Coming soon
New books in the pipeline include several titles on animals, including sea creatures and creepy-crawlies; a book about the brain; a cool science series; and more “100 Most…” titles.
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.
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
Book count! (as listed in this section) currently standing at: 133
100 Scariest Things on the Planet
2011, A&C Black
The “100 Most…” series takes a terrifying turn, exploring scary sports and death-defying feats, hair-raising precipices, mysterious monster sightings, haunted houses and castles, ghastly graveyards and tales of ghosts and witches (with a sceptical eye!). Fabulous fun for those who like to scare themselves silly.
Animals on the Edge
2012, Bloomsbury/ZSL
A new series written in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London and their EDGE programme for unique and rare endangered species. Besides lots of general info, the books explore life in the zoo and in the wild for these fascinating animals, with detailed explanations and examples of the threats that face them, and how we are trying to help. Find out how you transport a rhino by helicopter, raise a parentless baby penguin, catch an elusive nocturnal hippo on camera, or make the right noises to keep a gorilla calm. I love these books!
There are six in the series:
Gorilla
Tiger
Penguin
Elephant
Rhino
Hippo
Sharks Poster Book
2012, Miles Kelly
Full update of my earlier sharks book with Miles Kelly, with cool shark wall posters too.
Life Processes
2012, Raintree
Comprehensive introduction to life processes such as respiration, nutrition and growth. Scientific and detailed, but clear, friendly and practical, with lots of real examples from human, animal, plant and microbe life.
Be Creative!
2012, Franklin Watts
A funky four-part craft series:
Customise Your Clothes
Bedroom Makeover
Accessories For All
Cards, Wrap and Tags
Collins Big Cat
I’m delighted to be involved in this high-profile reading series. So far I’ve written:
World’s Deadliest Creatures 2012, Collins Educational
Muscles 2012, Collins Educational
… with more to follow.
Sci-Hi: What Are the Limits of Organ Transplants?
2012, Raintree
A fascinating subject to write about. Not just how organ transplants work, but the latest techniques and inventions, alternatives, and headline-grabbing topics like face transplants and robot limbs.
Radar: Dance
Two modern, journalistic-style dance titles with interviews and instructions as well as background info.
Bhangra and Bollywood 2011, Wayland
Ice Dancing 2011, Wayland
White Wolves
Original and high-interest non-fiction readers. I have contributed:
Knight Survival Guide 2011, Bloomsbury
Treasure Hunter’s Handbook 2011, Bloomsbury
101 Ways to Beat Boredom
2011, Pearson Education
Part of the new Bug Club reading scheme, this is also a really useful things-to-do book – including indoor and outdoor activities, experiments, games, crafts and creative projects.
Big Picture
Fun first factual books aimed at curriculum Key Stage 1 (in the UK). I wrote two of the series:
Mummy Maker 2011, Bloomsbury
Feast at the Castle 2011, Bloomsbury
100 Most Awesome Things on the Planet
2011, A&C Black
The third in the popular “100 Most…” series covers all kinds of awesome things – awesome structures and vehicles, incredible natural features and events, and amazing sights.
Science Secrets: Secrets of Light
2010, Marshall Cavendish
Thorough and colourful introduction to the science of light.
Breakthroughs in Science and Technology
I’m proud of these seriously in-depth, wide-ranging and totally non-dumbed-down books on important and difficult science topics. I wrote two in the series:
Who Split the Atom? 2010, Arcturus
Who Discovered Natural Selection? 2011, Arcturus
These reviews in the esteemed journal Science Books and Films are very nice!
Who Split the Atom?
“This is much more than a story about splitting the atom: It is a rich and colorful picture of the process of science, personalities, and breakthroughs that led to our contemporary view of the atom. The book is lively and brimming with interesting photos, diagrams, and side notes that focus the reader’s attention while providing tangential ideas that lend a broader view of the chemistry and physics involved. Highly Recommended.”
Who Discovered Natural Selection?
“This is a must buy for school libraries. “Who Discovered Natural Selection?” has made evolution theory accessible to young learners in a fresh and accurate way. Highly recommended.”
Deadly Diseases and Curious Cures
2010, Bloomsbury
All about the scary and strange illnesses and injuries a ship’s doctor would encounter in the great age of sail – complete with instructions for remedies and cures.
Also appears with the slightly clearer title Sick at Sea? Cure it or Cut it Off!
The Story of Exploration
2010, Usborne Publishing
Illustrated, chapter-style book telling the stories of the greatest explorers ever – Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and many more.
100 Most Disgusting Things on the Planet
2010, A&C Black
The 100 Most… series continues with this thrilling exploration of revolting foods, disgustingly behaved animals, gross body substances and other delights. Even a bit too disgusting for me, in parts!
Extreme!: Pirate: From Navigation to Amputation
2009, A&C Black
Fun factual pirate book with loads of info about how pirates got around, what they ate, the diseases they caught, their weapons, ships, and unsavoury habits.
May also appear with the title Pirate Secrets Revealed.
Extreme!: Volcano’s Edge
2009, A&C Black
An exciting book about volcanoes that takes you to look at volcanic craters, eruptions and processes in close-up.
May also appear with the title Investigating Volcanoes.
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, Debbie Tarbett, Lee Wildish, Mike Byrne and Michael Terry.
With Jo Moon:
The Busy Little Train
The Magic Little Sleigh
The Busy Red Tractor
Busy Little Boats
Jungle Friends
Sea Friends
With Debbie Tarbett:
Here Comes the Rain!
Finding Little Mouse
With Lee Wildish:
Don’t Wake the Lion!
With Mike Byrne:
It’s My Birthday!
With Michael Terry:
Silly Barney
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