New Releases by Clive Gifford

Celebrate the 2024 election with this fascinating book of facts about Kamala Harris, her family, her childhood, her hobbies, and her homelife—perfect for 8+ and fully illustrated throughout! Did you know? Her father was born in Jamaica and her mother was born in India. She has a younger sister named Maya. She became vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021. Find over one hundred extraordinary facts in this fun-packed book, the perfect gift for kids who love American history makers!

Would you rather wipe Henry VIII’s bottom for him or be one of his wives? Would you rather act in a Tudor play or take part in a jousting match? Only you can decide!

Would you rather row a Roman vessel or be a chariot racer? Eat stuffed dormice or parrot heads? Only you can decide!

Would you rather ride a hot-air balloon to the North Pole or cycle to the South Pole? Go to the toilet inside your spacecraft, or outside it? Only you can decide!

The Book of Time asks all the big questions about time, like what is time? How does it work? And is it even real? to offer a fresh perspective into a popular STEAM topic that kids will love.

You & Your Amazing Brain includes a mix of science, history, natural world examples, cultural amusement and astonishing stories all focused on brains, intelligence and learning in humans and even other animals.

Would you rather be in Valhalla or Ragnarök? Be called Erik Bloodaxe or Thorfinn Skullsplitter? Only YOU can decide!

In the ancient world, philosopher Archimedes designed new machines for farming. During the Renaissance, artist Leonardo da Vinci sketched his ideas for wondrous flying machines. Scientist James Watt provided ideas that would power the Industrial Revolution, while American inventor Thomas Edison patented more than 1000 inventions that would shape modern life, including the movie camera and the electric light bulb. Today''s inventors still explore ideas for new and clever technology, producing miniature machines that we can only see under a microscope. Step inside the world of invention and see where it might take us next . . .

Discover the biggest creatures to have roamed the Earth, past and present, from the outright biggest - such as the colossal blue whale and the dinosaur Argentinosaurus “The clear organization and bite-sized chunks of information make this quite accessible to young lovers of animals past and present....an appealing collection for readers who like superlatives.”—Kirkus Reviews “Even the most enthusiastic animal or dinosaur fan will find much new to wonder about in this well-illustrated informational book about weird and wonderful big beasts. Divided into three major sections— ‘Forests and Plains,’ ‘Rivers and Seas,’ and ‘Giants of Today’—....A solid purchase with broad appeal.”—School Library Journal In addition to the largest animals on Earth, discover species that grew to monstrous sizes compared to others of their kind, such as the giant kangaroos of Australia, otters the size of wolves, and Argentavis, a giant bird with a wingspan almost as long as a bus! You''ll meet the giants of the jungle, desert, swamp, sea, ice, and sky through vibrantly illustrated scenes of them in their natural habitats, and compare the size of these humongous creatures to humans. A gatefold spread unfolds to reveal a line-up of all the giants featured in the book, to scale, while a visual timeline shows when they roamed the Earth.

Filled with over 100 exciting puzzles and quizzes for you to enjoy with friends, family or just by yourself!

Filled with over 100 exciting puzzles and quizzes for you to enjoy with friends, family or just by yourself!

Following on from the incredible Invented by Animals and Built by Animals, Powered by Plants introduces us to the wondrous plants whose ingenious features have inspired innovations in human technology. Plants exhibit an incredible range of diversity in their shape, structures and how they interact with other living things and their environment. Some of this great diversity is being increasingly studied and copied, inspiring innovation in science, design, engineering, and technology. This book guides readers through a startling collection of fascinating vegetation, from towering cottonwood trees with wind power potential to slippery, meat-eating assassins of the plant world and the fast-growing aquatic plant which helps propel ships farther using less energy. Learn surprising applications and spin-offs of both exotic species including the world’s largest flower that generates its own heat and more familiar plants such as bamboo, coconut, and maize, all depicted in colourful, engaging fashion. Colourful and lively illustrations and pop-out fact boxes bring the science in this book to life, and Powered by Plants shows us how much we can learn from studyin the myriad magnificence of the natural world. Other fascinating books in this series are Built by Animals and Invented by Animals.

How do you sum upthe world''s amazing inventions in just 100 words? This striking book takes on the challenge! From helicopters to fireworks, each of the carefully chosen 100 words has its own 100-word long description and quirky illustration, providing a fascinating introduction to inspiring inventions from history to the modern day. Basically, everything you need to know in a nut shell. Along with some expected inventions, such as trains and Internet, you''ll also discover less predictable inventions that will give you a fresh perspective. With balloons and submarine, you can explore the risks some inventors had to take. Through paper and pencil imagine how such seemingly simple objects would have been groundbreaking at the time of invention; whereas some inventions, such as skates, had a very funny beginning! With a clean, contemporary design, each word occupies a page of its own. A large striking illustration neatly encapsulates the accompanying 100 words of text.

How did ancient people make decisions? How do the people in power stay in power? Why did Karl Marx have to go without trousers? A Quick History of Politics answers these questions and more, taking a ride through time from plutocrats to people power. What do you think of when you hear "politics?" Is it grey-haired men in suits, shouting at each other in a weird room? Well, you’re partly right… but there’s also a whole lot of crazy stories and weird history in the political world. A Quick History of Politics takes a look at the silly side of government, big and small, throughout the ages, and also explains the important stuff, like suffrage, elections and getting your voice heard. You will discover: How the earliest tribes got by without a leader. How the first ever kings and queens ruled their people. When and how democracy was invented, and what it actually means. Why there are so many different ways of governing people, with no one right answer. What ‘gerrymandering’ means (no, we didn’t make that up). How empires, wars, and revolutions have shaped the world we live in today. How elections work today. How countries work together (and sometimes fall out). How young activists can use their voice to call for change, before they’re even old enough to vote! Plus, read about the women who used ju-jitsu to campaign for equal rights, the dictator who banned beards, and the rhino that became a council member in Brazil. Learn how the media can swing things in modern elections and get savvy to fake news. Test your knowhow with a quiz at the back of the book. Packed with facts and jokes and perfect for introducing young readers to big concepts, the latest in the Quick Histories series is here to make politics funny again.

Why is a $5 note worth $5? Where do coins come from? What do banks actually do? All this and so much more is answered in A Quick History of Money, a crash course from cash cows to cryptocurrency. Money might sound all grown-up and serious, but the history of buying, selling, saving, and stealing is full of crazy stories and unbelievable facts. A Quick History of Money is here to show you the silly side, as well as give you the lowdown on the important stuff like interest, stocks and shares, and wealth inequality. You will discover: How the earliest societies got by without a penny in their pockets. Why gold gets all the glory. How the first banks started making money from money. Who invented the first banknotes and the concept of ‘fiat’ money. The craziest money-making cons of all time, from shaving coins to selling the Eiffel Tower… twice. How wealth is measured in the modern-day. History’s most expensive money mistakes. What money might look like in the future. Great tips for slick saving and smart spending. Plus, read about the world’s weirdest wonga, from the four-tonne stones used as currency on the island of Yap, to teacups and sea shells in ancient Asia, to beaver pelts in colonial Canada. Learn how hyperinflation leads to some mind-blowing money math, like the Bitcoins used to buy two pizzas in 2010 that would be worth over $90 million today. Test your knowhow with a quiz at the back of the book. Packed with facts and jokes, the latest in the Quick Histories series takes us on a chronological tour from cashless societies to… cashless societies, proving that while it might make the world go round, money sure is funny.

Strap in for a rip-roaring ride through the history of the universe, starting with the Big Bang, and bringing us right up to present day. What was the universe like when it was a few seconds old? How had it changed by its millionth birthday? And when did time even start, for that matter?! The story of the last 13.8 billion years in one handy volume, you can read about the start of stars, the growth of galaxies and the production of planets. Plus, there are some great dad jokes. Hold on tight... Read the story of how the universe developed, and discover: In the beginning there was... what exactly? What was the beginning of the universe actually like? Some suns have just got that star quality... but which stars are really hot stuff? Who’s who in the galactic zoo? There are several different types of galaxy in the universe. How do they form? The tragic death of the star – how do stars die, and why? What’s blacker than black… a black hole! Peek into the future – what will the universe be like in the next few billion years? How do we even know this stuff? Read about the scientists who are figuring it all out. Packed with fun cartoons and facts, A Quick History of the Universe tackles the biggest topic in the universe – literally – in chronological order. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert on the history of space, the universe and everything.

Encourage children to engage with environmental problems and inspire them to take care of our planet! This book will help readers gain love and appreciation for our home and all who live here. It offers information on pollution, extinction, climate change, and ways to help and feel hopeful! Parents, teachers, and gift givers will find: the perfect book for Earth Day! a perfect choice for kids who love nature books! great homeschool material Kids can learn how to become keepers of the coasts, friends of the forests, home heroes and much more through a mix of compelling facts, creative activities and proactive tips. Key environmental topics are clearly explained, and the easy-to-follow projects and suggestions help to put the issues in an everyday context. From recycling and composting food to reducing water waste and giving wildlife a helping hand!

This book is backward! It starts at the end, ends at the beginning, and travels back in history to show you what life was like before major inventions and discoveries. Step into a time before smartphones, television, cars, or even the toilet; then learn about the major invention or discovery that changed the world. Explore bright, detailed, humorous scenes from different eras that will spark discussion and make you think about what life was like in history. Learn about the clever inventors, the accidental discoveries, and how people managed without the everyday things that we take for granted. Detailed, humorous scenes of different eras to explore Key topics of science, technology, and inventions

Packed full of facts this wonderfully illustrated book measures and compares everything from animals, space and dinosaurs to machines, sports, and people, and will captivate children-and parents too! Did you know that a blue whale weighs about as much as 20 T-Rex dinosaurs? Or that a guinea pig is 70% water? This exciting picture book is full of these and many more fascinating fact nuggets. Turn the pages and compare the fastest machines, the tallest buildings, the biggest animals, the world''s highest fliers, and much, much more. You can trace the journey lines to discover which animal travels farthest, read the clues to match the fossil print to the dinosaur, or count up the construction workers to see how many humans it takes to measure the height of a mighty tunneling machine. Using striking visual comparisons, counting questions, and bite-sized facts, this book, aimed at children aged 5 and older, builds math skills and helps readers develop their understanding of the world around them. Children will be amazed at what they discover and will have plenty of unforgettable facts to dazzle their friends and family with.

In this exciting, photo-packed book, discover the world''s most amazing computers, from the first mechanical calculators to the latest groundbreaking designs. Step back in time to explore the history of computer gaming - from the first simple pong game to the latest high-tech console. Meet the pioneers of computer programming and gain an insight into how computers work. You can even become a coder yourself - follow step-by-step instructions to program your very own computer game!

You know that man has walked on the Moon, but do you know the story of how he got there? With the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing on July 20th 2019, this book celebrates the Space Race rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Readers will learn about the neck-and-neck race between the two superpowers, through an illustrated story of the rivalry that gripped the world. From Russia''s first satellite, Sputnik, to Neil Armstrong planting a U.S. a flag on the moon, discover the events that unfolded through amazing nostalgic illustrations and engaging text. Explore, too, how these two space agencies now work together, and how the monumental achievements of the space race have created world-changing technology that we all use and benefit from today.

Optical Illusions is a mind-bending introduction to the science of optical illusions, packed with clearly presented, hands-on projects and experiments for the reader to make and do. Combining innovative paper engineering, off-the-page fun and the use of smartphone cameras, this accessible introduction also gives an insight into the neuroscience behind how our brains and our eyes interact. Sure to enthrall and engage amateur psychologists and makers alike.

A one-stop guide to surviving in the wild, whether you''re lost at sea, stuck up a mountain, or stranded in the rain forest. Find out the key rules to survival, such as how to find shelter and signal for help, and discover the animals you might encounter while you''re there!

What is the space station and how did it get into space? How do astronauts get there and what do they do once they''re there? How do astronauts eat, sleep, or even breathe, in space? This book answers all of these questions and more. Find out what it takes to become an astronaut and about the essential science experiments that are being carried out there. What effect does living in space have on the human body, from making you taller to losing your muscles because of zero gravity. If everything floats, then how can you go to the toilet and where does your wee and poo go? There''s no bath or shower on the space station, so astronauts clean themselves with towels made damp by adding a little soapy water from a sealed pouch or by using special wet wipes each sealed in foil and containing disinfectant. Uncover all of these fascinating facts in this beautifully illustrated and fun book for children. Written to inspire a new generation of astronauts, Clive''s detailed and fact-filled text will make you think you''ve visited the space station yourself. Fully illustrated by self-confessed space geek illustrator, Dan Schlitzkus, the illustrations are technically accurate and provide true representations of the mechanics, modules and equipment on board the ISS.

A lift-the-flap book provides information about airports and air travel, explaining where luggage goes after check-in, how planes fly, and what happens in the control tower.

Know any good jokes? Here are 1001 (yes, one thousand and one!) awesome ones for the whole family to enjoy! Why did the empty sandwich go to the dentist? IT NEEDED A FILLING. What do you call a 20,000-year-old joke? PRE-HYSTERICAL. With jokes galore, puns, one-liners, visual gags, play on words and hilarious illustrations. Divided into sections such as ''Hilarious Holidays'', ''Teacher Titters'' and ''Football Funnies'', this book will never get old and will have your friends and whole family laughing. A hilarious bumper book that will captivate any child and spark an interest in reading - created by the bestselling author of Teenage Kicks and Eye Benders, and winner of the Royal Society Young People''s Book Prize.

Where would you find the largest tortoise in the world? What is a blue-footed booby? Are volcanic islands safe to live on? In Focus: Galapagos Islands has the answers! In Focus is a cool, new information series that''s perfect for curious kids. These fun books feature modern, magazine-style pages, including top 10 lists, fast facts, quickfire quizzes, and more! With pages packed with vivid photography and punchy text, kids will have fun learning about the world around them! Each In Focus book features a contents page, glossary, and index, plus front and end gatefold flaps on the cover.

This absorbing and surprising book measures and compares a huge variety of different subjects: the strongest animals, the biggest poopers and eaters, the amount of water in the oceans, the deadliest creatures and disasters, extreme journeys, altitudes and depths, the power of natural forces, and much, much more!

The Kingfisher Soccer Encyclopedia captures the triumph and despair of pivotal moments in world soccer. Packed with pictures and profiles of the world''s most skilful soccer players - old and new - from Beckham to Messi, Pelé to Ronaldo, Rooney to Neymar. Over 40 of the best sides to have lit up the game are covered in detail, including the U.S''s men''s and women''s teams, Brazil, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Spain. All the drama of the "beautiful game" is fully analyzed with dynamic full-spread photos and digital artworks that recreate famous moves and goals, while each chapter includes links to websites, providing a valuable access point to databases of players, international results, all the major tournaments, and club histories. Includes in-depth coverage of every aspect of soccer, including rules and skills; fans and the media; managers and tactics. Packed with the latest statistics and fully updated for this new edition, this is a superbly detailed reference book for all the family.

Provides facts about tropical areas, discussing the wildlife found there and the explorers who trekked the dangerous landscape.