First Names – serie

Meet BEYONCE Knowles-Carter, the mega-talented singer, songwriter, producer, dancer and movie star, whose music has thrilled millions around the world, smashed records and won her award after award.Find out:- Why she used to think she looked like Dumbo the elephant,- How she turned an insult into a best-selling single,- And why she threw a $250,000 pair of earrings into the audience!Get to know BEYONCE on First Name terms.

Meet ADA LOVELACE, the fast thinking mathematician. She predicted the power of computers long before they were even invented.Find out:- Why her mum kept her away from her mega-famous celebrity dad;- Why she was mesmerised by mesmerism- And what she planned to do with a MASSIVE machine that weighed four tons and had 20,000 moving parts. Get to know ADA on First Name terms.

Meet NELSON Mandela, the world's most famous freedom fighter, who went from wanted terrorist to international hero and President of South Africa, thanks to 27 years in jail!Find out:- Why he didn't use a toothbrush until he was 21,- Why he was arrested for travelling on a tram- And why one of his prison cells came with a servant and a pool!Get to know NELSON on First Name terms.

True life stories of the most amazing people EVER! Meet AMELIA EARHART, the world-famous daredevil pilot who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.Find out:- How she tricked her dad into letting her fly,- What she had in common with a sack of potatoes- And how she became a fashion icon and all-time legend.Get to know AMELIA on First Name terms.

True life stories of the most amazing people EVER! Meet HARRY HOUDINI, the brilliant escape artist who thrilled the world with his death-defying stunts and awesome showmanship.Find out:- How he was inspired by a man with no head,- Why he kept asking to be put in jail (and how he got out again)- And why he dangled upside down from a crane 120 feet up in the air.Get to know HARRY on First Name terms.

Meet FERDINAND Magellan, the swashbuckling 16th century explorer who masterminded the first ever voyage to sail round the world and 'discovered' many new lands (even though loads of people already lived there!).Find out:- Why he was hated by royals and sailors alike,- Why he made one of his sailors dance with a giant- And how he was saved by a pot of jam!Get to know FERDINAND on First Name terms.

Meet ABRAHAM LINCOLN, the power-speaking president of the USA. He helped free millions of people from slavery, and his rags to riches tale is legendary.Find out:- How he came up with one of the best speeches ever given.- How he got the nickname 'Spotty Lincoln- And how wrestling and crowd-surfing helped him win votes.Get to know ABRAHAM on First Name terms.

Meet MALALA Yousafzai, the brave and brilliant activist who survived being shot in the head aged 15 to keep fighting for all girls to receive and education.Find out:- How an earthquake literally rocked her world,- Why everyone forgot her twelfth birthday- And how she became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.Get to know MALALA on First Name terms.

Meet Greta Thunberg, the clever and resourceful climate activist who started a solo school strike, aged just fifteen, and inspired millions of young people to join her.Find out:- How worrying about climate change made Greta ill, but taking action made her feel better- Why a real life prince sailed Greta (and her dad) to America on a solar-powered yacht with no toilet- And why she calls Asperger's syndrome her superpower.

First Names is a series of fun, lively and highly illustrated biographies that introduces some truly amazing individuals who lived incredible lives, to an audience of young readers.EMMELINE fought a tough battle to win the vote for many British women and inspired others around the world to do the same.Find out:- Why she hated school,- How she had to take lessons in stone throwing,- What she thought when her daughter spat at a policeman . . .And an awful lot more besides.Get to know EMMELINE on First Name terms!