Forms of Energy
2009, Heinemann Library
Introduction to the often-confusing facts about energy, its forms and how it changes form – with lots of useful real-life examples and activities. Part of the extensive Sci-Hi series.
Books:
Books I’ve written and co-written
This page lists my books in order of publication, most recent first. Just scroll down or search the page to find particular titles and topics. I will update this page every few months.
You won’t find every single title I’ve published here, as many have been re-issued as bind-ups or with new titles – this page just lists what I’ve written, as it first appeared. Searching on Amazon will reveal more editions, as well as some forthcoming titles. I have also edited, rewritten, project-managed and contributed to quite a few other books, but I’m keeping this list to books I’ve written all or at least half of.
My specialist areas include:
Life science topics, such as the human body, genes and DNA, insects, plants and sea life
Other science topics, such as sound and light, matter, electricity, invention and discovery
Geography and geology, especially volcanoes and other natural disasters
Shakespeare, both as a non-fiction topic, and retellings of his works
Art, craft and “how-to” topics
Retellings of myths and legends, folktales and classic novels
History, especially ancient history, and ancient Greece in particular
Rhyming stories for young children
Does it Bend? All About Stretchy Materials
2009, Franklin Watts
Part of a new materials series from Franklin Watts, this includes lots of fascinating facts and stretchy/springy experiments to try, including making a bouncy diving board for an action figure.
Human Body
2009, Silver Dolphin Books
Part of the Learning in Action series, an amazing multimedia book with sounds, pop-ups and lift-up tabs as well as very detailed science info.
Why It Works
2009, QED Publishing
A series of four bright, easy-to-read books on physical science topics for very young children.
Why It Works: Light and Dark
Why It Works: Materials
Why It Works: Electricity
Why It Works: Pushes and Pulls
Landform Top Tens
2009, Raintree
Three books as part of an exciting series on amazing examples of natural features and phenomana.
The World’s Most Amazing Volcanoes
The World’s Most Amazing Deserts
The World’s Most Amazing Coasts
Caterpillar rhyming stories
2008-present, Caterpillar Books
I’ve been working on a series of rhyming stories for Caterpillar books for the past couple of years. They are fun novelty books (with flaps, cut-outs or tie-on toys) for very young children, and beautifully illustrated by Jo Moon and Debbie Tarbett.
With Jo Moon:
The Busy Little Train
The Magic Little Sleigh
The Busy Red Tractor
Jungle Friends
Sea Friends
With Debbie Tarbett:
Here Comes the Rain!
100 Most Dangerous Things on the Planet
2008, A&C Black
This handbook-style guide looks at 100 of the world’s most dangerous animals, natural disasters and risky situations, along with survival tips and amazing facts. Shortlisted for both the 2009 Blue Peter Book Awards and the Children’s Choice Book Awards in the US.
The Story of Science
2008, Usborne Publishing
A follow-up to The Story of Inventions, this is a friendly, cartoon-illustrated guide to all the greatest scientific discoveries in history.
The Science in…
2008, Franklin Watts
Two books in a quirky, high-interest series exploring science topics through everyday objects.
The Science in… A Glass of Water
The Science in… A Guitar
Greek Myths
2008, Franklin Watts
Famous ancient Greek myths retold for very young readers, as part of the Stories From Around the World series.
Henry’s Heads
2008, Heinemann Raintree
Part of the second wave of the accessible Fusion series, this is the shocking story of Henry VIII and the heads he chopped off.
100 Things You Should Know About…
2008, Miles Kelly Publishing
Two titles in Miles Kelly’s long-running and entertaining fact series:
100 Things You Should Know About: Saving the Earth
100 Things You Should Know About: Extreme Earth
Art on the Wall: Surrealism
2008, Heinemann Library
One of a series exploring the great art movements.
The Story of Inventions
2007, Usborne Publishing
Chatty, cartoon-driven but very detailed book about inventions through the ages, with lots of diagrams and science too. One of my favourites.
Time Travel Guides
2007, Raintree
Two in a great series of travel handbooks showing you around famous historical destinations. My titles are:
Time Travel Guide to Ancient Greece
Time Travel Guide to the Renaissance
Microworlds: Unlocking the Secrets of Atoms and Molecules
2007, Rourke Publishing
Further explorations into the vexed question of what stuff actually is.
Vital Science
2007, Gareth Stevens
I wrote two books for this in-depth science series:
Sound
The Nature of Matter
Deep Oceans
2007, Heinemann
Part of the Earth’s Final Frontiers series on unexplored and little-known regions.
Volcanoes
2007, Kingfisher Books
Large-format and great-looking volcano book, including exciting case studies as well as volcano science.
Science in Focus
2006, Evans Brothers
Three in-depth titles on science topics, ideal for school projects and fact fans.
Genetics
The Human Body
The Solar System
Titanic
2006, Usborne Publishing
Co-written with Katie Daynes. The story of the famous ship and how she sank, written for advancing learner readers.
Fusion series
2005, Heinemann Raintree
These six exciting science books are part of the much larger Fusion series, presenting science topics from high-interest angles. My six titles are:
Does a Worm Have a Girlfriend? – on animal reproduction
Blackout! – on electricity
World’s Worst Germs – on germs and disease
Feel the Noise! – on sound and music
Plant Secrets – on plant life
Can You Tell a Skink from a Salamander? – on classification of living things.
Romeo and Juliet
2005, Usborne Publishing
Illustrated version of the famous story, aimed to help learner readers.
The Shocking Story of Electricity
2005, Usborne Publishing
Easy-to-read book introducing the history and science of electricity in narrative form, with great cartoon illustrations.
Stories from Shakespeare
2004, Usborne Publishing
Ten of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, retold as detailed narrative stories in a modern style, with amazingly beautiful illustrations by Elena Temporin.
Interfact: Human Body
2004, Two-Can Publishing
I wrote the book part for this fun book and CD-ROM set.
1000 Facts About Sharks
2004, Miles Kelly Publishing
A brain-boggling 224 pages stuffed with shark facts and great photos and illustrations.
Animals Under Threat: Giant Panda
2004, Heinemann Library
Part of a series focusing on endangered species and efforts to save them.
Microlife
2004, Heinemann Library
All about germs, moulds and other microscopic beasties, with experiments to try.