Forwards Always

Once upon a time, before time even existed, all matter in the universe was concentrated on a single point a fraction of the size of an atom. And then? And then it exploded. 

This is a celebration of the origins of our planet and the life that inhabits it. Factual in content, but lyrical in expression, and with sumptuous illustration, this book takes readers on an extraordinary evolutionary journey; from the emergence of photosynthesising single-celled organisms to the blobby sea-creatures that gradually morphed into fish and then tetrapods, reptiles, dinosaurs and finally to mammals. 

We tell stories of apples and snakes, of gods and monsters. But the creation story told by science is more perplexing and incredible than any we could ever make up. 

Written by award-winning author, Ziggy Hanaor, and gorgeously brought to life by Cristóbal Schmal, this stunning book is both emotive and educational.

Welcome to the Museum of Shapes. Alma is the curator of the museum and she decides which shapes should go where. 

Triangles have three sides and three angles. Can you help Alma find all the triangles on the shelves? Alma’s favourite shape is a circle. All the points on the edge of a circle are the same distance from its centre. Not all shapes are geometric; some lines are wiggly and messy. Can you make a wiggly line with your body? 

This is an engaging, informative book about the shapes that make up our world. Gorgeous, minimalist illustrations complement the narrative framework, offering a light, playful introduction to mathematical concepts for the youngest of readers. Delightful, interactive prompts encourage active engagement with the story, helping adults and their children to open a dialogue about maths and the beauty of geometry.

By acclaimed author-illustrator of The Grand Hotel of Feelings, this fantastical adventure takes children on an uplifting journey of reflection and self-acceptance.

Lika has never given much thought to her shadow. Sometimes it’s long, sometimes it’s short… but it's never anything more than a shadow. That is until the day it starts acting strangely. When Lika waves a hand, Shadow raises a foot. When Lika sits down, Shadow stands up. Lika tries to hide, but the smaller she makes herself, the bigger Shadow becomes. When Shadow whisks Lika off to a curious land of shadows – and right into a spooky shadow circus – she must look deep inside herself to find her way back home.

A poignant and uplifting book about exploring and acknowledging the parts of ourselves that we try to hide from and embracing the shadows within.

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.

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.

‘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.