Words & Pictures – serie

WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD BEST BOOK WITH FACTS 2019!A truly unique approach to history and a fascinating read that is guaranteed to keep boredom at bay, The Colours of History studies the shades, hues and pigments which have shaped the past and present.Why did Roman emperors wear purple? Which colour is made from crushed beetles? What green pigment might be used to build super-fast computers of the future? Find out the answers to these and many more questions in this vibrant exploration of the stories behind different colours, and the roles they've played throughout history.From black to white, and all the colours in between, every shade has a story to tell. Each colour group is introduced with a stunning and interpretive double-page spread illustration, followed by illustrated entries exploring the ‘colourful’ history of particular shades.With vivid, thought-provoking illustrations and engaging bite-sized text, this book is a feast for the eyes and the mind, ready to enthral budding artists and historians alike.

Bedtime is about to get a lot more interesting.365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed is a joyful collection bursting with wild facts, weird wonders and unbelievable-but-true stories – one for every night of the year. You’ll learn things like…Where does it rain diamonds?What does a comet smell like?Why would you keep a dog up your sleeve?Where can you find fish that live in trees?And who exactly was William Johnson Hippopotamus?From frog trousers and glass trees to lawnmowing camels and chimpanzee painters, this is a book made for curious minds and giggly bedtimes. Each bite-sized story is perfect for winding down, sparking questions and filling young heads with big, brilliant thoughts. Written by former QI writer Edward Brooke-Hitching and brought to life with whimsical illustrations by Oksana Drachkovska, this is non-fiction at its most playful and surprising. Whether read aloud or under the covers with a torch, it’s the kind of book kids will return to night after night. A brilliant gift for curious minds, and a treasure trove of facts to enjoy together or alone, 365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed will fill your dreams with adventure – and leave you ready to wake up and make your own.

Funny, emotional and uplifting picture book about separation and love, to help children understand their emotions.Everyone loves everyone in Tess’s house, but when Tess has to leave for school for the very first time, she is worried that her family’s love might not stretch that far. Mum explains that love is like a string, it connects people together even when they are far away. At school Tess notices that all the children have strings! Some are new, some are old, some stretch a long way, and some even stretch right up into the sky. But what happens when a string breaks?Love is the third in a trio of feel-good picture books from author Corrinne Averiss (Joy (2018), Hope (2019)) - a pure delight from start to finish. A wonderful story that subtly tackles difficult topics of death, grief, separation and overcoming anxiety.

'A clear and engaging guide to sustainable food production with lovely illustrations.' - The Sunday TimesWhere does our food come from? Is farming different around the world? In this charmingly illustrated book, follow sustainable farming around the world to discover how farmers from Hawaii, to Sweden, the UK and beyond grow the fresh and tasty food we enjoy eating.Explore the seasonal workings of farms around the world, and how food can be grown using sustainable methods that focus on quality versus quantity to ensure an environmentally healthy future. The World That Feeds Us explores fascinating farms and farming techniques around the world, including: Global cacao production City farms, on rooftops and beyond Heirloom crops and heritage breeds Farmer's markets across the globe High tech machinery such as farmbotsA glossary defines key sustainable farming terms. Through this colourful and global look at farming, children will learn how farmers, and us, can make choices to protect the planet, whilst still enjoying delicious and nutritious food.

Take a trip around the world to discover the busy animals active during the day, and the magical creatures that come out at night in twelve unique habitats in this extensive exploration of the natural world. This book's fun flip-book format gives readers two books in one. Beginning with the daytime, children can explore the biodiversity of a huge range of landscapes. Readers can then flip the book and arrive at extraordinary night-time scenes where the hidden, rarely seen creaturesof the night come out to play in the same landscapes, all for children to uncover.This innovative title looks at the animals of both day and night in a huge variety of habitats including the South American Rainforest, African Savannah, Australian Outback and Andes Mountains. Firm favourites and widely unknown creatures, of both the day and night, are explored, including: Cockroaches, silverfish and leopards that scour cities by nightParrotfish, shrimps and epaulette sharks that roam tropical coral reefs by dayAye-ayes, leaf-tailed geckos and tomato frogs that emerge in the Madagascan nightWild boar, brown bears and jays that enjoy the European woodland in the sunshineSections on the animals of dawn and dusk, and even urban wildlife, make this a truly fascinating, comprehensive and fresh look at the natural world for children. The magic of the natural world during both the day and night is brought to life with Nic Jones' vibrant illustrations.Daytime and Night-time provides the perfect opportunity for children to compare and contrast twelve habitats during the day and night, and uncover the true biodiversity of our planet at all times of the day.

Say goodbye to boredom with this globe-spanning guide to the world’s favourite children’s games, to play by yourself, with family or friends! Let's Play is a joyfully illustrated collection of games from all around the world for you to discover and enjoy. Games for one player to five players, and even large groups, are clearly explained and provide endless opportunities for playful adventure, alongside a resource for learning about cultures and traditions from countries across the globe. The exciting array of games includes: solo puzzle games like Jegichagi (South Korea)  big party game Catch the Dragon’s Tail (China) head-to-head Kolowis Awithlaknannai boardgame (Zuni Native American) hilarious Oonch Neech (a variation of Tag from Pakistan) Additional sections give you the background to classic games like tag and hide-and-seek and talk you through making games of your own. Vibrant illustrations from Monica Andino carefully demonstrate the steps of the games, whilst bringing to life the fun and joy they offer.The possibilities are endless, and with this book, the fun will be, too!

Wow friends and family with the similarities and differences between over 150 comparative pairs in this detailed encyclopedia, ideal for picking up over and over again.  What's the difference between a country and a continent? What's the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?And what about a wormhole and a black hole?What's the Actually Factually Difference? is a fun-filled, fact-packed encyclopedia with sections on space, the body, the world, food, technology, transport, animals and more. This is an accessible and easy-to-understand introduction to all kinds of popular subjects for children.For every comparative pair the same fun question, ‘What’s the difference between?’, is clearly explained and answered. Each time, both words are defined, the similarities and differences between the two things are outlined, and additional facts and pull-outs are included. This entertaining and informative book brings every fact to life with humour and wit.What's the Actually Factually Difference? opens up a world of facts and quizzing with family and friends. This fresh and fun encyclopedia is the perfect next adventure for curious young minds.

Learn all about ADHD, neurodivergence, and how best to understand it with Ady and Me, the thoughtful and fun-filled story by Rich and Rox, Sunday Times bestselling authors and founders of the iconic ADHD Love. ADHD Love's Rich and Rox bring their personal experience of neurodivergence to this fantastical, accessible story, sharing their important message: ADHD isn’t something to be ashamed of, but something to be celebrated. Join Sophie and her best friend, Ady, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of the school day together. Chatty, playful, and enthusiastic, they are inseparable! But there’s just one thing… only Sophie can see Ady. Ady may cause a bit of a mess, and can sometimes make Sophie late for class, but they also bring creativity and joy to Sophie’s life. Follow this delightful duo as they work together to find a place where they feel happy and valued, on their journey from misunderstanding to acceptance. Through Ady and Me, children will learn to understand and embrace neurodivergence with a simple metaphor and unique story that demonstrates the ups and downs of life with ADHD.

Wearing a Cat on Your Head is a playful and beautifully illustrated introduction to funny and fascinating idioms from around the world. From “letting the cat out of the bag” to “wearing a cat on your head,” each saying reveals the surprising and delightful ways different cultures express big ideas through small, quirky phrases. From a single idiom brought to life by a striking full-page illustration, to spreads featuring a variety of idioms from all over the world, readers are invited to pore over detailed, visually rich artwork that sparks endless curiosity and tells a unique story.This book invites children to laugh, learn and look at language in a whole new light while gently teaching them how different countries express similar ideas. Fostering a lifelong love of words, it sparks curiosity about global cultures, making it perfect for bedtime, classrooms or shared reading.In this book you will find idioms like:"You shouldn't judge a dog by its fur." (Norway)"An elephant can't hide behind a small tree." (East Africa)"To feed the donkey sponge cake." (Portugal)"Horse horse, tiger tiger." (China). . . and many more!

Think all dinosaurs were scary? Think again! This fun and fact-filled picture book explores how dinosaurs' so-called frightening features were actually clever survival tools. From T. rex’s powerful teeth to Diplodocus’ towering neck, every adaptation had a purpose - and it wasn’t always about being fierce!With charming, laugh-out-loud illustrations from Erica Salcedo, young readers will discover that dinosaurs were more than just big and scary; they were smart, adaptable, and full of surprises. Packed with humour, facts, and a playful message about not judging by appearances, this book is a perfect choice for young dinosaur fans and curious minds alike.

From bestselling cookbook author Rebecca Wilson, Sophie’s Magical Feast is a whimsical tale that gently encourages children to consider where their food comes from and how it’s made.Sophie isn’t thrilled when Mummy tells her what’s for dinner – vegetable soup! Oh no! It’s Sophie’s least favourite of all the dishes Mummy makes . . . So much so that she decides to go to sleep without dinner.But during the night, something magical happens. Sophie is swept away in a whimsical garden world – on Banquet Day! But there’s a big problem: someone’s forgotten to make the soup . . . and it’s the Fairy Queen’s favourite! With time running low, Sophie decides to help and ends up going on an adventure filled with magic, friendship and bravery; one she can’t wait to tell Mummy all about in the morning.Rebecca Wilson’s whimsical picture book debut showcases the magic of cooking and eating together. With Katie Hickey’s highly detailed artwork, this warm and cosy world is one to pour over and escape to. And for all the little cooks, there is a family-friendly recipe for Fairy Queen Soup at the end.

Comedian and bestselling author Russell Kane is back with When Brian Met Terry – a hilarious and relatable story that will resonate with anyone who’s had to make room for someone new. Terry the Burmese cat has it all. A loving family, a cosy home and the undivided attention he believes he deserves. Life is comfortable for this pampered pet – until everything changes. One day Dad arrives with Brian, an excitable chihuahua puppy with big eyes and even bigger energy. While the family fall instantly for Brian’s charms, Terry is less impressed. In fact, he is FURIOUS! Terry makes it clear that he won’t share his kingdom easily. As his tantrums become more and more dramatic, the family wonder if Brian and Terry will ever learn to get along.  When Brian Met Terry is perfect for any animal lover, but can also be read as a metaphor for sibling rivalry and the ups and downs of introducing a new baby to the family. At its heart, this funny and heartwarming picture book is about learning to get on with those whom you might dislike at first – or who dislike you. That and a very, VERY dramatic cat.  With Russell’s trademark wit and brilliantly characterful illustrations by Erica Salcedo, When Brian Met Terry combines laugh-out-loud moments with a reassuring message of acceptance. It’s perfect for reading aloud at bedtime or gifting to pet-loving families. Entertaining and reassuring in equal measure, this is a picture book children will want to return to again and again.