogs - with a little help from their mother; all shown with super colour photos. "This is part of an early years photographic series that looks at the unique relationship between a parent and its baby, tracing their journey together from birth to adulthood. The idea of every animal having a lifecycle is brought to life by big, beautiful images and explained in very simple text of no more than one or two sentences per spread. A large format makes these books perfect for sharing and group discussion for young readers, but particularly those aged three to five." A dog's life cycle, a word bank and a useful index make this a good first fact book, encouraging children to use books to their full extent.

Children in KS1 will learn about people and the jobs they do; this series of introductory books for very young readers follow real professionals around their place of work to show what it's like working in a particular job. Meet Nafisa - and some of her colleagues - and see what they do at work every day. With colour photos throughout, the book gives a good picture of a busy and varied day, looking after creatures from rabbits to cows. Learn about the equipment she uses to do her job and what it is like to work with animals; there are answers included . The book includes questions for children to think about and answer, encouraging them to reason on the situations the vet experiences. Children can also learn what qualities they need to be a vet.

What is a mammal? Informative and easy to read text tells KS1 children all they need to know about mammals - where they live, how they breathe, how they move, what they eat and more. Colour photos are used in abundance, and fact boxes help to break up the text, making it accessible for young readers. Fact Cat Facts give interesting snippets of information and questions on each spread help children to extend their learning and understanding. A fun quiz helps readers recall what they have read. Words in bold are explained in the glossary. A good introduction for young readers.

The Curiosity Box is a series that builds on children's national curiosity by bringing together collections of objects to explore and discover. The Seashore looks at some of the different habitats along the coast and the plants animals and objects that you will find there; the presentation is most attractive - it has a really fresh feel. From sand lizards hiding in the sand dunes, to all sorts of shells, crustaceans and seabirds, children will love discovering a bit more about this favourite location. A lovely way to excite children's interest

Young children find it hard to understand, explain and control their emotions; adults can sometimes find it hard to help them, so this series will be really useful. Hugo was very happy and in control of his feelings until the naughty monkey started wreaking havoc, making Hugo very angry; his friend is angry too, because the llama won't play... and things just get worse. Told in the form of a story, the book explores the effect of anger, the situations in which it arises and encourages children to think about what anger is and how to deal with it. It's an approach to which children will respond well. "This series introduces children to philosophy by exploring different emotions and ideas through a variety of amusing and familiar situations. Children will recognise the characters from the Cbeebies series, What's The Big Idea?. Each book aims to promote thinking skills in its readers developing their questioning of the world around them and encouraging them to make up their own minds."

Sorting and Sets looks at how we group things together by looking at their similarities and differences. It also encourages children to consider why this is useful for making sense of the world around us, and shows them how to record information using simple graphs. The simple text explains the concepts clearly, and the extremely attractive colour photos really make it clear how big a part sets and sorting play in our everyday lives. A word bank ensures children use the correct terminology.

Rainforests are an important part of our world's ecology, so children need to learn about them. This colourful book will show children where in the world they are found, what animals and plants live there and how these are dependent on each other. They will learn about food chains, deforestation and, most importantly, what we can do to protect this important habitat. Attractive layout makes good use of fact boxes and photos to inform children. Fact Cat Facts will amaze them! The simple quiz questions at the back help readers to remember what they've just have learnt.

It's easy to get children interested in the life of Guy Fawkes, so they will really enjoy this simple and colourful introduction to his life and his part in the Gunpowder Plot. The book teaches children about Guy Fawkes's early life, how and why he joined the plot to kill James I and what happened afterwards. With simple language, easy to follow layout and plenty of engaging illustrations, this is ideal for young learners. The book includes a quiz and instructions on how to make your own Guy Fawkes hat.

Designed to complement the KS1 geography curriculum, Let's Visit encourages young readers to find out about all the great places the UK has to offer - the attractive presentation will interest children and perhaps they will encourage their parents to take them for a visit, and even if they can't visit, they will pick up some key geography learning and learn more about the many fascinating places our country offers. Eight great places to go in England are covered - including the beautiful Lake District, the spectacular Jurassic Coast and London's superb Natural History Museum. With differentiated text, good use of text boxes and enticing photographs, this is an excellent introduction to our country.

Lifecycles are part of the KS1 curriculum so this exploration of how everything around us - including plants, birds, animals and people - begins, grows and changes over time will be a valuable resource. It is one in the Ways Into Science series that introduces young readers to basic science principles in a friendly and accessible way. Early scientific skills are taught through a combination of experiments, activities and key questions, designed to get young scientists thinking. Each two page spread covers a simple topic, with informative text in a large font and with plenty of photos. Questions are posed to encourage children to think about what they are reading.

Learn how how Neil Armstrong became an astronaut and about the project to send men to the Moon. The book charts the progress of the Apollo mission to the Moon and describes Armstrong's famous Moon walk. Fact Cat presents interesting snippets of information and the book has the useful and unusual feature of posing questions which require children to do further research - a superb way to encourage investigation (the answers are at the end of the book). There's also a quiz to check understanding.

Children are always fascinated by dinosaurs and they can discover all types from peaceful plant-eaters to fierce meat-eaters in this colourful and well-illustrated book. The text is simple to read and well split into short paragraphs. This is one in the Discover and Share series which are differentiated text books on topics that children really want to read about. The lower level text is ideal for emerging readers and the higher level text will suit more able readers. The large, square format encourages sharing, and spectacular images are featured on every page.

Children at school will start to learn about money and business; it is also common for older primary school children to set up some form of 'young enterprise' scheme, so this book is very topical. It is packed with practical business advice and tips, real-life stories, up-to-date ideas and inspiration young people need to make a success of your first business. Starting your own company doesn't have to be boring and this book is all about inspiring you to think creatively about your company, guiding you through every step, from registering your company name to elevator pitches, all stress-free. A great title for project work or leisure reading and a good link to the curriculum.

The Iron Age Celts were creative and skilled artists, farmers, warriors, traders and craftspeople. We can learn about how they lived from the incredible artefacts dug from fields, rivers and graves; each tells us something about how they lived their lives, their beliefs and gods they worshipped, and how they fought and died. Through photos, maps and reconstructions, this book gives us a look at Celtic life and shows us how beautiful their creations were. It helps children understand how tribes were organised, the roles of warriors, chieftains and druids. The book explains what Celtic people actually looked like; the hill forts, brochs and roundhouses they lived in; Celtic names and clothes; gods and goddesses and why the technique of making iron tools and weapons had such an impact on their society. It's amazing what can be learnt about long-ago people and this book really brings them to life.

Blast Through the Past is a series which will really appeal to children; it's engagingly presented and is very reader-friendly. The series looks at some of the strange jobs people had to do; the skills they needed to explore new lands, win battles or make amazing breakthroughs in science. All sorts of people appear in the series, not just the well-known names. This book goes back to early times, to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Phoenicians and continues chronologically until the final frontier - space. The lively layout will entice children into the book, where they will find easy to read text accompanying lots of illustrative material that makes history fascinating. It adds a personal touch by encouraging children to see if they have 'got what it takes' and shows how these intrepid explorers had to suffer hardship - pickled cabbage anyone?

Infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. They are an excellent way to present information for children, making it easily assimilated and highly memorable, especially for visual learners. This guide takes the reader on a fascinating journey around London, looking at its boroughs, riding on its transport, learning about its history, meeting famous residents and so much more. All this without the tedium of long lists of facts. Bright clear layout makes the facts easy to read, and the book is attractively illustrated. A great way to learn about London, with plenty of unusual facts.

This is not a book for the faint-hearted, who may well be horrified to see just what we share our homes with. This book looks at the minute life forms that inhabit our homes - from the friendly and harmless to the deadly. The photography is quite stunning and really shows the creatures in all their gruesome detail. The information is presented in a variety of ways, encouraging readers to browse through the pages, reading under headings such as 'Gross or what?'. 'Monstrous data' and 'Monstrous habitat'. It's a book that will fascinate children as they learn about these 'invisible' organisms, from bacteria to tiny insects, and learn about the important role they play in our home habitat. An extensive glossary and useful list of further information make this a good non-fiction text.

People of ancient times left us an amazing legacy which children can explore and marvel at in this colourful and informative book. Discover the greatest wonders the ancient world has to offer, from Stonehenge to Angkor Wat; Machu Picchu to the Great Wall of China and Petra to the Terracotta Army. Readers will get up close to their unique features and marvel at their breathtaking dimensions. The book provides plenty to ponder over, as it discusses the threats and challenges these special phenomena face, and learn what is being done to ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy. Lively presentation with good use of colour and information boxes makes this a very attractive book.

KS2 readers will learn why Alfred was the only English king ever to be given the title 'Great'. The book explains that this is because he successfully defended Britain from wave after wave of Viking invaders, formed the first English army and navy, encouraged English people to talk in their mother tongue and set up the beginnings of a renowned, progressive legal system. Great achievements indeed, and ones we should all know about. "Suitable for readers aged 8+, each book in History Starting Points explores the life and times of a key historical figure, from Alfred the Great to Hatshepsut. It tells the story of the subject's life, using vital primary source material, such as what contemporary people wrote about the figure. Alongside this, each book builds up a vivid picture of the historical era in which the person lived, from Anglo-Saxon Britain to the civilisations of ancient Greece and Egypt. Included throughout are cross-curricular links to other key subject areas such as literacy, science or geography, and the text is supported by cartoon, myths and legends and fun craft projects to make." This gives an excellent variety to the books, making them ideal for classroom and project-based use.

The teaching of evolution is now a requirement of the science curriculum. It's a complex topic, but this fascinating book really explains it well, making the subject engaging and approachable. It takes an in-depth look at the work of Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley, James Watson, Francis Crick and Alfred Russel Wallace as well as complex topics such as genetic modification, artificial selection and bacterial resistance. Starting with fossils and early life forms, the book investigates the development and diversification of life on Earth over billions of years. Mike Gordon's illustrations are a noteworthy feature of the book, bringing a light touch and a spot of humour. There is a vast amount of information here, but the approach is so enjoyable that it will really help children learn.

This interesting book takes a new approach to teaching about the Sahara by following a traveller on a fictitious journey by foot, camel and 4x4 across the world's largest dry desert. It uses the information you would consider when planning a trip, such as the weather, climate, dangers and key sights, to present geographical information in a highly accessible and enjoyable way. It's a really good way to present information, making the reader feel a part of the adventure. Children will discover which countries the Sahara sprawls across, the different types of desert mammal to watch out for, some incredible cities, the environmental issues facing the Sahara, how people live in the desert, and much, much more. There is a survival aspect to the book, too, with boxes containing tips on how to treat a scorpion sting or a snake bite, make a camp in sand dunes and collect water to drink, among other things. All engagingly presented in a notebook format, with plenty of excellent photos.

This commemorative book, which marks the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, is a stunning hardback that will fascinate people of all ages. James Weston Lewis' graphic drawings and the informative text follow the development of the fire, explaining why the city was so vulnerable to fire, starting with Thomas Farriner's bakery and that burning oven and following the progress of the fire as it ravaged the city. This day-by-day account is really dramatic and shows the immensity of the fire and its impact on Londoners and their homes and businesses, as well as their frantic efforts to stem the fire. The illustrations are absolutely fascinating in their detail, and the quotes from Pepys give a vivid picture of events. The book concludes by showing how gradual changes took place in firefighting methods, and also introduces some key characters. This is a superb book that will really engage readers with the story of the Great Fire of London.

There are many common sayings that we take for granted - we have heard them so often, that we just assume they are correct. Well, now you can find out if they really are true. Fact or Fiction delves into weird facts and fascinating topics,. Did you know whether people used to wash their clothes in wee; whether Mount Everest is growing; or if camels really store water in their humps? From animals and people to space and science, each true or false question is proved right or wrong, with fun graphics to increase enjoyment. A perfect gift, this book is packed with fun facts for inquisitive children (and adults) - it will provide hours of interest and is an ideal book to dip into, then amaze friends with some little-known facts.

Travel right back to the beginning; to the birth of the universe, our solar system, and planet Earth. Learn how our universe grew almost unbelievably rapidly and find out about the physical evolution of our planet. Discover how the continents moved, climates changed, and water came to be on the Earth, making the conditions perfect for life. The outstanding feature of the book is its remarkable photography, along with graphic 3-D images, which really help the reader understand how the universe came to be. It's a topic which will be studied in KS2, and children will respond well to the eye-catching presentation.

Told in the form of a graphic novel, these are the true stories of six Holocaust survivors - Heinz, Trude, Ruth, Martin, Suzanne and Arek. Every word resonates with truth, whether it describes the bleak fear of arriving at Auschwitz or the sheer terror of Kristallnacht; reading about real children makes a huge impact. This unique children's book, with its superb artwork, aims to bring the survivors' stories to a new audience. It is an important, timely reminder of the horrors that can be inflicted on innocent people and a reflection of the Holocaust's legacy today. It's essential that today's children understand the horrors of past times, so that they, who are our future, can work to avoid a repetition. The graphic novel presentation will appeal to a much wider audience, including reluctant and struggling readers, which makes it an excellent way to convey the message.

Today, we take our fire service for granted, but what did people do before the fire service existed? This book traces the history from the first brigade in Roman times to the multi-skilled fire services that operate around the world today. The book makes excellent use of the fantastic resource that is The National Archives to give an incredible photographic record of an important life-saving profession. From the way the Great Fire of London had a huge impact on the way fire services have developed, we find out about the man who created the first organised fire service, the evolution of firefighting equipment and the introduction of women to the service. Today's firefighters do far more than just fight fires - they play a key role in search and rescue operations, road accidents and disaster relief. Presented in vibrant colours, the book combines pictures, archive and modern photography and engrossing text to give a fascinating read.

It can be hard to bring a fresh approach to non-fiction for children, but this exciting series has certainly taken a novel approach by looking at the way many things initially seemed impossible - it's a great way to show children that what seems impossible can often be proved to be possible, thereby encouraging them to persevere. Find out why human beings thought they could take to the skies; there's Icarus and his wax and feather wings and Leonardo Da Vinci's with his Flying Machine and primitive helicopter know as the Aerial Screw. Hundreds of years of successes and failures are explored, leading to the comforts of modern passenger flight that we know today. The book is packed with fascinating facts and plenty of illustrations to explain the text. "Each title in this exciting, high-interest series looks at a different area of technology and engineering and reveals the pioneering ideas and scientific thinking that enabled its development, as well as exposing those that proved to be a dead end. Each spread examines a particular example in depth, bringing in other similar ideas where relevant, and revealing that experimentation and failure often pave the way to technology success. Beautifully designed and illustrated with infographic-style artwork, this series is an excellent technology resource for readers aged 9 and up."

Taking in information is, of course, excellent, but children need to know how to present that information so they can show what they know and share it with others - and that's where this new series comes in. "Write On is a high interest information series with a difference, designed to help the newly independent reader become a confident writer, perfect for the 7-11 age group. Eye-catching photos and accessible text help build knowledge. Top writing tips and 'wow' words inspire easy to achieve writing projects, a fantastic way to improve literacy skills.Get to grips with facts about endangered animals and then become a word wizard and dazzle everyone with your new-found knowledge." Writing is often an area of concern in primary schools, appearing as a development area in many a School Development Plan; by combining a topic which interests children - and endangered species are a popular topic - and stimulating writing ideas, this series fills a gap.

Schools have an important part to play in encouraging children to live healthily and keep fit, so this book (one of a series) will be an excellent classroom or library resource. Keeping fit is about keeping your body working well, and avoiding illnesses and injuries. Getting exercise is one of the most important ways to do this, and that's mainly what this book is about. The book shows that exercise does not work on its own; there are many ways to look after our bodies, and they all work together. It is part of the series Healthy for Life, which gives factual information on a range of health issues so teens can get the information they need to be healthy. The books feature fun infographic style illustrations, bold colour and informative text. What I really like about this book is its informal, non-preachy approach, which will really encourage children to take notice without feeling 'got at'.

For any child who aspires to build robot models - ones that can be powered and move - this is the ideal book. It includes clear step-by-step instruction. with illustrations at every stage, equipment lists and templates to help. From a simple robotic hand, the projects gain complexity and include bristle-bot, drawing robot, scrub-bot, solar fan robot and "Robbo the Robot". The majority of the equipment is readily available, with some items to be purchased from an electronics shop. There is also an interesting timeline showing the history of robots. "This series is aimed at budding inventors and engineers of the future, and contains builds which require adult supervision. It supports design and technology skills and learning, and is ideal for use at home, school and at STEM clubs."

We take electricity for granted but we are very aware that the power sources used to generate electricity are finite. Solar energy is an exciting resource; this book follows the process of producing it from the powerful solar rays to the bright light bulbs being switched on all over the world. Other sources of energy are also explained, as is how the national grid works to move electricity across land and sea, and how it is fed into our homes. Home electricity is not the only use for solar power, so the book looks at solar farms, solar furnaces, solar towers and solar transport, and considers the future for solar energy and its advantages and disadvantages. The subject is clearly explained, with good use made of fact boxes and text captions, as well as explanatory diagrams and photos.

Even as adults, there are many numbers which are so mind-boggling that we just can't take them in, so just imagine how hard children must find it to assimilate big numbers. This clever book brings things down to a human scale by comparing huge events, times and spaces with things we can feel and touch in our daily lives. So, all the water in the world is represented by a 100 glasses so we can visualise how much of the water we can drink; inventions of the last 1000 years are shown on a ruler. It's brilliantly done and simply superbly illustrated. It's a book to fascinate all age groups, and will be brilliant in the classroom to help with maths, science and other subjects. Quite brilliant.

I love this series - it's simply brilliant. Text and pictures combine together to perfection to give us a real picture of famous people and their lives. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charlotte Brontë, this book introduces the Brontë sisters: Charlotte, Emily and Anne, and their brother Branwell. Told through the eyes of Charlotte Bronte, the powerful story-telling and wonderful illustrations recreate the sister's tragically short lives in the remote village of Haworth in the Yorkshire Dales. Learn how tragedy struck and how the girls were inspired to become writers and the sensation their books caused when people realised they had been written by women. Each of the sister's greatest novels, Jane Eyre (Charlotte), The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Anne) and Wuthering Heights (Emily), are simply retold in engaging comic-strip form. Interestingly, Mick Manning was born and brought up in Haworth and, as a child, even played a shepherd boy in a BBC adapation of Wuthering Heights. It's a superb account that really brings the authors alive for young readers.

Children now have to learn about ancient civilisations in KS2, so this series is perfect to support that. The remains of structures built by people of ancient times that we can see today inspire us with awe, and this book will help pupils understand why and how they were built. The book starts at Stonehenge, just one of the mysterious stone circles that inform us about the culture, society, technology and beliefs of our earliest ancestors. Stone circles are a Stone Age mystery, but when children have enjoyed this excellent book with its informative pictures, photos and diagrams, they will have a much better understanding of our ancestors.

The topic is made colourful and memorable by the inclusion of 200 stickers and a world map poster. It's full of interesting facts. Did you know that the US Star-Spangled Banner was designed by a 17-year-old school boy? Or that the Brazilian flag shows a star constellation of the night sky from 1889? There are historical standards and country flags, as well as sporting, warning and political flags and many more. Not just flags though - there are amazing facts, stories and curiosities behind some of the world's most iconic banners. Discover the cultural and political history behind each flag, as well as flag rituals, historical uses of flags and heaps of curiosities and unusual facts. It's a fascinating book which will inform, entertain and educate.

In 1937, a vision led the high lamas of Tibet to an old house in the mountains where lived 2-year-old Lhamo Dhondrub, who would go on to become the 14th Dalai Lama. The book looks at his extraordinary story, from his education by monks, deep in the Tibetan mountains, to how he became leader of Tibet aged just 15. The Chinese invasion of Tibet, that forced him to flee his homeland, and begin a new life and government in exile in India, is explained, as is the plight of ordinary Tibetans. The Dalai Lama has led an amazing life - as a teacher, a leader, an environmental activist and a worker for religious cooperation. It's a fascinating account of an amazing man.

Of course, 2016 is a year of the Olympic Games, and young readers will have at their fingertips all the facts and stats, lists, quotes and trivia that they need. The book takes a brief look at the history of the Olympics, describes the major sports, and look at what Rio holds in store. Olympic Expert offers information on the great variety of different Olympic events, highlighting some 'must-see' moments, while famous Olympians through history are celebrated with quote and mini-biographies. The book concludes with a big quiz. The ideal introduction for children to generate enthusiasm.

Children will respond well to this colourful series which introduces them to children all around the world and shows how they live. Some of the clothes are quite amazing! What do children wear in Russia where the temperature drops to minus 50? What do children wear in the Middle East to protect themselves from burning sun and stinging sandstorms? What do colours mean in clothes? Why do the Masai wear red, and Buddhist monks wear orange? These are all fascinating questions which are answered in the book. There are practical activities to enjoy as well, in Art Station where readers are encouraged to use their new knowledge creatively. A glossary, further information and an index encourage children to make good use of reference books.

Join Sherlock Bones the dog on an exciting journey to discover the history of London. Starting with Roman London, Londimium, the book takes readers through the key events and people in the capital's history including Dick Whittington, The Fire of London, the Great Stink and the Blitz. Illustrated throughout with photographs and illustrations of artefacts, the book is clear to use and there are plenty of fact boxes to break up the text. Sherlock Bones poses questions which can answer from the text and pictures. 'Detective Work' gives further research ideas with web links. The book also takes a look at the future, and concludes with a very practical guide on doing a project on London; children can use the ideas in the book to adapt to studies of their own local area, too.

It's so easy to take trees for granted, but this book really encourages children to take a closer look at trees and highlights their importance to us. Throughout the book, children are encouraged to take an active role in their learning, as they answer questions. The book includes lots of challenges which will help children look more closely at trees, and to become more observant about them. The book is beautifully illustrated with colour photos and diagrams - I like the fact that there are lots of small photos included in the questions for children; these will help them identify trees as well as appreciate their beauty. A great way to encourage children to appreciate nature.

'What makes mountain goats so good at climbing?'Why do condors build their homes on rocky mountain ledges?' These are just the sort of questions children ask, and this book will answer them and inform children by means of superb photos. Discover how animals and plants in mountain environments survive in these often hostile and challenging places. Learn what each organism eats, the techniques it uses to survive in the mountain and how it has cleverly adapted to make a life in its beautiful but sometimes deadly home.

Children are well-used to studying lifecycles of frogs, sunflowers and butterflies, but these are much more exciting! There are some fascinating creatures here and some quite amazing facts - some of them quite grisly in their detail, which will appeal to children. Vibrant colour photos show us these amazing creatures which include the zombie ant fungus, the killer plasmodiumthe sockeye salmon and the green sea turtle. "The Savage Nature series explores life science and life on Earth at its most extreme, from the fight for survival from birth to death through to the way that organisms have adapted to survive in extreme habitats. The series offers high-interest, engaging information, fascinating fact boxes and an in-depth exploration of the most exciting aspects of life science. A high-interest look at the natural world for children aged 9+."

Using maths in real-life situation is a great way to help children understand maths, to show them the practical value and to encourage them to enjoy it. This deep-sea adventure allows children to practise the core topics of number, geometry, statistics, ratio & proportion, algebra and measurement. Through data visualisation methods, including colourful diagrams, pictograms, illustrations, photographs and infographics, Go Figure! brings maths into the real world in an innovative, exciting and engaging visual way. A brilliant way to engage pupils with maths, the book is presented in vivid colours, with missions to accomplish that can be solved by using a range of maths skills. Children will also enjoy the real data and fascinating facts in the book.

It's fascinating to learn where our food comes from, and how it lands up neatly packaged on the supermarket shelf; children can take this for granted so it's excellent to find a series that shows exactly where our food comes from. Who would have thought that this everyday food has caused wars, been smuggled, been the drink of the elite and even resulted ship races across the globe! From its origins in China to the place of tea in our modern world, this book takes a fascinating look at the story of tea, including its health benefits, how it is produced, its chemical properties and how it is traded around the world. There are fascinating snippets of information throughout the book including, of course, how to make the perfect cuppa. With a useful timeline, extensive glossary and comprehensive index, this is an enjoyable and practical book.

Selfies may be new but self-portraits are far from new, as this informative book shows. Produced in conjunction with the Art Archive, this book charts the histoty of the self portrait, from Indonesian caves, through famous self-portrait artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso through the invention of the camera, and on to iconic modern selfies such as the 2014 Oscar photograph. There is fascinating information to be gleaned. It looks at trends, techniques and the tales behind some famous self portraits - do you know why Van Gogh was driven to cut off a chunk of his ear? Or how Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's stormy marriage affected their painting? Which teenage member of the Russian royal family sent a selfie she had taken in a mirror to a friend in 1914? And how are Andy Warhol's photographic techniques still influencing selfie-takers today? Of course, the book is lavishly illustrated. Readers will see selfies from an entirely new perspective after they have read this book - and will perhaps improve their technique!

I love the cover of this book - it will really appeal to children with its bright, fresh images. The reader is taken on a journey around Asia in pictorial form, learning where it is, who lived and lives there, its geography, wildlife landmarks, industry, settlements, sport and much much more. Everything is linked to the appropriate places on the map, so children can see what happens where. The book is packed with lively illustrations as well as photos showing the areas. There is a useful factfile of further information about the countries, plus a glossary and index. An unusual and very appealing way to depict a continent.

Inspiring Artists is a series which introduces children to some of the world's most famous artists, showing the influences on their work and the legacy they left behind them. Overlooked during his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh is one of the most important artists, with his familiar paintings loved worldwide. Learn about the impact his paintings of everyday settings and ordinary people had on artists as varied as Gustav Klimt, Francis Bacon and Anselm Kiefer. His tortured life was amazing and the book does not gloss over it; rather, it helps us to understand the impact it had on his art. The book is packed with pictures of his paintings, many half page size or even bigger, so we can appreciate them fully.

It's good to see a series of books on people who help us that is aimed at an older age group - most are written for KS1 children but these are suitable for upper KS2. Discover the heroic work of firefighting crews in this book. It explores how brave men and women begin a career in firefighting, the skills they need to carry out their job, the equipment they use to fight fires and save lives and the risks and rewards of their life-saving work. The book includes advice for children who wish to be a firefighter, and explores whether they are likely to be suited to the job. The book gives an in-depth picture and it will also be useful to teachers of KS1 children, to give them background material. Dramatic pictures are a particular feature of the book. "Careers That Save Lives explores the world of jobs that save or change lives, offering readers an in-depth look at these worthwhile and fulfilling roles. The series invites children to consider why each job is so important and what characteristics people might need to carry it out. An interesting and reflective career series."

Children are fascinated by space and this well-presented book will answer many of their questions. The layout is eye-catching, with the pictures and text set on a black background; this really makes the excellent photos stand out brilliantly. A variety of presentation methods means children can dip in and out of the book, reading the full text or the information boxes; it's a good book for those who prefer non-fiction reading. Planets, asteroids, space travel and exploration are just some of the incredible topics covered in this book. "There are eight titles in the series Visual Explorers. High-impact books with incredible information about the world around us. Perfect for KS2 and children aged 7+ with an interest in natural phenomenon and natural history."

This book crams in a huge amount of information, yet the presentation is uncluttered and really encourages children to read; information is presented in a series of factual boxes, and there are plenty of photos to add to the interest level. From genetics and evolution to our environment and our families, the book looks at all the factors that shape us into the people we are - it's a big and complex topic, but it is really well explained so children gain a full understanding. It discusses inheritance and evolution as well as intelligence. The brain and the mind are explored, as are concepts such as personality, how we build relationships with other people, and how and why we form memories. I highly recommend this book for its understandable approach to a highly complex subject.

A colourful country is done full justice by a colourful book - the photographs in this book give a real feel for India, especially as so many of them are of everyday lives and people. The geography, landscape, culture and people of India throughout the year are all described in this book. From the bustling cities of New Delhi and Mumbai through to the tranquil sights of Darjeeling and the Taj Mahal, children will be taken on a journey of discovery. The book has an excellent glossary and a comprehensive index, meaning children can locate information easily. Further reading and a list of useful websites add to the book's value. "Journey Through offers young readers the chance to take a trip through exciting world countries using different modes of transport, from train and car to bicycle and private jet. Along the way the traveller visits highlighted places both well known and less known, and learns lots of exciting facts about history, language, culture and much more." It's an interesting approach which gives a really good feel for the country.

Children in KS2 will learn about Mother Teresa, and this book really gives them an insight into the life of this extraordinary woman, who gave up a comfortable life to help others. It looks at how and why she went about setting up her order as well as her work with people suffering from leprosy. The publicity she undertook to raise the profile of her work, and the criticism she faced, are also discussed. The book also takes a wider perspective, as the Catholic faith, and the charitable work the Church undertakes around the world, is explained. The fact on each spread which provide background information on a variety of topics are very useful to help children understand the context of Mother Teresa's work.

This colourful book takes children on an exciting journey through the country of Brazil. The presentation is especially lively, with good use of fonts and colour to make the book appealing. The information is presented in a series of fact 'boxes' which are meshed with plenty of photos. History, geography, culture, people, sport, cities, the jungle, the Amazon, agriculture and families are among the topics discussed in the lively and engaging text. 'Focus On' boxes give supplementary information and children will enjoy learning all the interesting facts. A very comprehensive index helps them find their way around this information-filled book.

Children will be drawn to this book by its title! Just imagine - a triceratops romping through the park or a diplodocus stuck in a traffic jam... Welcome to an imaginative world where dinosaurs have come back from extinction Big scary, meat-eating ones like T-Rex and Giganotosaurus; giant, long-necked ones like Diplodocus; noisy, trumpeting ones like Parasaurolophus; spiky armoured ones like Stegosaurus; and packs of dangerous little ones with sharp claws like Velociraptor. Fabulously realistic graphic art combines with lively text to reveal the dinosaurs as they really might appear on our streets, accurately showing their size and colours, and helping children to really get to know these creatures. It's a fascinating approach, and informative too, as readers learn what they ate and key facts about each one - including its size related to a human.

This series helps children understand and learn by using crafts to create relevant artefacts. Explore the incredible history of Britain and Europe during these times and find out how people lived, worked, created and celebrated in this fascinating period in history, now part of the National Curriculum. Hunter-gathering, stone tools, cave paintings and of course crafting objects from bronze are all covered in this book, along with extra information about the era, such as the ice ages and the invention of the wheel. Each section has an appropriate craft to support learning, so children will learn to make a handprint painting, coil pot and a model of Stonehenge, for example. These activities are perfect for topic work and for creating classroom displays. This is one in the series Discover Through Craft - eight books that explore key curriculum topics using a mixture of activities, quizzes, facts and crafts. For children aged 7-9, the books include craft activities to support and enhance each section to bring the topic to life.

Writing doesn't come easily to everyone, but by applying the practical ideas in this book, pupils will find they naturally start to improve - and once learnt, the suggestions will be used in the future. The book covers an excellent range of writing styles including opinion pieces, information texts and narratives, as well as conclusions. Each of the three main topics is looked at in depth, with practical ideas for children to follow at every step of the way; reasons are given throughout so pupils see the value of the suggestions. Tips for success give added hints. Photos and diagrams add interest to the book. The Student's Toolbox series equips young people with the tools needed to further their studies and help them develop vital life skills, from planning their timetables through to understanding how to deliver great speeches and presentations. From writing and researching through to planning and speaking, discover how to improve the skills you need to be a grade A student.

This colourful book takes 10 world-changing ideas and and gives a brief overview of their significance, supported by contemporary illustrative material that makes a good talking point in itself. From the ancient civilisations in 3500 BCE, to 15th-century Europe, the Industrial Revolution and the digital era, this book not only examines the ideas themselves, but also places them in the context of other historical events and developments, making it a good background for history studies. The book also includes 10 other ideas that changed the world, a timeline, a detailed glossary as well as an index (this could usefully be more detailed). Before reading the book, why not encourage your child or class to think about the 10 ideas they would include in the book? A great discussion point.

This seasonal anthology contains a mix of light-hearted and more serious poems; poems that rhyme and poems that don't; modern poems and ones from previous centuries There are plenty of good 'read alouds', short poems to be memorised easily, and the sort of poems that children can use as models for their own writing. Poetry is a key feature of the new National Curriculum and these varied poems are perfectly suited for this. Beautiful full-page illustrations by Ellie Jenkins bring each poem vividly to life and are excellent for showing children how effective it can be to illustrate poetry..

BodyWorks is a guide to the human body - each book in the series is filled with amazing facts, clear and detailed illustrations, and fun activities. This book covers the brain and the senses, and the way they control our bodies. The book relies heavily on visual impact, with much of the information presented in variously shaped fact boxes. This means the facts are presented succinctly and memorably, and the good use of illustrations aids this. The book concludes with useful sections on Did you know? Frequently asked questions and a particularly useful set of eight well labelled diagrams showing the systems of the body

The new science curriculum requires children in KS2 to study evolution, so this book will be useful background reading. It describes how scientists group, or classify, all living things on Earth, from microscopic bacteria to huge blue whales. Fossils, adaptation and the theory of natural selection are all also explored. The book takes a complex subject and makes it clear and straightforward for children to understand. There is more text than in many books for this age group, but it's easy to read and provides a good understanding with clear explanations, all very well supported by carefully selected photographs. Each topic has an 'Investigate' box which encourages further research and suggests activities. Straight Forward with Science offers a straightforward, but fun, approach to key science learning. Each book explores basic scientific principles and shows them in action, while simple activities and experiments bring the science to life.

This thought-provoking book really encourages children to ponder on significant questions. It is the first of its kind aimed at the new curriculum for upper primary and lower secondary school children. It looks at the way humanists think and how they respond to fundamental questions about morals and ethics, the origins of life, religion and the state; and how they mark the milestones of birth, marriage and death. It answers the question "How do people without belief in God live moral and fulfilled lives, with respect for humankind and the universe?" A thought-provoking approach which will encourage readers to think about the big questions for themselves, and give teachers an excellent starting point for discussions. A clear and honest view.

Encourage children to take an interest in the natural world which is close to us all, with this excellent series. From familiar garden songbirds, such as robins and blackbirds, to powerful birds of prey, such as kestrels and peregrines, there are a whole host of fascinating birds to discover in Britain. Learn all about the remarkable range of British birds inside this book. Find out where to look for different species, how to identify them, when to spot them and much more. The book is packed with excellent photos which make recognition easy, and there are plenty of intriguing facts to catch children's attention. It's attractively presented and clear to use, with a useful page on classification of birds. Many of our best-loved birds are in decline and this includes the house sparrow and cuckoo; by encouraging children to appreciate them through this excellent book, we can help build a generation who will care for nature.

Britain in the Past is a series which aims to give younger children (perfect for lower KS2) an understanding of everyday life in Britain for both rich and poor. It does this through fact-filled text, exciting illustrations and photographs of artefacts and re-enactors, aided by feature boxes, maps and lists; all this adds up to make a series perfect for supporting the new history curriculum. Stone Age takes children on a journey through Britain between 2.5 million and 4,500 years ago, allowing them to imagine themselves taking part in life in the Stone Ages, aided particularly by the 'If you lived in the Stone Age...' boxes. The book takes a friendly approach, which will really draw children in to the book. There are plenty of photographs of artefacts which will enhance children's understanding and make Stone Age people come alive for them.

The Greatest Inventions of All Time uses original and contemporaneous material from The National Archives to look at some of the most important inventions of all time, and how they came into being. The National Archives is a fantastic resource, available for us all to use and it's brilliant to see that it is brought to people's attention through this series of books. The book delves into the original sources that tell us about inspirational inventors and their inventions. Revealing the mind-boggling capacity for human resourcefulness, it uses documents such as inventors' correspondence, patents, sketches and photographs to tell the stories behind some of the objects we use on a daily basis. Children are encouraged to use original sources as part of the history curriculum and this series really helps them to see how to use them and how valuable they are. The book is rich in pictorial matter too.

This is a fascinating book, presented in a way that will really appeal to children, with its collection of interesting facts, notable numbers and jazzy presentation. Readers will learn about the latest space probes; how rockets lift off; the oldest observatory; meet the astronauts who have set off on space walks, and take a look at life in space. Intriguing questions such as: Which space probe is the farthest from Earth? How do you go to the toilet in space? Which probe took a piggy-back ride on an asteroid? What's a vomit comet? and How much do you grow in space? are all answered. Written for the new curriculum, the book has a useful glossary as well as sources of further information.

The new history curriculum has far more focus on people of early times, and this book on Celts will give all the information KS2 pupils need to learn about and understand these people. They will learn how the Celts came to this country and the impact they had on prehistory. We already know about some Celts, including the fearsome leader Boudicca and the druid priests who were highly important in Celtic society. The Celts left many artefacts behind, giving evidence of their way of life; the many illustrations in the book show these and help give children an insight into the Celts' world and way of life. This is one in the Explore! series which takes an all-round, hands-on approach to history, making the subject relevant to all areas of curriculum learning - geography, science, technology, art, literacy and numeracy. This book features a fun craft-based activity - a Celtic roundhouse, a timeline, facts and figures and a glossary and index.

Find out all about the science in the world around us with Moving Up with Science. Supporting the science National Curriculum at Key Stage 2, this is one in a series which explores key scientific topics through a combination of concise information and fun experiments. This book looks at how sound is made, how it moves; how fast it travels; and what happens when sound waves reach our ears. They will learn how sounds can be high, low, loud or quiet; practical ideas for each topic help children to understand through a range of activities. It's a well thought-out book which encourages children to really think about what they are learning. Well illustrated throughout, each photo has informative text linked to it.

The story of Shackleton and his intrepid voyage is well known and here it is brought to life for children with contemporary images, quotes and dramatic artwork. The story of the voyage is told; we learn what happened when Endurance became ice-bound; and marvel at Shackleton's enterprise and courage when rescuing his fellow explorers. Attractive presentation with coloured backgrounds and well laid out pages makes the book engaging and good to read. There's a useful glossary and a comprehensive index.

Ancient Sumer may not be as well known as some of the other ancient civilisations, but it is no less fascinating, as this book shows. Through structures as imposing as a ziggurat or objects as simple as a stone seal, children will learn about the people who lived in this great civilisation. Each book in Great Civilisations introduces the achievements of the chosen civilisation through 12 structures or objects, for example in this book there is the statue of a shepherd, a silver lyre and a maths chip - this approach encourages children to view the inhabitants as real people. Writing, architecture, industry, warfare, transport and learning are all covered in the same simple, colourful and engaging way. Fact boxes and panels present incidental information and point the reader to the importance of parallel developments in other parts of the world, allowing them to put history into context.

Infographics have become a popular way of presenting information and as we live in a visual society, they are a successful way of helping children to learn and remember; they are also a good complement to traditional formats and suit different learning styles. Presenting the most fascinating and astounding record-breakers in the animal kingdom - from the fastest and strongest to marathon migrators and deep-sea divers - through beautifully designed infographics, this book is both fascinating and visually appealing to children. Each topic has a variety of related sub-topics and the facts will inform and amaze.

My initial reservation with this book is that there seems to be no mention of consulting with an adult before embarking on setting up a YouTube channel, nor any internet safety warnings. Having said that, this book covers every stage from setting up an account to creating a viral video. It explains how to master this popular platform and have your creative output seen around the globe, with good use of colour and layout to make it all clear. Quick Expert's Guides are aimed at teens and 'tweens who are keen to know more about a popular topic, but who may be put off by the idea of having to read wordy or technical guides. Each title includes features that break down technical/scientific/complex aspects of the subject, inspirational case studies, activities and a final project to test the reader's new skills. Chapter round-ups also offer tips on key words and phrases, as well as boosting self-esteem and confidence, in order to walk the walk and talk the talk of a true expert.

An interesting look at our Earth and the rocks that make it up, from its fiery core and volcanoes to limestone cliffs and fossils. It also explores how rocks form and reform over time, and how they change the world around us. Differentiated text levels, plenty of illustrations and good use of text boxes all encourage learning. Moving Up with Science is a series which helps pupils learn about the science in the world around us. Written to support the National Curriculum at Key Stage 2, each title explores key scientific topics through a combination of concise information and fun experiments. This combination is ideal to encourage children to make their own investigations and further their own learning through hands-on experience.

In this country, we don't have to travel far to see wildlife - it's amazing how much there is almost on our doorsteps. This book shows children just how many mammals there are in British towns and cities, in the countryside and in our waterways. There are always small rodents, such as mice and squirrels as well as larger predators, such as foxes, in almost any environment. Readers will learn about the different species, how to spot if they have been around and many interesting facts, with plenty of good photos to accompany it all. The book is part of the 'Nature in your neighbourhood' series - find out all about the plants and animals that live all around you!

This is the true story of Navid, a Kurdish-Iranian refugee, who was forced to flee from Iran after his father's life was threatened. Touchingly told in Navid's own words, the story highlights the terror and hardship that Navid and his mother suffered in their long journey to follow his father to a safe place. It also reveals the strange, mixed-up feelings that Navid had towards him when they were reunited and this offers an interesting new dimension on the issues faced by refugees - escape is far from being the only issue. The Seeking Refuge stories were originally produced as award-winning animations for BBC Learning by Mosaic Films; they deal with the topics of war, separation, immigration and what it means to be a refugee. The language is simple but the emotions are powerful - these books should be read by anyone who wants to understand more about the sad plight of many people.

Reluctant readers may not want to pick up a book on history or geography but give them a book in this exciting series about the exhilarating world of extreme sports and they will be hooked! Each title lists the essential equipment, examines the basic skills and then goes on to look at the more demanding tricks and stunt sand what it takes to become a top professional. There are also profiles of some of the greatest names in the sport, the biggest competitions in the world and the most fearsome locations that these daring competitors come up against. This title has everything the young enthusiast needs to know about the world of BMX biking, both racing and freestyle. Techniques, facts, stats and competitor profiles grab young readers' attention and ensure a thrilling read from cover to cover. With exceptional action photography, this is bound to be a hit.

This could be a dry subject, but the book is surprisingly readable and a great way to enlighten children about the world of banking. They will learn about the ups and downs of the banking industry and find out how incredible sums of money are made - and lost. The relevance of banking to our everyday lives is clearly evidenced, showing how banks use our money to grow their business, what the global economy is and how it works, why there is so much money to be made in banking and what happens to everyone when this big business goes wrong. The series Big-time Business covers areas as varied as the pharmaceutical industry and entertainment world through to the business of beauty, banking, social networking and energy. This high-interest exploration of the business world for 9+ readers is excellent for helping them to learn about the world of big business and its impact on us all.

This well illustrated book takes a look at the entire history of digital technology, from simple abacuses to today's supercomputers. Covered in chronological order, a timeline runs across the bottom of the pages so readers can keep developments in context. Colourful layout with easy to follow text-boxes and captions makes the book accessible and appealing. It's a fascinating look at computing machines throughout history, from early steam-powered computing machines and code breaking machines used during World War II to the development of the world wide web and wireless technology. With clear explanations, even the most technologically challenged will understand and appreciate these marvels. Technology Timelines is a series of six book aimed at upper KS2 and early KS3 readers, tracing the development of specific technologies through the ages.

Bats are amazing creatures, often misunderstood - but here is children's opportunity to understand them and find out how they are helped. Who would think you could get emotional about a bat? Bat Rescue follows the ups and downs of the lives of these special animals as they are cared for at the Tolga Bat Hospital in Australia and focuses on both individual animals and the incredible people who look after them. It's a fascinating insight, supported by super photos that help us appreciate these creatures. Animal Rescue is a series of six books supported by environmental and educational content. Each book touches on issues such as conservation, habitat destruction, poaching, how each animal lives in the wild and how they are cared for in captivity.

We all know how essential recycling is and there can never be too much emphasis in its importance - this useful nook has plenty of practical ideas and brings the most modern ideas to its readers' attention. It shows what happens to the materials we recycle and clearly explains the benefits. Excellent use is made of different text types to make the book accessible to a range of readers, meaning many will be able to access the valuable information. Explore the world's most revolutionary and exciting ecological developments in Eco Works. This series for 9+ readers examines how green technology is finding inventive solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing us today. From sourcing sustainable energy and reducing our carbon footprints through to creating recycling processes and community gardens that provide our growing urban populations with green space and food, find out exactly how and why 'eco works'.

The Space Race of the 1960s and 1970s was a memorable time which saw some huge steps in our knowledge. This book explores the efforts made by both NASA and the Soviet Union to reach the Moon during this period and details some of the extraordinary missions and adventures that occurred, including the Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 missions. The presentation is entirely appropriate and very eye-catching with white text against a black background. There is plenty of detail here, making the book suitable for Upper KS2 or Lower KS3 pupils. Packed with informative illustrations, the book gives an excellent picture of a dramatic period in exploration. The Story of Space is a series of 6 books that reveal the thrilling journeys, triumphs and disasters that men and women have experienced in the exploration of our universe. These books examine the mind-blowing technologies involved in space endeavours and tells the all too human stories of some of the key figures.

Learning about a country through the eyes of another child is a super way for children to learn - it really helps them to see what life is like. Meet ten-year-old Valencia and share a day with her from the moment she gets up to the time she goes to bed. See inside her home, her school and find out about all the things she does each day, what they does with her friends and what family life is like. Informative and well illustated. A Child's Day in..., six books that explore daily life in an intimate way. Ideal for children aged 7-12 who are studying different cultures. These books bring to life their homes, their school, the games they play, their chores and responsibilities, the food they eat and how they participate as members of their own families and also in the wider community.

When children can see the relevance of topics to themselves, they are so much more likely to respond to the information and to enjoy learning. This series focuses on areas that really interest children - other titles are My Chocolate Bar, My Smartphone and My Bed. Each book in the series goes beyond the title subject and investigates a wide range of associated items. The series investigates exactly how familiar household items are put together and explores this in an ethical and fair trade context, featuring information on both good and bad working environments around the world, and highlighting the work of Fairtrade and similar organisations. It is excellent for encouraging children to think about the products we use, how they reach us and the impact on others.

We use them every day, but do we understand how they work? I found this book fascinating! This book explains what a touch screen is, how it originated, how it works and how it features both in the world at large and within our everyday lives. There is plenty of detail in the text, enough to satisfy any enquirer, and the excellent illustrative material supports this. It is one in a series which looks at high-tech science, devices and scientific inventions that have helped revolutionise modern life; things that we perhaps take for granted are explained in a way that makes the reader wonder at the marvels of our modern world.

"I am Malala." Malala Yousafzai is a quite amazing person; a wonderful role model for young people and an inspiring person who has achieved so much at a young age. I am Malala. This book shows students how Malala Yousafzai, a schoolgirl from Pakistan, stood up to the Taliban and defended her right to an education. From her initial blogging for the BBC, to the shooting that rocked the world, to her emergence as a powerful speaker in favour of feminist rights and being awarded the Noble Peace Prize, Malala's story will amaze and inspire everyone, young or old. Inspiration, Fast Facts and Top Tips add interesting snippets of additional information to an already fascinating story.

Mapping is fascinating and very satisfying to do, so encourage it with this activity-packed book. As well as learning how to draw maps, children will learn about the features of a village. It shows what a bird's eye map is by looking at aerial photos of villages; how village landmarks, such as churches and village greens can be shown as symbols; how to measure scale and distance on a walk around a village; what map plans are using a village shop and a farmers' market, as examples; how compass points show you how to find directions around a stable yard; how to follow pathways, roads and bridleways on a country walk; how to use grid references by looking at a village green; what contour lines are by looking at a country valley; looking at land use by showing farming land; and looking at transport maps showing routes between different villages. Very comprehensive and a great way to encourage children to observe what is all around.

Trees are vital - they shape our landscape and are inestimably valuable in creating habitats for all sorts of creatures. Help children appreciate their importance through this fascinating book which looks at the life of an old living deciduous tree and through it explores the amazing life of a tree and the creatures that inhabit it. Using a well-planned mixture of photos and artwork the book shows how the tree has changed and how it acts as a habitat for other life. The presentation of the book is superb - it's stunningly laid out and illustrated and the facts are fascinating and absorbing in their level of detail. It will really make young readers appreciate the beauty of trees and would make a super basis for classroom topic work and outdoor activity.

Got a child who loves thrills and spills? The this exciting book will be just right. Exciting Escapes takes a look at some of the most daring getaways in history, from rooftop leaps to canyon rescues. The dramatic presentation, packed with facts, stats, true-life stories and amazing photographs this book will appeal to everyone interested in extreme survival. Experience the thrills of fast machines, daring journeys, extreme sports and much more through this series of action packed high-interest reads designed for older children. There are 8 books in the series, which is perfect for encouraging even reluctant readers to enjoy books.

Through the pages of this well-illustrated book, children will discover the teams and players battling for the ultimate rugby trophy and what it means to be a host nation - England is hosting the Rugby World Cup in Autumn 2015 so excitement and interest will be high. Find out about the venues, learn about the tournament's fascinating history and marvel at the exciting events of past competitions. It's always good to have an understanding of how tournaments work, especially when they are on home ground with all the accompanying hype; readers will also learn about the players and coaches and the requirements of hosting. Interesting features include Cup Fact boxes give amazing World Cup statistics, One to Watch features identify key players to look out for in the tournament and rugby talk tells us what the players think. Action-packed photos add to the interest.

The new computing curriculum can seem daunting for teachers, so they will welcome this new series which is a practical and much-needed resource for the KS1-2 computing curriculum exploring all aspects of computational thinking. The series breaks down this new curriculum subject into four titles covering key topics. Clear bright layout explores how computers work and explains how to think in a logical way and explains binary code, simple algorithms and computer language. With real-life examples readers learn about the development of coding using simple decision making processes. An important part of the new curriculum is using programming languages, and the book explains Scratch and LOGO. Hands-on experience comes through the Stretch Yourself features to help reinforce learning; True Story features give real-world anecdotes from the world of information technology, showing the practical applications. Computer Hero features look at the forerunners of digital technology that have paved the way for scientists today. It's a comprehensive look at a new subject.

Forces and Movement looks at what the different forces are and how important they are here on Earth. Gravity, friction and simple machines are also looked at. Extensive use of photos and diagrams makes the topic easy to understand. Research skills are developed by using the glossary and index, and the book is fully compliant with the KS2 science curriculum. Investigations allow children to find out for themselves. Straight Forward with Science offers a straightforward, but fun, approach to key science learning. Each book explores basic scientific principles and shows them in action, while simple activities and experiments bring the science to life.

A fascinating range of incredible and historic journeys are covered in this book. From the ancient Egyptian voyage to the land of Punt around 1470 BCE to the Apollo mission to space in 1969; taking in Marco Polo's journey to China, the great 15th-century Chinese voyages, the Portuguese sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, the New World voyages, the circumnavigation of the globe, the mapping of the Pacific, the exploration of the American West, the exploration of Africa, the race to the South Pole and the descent into the Mariana Trench on the way. Vivid presentation with eye-catching graphics conveys a real sense of excitement, guaranteed to capture the interest.

My favourite non-fiction pairing ever, this time turning their talented attention to the history of Britain 'from way back when to here right now!' As ever, we find text and picture perfectly linked to provide an engrossing insight - the perfect introduction to the fascinating history of our nation. From the Iron Age, Stonehenge, the Celts, the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, then on to the marvels of the Medieval era, the Tudors and Stuarts, the Industrial Revolution, the Victorians and the 20th century right up to the modern day, the text engages and informs, perfectly complemented by the illustrations which are packed with detail. The exciting story is supplemented by many amazing facts and introduces key figures from kings, queens and military leaders to scientists, artists and writers. The speech bubbles add amusing and informative anecdotes. Who could fail to find history enthralling when presented so well?

By choosing a subject close to many children's hearts, this book is guaranteed an interested audience. The book explores the problems faced by the people who produce the world's food. It shows how fair trade projects help them to improve their working conditions and get a fair price for their produce - and how we can play our part in supporting fair trade. The book encourages children to think about how food is produced and how we use it. Don't forget - as with the majority of titles reviewed on this page, this is just one example from a series, so there are many other titles to look at on the Hachette website. This series investigates just how lots of familiar household items are put together. This is explored in an ethical and fair trade context, featuring information on both good and bad working environments around the world, and highlighting the work of Fairtrade and similar organisations.

Ryan is a young reporter who is in France to find out about special days and holidays - and then report about them on his blog. It's a great way to capture children's attention with this thoroughly modern approach and children may well be encouraged to set up their own blog to share information. Join Ryan to find out what Bastille Day is, what type of holidays are typical in France, how the French celebrate Christmas and other festivals and much more. It's all engagingly presented in a very visual manner. There are also key French phrases, language tips and mini quizzes. A good way to learn about the culture and support KS2 language studies.

These fascinating and amazing creatures are covered in interesting detail with lots of facts and figures in this well illustrated book. Impress your friends (and yourself) with just how much you know about dinosaurs! Find out about these impressive creatures from the massive and fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex to flying reptiles and the extinction event that wiped them out - this book will ensure you really do Know It All.

Anna Claybourne is a prolific author of non fiction for children and she knows just the right level to pitch the text and to make it interesting. This is an informative book with plenty of illustrations to show children some of the nasties of the plant world - guaranteed to amuse and amaze. There are 13 chapters and each reviews a different type or group of plants, along with colourful photographs and diagrams and short text boxes in a variety of styles.

Some knights were women - did you know that? And that's not the only surprising fact in this intriguing book which is perfectly geared to excite children's interest. A perfect introduction for children who want to know what being a knight was all about, and an excellent way to make history come alive. Bite-sized facts mean you can dip into this book at random, or read it cover to cover. Ideal for early KS2, the text is minimal and large print and heavy emphasis is given to visuals. Part of the series Lots of Things You Want to Know About, four books that take a look at some of the most dangerous jobs...ever! Aimed at children aged 7+, these books combine large full colour illustrations and simple paragraphs of text to encourage children to read around these high-interest topics.

These huge machines always fascinate - the biggest, fastest and most powerful are shown in dramatic photos accompanied by statistics and amazing facts. Perfect for capturing a young general reader's or an older reluctant reader's interest, this hi-lo title is one in a series which makes good use of engaging, minimal, fact-based text, dramatic and impactful pictures, and an edgy design - perfect to entice reluctant readers into the world of books.

This kind of approach to history has become hugely popular in recent years and children respond well to this way of learning, even those who may formerly have found history boring. Find out the inside story of life in Victorian times, from superb sewers and chocking chimneys to constricting corsets and hair-raising health care. Colourful presentation with plenty of humorous illustrations and fun fact snippets will engage young learners and give them a picture of the period which will help their learning and understanding.

We are taken to London in the reign of King Charles II; his restoration has brought new life to this great city. The theatres are open again, markets and shops are thriving and the streets are crowded. People are talking about new ideas in science and architecture and experimenting with new fashions; it's all explained in vivid detail. It's an exciting world but then disaster struck the capital city. The book vividly describes Great Fire of 1666, the way Londoners fought it and the new London that arose out of its ashes. Published to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire, this book gives older children a much broader context for this famous event. With a mixture of maps, archive images and present day photography, it acts as a wonderful guide both to London in the 1660s and how its legacy can still be found in the capital today. It's an excellent way for pupils to see the impact of the fire, and to really gain an insight into society of the time; it's superbly illustrated with plenty of source material, helping students to see the full value of this.

Feminism is an emotive word and one which has different meanings and implications for different people. This book introduces young people to the movement in a factual and unbiased manner, looking at its history and how it has an impact today. A strong part of the book lies in its sections about prominent feminists including Bea Appleby, Louise Spilsbury and Dawn O'Porter; these are interspersed with information about feminism. The book explains why we still need feminism, how women are portrayed by the media, how advertising and airbrushing affect body image, and how the gender pay gap is still very much in existence. The book contains valuable information for young people, helping them to gain a rounded picture of feminism - it will be an excellent resource for citizenship and PSHE lessons.

Making friends. Surviving school. Discovering what (or who) you love. Standing out. Fitting in. Growing up. What does being teenage mean to you? Teenage means different things to different people and nobody shares exactly the same experiences. Notes on Being Teenage covers all aspects of teenhood, from the serious (mental health issues, bullying, staying safe online), to the slightly-less-so (dating, style, fashion, starting a blog) and everything in between. Rooted in her own experiences as a blogger, part-time model and eco-fashion-expert, but also as a teen who struggled with scoliosis, bullying and her dad's depression, the author is well-placed to offer advice and guidance to anyone navigating their teenage years. She is close enough to her teen years to understand how teens feel in today's world, so they will respond well to her advice.

The Battle of the Somme lasted for over four and a half months and saw over a million servicemen die. This book tells the harrowing story of the battle and its wider repercussions, and analyses its importance to the overall outcome of the First World War. It investigates the build-up to the battle, why leaders thought the action was necessary and what they thought it would achieve. It looks at the forces involved, including the 'Pals' battalions - patriotic friends who fought, and more often than not died, together. The book charts the course of the battle from beginning to end and includes quotes from those who took part, as well as including poetry, art and music inspired by the Somme campaign. I like the fact the book includes such a wide range of resources, which give a real insight.

This series looks at some of the most well-known places in modern history and explores why they are remembered. This book tells the story of how the Japanese port city of Hiroshima came to be the target of the world's first nuclear attack. It explores the background to the attack, the development of the atomic bomb, the nuclear arms race that followed, and the rebirth of Hiroshima. The book is full of information and well illustrated too. Contemporary thoughts are found in the 'Voices' boxes, and these give an interesting insight.

Anne Walter has retold many fairy tales for young readers and she brings a lively style and well thought out use of words to this version for young readers. The shoemaker sadly has to close his shop as he can no longer afford to keep going. But when a beautiful pair of shoes appear by magic, will this change things? Must Know Stories includes favourite tales, celebrating the diversity of our literary heritage. Level 2 stories are told in under 1000 words.