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 

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.

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.