Sam grew up in Buckinghamshire, falling off various bicycles before reading books and making up his own stories about more competent heroes. After studying English at Cambridge University, he joined Usborne in 2013, and now writes titles ranging from fold-out solar systems to maze books full of swashbuckling pirates. Sometimes, Sam cycles to work.

50 things to do on a plane is a great mix of games, jumbled letters, drawing and much more. There are lots of the colourful, attractive cards which children of five or so could enjoy, while children of nine or ten would just like everything. The only snag I can see it that you might drop all the cards on the plane floor.