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Mick Manning and Brita Granström specialize in lyrical non- fiction picture books. They have written and illustrated over 60 books and have won many awards, including the Smarties Silver Award, the English Association Award and The Royal Society Young People’s Book Award. Their previous books, published internationally and in many languages, include the award-winning Fly on the Wall series, Tail-End Charlie, What Mr Darwin Saw, Charles Dickens: An Extraordinary Life, Nature Adventures, Wild Adventures, The Beatles and William Shakespeare. Mick and Brita live in the Scottish Borders. Read a Q&A with Mick and Brita here.
April 2017 Book of the Month Who better to take young readers on a guided tour of the British Library than Mick Manning and Brita Granström? Words and pictures work perfectly together to give children a vivid sense of the greatest library in the world, and some of the amazing books to be found there. It begins with a look at the St Cuthbert Gospel, a photo of the book part of a collage also featuring a representation of the saint in his coffin and sketches depicting the book’s extraordinary history. There are equally lively pages on the Lindisfarne Gospel, Beowulf, Mrs Beeton’s cookbook and many more. The approach is as varied as the books featured, while the facts contained will inform and fascinate readers of all ages. It concludes with notes on the authors of the featured books and a helpful glossary. A unique and fascinating way of examining the history of the book through one of our greatest institutions. ~ Andrea Reece
Shortlisted for the English Picture Book Award 2016 | Mick Manning and Brita Granström have developed a picture book approach to non-fiction that brings their subjects to vivid life. Beautifully illustrated throughout in coloured pencil and watercolour and with pen and ink for the hand lettering, this is beautiful to look at and packed with information. There is lots on Shakespeare’s childhood – stories of the famous as children always catch the imagination of young readers – and the book provides a very clear impression of Tudor life. It explains the ‘lost years’, when no-one really knows what Shakespeare was up to, and cleverly puts the plays in the context of Shakespeare’s life and times. There are retellings in a sort of comic-strip of some of the most important plays – Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet – while comic-strip style speech bubbles throughout let readers hear Shakespeare’s words and world. Children can read this book in so many different ways, and Simon Callow, quoted on the cover, is right when he says this is a perfect introduction to the real Shakespeare.
The lyrical text gives an emotional insight into the world of the woolly mammoths and is accompanied by an illustrative fact strip giving more information on how we know about the lives of Mammoths today, taken from the very latest Mammoth findings. This book also includes a useful glossary and geological time line.
Follow the amazing dramatic life of a theatrical icon, vividly described in words and pictures. With lively graphic-novel descriptions of many of Shakespeare's most famous plays, including A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Henry V, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and The Tempest, and drawing on the latest biographical research, this is the perfect introduction for children to the life and works of William Shakespeare. Endorsed by Simon Callow, Shakespearean actor and biographer: "I can't think of a book more likely than this enchantingly illustrated tome to connect young people to the greatest, most exciting, most human, most surprising writer of them all. A great achievement."
January 2014 Book of the Month The most famous band in history is brought to life in this illustrated history of their life and times. The stories of the ‘fab four’ as schoolboys from the years before they met through how they got together and set up their band to dealing with fame, fortune and millions and millions of screaming fans are told in words and pictures evoking the mood of the time – albeit making it look a very long time ago indeed! Full of facts and fun to browse this also captures the mood of the time and exceptional impact The Beatles made on teenage life.
April 2013 Non-Fiction Book of the Month The incredible story of the building of the mighty Stonehenge is brought to life in the action-packed illustrations to this book. How such a feat was achieved without the help of any technology has always been a cause of wonder. Here, the story of how the stones were dragged for many miles, how they were heaved into position and how they were cleverly fitted together so that the building would last, is visually re-enacted while the history of the time and what we know about how man managed 5,000 years ago is explained in the text and accompanying speech bubbles.
Paddle down the river of time on an amazing prehistoric journey - all you need to bring is your imagination! Witness the fiery beginnings of our Earth, and the explosion of life on our planet. Fly with a pterosaur! Hang out with apes! Ride a mammoth! Help to make an amazing cave painting and witness the first ever writing - a hymn to the Moon Goddess! An exciting, action-packed introduction to prehistory, from first life on Earth to the beginning of recorded history.
Max is so proud to celebrate his new baby brother, Charlie, that he could tell the whole world!
Did you know you can explore space and visit the stars from right here on planet Earth? Follow along with Max and Kate as they visit a science museum and learn about the night sky.
A friendly and inspiring introduction to art history, telling the stories of the world's greatest paintings and artists from prehistory to the modern day The Story of Paintings begins with the cave paintings of our Stone Age ancestors and continues through to the modern day. Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem take your on a tour of their personally selected gallery which showcases the work of some of the world's most famous artists and few a less well-known ones. The artists featured include van Eyck, da Vinci, Bruegel, Rembrandt, Velazquez, JMW Turner, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Georgia O'Keefe, Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Jackson Pollock as well as Dame Laura Knight and Kalan Khan. The friendly text and illustrations help children to appreciate the art, highlighting interesting biographical details and picking out key details to spot. The book's large format means the art is reproduced on a wonderfully impactful scale. This really is a book to give and treasure. The creative team of Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem are well-known for their ground breaking children's information books. Their many awards range the TES Information Book Award for What's Under the Bed? and the English Association Non-fiction award for Charlie's War Illustrated.
Taking a friendly and practical look at manners and the appropriate way to react and conduct yourself in a particular situation, this title examines a range of scenarios. Find out why please and thank-you work; how hygiene helps; why it is kind to share. Friendly questions and answers also explore more sensitive issues such as dealing with bullies or strangers. Sharing this gently-humorous book is the perfect way to give sensible, reassuring advice to worried children. Perfect for readers aged 7 and up.
April 2017 Book of the Month Who better to take young readers on a guided tour of the British Library than Mick Manning and Brita Granström? Words and pictures work perfectly together to give children a vivid sense of the greatest library in the world, and some of the amazing books to be found there. It begins with a look at the St Cuthbert Gospel, a photo of the book part of a collage also featuring a representation of the saint in his coffin and sketches depicting the book’s extraordinary history. There are equally lively pages on the Lindisfarne Gospel, Beowulf, Mrs Beeton’s cookbook and many more. The approach is as varied as the books featured, while the facts contained will inform and fascinate readers of all ages. It concludes with notes on the authors of the featured books and a helpful glossary. A unique and fascinating way of examining the history of the book through one of our greatest institutions. ~ Andrea Reece
A lively, friendly introduction to the idea families by the award-winning team of Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem The book does not just explain straightforward connections like uncle or sister, but also sensitively introduces the idea of step-families, half-brothers and even adoption. The book celebrates the family in all its forms, encouraging not only a respect for your relatives but also other families around you, recognizing that no one family is the same. This book is one in a loosely-related series by award-winners Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom which takes an informative but friendly look at some of concerns of young children that relate to their immediate world and which they need to understand as part of 'growing up'. In doing so, they also provide an indispensable resource for any parent or teacher who is helping children understand these issues. Perfect for readers ages 7 and up.
A sensitive but straightforward introduction to how we change from a baby into an adult. Find out how bones grow; why our milk teeth fall out and what we need to do to be strong and healthy. Friendly questions and answers also explore what happens to boys and girls when they reach puberty, from how your body changes to falling in love. Sharing this book is the perfect, child-friendly way to answer those difficult questions about growing up. Perfect for readers aged 7 and up.
In this beautiful guide to birds and the sounds they make, readers will find falcons, kookaburras, yellowhammers and more, learning their calls and discovering facts about them. The birds are brought to life by stunning illustrations that make these creatures feel close enough to touch. Oxford Reading Tree inFact is a compelling non-fiction series that aims to engage children in reading for pleasure as powerfully as fiction does. The series includes 36 titles which are all phonically decodable, with some high-interest topic words to develop vocabulary and impart knowledge. The imaginative approach and variety of intriguing topics mean there are books to interest every child. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every reader to the right book.
This sumptious book is a wonderful first-introduction to British history. Masters of illustrated non-fiction, Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem tell the story of Britain from the Stone Age up to the present in a truly integrated narrative of text and illustration. It moves throughs the Iron Age, Stonehenge, the Celts, the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, then on to the marvels of the Medieval era, the Tudors and Stuarts, the Industrial Revolution, the Victorians and the 20th century right up to the modern day. The exciting story is supplemented by many amazing facts and introduces key figures from kings, queens and military leaders to scientists, artists and writers. History doesn't have to be horrible - here it is gripping, fascinating and fun!
Produced to coincide with 200th anniversary of the birth of Charlotte Bronte, this book introduces the three extraordinary Bronte sisters: Charlotte, Emily and Anne. We also meet their brother Branwell. With a mix of strong story-telling and wonderful illustration, Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem relate the sister's tragically short lives in the remote village of Haworth in the Yorkshire Dales. They explore how the girls were inspired to become writers and the sensation their books caused when people realised they had been written by women. Each of the sister's greatest novels, Jane Eyre (Charlotte), The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Anne) and Wuthering Heights (Emily), are simply retold in engaging comic-strip form. The illustrations and text of this book really capture the life of the children of the moors and how the magic and wildness of their surroundings inspired their work. It is perhaps not surprising as Mick Manning was born and brought up in Haworth and, as a child, even played a shepherd boy in a BBC adapation of Wuthering Heights.
Shortlisted for the English Picture Book Award 2016 | Mick Manning and Brita Granström have developed a picture book approach to non-fiction that brings their subjects to vivid life. Beautifully illustrated throughout in coloured pencil and watercolour and with pen and ink for the hand lettering, this is beautiful to look at and packed with information. There is lots on Shakespeare’s childhood – stories of the famous as children always catch the imagination of young readers – and the book provides a very clear impression of Tudor life. It explains the ‘lost years’, when no-one really knows what Shakespeare was up to, and cleverly puts the plays in the context of Shakespeare’s life and times. There are retellings in a sort of comic-strip of some of the most important plays – Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet – while comic-strip style speech bubbles throughout let readers hear Shakespeare’s words and world. Children can read this book in so many different ways, and Simon Callow, quoted on the cover, is right when he says this is a perfect introduction to the real Shakespeare.
An inspiring project-based art course from multi-award-winning duo Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom. This comprehensive guide will introduce children to the joys of drawing from life, collage, painting, printmaking and more. The content is based on the couple's extensive experience, particularly the ten years Mick spent as a course leader at Glasgow School of Art and as an assessor for the RCA. Packed with novelties, including an in-built sketchpad, a colour wheel, a stencil and composition viewer, this is a ready-made activity kit ready for kids to pick up and get creative.
Be a fly on the wall in the time of the ancient Greeks. Follow Greek warrior Agathon on his way home from battle, listen to Ariston tell tales of brave Odysseus, learn Alpha to Omega with mischievous Hektor and hear the crowd roar as you watch Olympic athletes sprint for the finishing-line. These pages are packed full of up-to-date information about the world of the ancient Greeks from the latest archaeological discoveries, so you can see history as it really happened!
Be a fly on the wall in the time of the Romans. Patrol with a windswept centurion, eavesdrop on Roman nobles - Candidus and Flavinus - in the smelly toilets and dine at a tasty banquet. These pages are packed full of up-to-date information about the world of the Romans from the latest archaeological discoveries. With drawings, notes, squashed insects and messy fingerprints, this book shows you history as it really happened!
Be a fly on the wall in the time of the Vikings. Watch skilful ship builders at work, charge into battle, visit a Viking farmstead, enjoy the hustle and bustle of Jorvik on market day and listen to fireside tales about the Viking gods - you can even wipe a tear from your eye at a Viking funeral! These pages are packed full of up-to-date information about Viking life from the latest archaeological discoveries. With drawings, notes, wood shavings, straw, wolf fur and axe marks, this book shows you history as it really happened!
The Life of Leonardo is a biography of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest artists in history. Find out about his paintings, his weird writing and some of his incredible inventions. Oxford Reading Tree inFact is a non-fiction series that aims to engage children in reading for pleasure as powerfully as fiction does. The variety of topics means there are books to interest every child in this compelling series. The series is written by top children's authors and subject experts. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.
There are a lot of birds in Beaks and Feet. Can you guess who the beaks belong to? Then find out how beaks and feet help some animals to survive in their habitats. Oxford Reading Tree inFact is a non-fiction series that aims to engage children in reading for pleasure as powerfully as fiction does. The variety of topics means there are books to interest every child in this compelling series. The series is written by top children's authors and subject experts. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.
Let's Build a House! But what sort of a house should it be? And what do we need to build it? It could be a shack on a beach, or it could be a skyscraper. Try building a bungalow or even a castle! Join in the imaginative play as a group of children plan their houses and discover the materials and techniques needed to build them. The Wonderwise series presents facts in a way that will inspire young children's imaginations about the world around them. Wonderwise is an award-winning series of information books, perfect for introducing younger children to non-fiction. The books include updated notes and activities to support the new primary curriculum.
The World is Full of Babies! is an enchanting look at babies everywhere, and how they grow and develop. Polar bear cubs, baby bats, piglets, even tiny turtles are all here and we learn that like human babies they make a lot of noise, get hungry and they love to play games. But, as they grow, we find out that while all babies are very alike they are also surprisingly different. The Wonderwise series presents facts in a way that will inspire young children's imaginations about the world around them.
Travel back in time for an amazing stone age adventure! Learn to shape flints, carve bones and tickle trout; join in a mammoth hunt and wild dances in flickering torchlight. Discover for yourself just how clever our stone age ancestors were! Includes notes and activities to support the new primary curriculum. The Wonderwise series presents facts in a way that will inspire young children's imaginations about the world around them. Wonderwise is an award-winning series of information books, perfect for introducing younger children to non-fiction.
Why was this amazing monument erected? How did our Stone-Age ancestors bring such massive stones to the site from so far away? How did they raise the enormous stones to their upright positions? What was Stonehenge used for, and who lived around the site? This is the incredible true story of this awe-inspiring monument - one of the greatest ancient sites in the world and a World Heritage Site. This fascinating picture information book provides all the facts about the most important prehistoric monument in Britain.
What's Under the Bed? travels to the mysterious world that is just beneath our feet. Follow the underground adventures of two children and their cat to explore secret caves, fossils and even silver, gold and diamonds before eventually discovering what really is under the bed. Wonderwise is an award-winning series of information books, perfect for introducing younger children to non-fiction. The series presents facts in a way that will inspire young children's imaginations about the world around them. The books include notes and activities to support the new primary curriculum.
Mick Manning's grandfather joined the army in 1914 and served right through World War One. Fighting in the artillery on the front line in Egypt, Palestine and France, Charlie lived to tell his tale. Here Mick and Brita tell us about Charlie's War, illustrating his story with stunning artwork, period scraps and artefacts. They movingly bring alive for children the 'war to end all wars', from the trenches and the guns to the friendships and songs the soliders shared. Produced in association with the Imperial War Museum, this is a wonderful resource for readers aged 6 and up and was nominated for the 2014 English 4-11 picture book awards. Tail-End Charlie, a previous Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem title, was shortlisted for both the Carnegie and the Blue Peter Prize. 'Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem's approach to non-fiction for younger children has revolutionised our bookshelves.' The Scotsman
Winner of The English Association 4-11 Book Awards - Key Stage 2 Non-Fiction A companion to the successful and innovative Tail-End Charlie, about Mick's father's life in the RAF in World War II, Taff in the WAAF tells his mother's fascinating story of life on the Home Front in World War II. Simply written and using speech bubbles and captioned illustration boxes of artefacts and documents from the period, this is a dramatic and engaging introduction to its subject.
Mick Manning's grandfather joined the army in 1914 and served right through World War One. Fighting in the artillery on the front line in Egypt, Palestine and France, Charlie lived to tell his tale. Here Mick and Brita tell us about Charlie's War, illustrating his story with stunning artwork, period scraps and artefacts. They movingly bring alive for children the 'war to end all wars', from the trenches and the guns to the friendships and songs the soliders shared.
Discover the incredible true story of Sergeant Norman Jackson, who had survived 30 missions when his plane was hit over enemy territory in 1945. Under fire and travelling at 200mph he climbed onto the wing, attempting to put out the blaze. This exciting graphic novel is by award-winning author and illustrator team Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem. * Collins Big Cat Progress builds confidence, helping struggling pupils not only to read, but to love reading * Dual-banded books provide age-appropriate interest level material matched with a lower reading ability level * Every book is levelled by reading expert Cliff Moon to ensure precise, systematic, measurable progression to help close the ability gap * The books use a range of reading strategies: phonic, graphic, syntactic and contextual to build confident, accurate, fluent readers * Designed to build speaking and listening skills, as well as reading skills, the books are highly visual and include incredible illustrations and photographs * Every book has a Key Stage 2 look-and-feel to engage older pupils and avoid stigmatisation * Topics are relevant for children in years 3-6 and connected to the curriculum and framework objectives for these years to support inclusion * Progress titles contain a Reader Response page to encourage the pupil to respond to and recall what they have read. This offers an ideal opportunity to check comprehension * Ideas for Reading, written by primary literacy expert Gill Howell are included in the back of every book to help you support the reading needs of each child * This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader
Follow the true story of Winkie, a carrier pigeon in WWII whose crew crash landed in the sea. All hopes rested with Winkie as she battled to reach help - but would she be able to lead them back to her crew? The story is told in the style of a graphic novel and illustrated by award-winning author-illustrator team Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem. * Collins Big Cat Progress builds confidence, helping struggling pupils not only to read, but to love reading * Dual-banded books provide age-appropriate interest level material matched with a lower reading ability level * Every book is levelled by reading expert Cliff Moon to ensure precise, systematic, measurable progression to help close the ability gap * The books use a range of reading strategies: phonic, graphic, syntactic and contextual to build confident, accurate, fluent readers * Designed to build speaking and listening skills, as well as reading skills, the books are highly visual and include incredible illustrations and photographs * Every book has a Key Stage 2 look-and-feel to engage older pupils and avoid stigmatisation * Topics are relevant for children in years 3-6 and connected to the curriculum and framework objectives for these years to support inclusion * Progress titles contain a Reader Response page to encourage the pupil to respond to and recall what they have read. This offers an ideal opportunity to check comprehension * Ideas for Reading, written by primary literacy expert Gill Howell are included in the back of every book to help you support the reading needs of each child * This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader
During World War II, many spies were dropped from Britain into France to help fight the Nazis. One of them was a woman called Christine Granville, who risked her life to save her comrades. Follow her incredible true story is this beautifully illustrated graphic novel by award-winning authors Mick Manning and Brita Granstroem. * Collins Big Cat Progress builds confidence, helping struggling pupils not only to read, but to love reading * Dual-banded books provide age-appropriate interest level material matched with a lower reading ability level * Every book is levelled by reading expert Cliff Moon to ensure precise, systematic, measurable progression to help close the ability gap * The books use a range of reading strategies: phonic, graphic, syntactic and contextual to build confident, accurate, fluent readers * Designed to build speaking and listening skills, as well as reading skills, the books are highly visual and include incredible illustrations and photographs * Every book has a Key Stage 2 look-and-feel to engage older pupils and avoid stigmatisation * Topics are relevant for children in years 3-6 and connected to the curriculum and framework objectives for these years to support inclusion * Progress titles contain a Reader Response page to encourage the pupil to respond to and recall what they have read. This offers an ideal opportunity to check comprehension * Ideas for Reading, written by primary literacy expert Gill Howell are included in the back of every book to help you support the reading needs of each child * This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.
The eventful ups and downs of the life of Charles Dickens, the best-selling author of his day, are told in words and pictures in this excellent introduction to the man and his works. Many of the scenes that Dickens includes in his books were taken from his own childhood during which he experienced much poverty and hardship, including working in a factory when he was 12. He later became a journalist before his enormous success as a novelist. The lively illustrations capture Dickens’s eventful life, including his successful tours of America where he was treated as a superstar.
Inspired by his uncle's experiences, Mick Manning's simple but moving story invites children to travel from the safe familiarity of a seaside holiday to the beaches of Dunkirk to discover one of Britain's most tragic and heroic events of the Second World War. Produced in association with the Imperial War Museum.
Linked to its own website so that readers can all join the Planet Patrol www.theplanetpatrol.com Produced by a multi-award winning duo who really make the issues come alive for young readers. Early Years Foundation Stage: PSED, KUW, CD
** Winner of The English Association 4-11 Book Awards - Key Stage 2 Non-Fiction ** Mick Manning's mother was a young woman in Wales at the outbreak of World War II. This fascinating book, a companion to the the very successful Tail-End Charlie about Mick's father's life in the RAF in World War II, tells her story using the same innovative non-fiction narrative style. At the outbreak of war and the start of food rationing, she left school aged 14 to work in a local greengrocer's shop. Later joining the WAAF (the Women's Auxiliary Air Force), she became a wireless operator and eventually a Y service listener for the secret signal decoding operation at Bletchley Park where the famous German Enigma Code was cracked. The book also looks at other essential women's roles during the war including the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), the Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service), Land Army, Fire Service etc, and a wide range of aspects of life affected by the war effort. Simply written and using speech bubbles and captioned illustration boxes of artefacts and documents from the period, this is a dramatic and engaging introduction to its subject.
This picture reference book provides an absolutely terrific insight into one of the world's most famous scientists and is a great introduction to youngsters of an important piece of history. Darwin's adventure on the Beagle and his findings on the islands he visits are captured brilliantly through vibrant illustrations, text and fact boxes. It's a book that both parent and child can spend hours sharing. The Hardback was published to coincide with the 200th anniverary of Darwin's birth as well as 150 years sinces the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species. It concludes with a simple explanation of the theory of evolution. Written by an outstanding team in the field of children's non-fiction, this is a book to enlighten and inspire young readers.
Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter 'Best Book with Facts' Award. Nominated for the Carnegie Medal 2010. As a boy, Mick Manning listened to his father's hair-raising tales about life as an RAF airgunner during the Second World War. Now, years later, he has carefully recreated his father's stories, writing them down as if his dad was speaking the words. In collaboration with Brita, he has illustrated them too. Photos and memorabilia accompany the true story of the author's father's World War Two experiences. Through scrapbook-style journal entries, this book aims to tell the story of the brave young men who risked everything for the sake of their country and yours... This is a book for Charlie's grandchildren, and for everyone.
As a boy, Mick Manning listened to his father's hair-raising tales about life as an RAF airgunner during the Second World War. Now, years later, he has carefully recreated his father's stories, writing them down as if his dad was speaking the words. In collaboration with Brita, he has illustrated them too. It's for Charlie's grandchildren -- and for everyone. Find out what it was really like to: Put up with food rationing ! Undergo RAF Training! Take off in a bomber! Face enemy fighters! Survive the Battle of the Bulge
If you choose to share 'the facts of life' with children at a young age, this is the perfect book to do so. It gently guides the reader through each stage of a child's development within the womb with charming illustrations and simple explanations, inviting lots of discussion and providing answers to all those questions. Shortlisted for the Junior Science Book Award (now the Royal Society's Science Prize).
