Andrew Thomson – Illustratör

His parents may have named him Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but to the rest of the world, he is known as Pele. The now-retired professional soccer forward stunned Brazil when he began playing for the Santos soccer club at age fifteen. He then went on to captivate the world when he joined his country’s national soccer team and helped them win three World Cup championships. Although he’s hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in soccer, Pele has been an influential person both on and off the pitch. His work with organisations like UNICEF has helped improve conditions for children around the world. Young readers can learn more about the man who connected soccer with the phrase “The Beautiful Game.”

Joan of Arc was born in a small French village during the worst period of the Hundred Years' War. For generations, France had been besieged by the British. At age 11, Joan began to see religious visions telling her to join forces with the King of France. By the time she was a teenager, she was leading troops into battle in the name of her country. Though she was captured and executed for her beliefs, Joan of Arc became a Catholic saint and has since captured the world's imagination.

When Alexander was a boy in ancient Macedon, he already had grand ambitions. He complained that his father, the great king of Macedon, wasn't leaving anything for him to conquer! This, of course, was not the case. King Alexander went on to control most of the known world of the time. His victories won him many supporters but they also earned him enemies. This easy to read biography offers a fascinating look at the life of Alexander and the world he lived in. A series of illustrated biographies for young readers featuring significant historical figures, including artists, scientists, and world leaders.

By age 16, Paul David Hewson was such a good singer that he had earned the nickname “Bono Vox,” a Latin phrase that translates to “good voice.” When he became the frontman of the newly formed rock band U2 in 1976, he adopted part of the nickname and “Bono” was introduced to the world. Today, U2 have sold over 157 million albums and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys. In addition to having stellar vocals and a compelling stage presence, Bono is also recognized for his commitment to social justice. This book shares the story of this charitable rock star who has been named a “Person of the Year” by TIME magazine and who is recognised as a global icon of goodwill.

Malala Yousafzai was a girl who loved to learn but was told that girls would no longer be allowed to go to school. She wrote a blog that called attention to what was happening in her beautiful corner of Pakistan and realized that words can bring about change. She has continued to speak out for the right of all children to have an education. In 2014 she won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Learn how this Emmy-winning host, producer, and television personality became the world's most famous drag queen.RuPaul Andre Charles always knew he was meant to be a performer. Even as a young child, he loved to dress up and imitate the glamorous women he saw on television. When he turned fifteen, he began studying theater in a performing arts school in Atlanta and never looked back. Ru developed his drag-queen personality and launched his career in the 1980s. He now hosts and judges the widely popular and long-running show RuPaul's Drag Race, which has raised the profile of the art of drag, and drag queens around the world.

What Do We Know About Crop Circles? lets curious young readers learn about the phenomenon of crop circles and how they came to be one of the most studied mysteries of the natural world. Read about all of the rational and fanciful explanations for these flattened patterns in crops all over the world, from the United Kingdom to Australia. Artists and hoaxers alike have claimed credit for these massive projects, but some people think that the source could be paranormal. Are these circles an elaborate prank, or could they be something more?

Also known as Nessie, this creature of the lake's history dates all the way back to the year 565. Since then, there have been photographs and films that allegedly show proof of the monster's existence. But are they fact or fiction? Learn all about the research, expeditions, and tests that provide clues about the Loch Ness Monster and whether or not she is real in this captivating book for young readers!Series Overview: Following the same format as the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series, the What Do We Know About? books explore the histories of famous cryptids, mysteries, and phenomenons.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Will we ever learn the truth about what actually landed at Roswell?From the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series comes Where Is?, a series that tells the stories of world-famous landmarks and natural wonders and features a fold-out map!In 1947, an unusual object crashed in the New Mexico desert and was recovered by the Roswell Army Airfield officers. People everywhere began to speculate what the object could be. Could it possibly be a flying saucer? Would that be proof of aliens and life beyond Earth? Even decades later, some people still believe that the Roswell Incident is the most famous UFO sighting ever. Still, those who worked at the airfield insist it was just a weather balloon that had fallen from the sky. Was the Roswell Incident evidence of alien life, a government cover-up, or just a myth? Here are the facts about what we do know about Roswell.

In 2010, Harry Styles was thrust into the spotlight when he auditioned for X-Factor and was placed in a new band called One Direction. That band of five young men would go on to place third in the competition, but their time together wouldn't stop there. They went on to release five albums and headline four international tours. When the band went on a break in 2016, Harry Styles decided to pursue his dream of being a solo artist. Since then, Harry has released three albums, sold out massive tours, and won a Grammy award. In addition to his musical success, Harry has also acted in several blockbuster movies, including Dunkirk and Don't Worry Darling. In everything that he does, Harry inspires his fans to 'Treat People With Kindness,' his slogan that encourages people to love and respect everyone around them.

Shaun White, known as “The Flying Tomato' because of his bright red hair, received his first snowboarding sponsorship by age seven. This was just the first of a lifetime of athletic achievements. He has won a medal every year since 2002 at the Winter X games and won gold at the 2006, 2010, and 2018 Olympics. White has been dazzling audiences for years. Learn all about this snowboarding legend’s life from his childhood skateboarding days to his illustrious Olympic career, and the creation of his own brand of snowboarding gear.

Tony Hawk, also known as 'Birdman,' knew from an early age that he was special. Using skateboarding as an outlet for his excess energy, he became a professional skateboarder by age fourteen. He then went on to be named the National Skateboard Association world champion for twelve consecutive years. Among other notable 'firsts,' Tony Hawk became the first skateboarder to land a '900' trick, earning him the title as the pioneer of modern vertical skateboarding. Although he is known for his skateboarding, he is also an accomplished businessman, philanthropist, and founder of the Skatepark Project, which builds skateparks in underprivileged neighbourhoods. Young readers can learn more about the man who ushered in the era of modern skateboarding in this exciting book.

Zombies - the undead - have long been a subject of fascination. But can the dead really be brought back to life?When explorer William Seabrook first recorded details of his travels in Haiti in 1929, he explained witnessing undead people working in the sugarcane fields there. He also wrote about Haitian stories that explained zombies as undead people who had been forced into labor.Since then, zombie lore has expanded and changed based on location and culture, and zombies have become a hot topic in Hollywood and popular media. They gained widespread Western interest when the movie Night of the Living Dead premiered in 1968. In this book, readers will learn about the folklore of zombies and all manner of the living dead, including how zombies continue to strike fear into the hearts of countless people.

Today, Vera Wang is one of the most famous fashion designers in the world. But did you know that she didn't start designing until she was thirty-eight years old? Before she got her start in fashion, Vera was first a little girl who dreamed of being an Olympic ice skater. Then, she was an editor for Vogue magazine where she worked for seventeen years. It wasn't until the age of forty that Vera began designing her own line of wedding gowns. Now, she is a beloved designer who dresses some of the most famous people in the world for their weddings and red carpet appearances. Learn her story in this perfect nonfiction book for young readers interested in fashion.

Find out how this English singer-songwriter and actor who constantly reinvented his look and sound became one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century in this new book from the #1 New York Times bestselling series.David Bowie, born David Robert Jones, wasn't just an incredible singer; he had an amazing talent for keeping his fans happily guessing about what he would do next. He alternated between musical genres with ease, established a successful acting career, and even created a legendary persona--the rocker alien Ziggy Stardust--that people still dress up as for Halloween each year. Author Margaret Gurevich takes readers through David Bowie's life and shows exactly why he is an inspiration to many people and is celebrated all over the world.