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Imogen Russell Williams reads children's books like it's going out of style, then writes about them for The Guardian, The Metro and the TLS. The Big Book of the UK is the first book she's written herself. (Looking up rude place names was her favourite.)
Fifty great Britons are celebrated in this book, people who have played an important part in these islands’ history, brought greater understanding, or simply entertained us. From Alfred the Great to Malala Yousafzai, it features a wonderfully varied set of subjects, but all of them have called Britain home. Their life stories are told across double pages, via accessible, information-packed text, often featuring those quirky memorable details that we all love, and equally lively colour illustrations. The biographies follow one another alphabetically by subject surname, rather than chronologically, the emphasis very much on personality and individual achievements. There’s a real sense of excitement, both for these people and for the way Britain has encouraged and welcomed the talented. Indeed, for that it brings to mind the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, high praise in our house. Lovely to see some top children’s authors feature too, including Malorie Blackman, and Judith Kerr. Highly recommended.
This accessible and lively journey through the UK combines a geographical tour of our islands with social and historical themes such as music, transport, food, clothes, sport and how, for example, UK time has defined global time zones since the definition of the Greenwich Meridian. Written and collected by children’s book critic Imogen Russell- Williams, it is not surprising to find a spread on Bookish Britain and a field guide to magical creatures, but equally entertaining are spreads on the famous British sweet tooth and the confectionery industry or conversely on Keeping Fit and Healthy: where we learn that The Isles of Scilly are the most sporty and active place in the UK! One cannot help but wonder if a subliminal Brexit message is intended about the geographical tour beginning in Northern Ireland, but it is certainly refreshing not to have London front and centre and for all the home nation capitals to get their own double page spread and equality of coverage. The selection of facts about each place or theme is inspired, diverse and non-jingoistic; defining the British Empire, for example as ‘also responsible for the rise of slavery and the loss of resources, identity and language for other countries.’ The varied page layout is a particular strength combining colourful images and clear textboxes and labels. There is an enjoyable quiz on “How Well do you know the UK?” at the end of the book, but I really cannot understand why there is not at the very least a Contents page to guide young researchers to an area of interest. Nevertheless, this is an attractive and fascinating book which will, I guarantee, with every page turn present the reader with something they did not know or had not heard of.
Celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the incredible history of HM Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign, told through the enthralling life stories of 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 approach the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, learn about the Queen's life and 25 other amazing history-makers - from modern pioneers, leaders and scientists to writers, athletes and activists - in this beautifully illustrated special edition paperback. Each 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. The diverse 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, Malorie Blackman, Stormzy and Tanni Grey-Thompson, Great Elizabethans is not only a glorious celebration of Queen Elizabeth's reign, but also the citizens who have contributed to such an incredible 70 years.
Fifty great Britons are celebrated in this book, people who have played an important part in these islands’ history, brought greater understanding, or simply entertained us. From Alfred the Great to Malala Yousafzai, it features a wonderfully varied set of subjects, but all of them have called Britain home. Their life stories are told across double pages, via accessible, information-packed text, often featuring those quirky memorable details that we all love, and equally lively colour illustrations. The biographies follow one another alphabetically by subject surname, rather than chronologically, the emphasis very much on personality and individual achievements. There’s a real sense of excitement, both for these people and for the way Britain has encouraged and welcomed the talented. Indeed, for that it brings to mind the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, high praise in our house. Lovely to see some top children’s authors feature too, including Malorie Blackman, and Judith Kerr. Highly recommended.
The fox family are back to explore the Museum of Slimy Things! Following a successful adventure through the Museum of Dead Things, the foxes have returned to explore the world of slime. Curated by the slipperiest experts, this special museum introduces slime found all over the natural world, from the creatures in the depths of the ocean to the slime hiding inside the human body. Learn about the science of slime, meet the gelatinous hagfish and romp through the museum's swamp in this fully illustrated, non-fiction adventure.
This accessible and lively journey through the UK combines a geographical tour of our islands with social and historical themes such as music, transport, food, clothes, sport and how, for example, UK time has defined global time zones since the definition of the Greenwich Meridian. Written and collected by children’s book critic Imogen Russell- Williams, it is not surprising to find a spread on Bookish Britain and a field guide to magical creatures, but equally entertaining are spreads on the famous British sweet tooth and the confectionery industry or conversely on Keeping Fit and Healthy: where we learn that The Isles of Scilly are the most sporty and active place in the UK! One cannot help but wonder if a subliminal Brexit message is intended about the geographical tour beginning in Northern Ireland, but it is certainly refreshing not to have London front and centre and for all the home nation capitals to get their own double page spread and equality of coverage. The selection of facts about each place or theme is inspired, diverse and non-jingoistic; defining the British Empire, for example as ‘also responsible for the rise of slavery and the loss of resources, identity and language for other countries.’ The varied page layout is a particular strength combining colourful images and clear textboxes and labels. There is an enjoyable quiz on “How Well do you know the UK?” at the end of the book, but I really cannot understand why there is not at the very least a Contents page to guide young researchers to an area of interest. Nevertheless, this is an attractive and fascinating book which will, I guarantee, with every page turn present the reader with something they did not know or had not heard of.
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