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Format: Non-fiction

how to build an orchestra

How to Build an Orchestra

Non-fiction

Find out what makes up an orchestra and learn about its different instruments with this beautifully illustrated book, produced in association with the London Symphony Orchestra.

This wonderfully illustrated story follows a conductor who is auditioning each instrument for his orchestra. With accompanying CDs and downloadable music, follow our conductor on his journey and discover the beautiful music of an orchestra.

With pictograms of a full-size symphony orchestra and information on all of the music featured, as well as a foreword by Sir Simon Rattle, Music Director of the LSO, this is the must-have book on the orchestra and its instruments for children aged 7+.

thats mathematics

That’s Mathematics

Non-fiction

That’s Mathematics is a maths book like no other. It’s a vibrant, colourful book for young children showing them that maths is useful, interesting, fun and EVERYWHERE! They use it every day when they count, share, play, do sport, make cakes or move to music.

Aimed at children from 5 to 8 years , the youngest can enjoy it as a picture book, reading Lehrer’s rhyming song lyrics and looking at Elina Braslina’s joyful illustrations. They will pick up a basic understanding of real-world maths and learn some core maths language along the way. Older children are challenged to ‘ Try This ‘ and ‘ Explore This ‘ by author Chris Smith, who is a maths teacher, musician and all-round maths enthusiast. The activities are designed to deepen their curiosity and knowledge .

There are supporting online activities to continue the fun, plus notes for parents to encourage you to get involved and help you discuss topics covered and keep the learning going after the book is closed.

protecting the planet emperor of the ice

Protecting the Planet: Emperor of the Ice

Non-fiction

It’s April in Antarctica and, in places so remote that they can only be seen by satellites, lines of Emperor Penguins appear in search of the perfect ice for raising their chicks. A wise old Empress has returned to the ice at Halley Bay year after year; with the help of her mate, she works to protect her newly-laid egg against the bitter winter. But a changing climate is making the Antarctic Ocean warmer – winds are stronger and storms are fiercer…

With luminous illustrations and an introduction by climate scientist Dr Phil Trathan, this is the true story of how the Emperor penguin colony at Halley Bay was disrupted after the sea ice collapsed, and how it’s necessary to protect the environment so that these extraordinary survivors will continue to be found in the Antarctic for generations to come.

a question of history did the kings of benin keep pet leopards and other questions about the kingdom of benin

Did the kings of Benin keep pet leopards? And other questions about the kingdom of Benin

Non-fiction

Discover the weird and wacky history of the kingdom of Benin!

Did the kings of Benin really keep pet leopards? Did spirits live in the African rainforest? And did bicycles REALLY destroy the Benin kingdom? A Question of History: The Kingdom of Benin answers all these questions and much more.

With an engaging question and answer format, this series draws young readers into the fascinating, sometimes gruesome, world of famous peoples and civilisations through history. Each spread opens with a simple question, opening up an exploration of an aspect of the life of a people or civilisation and busting some popular myths along the way!

the genius of the benin kingdom clever ideas and inventions from past civilisations

The Genius of The Benin Kingdom: Clever Ideas and Inventions from Past Civilisations

Non-fiction

Which genius ideas and inventions began in the Benin Kingdom? What did the people of the Benin Kingdom develop that we use to this day? Find out how a collection of separate villages and communities grew into a strong, united kingdom and developed a network of successful trading relationships. Discover the brilliant developments in town planning, language, art and medicine that have influenced the way we live today.

explore benin

Explore!: Benin

Non-fiction

Benin was an important kingdom in West Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries. Find out about Benin’s magnificent capital city, the objects that Benin traded with Europe and their intricate bronze plaques and statues.

Read about food and farming, armies and weapons, the life of a craftsman and how to make a leopard statue!

Packed with fascinating information, the Explore! series inspires children’s curiosity to find out more about the past. A useful tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the curriculum.

daily life in ancient benin

Daily Life in Ancient Benin

Non-fiction

This book explores what life was really like for everyday people in Ancient Benin. Using primary sources and information from archeological discoveries, it uncovers some fascinating insights and explodes some myths. Supported by timelines, maps and references to important events and people, children will really feel they are on a time-travelling journey when reading this book.

explore early islamic civilisation

Explore!: Early Islamic Civilisation

Non-fiction

Early Islamic civilisation spread across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia in the 7th and 8th centuries CE, forming a massive empire. Find out about the birth of Islam, amazing inventions and trade across the empire.

Read about weapons and war, the city of Baghdad, the life of a scribe, science and medicine and find out how to make an Islamic tile design!

Packed with fascinating information, the Explore! series inspires children’s curiosity to find out more about the past. A great tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the curriculum.

1001 inventions and awesome facts about muslim civilisation

1001 Inventions & Awesome Facts About Muslim Civilisation

Non-fiction

We often think that people from a thouand years ago were living in the Dark Ages. But from the 7th century onward in Muslim civilisation there were amazing advances and inventions that still influence our everyday lives.

People living in the Muslim world saw what the Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Greek and Romans had discovered and spent the next one thousand years adding new developments and ideas. Inventors created marvels like the elephant water clock, explorers drew detailed maps of the world, women made scientific breakthroughs and founded universities, architects built huge domes larger than anywhere else on earth. astronomers mapped the stars and so mucn more! This book takes the winning formula of facts, photos and fun, and it applies it to this companion book to the 1001 inventions exhibit from the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation. Each page is packed with information on this little-known history, but also shows how it still applies to our world today.

a question of history why were maya games so deadly and other questions about the maya

A Question of History: Why were Mayan games so deadly? And other questions about the Maya

Non-fiction

Take a look at the wackier side of history!

Did the Maya really invent hot chocolate? Why did they have pointed heads? And did the Maya civilisation really disappear?

With an engaging question and answer format, this series draws young readers into the fascinating, sometimes gruesome, world of famous peoples and civilisations through history. Each spread opens with a simple question, opening up an exploration of an aspect of the life of a people or civilisation and busting some popular myths along the way!.

The lively lay-out is supported by annotated photos and cartoons, making history fun and accessible for readers aged 9+.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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