David Antram – illustratör

Anyone can create a masterpiece with just a pencil and paper!This easy to follow guide helps aspiring caricature artists learn how to draw a variety of amusing characters in just a few swoops of their pencil. It includes focus on specialist concepts, such as light, tone and composition, and covers all the cartoon basics, including likeness, exaggeration and style. All you need is a pen, pencil and a piece of paper to start bringing your caricatures to life!The How to Draw series takes a highly visual and practical approach to drawing, featuring step-by-step instructions for each art project. From basic shapes to finished art, this book uses two different coloured lines throughout to highlight clearly each process and which steps to follow. The series covers a comprehensive range of core techniques - with sections on materials, composition and perspective.

Brutal battles and terrifying trenches await in this look at the life of World War One soldiers!It's August 1914. You are 16-year-old Tommy Atkins, living in London. Set against a backdrop of the war just broken out in Europe, find out what your life was like after joining up and being sent to the trenches. From sharing your bed with rats and lice to a diet of bully beef, bread and biscuits, discover why you really wouldn't want to be a soldier living in a trench during World War One. The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history. The first-person narrative approach puts the reader in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived. Humorous cartoon-style illustrations bring the characters to life, while informative captions, timelines and maps explain processes or chronological events. Perfect for history enthusiasts!

Discover the riotous world of Ancient Rome with this rip-roaring facts and jokes book, perfect for 7-9 year olds!Laugh along as you learn in this hilarious, fact-packed joke book all about Ancient Rome. Featuring dozens of gut-busting gags, this book combines history and humour, uncovering the gross and gruesome aspects of ancient life, such as gory gladiators, terrifying emperors and back-stabbing plots. Find out about the battles with the Britons, the Roman baths and why Hadrian built his huge wall. Hold onto your sides and dive in!

Discover the riotous world of Ancient Egypt with this rip-roaring facts and jokes book, perfect for 7-9 year olds!Laugh along as you learn in this hilarious, fact-packed joke book all about Ancient Egypt. Featuring dozens of gut-busting gags, this book combines history and humour, uncovering the gross and gruesome aspects of ancient life, such as monstrous mummies, fearsome Pharaohs and treasure-filled tombs. Hold onto your sides and dive right in!

Grab your javelin and your discus - it's time to race in the ancient Greek Olympics!As a young boy in the city-state of Athens, the time has come to prove yourself in ancient Greek society. Following several years in school, your father pushes you to participate in the most famous athletic competition to exist - the Olympics. The training is treacherous, the equipment is excruciating, and the rivalries are rotten. Discover the awe-inspiring origins of the Olympics, what vigorous rules had to be followed, and just how you might go about surviving - or even winning - these ancient games.The You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers. The first-person narrative approach puts children in the shoes of the some of the unluckiest people ever to have lived.

Climb aboard the unsinkable Titanic and discover the tragic history behind the world's most famous shipwreck!The year is 1907, and you are the manager of a prestigious shipping company. You decide to plan and build the largest and most luxurious streamliner in the world to cross the Atlantic Ocean: the Titanic. Little do you know that the ship is sailing straight towards disaster! This perfect curriculum companion steers readers through the Titanic's history and its doomed maiden voyage, covering everything from its construction to destruction.The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers. The first-person narrative approach puts children in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived.

Grisly history and fiery accusations await in this piping hot history of the Great Fire of London!As if the plague wasn't bad enough, here comes the fiery antidote! As famous diary-keeper Samuel Pepys, you'll witness four ferocious days of fire and smoke, and live to tell the tale. Find out how people survived in the tightly-packed, plague-ridden streets of London in 1666, how they coped in the aftermath of the Pudding Lane disaster and all importantly, whodunnit! - or at least who we think dunnit!The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers. The first-person narrative approach puts children in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived. Humorous cartoon-style illustrations bring the characters to life, while informative captions explain processes or chronological events.

Cruel school and wicked punishments await in this hilarious look at Victorian school days!Growing up in Britain in the 1880s wasn't easy. The going was tough and the punishments were even tougher. Follow the experiences of Victorian schoolchildren and discover their top tips on how to survive at school. This perfect curriculum companion uses humorous cartoon-style illustrations to bring Victorian characters to life, while informative captions, timelines and maps explain processes or chronological events. Suddenly modern-day school doesn't seem quite so bad, as readers learn that they really wouldn't want to be a Victorian schoolchild!The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers. The first-person narrative approach puts children in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived.

Divorced, beheaded, and died. Divorced, beheaded, survived! Uncover the secret lives of Henry VIII's ill-fated wives and what life was like as a Tudor queen.Henry VIII has asked for your hand in marriage, but marrying the King was no easy option. Henry VIII was a powerful, ruthless leader, with a track history of beheadings, adultery and scandal. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Tudor court, this book explores Henry and his many wives - what went right, what went wrong, and what ultimately became of them all. With information on the church's break with Rome and the roles of key figures, such as Wolsey and Cranmer, this treacherous guide is the perfect curriculum companion to the Tudor period.The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers. The first-person narrative approach puts children in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived.

Delve into the grisly history of WW2 soldiers in this hilarious look inside the life of tank crew!You're a member of a tank crew in the Second World War! You'll learn about the challenges and dangers of serving in a tank regiment and witness many of the defining tank battles of the war, from El Alamein to D-Day. Written in consultation with The Tank Museum in Bovington, England, this title tracks the early development of the tank, from Leonardo Da Vinci's initial designs through the First World War prototypes, as well as the future of tank technology.The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers. The first-person narrative approach puts children in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived.s.

Embark on the ancient expedition of a lifetime as you unwrap the mysteries of mummification!It's time to make a mummy! As an ancient Egyptian, preparing the body for the afterlife was an expensive and fairly grotesque process. Organs were gruesomely gorged out and stored in canopic jars, while bodies were left to dry out before being meticulously embalmed. This perfect curriculum companion guides readers through the mysterious mummification process, unwrapping the top tricks and techniques in all its gory glory.The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history with exciting illustrations and easy-to-follow text, perfect for reluctant readers. The immersive, first-person narrative approach places readers directly in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people to have ever lived.

Grab your mittens and your snow shovel - it's time to join Shackleton's crew on their famous polar expedition!As a hardened sailor, you're ready to brace the bitterly cold continent of Antarctica in what will prove to be one of the most gruelling adventures of all time. Encountering sub-zero temperatures, icy winds and a worrying lack of food and water, you'll soon discover why you really wouldn't want to join Shackleton's polar expedition! Follow along to find out how this brave crew managed to survive the disastrous Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Keep a sharp eye out for icebergs, steer clear of scurvy, and try not to freeze to death!The You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports reader to some of the grisliest times and places in human history, perfect for engaging reluctant readers. The first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of the unluckiest people ever to have lived.

Grab your pick axe and your canary cage - it's time to mine for coal in the Victorian pits! As a British man living in a coal-mining village during the Victorian era, you're forced to endure the dangers, difficulties and despair of working underground in the 1800s. It's gruelling work, with long hours, unpredictable equipment and terrifying conditions. Discover how to get through a day in the pits with a succession of handy hints, such as not forgetting your canary bird and singing mining ballads to keep your spirits high. You'll soon learn that you really wouldn't want to be a Victorian miner! The ever-popular 'You Wouldn't Want to Be' series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

Sharpen your axe and hoist your sails - it's time to hop in your longboat and explore the world with the voyaging Vikings!As an adventurous young Viking living in 10th century Norway, you're getting ready to set sail across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a new life elsewhere. Prepare to brave stormy seas, discover expert boat-building techniques, and delve into the rich history of Norse mythology! But discovering a new continent is a difficult and dangerous quest - you really wouldn't want to be a Viking explorer!The ever-popular 'You Wouldn't Want to Be' series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

You're a farmer's son living in England in the early 7th century. Your people are descendants of invaders from Northern Europe: the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes, who arrived about 200 years earlier, seized land from the native Britons and made themselves at home here. You will experience first-hand the culture and history of the Anglo-Saxon peoples, including how they survived, ate and dressed, the stories they told, and how they responded to the coming of Christianity. Life is tough, and you'll soon discover that you really wouldn't want to be an Anglo-Saxon peasant!The ever-popular 'You Wouldn't Want to Be' series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

As a young man living in the Roman Empire, you've heard many exciting stories about far-away lands and people, and what it's like to fight for the emperor! Now you've just turned eighteen, you're about to discover the realities of how tough life really is for a Roman soldier! Learn to survive amongst the toughest men in Rome, march for days on end, fight with swords and operate large weapons, and follow the strict rules of the legion - all while wearing leather sandals! Do you have what it takes to survive? he ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to the grisliest times and places in history. The first-person narrative approach puts the reader in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived. Humorous cartoon-style illustrations bring the characters to life, while informative captions, timelines and maps explain processes or chronological events. Perfect for history enthusiasts!

Grab your spears and shields - it's time to enter the arena!The Romans have invaded Gallia and you are captured to fight, kill and die in a suitably sporting manner to entertain their crowds. If you survive, you could become a hero - but don't count on it. Join gladiator school and learn first hand what life was like as you eat, sleep and train like a gladiator!The ever-popular 'You Wouldn't Want to Be' series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

All aboard the daring voyage across the dangerous Atlantic!You are one of 102 pilgrims setting off for America to start a life in the new world. Prepare for a long journey of hardship, sickness and wild weather that not everyone will survive. Spoiler alert: arriving on land doesn't mean the treacherous journey is over - you really wouldn't want to set sail on the Mayflower!The ever-popular 'You Wouldn't Want to Be' series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

Pack your bags and grab your gas mask - you're heading to the countryside! War has been declared in Britain and as a young girl living in London, the government are sending you to live with a family far away from the chaos that's ensuing in the city. Prepare to enter a new world of rationed supplies, hard chores and some unfriendly locals - you really wouldn't want to be a Second World War evacuee! The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

Roll up your sleeves and tie up your apron - it's time to get to work!As a working class girl turning twelve in Victorian England, you're about to enter the world of hard work by making life easier for a rich family. Prepare to wait on them hand and foot, lighting their fires, cooking their meals and cleaning the entire house and everything in it - you really wouldn't want to be a Victorian servant!The ever-popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

It's the end of the 15th century, and your days as a battle-hardened soldier are over. You're broke, injured, and desperate for work-so you take a job running the castle prison. But beware: this is no cosy posting! From filthy cells teeming with rats and lice to prisoners plotting escape, every day brings danger, stench, and the constant threat of disease.In this immersive, first-person narrative, readers experience the grim realities of medieval justice-torture devices, corrupt officials, innocent captives, and the harsh punishments meted out to traitors, thieves, and troublemakers. Packed with comic-style illustrations, fascinating historical facts, and "Handy Hints" for survival, this instalment in the bestselling You Wouldn't Want to Be series makes history irresistibly funny, gruesome, and unforgettable. Perfect for reluctant readers, budding historians, and Horrible Histories fans alike.

Think ruling Egypt will be all golden crowns and banquets? Think again! Step into the sandals of Cleopatra VII and discover the dangers of being queen in a world of assassins, Roman generals, political plots, and deadly snakes. From her lavish royal upbringing to her fateful encounters with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, this witty and accessible guide follows Cleopatra's life from the glittering palaces of Alexandria to her dramatic final act.Told in the trademark You Wouldn't Want to Be second-person style, with David Antram's brilliantly irreverent illustrations, this book combines fascinating facts, first-person humour, and lively comic panels to bring ancient history to life for reluctant and confident readers alike. Perfect for fans of Horrible Histories, it offers a fresh look at one of history's most legendary rulers - revealing the not-so-glamorous reality of ancient power.

It's 1594 and you are a young boy in London with dreams of the stage. But once you join a company of players, the reality of being a Shakespearean actor is far tougher than you imagined. You rehearse endlessly, earn almost nothing and must memorise dozens of roles at once, all while performing outdoors for noisy crowds who might cheer, jeer or throw food.With women banned from the stage, you're trained to play female parts, squeezed into corsets and judged on every gesture and line. When plague sweeps through London and the theatres close, you're forced onto the road, performing anywhere you can to survive. Even back at the Globe, danger is everywhere, from thieves in the audience to real cannons threatening to set the theatre ablaze.Told in the trademark second-person voice of the You Wouldn't Want to... series, this book blends humour, vivid historical detail and David Antram's energetic illustrations, supported by a glossary and index.

The Tudor age is ending and the stakes are deadly. As a young servant in Yorkshire, you live in a country divided by religion and fear, where Catholic Recusants worship in secret and government spies are always listening. When Guy Fawkes leaves for Europe to fight with Catholic armies, you follow, learning the dangerous science of gunpowder and explosives. Returning to London, hopes of greater freedom under the new King James collapse, and a desperate group of men plot a shocking plan: blow up Parliament, kill the king and change England forever.Told in a gripping second-person narrative, the reader is thrust into the heat of the Gunpowder Plot. With handy hints, timelines and vivid scene-setting, you experience the conspirators' secret meetings, close calls and the catastrophic failure of the plot, right through to interrogation, imprisonment and their grim fate. A glossary and index support confident curriculum use and independent reading.

You really wouldn't want to be a slave in ancient Greece! This title in the popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail.

Get ready... as the captain of a Spanish treasure ship sailing in the Spanish Main, you're about to get captured as a pirate's prisoner! This title in the popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail.

This extended edition features brand new extra content including a timeline, fun facts a list of 'top' characters and a map.