Mark Simmons – illustratör

In 1952, the United States was heavily involved in the Korean War. When members of the US Marine Corps brought a horse to join in the war effort, little did they know that a hero would soon emerge. Trained to be a military pack horse, Sergeant Reckless quickly became a key part of her unit and served to support the troops in several combat missions during the war. Discover the heroic story of Sergeant Reckless as she bravely made many solo trips during battles to deliver supplies to troops on the front lines.This real-life animal adventure story combined with a stunning, full-colour graphic novel format is certain to appeal to all children who love animals, adventure stories, history and/or graphic novels, even struggling and reluctant readers. The book concludes with further information about the heroic animal including real-life historic images, perfect for those readers eager to learn more.

In October 1918, World War I had been raging in Europe for more than four years. When Major Charles Whittlesey led the US 77th Division into France’s Argonne Forest, his troops were soon surrounded and cut off from escape by German forces. Things became even more dangerous when the division came under friendly fire from US forces. The troops’ only hope was to send a carrier pigeon named Cher Ami with an urgent message to stop the attack. Read all about the brave little pigeon that carried out a dangerous mission to deliver a desperate message across a deadly battlefield.This real-life animal adventure story combined with a stunning, full-colour graphic novel format is certain to appeal to all children who love animals, adventure stories, history and/or graphic novels, even struggling and reluctant readers. The book concludes with further information about the heroic animal including real-life historic images, perfect for those readers eager to learn more.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, many cities were destroyed and left in ruins. Among the rubble were many dangerous, unexploded bombs and mines. But thanks to the hard work of a well-trained Jack Russell terrier named Patron, Ukraine’s streets have become more secure. Follow along with Patron as he sniffs out hundreds of deadly explosives and helps the people of Ukraine feel safer in their homeland.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, and many were trapped under the collapsed buildings. When Canadian police officer James Symington heard about the attacks, he knew he and his trained search and rescue dog, Trakr, had to help. Follow Trakr’s lead as he and Symington bravely search and dig through the rubble to help rescue survivors of one of the deadliest days in American history.

She lived an amazing life! Dr. Ruth was an orphan and a soldier; a professor and a star; and a struggling new immigrant coming to America.This graphic novel for ages 8-12 depicts the ups and downs of Dr. Ruth Westheimer's life from her escape from the Nazis at age 10 aboard a Kindertransport, to her training as a sniper with the Hagganah in Israel, through her immigration to the US where she started as a maid working for a dollar an hour. Through hard work, charisma, and a willingness to face new challenges, she became a college professor and a worldwide media star. Her drive for education and her love of reading and teaching lasted through out her life. Her fans included Paul McCartney, President Barack Obama, David Letterman, and, of course, her family.Combining real flashbacks to Dr. Ruth's life as a girl with an imaginary trip to an amusement park with her grandchildren, Dr. Ruth's inspiring story is a lesson in grit, courage, resilience, and strength that readers can apply to their own lives.Back matter includes a timeline, a brief profile of Karola Ruth Siegel at age 10, and a biography of the adult Dr. Ruth at age 80.

In 1811, while exploring the cliffs near Lyme Regis, England, 12-year-old Mary Anning made the find of a lifetime. There in the rocks was the skeleton of a strange creature. Mary's find was later named Ichthyosaurus, a reptile that lived more than 250 million years ago. Anning went on to have a long career finding and identifying dinosaur fossils. However, her work often went unrecognized by male scientists of the time, and she received little credit until long after her death. Learn about Mary Anning's perseverance and her important discoveries in palaeontology.