Journey back in time to discover the fascinating histories of nine ancient civilizations, including lesser-known empires such as Ayutthaya and Benin.

You may know of the Vikings, the Aztecs and the Mongols - perhaps even Minoa, Mali and Benin. But what about Kamakura, Achaemenid and Ayutthaya? This captivating collection of histories uncovers the secrets behind nine of the world's greatest empires.

With exciting stories to tell of power-hungry leaders, incredible riches and legendary battles, Rise and Fall reveals why each empire rose to power, what life was like, and what led to its eventual downfall. Not forgetting the legacies - and lessons - they left behind for us.

Detail-packed illustrations by Peter Allen (Atlas of Amazing Architecture, Cicada 2021) bring the stories to life, taking young readers on an immersive voyage of discovery to the ancient world.

Welcome to the Grand Hotel of Feelings, where all kinds of feelings come and stay. Every guest has unique needs. Anger, for example, is very loud and needs plenty of space to scream and shout. Sadness speaks in a small voice and occasionally floods the bathroom. Gratitude likes wandering about in nature; you never know when she might come and sit by your side.

Some feelings are big and some are small, some are fun and some are tricky, but no feeling is ever turned away. At the Grand Hotel of Feelings, there is room for everyone!

The Grand Hotel of Feelings is now available in 24 languages worldwide!

A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION

NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR ILLUSTRATION 2025

A joyous reversal of the traditional Humpty Dumpty tale of caution!

Humphrey is an egg. An egg with very overprotective parents. Remember Humphrey; never run, never jump and never ever EVER sit on a wall. You remember what happened to your uncle....

Humphrey lives a very quiet and cautious life, until the day he bumps into Princess Jean (PJ) in the park. An adventurer through and through, PJ can't understand why Humphrey doesn't allow himself to have any fun. She tells him tales of all her antics and mishaps and they don't notice the park is closing.

Oh no! How will Humphrey get home? There's only one way out. Over. The. Wall! When Humphrey finally faces his darkest fears, a surprising revelation lies on the other side.

The Egg Incident is a laugh-out-loud graphic novel that will delight middle-grade readers who are tiptoeing towards independence themselves. It is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

Written by Ziggy Hanaor, author of the critically acclaimed graphic novel, Alte Zachen: Old Things (Cicada, 2022), and hilariously brought to life in Daisy Wynter's emotive illustrations.

'I am a potato', says a small, furry creature. 'Don't be ridiculous, ' says Dog. 'Do you grow underground? Do you have lots of eyes? No? Then you're not a potato.' 'Then WHAT AM I?' wails Creature. Cat comes along. 'Do you breathe air? Do you eat and poo? Do you move around? You are an animal!' But what kind of animal are they? As their identity crisis continues, more creatures join the conversation, asking questions and narrowing down the options until they eventually work out what the creature is.

This is a silly, delightful book that nonetheless teaches an important lesson about using the scientific method to deduce answers by observing, asking questions and eliminating possibilities. Vividly brought to life in Elliot Kruszynski's punchy, graphic illustrations, taxonomy has never been this fun.

Over the past four billion years, life on Earth has evolved from microscopic single-celled organisms to today's incredible array of flora and fauna. In the course of this time, layer upon layer of life was buried in sediment, turning into a fossilised record of the planet's history.

This highly-illustrated, large format book looks at all the incredible things that scientists have learned from the fossil record; the ways in which continents have drifted, merged and fragmented again; the life forms that have evolved and the great extinction events that wiped them out. From bacteria to sponges to fish to tetrapods to reptiles to dinosaurs to mammals and finally to humans, Stones and Bones excavates the fascinating story of life on Earth.

Clear, concise texts from fossil expert, Rob Wilshaw, along with lively illustrations, diagrams and timelines by Sophie Williams (Earth-Shattering Events and Map of You) make this hugely informative exploration accessible for readers as young as six.

With the science of Paleontology clearly broken down and a unique 'Paleontology Today' section highlighting the importance of learning from the past to protect our future, this vital book will delight not just dinosaur enthusiasts, but anyone interested in the incredible history of our planet.

Did you know that the flag of the USA was inspired by that of the East India Company - a private shipping company that traded in the spoils of the British Empire? Do you know what the black star on the flag of Ghana means? Or why the Russian flag looks similar to that of the Netherlands? Find the answers to these questions and more in this gorgeously presented, accessible atlas of flags.

Through simple designs and colours, national flags can tell us a lot about the histories, identities and interrelationships of the countries they represent. Grouping flags together first by continent and then by theme, this illuminating book explains how countries relate to one another, and how their politics and histories are interconnected. It provides a great launch point for discussions around identity, geography and nation building, and is a timely addition to the reference shelf of any politically curious 6 to 11-year old.

All About Flags! is packed with fascinating facts, clearly arranged by Robin Jacobs (Earth-Shattering Events, Cicada, 2019) and engagingly presented by Ben Javens (Alex and Alex, Cicada, 2021).

Betty is turning six today. She's going to have an amazing party, but which of her incredible outfits should she wear? And where has she put her glasses?

This is a delightful, interactive picturebook, in which young readers are asked to find, choose, count, discuss and otherwise engage with the silly, hyper-detailed illustrations of party games, dance competitions, pizza-making and goody bags.

Some unexpected narrative twists and turns pack each page with lols that will delight young readers and their grown-ups alike.

Celine Ka Wing Lau is a London-based illustrator from Hong Kong, whose bright, vibrant illustrations radiate humour and endearing charm.

The summit is what drives us, but the climb itself is what matters.

This gorgeous compendium explores eight of the world's greatest mountains across all its continents: Everest, Matterhorn, Chimborazo, Fuji, Kilimanjaro, Denali, Puncak Jaya and Vinson Massif. Discover the fascinating stories of the mountains' formation, their unique ecosystems, the mythologies of their local populations and the legendary tales of their conquest. Each chapter includes a breakdown of the best route to the summit and the dangers one might face on the way.

Concise, accessible texts by Robin Jacobs (Earth-Shattering Events, Cicada 2019) provide further information about mountain terminology, knot tying and climbing gear, making this a must-have for any budding explorer or climbing enthusiast. Dynamic, vintage-inflected illustrations by Ed J Brown (Epic Animal Journeys, Cicada 2022), bring the book to life, capturing a spirit of adventure and taking young readers on an awe-inspiring expedition to the top of the world.

An atlas of the most extreme meteorological and geological disasters that nature has to offer!

''Dynamic illustrations paired with illuminating text will entice even a reluctant reader to revel in this selection; an excellent addition to any nonfiction library''. -- School Library journal, Starred Review

''An eye-opening, and -widening, early introduction to our restless planet''. -- Kirkus

''The introduction's warning--every so often, the planet reminds us who's boss--rings out again at the conclusion, which explains how climate change could amplify each of these terrible and fascinating natural events''. -- Publisher's Weekly

''Earth Shattering Events! is one of those books that perfectly balances both the needs of the child, and the wants of the adult; it's fun, educational and equally entertaining to people big and small''. -- The AOI

We humans take our domination of the planet for granted, but sometimes nature reminds us that this is an illusion. Tectonics rip open the earth, vast waves sweep away coastal towns, magma spews from volcanoes and hurricanes lay waste to entire countries.

This book explores nature at its most destructive. Clear, coherent explanations break down the science behind phenomena including hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes, alongside fascinating facts about the biggest and the worst. Informative, accessible illustrations by Sophie Williams make this so much more than your standard geography book.

This fact-filled guide for kids 7 to 17 explores the world of architecture as you've never seen it before, from tiny shacks to vast palaces - and everything in between!

''Given the global spread of coverage and the unusual buildings chosen, this is a must for children's history, art, and architecture collections. -- Booklist Starred Review

''A delightful and informative trip around the globe. -- School Library Journal

''The illustrations are fresh and the book has a whimsical feel about it. It's unusual and delightful and it should definitely be on any parents list!'' -- The Portugal News

''A wonderful book to generate interest in the built environment. -- Goodreads

This atlas of architectural wonders eschews the classic children's book fare of the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal, and instead takes a broader view of what constitutes amazing architecture. Buildings include: the Jameh mosque of Isfahan in Iran, Native American plank houses in New Mexico, Stave Churches in Norway, The Djinguereber Mosque in Mali, and extraordinary 18th century wooden churches on Kizhi Island, Russia.

Over 50 buildings span all the continents equally throughout history. Each of these buildings is visually striking and architecturally noteworthy; they introduce new engineering technologies or define a movement or capture the essence of a moment in human history. However, despite their significance, they are, for the most part, not part of the main Western architectural canon.

This book seeks out a more diverse, inclusive approach to what constitutes amazing architecture, and presents it with fresh illustration and clear, punchy text.

Established illustrator Peter Allen, whose work has been published extensively by Usborne and Walker, brings the illustrations alive in his typical playful and dynamic style.

A 2021 Texas Library Association 2x2 Reading List book selection!

Find out about world cities and their underground systems in this fun search-and-find book!

This is a playful search-and-find, inside/outside book of underground systems around the world. Alternating shortened pages introduce the subways of 12 different cities. On the first page we see the exterior of the train, and are presented with fascinating facts and figures about the transport system. On the following, shortened page, we find the inside of the train and the platform, bustling with activity. On this busy page, young readers are invited to spot key items that are unique to the city in question; a pretzel, an I - NY t-shirt and a Statue of Liberty headband on the New York Subway, for example. Perfect for train-obsessed children, but also for a wider audience, this book teaches young readers about transport and also about cultural signifiers of different cities around the world. Uijung Kim's busy, colourful illustrations have a manga-like sensibility that feels joyously contemporary. The cities included are: London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, Beijing, Mexico City, Paris, Madrid and Berlin.

New York Times award winning author/illustrator Sven Völker once again brings his trademark graphic imagery to this gorgeous introduction to philosophical ideas for even the youngest of readers.

Bear wakes up after his long winter's sleep and joins his friend, Butterfly, on a journey. 'Where are we going?' asks bear. 'All journeys have secret destinations', says Butterfly. As they travel through forest, over hill and across a great river, Butterfly offers her wisdom about hardships, facing one's fears and living in the moment. Bear's natural impatience gradually softens into acceptance of the world around him. As the seasons change, the friends find themselves once more in front of Bear's cave. Landscapes look different with different eyes and the end of one journey is the beginning of another.

This is a heartwarming book about friendship and about circles and cycles of life and being. It is a sweet and calming bedtime story that introduces Buddhist philosophies and values to young readers.

The Mellon family have outgrown their flat. It's time to move, but none of the houses they look at are quite right, so they decide to build their own house. Masha is an architect. She designs a house that accommodates the Mellons' needs, their budget, and most importantly the environment. It is an eco-house.

The Mellons Build a House is a hugely enjoyable picturebook that takes the reader step by step through the design and construction of a house. Heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and rainwater harvesting are all explained, and brought to life in Nik Neves's warm, inclusive illustrations.

Praise for The New Baby

''A wonderful activity book for a young child who is expecting a new sibling''. -- Youth Services Book Review

''It is stressful becoming a big brother and this activity book has helped me to navigate the changes that will be happening in my family soon''. -- Liam, 9, Kids Book Buzz

''An original, brilliant idea, in the form of a beautifully illustrated paperback picture book''. -- It's All About Stories

''An entirely lovely book and a perfect gift for young families''. -- My Shelves Are Full

''An adorable activity paperback created to help children make sense of what it means to become a sibling''. -- Babyology

An activity book for soon-to-be big brothers and sisters.

Introducing a young child to the idea of a new sibling can be tricky to get right. This activity book offers parents a new way of starting a conversation with their child about the baby developing in mummy's tummy. By doodling, colouring in and engaging with the illustrations, the older sibling is invited to think and talk about themselves, and in doing so, to think about the new baby and what life might be like when it arrives: These are the names of some baby animals, what is your name? What do you think Baby's name should be? When mummy is three months pregnant, Baby starts growing hair. What colour is your hair? Draw it here. What colour do you think Baby's hair will be? The activities are brought alive in bright, on trend, paper cut illustrations.

The first edition of this book was received to much critical success. This revised edition includes new activities and an eye-catching new cover.

A multi-award nominated visual exploration of the universe that exists within our own bodies.

''An effective combination of clear science writing and entertaining illustrations. A great addition to any children's library or as a complementary text for science classes studying the microbiome''. -- School Library Journal, Starred Review

''Tubby, expressive microbes guide readers through this deceptively comprehensive, gleefully illustrated guide to the human microbiome''. -- Publisher's Weekly

''Brosnan's Gut Garden would make the perfect addition to a science class or your biology-loving child's library''. -- YA Books Central

''This is a wonderful and eye-opening guide to the smallest things in the world, and well worth a read.'' -- BookTrust

A journey into the wonderful world of your microbiome!

Within our bodies hides an entire world of organisms called microbes. They boost our immune systems, digest our food, regulate our metabolism and even impact on our mental health.

Through Katie Brosnan's personable illustrations, we follow the digestive process from the moment the food enters our mouths to the moment waste leaves our bodies. Along the way we learn about this fascinating scientific frontier and gain an insight into the vast ecosystem that exists inside us.

This stunningly presented science book explains the facts of life by looking at sex and reproduction in mammal species. Through short, concise texts and warm, engaging illustrations, we learn about fertilisation, gestation, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting across the mammalian order.

Did you know that, unlike other mammals, whale calves are born tail first, so that the mother can push them to the surface to breathe as soon as they emerge? Or that echidnas do not have nipples? Their young lick milk that seeps from pores in their chests.

Easy to engage with for kids as young as four, this is a convenient, informative and enjoyable way of learning about babies and where they come from.

A timely and relatable tale about the importance of connecting to the introvert inside.

Come for the empathetic storytelling. Stay to pore over the inventive ways in which the Greek illustrator Kourtoglou anthropomorphizes snails. -- The New York Times

A refreshingly empathetic portrayal of introversion. -- Kirkus Reviews

Marjorie is a happy snail. She loves her family and friends, but sometimes she just needs a bit of alone time. At these moments, Marjorie wanders off to try to find a quiet space, but her friends and family just follow her trail of slime and find her.

'How can I find some space for myself?' wonders Marjorie, and as she wonders, she wanders, here and there, back and forth, this way and that until she is entirely and marvellously lost. But the joys of solitude are short lived, and Marjorie swiftly realises that she can't find her way back. Luckily, she stumbles on a good friend who helps her on her way and offers her some sage advice.

A natural follow on from the critically acclaimed 'Pocket Chaotic', this simple, layered story is exquisitely brought to life by Christos Kourtoglou, an emerging Greek illustrator with a distinctive watercolour style. It addresses the disjunction that kids and adults feel (particularly in a post-lockdown era) between our introvert and extrovert selves.

Award-winning illustrator Daniel Gray-Barnett, whose work has been featured by the likes of The Boston Globe and The New York Times, brings his usual expressive and fun style to this heartwarming tale about the connection between a son and mother and a journey towards independence.

Praise for Pocket Chaotic

''A humorous invitation to embrace change and move on''. -- Kirkus

''Pops of golden yellow dominate the watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations of this tongue-in-cheek story about helping children embrace their independence''. -- Foreword Reviews

''An original, funny and heartwarming picture book tale about a connection between a mother and son that will ring true for many children especially in these uncertain times''. -- Midwest Book Review

''A clever little readaloud. Hand this one to a parent trying desperately to get their 25-year-old out of the basement''.
-- Fuse 8, School Library Journal

''There is so much to look and giggle at in this book''.
-- Youth Services Book Review

''An amusing tale (tail?) with sprightly illustrations that is great to read out loud and may encourage little ones to explore their independence in new environments''. -- The AOI

''Enjoy this exuberant, warm story and share the neon illustrations with little ones wanting independence, yet not quite ready to really let go''. -- Armadillo Children's Magazine

Alexander's mom keeps putting stuff in her pocket and it's driving him crazy!

A young kangaroo called Alexander lives in his mom, Nancy's pocket. Alexander loves his mom, but there's one thing she does that really drives him nuts. She is always putting stuff in her pocket. Alexander tries to keep things neat, but the more he tidies, the more stuff she shoves in there. When he complains, his sister calls him a baby - it's time to leave the pouch anyway. But Alexander loves it in there - it's warm and cosy and smells of mom.

Then one day, it gets really bad. Twelve bobby pins, a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of water, a packet of chewing gum, two bus tickets, some keys, a toy car and a cookbook all find their way into Nancy's pouch. And that's just for starters. Finally, Alexander's had enough. 'I can't take it any more!' he shouts. 'I'm moving out!' So Alexander moves into the room next to his sister's. They make it all cosy, with a furry blanket and shelves for all his stuff. So it's just like his mom's pouch. Almost. The penultimate spread is Alexander sleeping with all his stuff strewn around him. The final spread is Nancy clearing out her pocket with a wink. It was time for Alexander to go.

A stunning visualization of numbers big and small.

We start with a single tree; 1. As we turn the page, we are presented with a sum doubling the number on the page before it: 1+1 = 2; 2+2 = 4; 4+4 = 8. In this way, we reach a million (actually 1,048,576) within 40 pages.

Each sum is brought to life with a simple graphic illustration in the distinctive style of Sven Völker. The dots form the back of a ladybird, the bubbles in a cup of soda and the water in a swimming pool. The final page opens up to a magnificent 8 page gatefold to accommodate the final two big numbers.

Gloriously simple in its concept and execution, this is a book that will bring mathematics alive to parents as well as children and will also make a stunning gift book.