'My mum is up there somewhere. She's waiting -- I can feel it. I just have to find her in time, that's all ... Because when I do, I'll know the truth about who stole her. ' Told through the innocent voice of a child, this is a story that celebrates the power of hope and resilience, from the author of The Boy at the Back of the Class. On her tenth birthday, Sophie makes a wish -- a wish for her mum. After school that same day, Sophie and her brother are rushed out of school and driven far, far away. So Sophie sets out to find out the truth -- about the wish and about what happened to her mother. And in doing so she ends up on an adventure she never could have foreseen...one that involves a very clever squirrel, a homeless man named Harry, the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, and the biggest star in Hollywood... A story that explores the subtle faces and endless impacts of domestic violence.

Meet the bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that are all around us, but are too small for us to see. What do glowing squid, mouldy bread, and soil creatures all have in common? They're all part of the world of microbiology! In this awesome introductory book for kids, the big world of tiny organisms is revealed with remarkable photography, kooky characters, and lots of fun facts. This book shows you how these miniature life forms affect our world, for good and bad, through real-life examples of microbes in action. Bacteria are some of the most important organisms on Earth, and without them our bodies wouldn't be able to work. Fungi are used to make bread and cheese. Viruses and other germs can make us ill, but are fought by our amazing immune system. All these stories and more are told in clear and engaging language by bestselling author and science comedian Steve Mould. The Bacteria Book is a fun and informative introduction to a STEAM subject that brings kids up-close with microbiology, and young scientists won't want to put it down.

'A call to arms for the next generation of eco-warriors, full of practical ideas and activities to encourage wildlife and a love of the natural world' - The Bookseller 'This is my pledge, my promise, my vow, Lasting forever, starting now: I'll be a friend to nature.' An illustrated book celebrating the natural world and ways to appreciate it, filled with practical activities and ideas to help wildlife and the environment on your doorstep and worldwide. Starting with a pledge in poetic form, this book is a call to arms for the next generation of peaceful eco warriors. Broken down into sections of activities, each lyrically relates back to the metaphor of being a friend to nature. The activities themselves are short, easy, and fun, with a few more extensive projects mixed in. These are interspersed with nature quotes, poetry, and other thought-provoking musings, as well as pieces of simple non-fiction information, such as the life cycle of a frog, a butterfly, a cross section of a flowering plant, and why you should always wish on a dandelion clock. The final section explores what nature can give back to us in turn; that if we look after the natural world, we will always have a friend in nature – a space to be calm, to pause and think, to recharge, to bring us joy, amusement, and health.