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Age Group: KS1

Non-fiction

In celebration of the incredible life of HM Queen Elizabeth II, here is the history of her reign, told through the enthralling life stories of The Queen and 25 amazing people who have called Britain home.

The reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II has been long and eventful. Over the past 70 years, Great Britain has seen incredible changes in the ways we live, think and feel, shaped by the inspiring people who were born in Britain or arrived on its shores.

As we commemorate the Queen’s life and reign, learn about her extraordinary life and 25 other amazing history-makers – from modern pioneers, leaders and scientists to writers, athletes and activists – in this fully updated new special edition paperback. Each beautifully illustrated page spread is devoted to a tale of an incredible Briton, told by talented writer and children’s book critic Imogen Russell Williams and brought to life by Sara Mulvanny’s vivid colour illustration. The book also features a gloriously illustrated timeline, showing key events from Queen Elizabeth’s long reign.

Discover the life-changing events of the last 70 years, from the foundation of the NHS by Aneurin Bevan to the creation of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by Sarah Gilbert. Learn about how amazing activists like Paul Stephenson and Malala Yousafzai fought hard for equal rights for all, and scientists like Stephen Hawking and Tim Berners-Lee made incredible advances that allowed us to know more about the universe, or communicate in a whole new way via the Internet. Find out about the fantastic achievements of athletes like Mo Farah and Tanni Grey-Thompson and writers like Judith Kerr and Lemn Sissay, despite the challenges they faced. The tales include key figures from all areas of British life – science, medicine, entertainment, sports, activism and more.

Featuring the inspirational lives and achievements of amazing people such as Alan Turing, Kelly Holmes, Stormzy and Anita Roddick, this book is not only a glorious celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s life and reign, but also the citizens who have contributed to such an incredible 70 years on the throne.

Non-fiction

How exactly was the Great Pyramid at Giza made? Were the mystical Hanging Gardens of Babylon even real? What became of the Lighthouse of Alexandria? Find out … in Ancient Wonders.

No one knows quite who decided the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But thrilling accounts of their wonder have left us yearning to know more about their great mysteries. Go on a journey across the world and through time, and explore these and many more impressive monuments through stunning artwork.

Non-fiction

Explore the wonders of the past in this stunning collection of over 160 historical artefacts, from Ancient Rome to the dynasties of China. Welcome to the museum.

This rich and informative cabinet of curiosities beautifully displays objects of the ancient past. Wander from room to room to explore the magnificence of what civilisations have left behind over thousands of years of human history.

With text written by expert Jo Nelson and stunning illustrations by Richard Wilkinson, this updated edition also features a foreword by Sir Tony Robinson.

Non-fiction

The Indus Valley is one of ancient history’s most mysterious and little-known civilisations. This title explores what is known about this area of India and Pakistan discovering how they built grid systems invented modern plumbing and traded with their neighbours in this fascinating title.|The Indus Valley is one of ancient history’s most mysterious and little-known civilisations. This title explores what is known about this area of India and Pakistan discovering how they built grid systems invented modern plumbing and traded with their neighbours in this fascinating title.

Non-fiction

Today, the Indus Valley Civilisation is known mainly through the ruins of its cities and the artefacts its people made. Ancient objects enable us to step back into the world of the people who made them. This book combines facts about the inhabitants of the Indus Valley with photographs of the artefacts they left behind to present a full picture of life at the time.

Picturebook

A warm and witty celebration of the lives of amazing Black women.

What will Maya be when she grows up? A rocket scientist like Annie Easley? An Olympic athlete like Alice Coachman? A brain surgeon like Alexa Canady? In this heart-warming and funny story, Maya discovers the achievements of some incredible Black women . . . but it’s a brave Nigerian princess who really captures her imagination!

This uplifting and empowering picture book is the perfect gift for any young reader.

Chapter book

Meet Grant the genie, and his best friend – the puppy, Teeny…

The fourth in a series of magical adventures from the renowned illustrator Steven Lenton, winner of Waterstones Picture Book of the Month and The Times Children’s Book of the Week.

Back home, in the land of Wishaluzia, Grant is enjoying his old life. But when trouble strikes he realises he’ll need a helping hand. Can Teeny lend a paw and save the day? Or will it be the end of Genie Land forever?…

Chapter book

A magical coming-of-age story about a boy spending his first weekend without his parents . . . and the lion who comes to babysit him. Get ready to fall in love with this instant classic.

Oscar is a little terrified to find that a lion is going to be looking after him for the weekend. But when the lion lets him eat as many biscuits as he wants, and reads him his favourite story ten times, Oscar realises he might be on to something good.

Soon, Oscar discovers that the lion can change into different animals and the pair find themselves having all kinds of adventures! But before the lion has to go, might he have one more amazing transformation up his sleeve?

Oscar’s Lion is an astonishing and deeply personal book from one of our greatest storytellers.

Picturebook

A beautifully illustrated story with a gentle and encouraging message to help children deal with their worries – from the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner Catherine Rayner.

Victor the wolf has lots of worries. He worries that he isn’t brave enough, that he isn’t big enough and that he isn’t fierce enough. In fact, Victor feels anxious about almost everything. But when Victor shares his concerns with his best friend Pablo, he starts to feel a bit better. And with Pablo’s help, Victor learns even more ways to deal with those pesky worrying thoughts. And as the worries grow smaller, Victor feels a bit bigger, a bit braver, and bit fiercer inside!

Victor, The Wolf With Worries is a comforting and reassuring tale that is especially helpful for little ones who have trouble talking about their feelings.

Non-fiction

Unearth the mysteries of ancient fossils and discover the life and legacy of Mary Anning in this beautifully illustrated, fact-filled book for curious young readers.

Have you ever found something mysterious? Something you had no idea what it was but you had this feeling it was important, that it held a secret?

Mary Anning was a fossil hunter, scouring the cliffs and seashores of Lyme Regis for strange rocks and shells. Monstrous marine reptiles and dinosaurs had once reigned the land and seas here millions of years ago, disappearing only to leave mysterious traces for humans to puzzle over.

Mary’s fossils paved the way for modern palaeontology and helped to piece together a picture of how the dinosaurs lived and evolved. Little did she know that 200 years later we would still be talking about her amazing discoveries and how she influenced our understanding of the history of the earth.

Beautifully illustrated by brand-new talent Kate Winter, with stunning panoramic fold-out pages, this is a book to treasure and to read again and again, perfect for all fans of natural history and curious young explorers.

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