The Giant Print Library
Non-fiction for younger
readers
Updated: November 2012
Any UK member of our library service
may borrow up to a maximum of 6
books per service for a 3 month loan
period.
Most of the books have been produced
by the National Blind Children's
Society and are in 24 point type with
identical covers to the ordinary print
versions of the books.
Please be aware that due to their size,
many of the books are split into two or
Logo – RNIB supporting blind and partially sighted people
Registered charity number 226227
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more volumes, and these will have the
same covers.
For details on borrowing any of the
titles listed or for further information
regarding the Giant Print collection
please contact Liz Farrell or Hazel
Sharrock, Children's Librarians at
RNIB National Library Service on 0161
429 1975.
Non-fiction for younger
readers
Facts and miscellanea
Children's miscellany (volumes 1 &
2). 2004. Suggested reading age 9+.
1v.
Packed full of fascinating facts that will
astound and amaze everyone!
rnib.org.uk
Claybourne, Anna.
The story of inventions. 2007.
Suggested reading age 7+. 2v.
This book explains how, when and
why the ingenious inventions which
surround us were created, from simple
spectacles to complex computers. It
covers such diverse subjects as toilets,
bread, Braille, parachutes and jeans,
alongside more traditional 'inventions'
such as aeroplanes, microwaves and
computers.
Eldin, Peter
500 fantastic facts. 2005. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
A collection of bizarre and amazing
facts that prove without doubt that truth
really is stranger than fiction.
rnib.org.uk
Oxford children's dictionary. 2003.
Suggested reading age 7+. 7v.
Specially written for young readers,
this dictionary features 20,000 words,
extensive coverage of core
vocabulary, a clear style with
definitions children can understand
and example sentences for each word.
Symons, Mitchell
How to avoid a wombat's bum : and
other fascinating facts! 2007.
Suggested reading age 9+. 2v.
This book contains a collection of
fascinating facts and figures such as
Scarlett Johansson, Ashton Kutcher
and Simon Cowell all have twin
brothers; Everton were the first British
football club to introduce a stripe down
the side of their shorts; the word
DUDE was coined by Oscar Wilde and
his friends. It is a combination of the
words 'duds' and 'attitude'.
rnib.org.uk
Simon, Francesca
Horrid Henry's joke book. 2004.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Horrid Henry has collected all of his
favourite jokes and is itching to share
them. He's divided them into sections,
each one covering a subject he finds
fascinating.
Symons, Mitchell.
How to avoid a wombat's bum.
2007. Suggested reading age 9+. 2v.
This book contains a collection of
fascinating facts and figures such as
the first ready-to-eat breakfast cereal
was Shredded Wheat in 1893; Scarlett
Johansson, Ashton Kutcher and Simon
Cowell all have twin brothers; the word
DUDE was coined by Oscar Wilde and
his friends. It is a combination of the
words 'duds' and 'attitude'.
rnib.org.uk
Tremaine, Jon.
Magical illusions. 2010. Suggested
reading age 7+. 1v.
Abracadabra, alacazam! Pull some
magic out of your hat with this guide to
the best magical illusions around.
Truss, Lynne
Eats, shoots and leaves: why
commas really DO make a
difference! 2006. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Lynne Truss and Bonnie Timmons
illuminate the hilarious confusion that
one mere dot with a tail can cause.
Watt, Fiona.
Making cards. 2010. Suggested
reading age 7+. 1v.
This book features cards for birthdays,
Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s
Day, along with techniques and
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methods for creating artistic effects on
the cards themselves.
Why is snot green? And other
extremely important questions from
the Science Museum, Great Britain.
2007. Suggested reading age 9+. 2v.
Why is snot green? What is space
made of? What are scabs for? Will
computers ever be cleverer than
people? Discover the answers to these
and an awful lot of other brilliant
questions frequently asked at the
Science Museum in this wonderfully
funny and informative book.
Science
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Arnold, Nick.
Blood, bones and body bits.
(Horrible science) 2008.Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Where does your food go? What
happens when a boil bursts? Which
animals live in your eyelashes?
Arnold, Nick.
Bulging brains. (Horrible science)
2008. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
What does a fresh brain really smell
like? Might chopping your brain in half
be fatal? Are girls or boys smarter?
Arnold, Nick.
Chemical chaos. (Horrible science)
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Do you want to know ...Why glass
eyes aren't really made of glass? What
would make the worst stink bomb
ever? How to make your own
toothpaste?
rnib.org.uk
Arnold, Nick.
Fatal forces. (Horrible science)
2008. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Why do your ears stop you falling off
your bike? What can make your fillings
explode? Get the awful answers in
Fatal Forces!
Arnold, Nick.
Killer energy. (Horrible science)
2009.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Fans will love all the gory details of
why space loos spray out frozen pee
and which chilling chemical can
preserve pets!
Arnold, Nick.
Nasty nature. (Horrible science)
2008. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Why do vultures have bald heads?
What kind of frog lives in a toilet? How
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do vampire bats slurp blood? Get the
awful answers in Nasty Nature!
Arnold, Nick.
Really rotten experiments. (Horrible
science) 2003. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Ever wanted to experiment with the
sick side of science? Really Rotten
Experiments is packed with loud,
noisy, wet and soggy experiments that
are guaranteed to make your friends
and teachers squirm!
Arnold, Nick.
Shocking electricity. (Horrible
science) 2008. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Which scientist gave electric shocks to
his eyeballs? How can an electric eel
give you a nasty shock? Get the awful
answers in Shocking Electricity!
rnib.org.uk
Arnold, Nick.
Sounds dreadful. (Horrible science)
2008. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Science with the squishy bits left in!
How can a single sound shatter glass?
Why are farts so noisy? Which sound
waves make your guts wobble? Get
the awful answers in Sounds Dreadful!
Arnold, Nick.
Space, stars and slimy aliens
(Horrible science) 2008. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Science with the squishy bits left in!
Why does space make the guts
explode? Which astronomers killed
people? What does the moon smell
like? Get the awful answers in Space,
Stars and Slimy Aliens!
rnib.org.uk
Arnold, Nick.
The stunning science of everything
(Horrible science) 2005. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Taking a journey from the very small,
to the very big, readers will be taken
on a glorious tour of everything in
science from the smallest thing ever to
the horribly huge universe. Individual
chapters cover atoms, molecules, light
and sound, microbes, diseases, bugs,
humans and the body, animals, the
earth and outer space.
Arnold, Nick.
Ugly bugs. (Horrible science) 2008.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
What do slugs do with their slime?
Why do flies throw up on your tea?
How do insects drink your blood?
rnib.org.uk
Becklake, Sue.
100 things you should know about
space. 2004. Suggested reading age
9+. 1v.
Leads children on a fantastic voyage
through space, stopping off to look at
beautiful planets, burning stars and
state of the art aircraft.
French, Vivian.
Growing frogs. 2008. Suggested
reading age 5+. 1v.
Learn about the transformation from
frogspawn to frog with this fun,
informative picture book, part of the
'Nature Storybooks' series.
Ganeri, Anita.
From seed to sunflower. 2006.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
This series of books looks at the life
cycles of familiar animals and plants.
rnib.org.uk
Gates, Phil.
Evolve or die. (Horrible science)
2008. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Why are mutating mosquitoes man's
worst enemy? Why do rabbits eat their
own poo? Get the awful answers in
Evolve or Die!
Hammond, Richard
Can you feel the force? 2006.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Physics doesn't just happen in a lab it
happens in the kitchen, in your bath, in
a car! This title helps you join a thrilling
high-energy journey through time,
space and beyond and find out about
the physical forces that make our
world what it is.
rnib.org.uk
Jenkins, Martin.
The emperor's egg. 2008.
Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Can you imagine being a male
emperor penguin and standing around
in the freezing cold with an egg on
your feet for two months.
Welcome to the story of the world's
most devoted dad!
Murphy, Glenn
Evolution, nature and stuff? 2010.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Evolution and genetics are like a map
for exploring the whole world of living
things. Along the way, we've
discovered some pretty shocking stuff
about the links between poodles and
polar bears, and fruit flies and people.
Trace the history of life right back to
our earliest ancestors, and you'll be
amazed at what you'll find. This book
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tells you everything you need to know,
with none of the boring bits.
Murphy, Glenn
Space, black holes and stuff? 2010.
Suggested reading age 9+. 2v.
This book contains information about
all sort of incredible things like
supermassive black holes, galaxies,
telescopes, planets, solar flares,
constellations, eclipses and red
dwarfs. It also includes puzzles,
quizzes and experiments.
Spilsbury, Louise.
How do plants grow? 2007.
Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Topics covered include habitats,
classification, growth and reproduction.
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Stott, Carole.
Stars & planets. 2007. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
From our neighbours in the Solar
System to the mysteries of deep
space, this book explores the planets
and stars that make up our galaxy and
beyond.
Winston, Robert
It's elementary. 2007. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Takes an amazing look at the stuff that
stuff is made of. Discover the elements
that make up everything from you to
your dog. See what the elements are,
how they were discovered and the
extraordinary ways they affect our
lives. It's chemistry, but not as you
know it.
Transport
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Castor, Harriet.
Trucks. 2004. Suggested reading
age 7+. 1v.
Young children are intrigued by the
huge trucks thundering past them on
the roads. They want to know what
they do and how they work. These
questions and many more are
answered in this book.
Gifford, Clive.
Planes and helicopters. 2004.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Young children are fascinated by
planes and helicopters. They want to
know how they work and what they're
called. These questions, and many
more, are answered in this book.
rnib.org.uk
Gifford, Clive.
Racing cars. 1993. Suggested
reading age 7+. 1v.
Young children are amazed by fast
cars and race tracks. They want to
know how racing cars work and what
all the special parts are for. These
questions, and many more, are
answered in this book.
Young, Caroline.
Diggers and cranes. 2004.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Young children are amazed by the
huge machines they see every day on
building sites or at road works. They
want to know how they work and what
each part does. These questions, and
many more, are answered in this book.
rnib.org.uk
Young, Caroline.
Tractors. 1992. Suggested reading
age 7+. 1v.
An explanation of how a tractor works
and the various jobs tractors perform.
Animals
Bourke, Anthony
Christian the lion. 2009. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
It's almost Christmas and as two
friends search for gifts in London they
come across the most unbelievable
sight - a lion for sale in the famous
store, Harrods. Unable to bear the
thought of leaving the little cub, Ace
and John take him home and name
him Christian. A year of fun and
mischief later, Christian has grown up
and Ace and John must find him a new
home back in his native Africa.
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Everett, Felicity.
The Usborne book of farm animals.
1993. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
This book takes young children on a
farmyard tour, introducing each animal
in turn and showing how it lives, feeds
and rears its young.
Grogan, John
Marley : a dog like no other.
2009. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Marley is always getting into trouble,
whether he is stealing underwear,
crashing through doors, or drooling on
guests, some may say he's the World's
Worst Dog! But those who know and
love Marley accept him as a dog like
no other. His heart is pure and his
larger-than-life personality irresistible.
He brings joy to his family, the
Grogans, and teaches them what
really matters in life.
rnib.org.uk
Mayes, Susan.
The Usborne book of baby animals.
1994. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
A basic introduction to baby animals,
including tiger cubs, baby kangaroos,
wolf cubs, puppies and polar bear
cubs.
Smith, Lucy.
The Usborne book of horses &
ponies. 1994. Suggested reading
age 7+. 1v.
A basic introduction to horses and
ponies. The book also explains other
aspects of the history and care of
horses and ponies.
Cookery
Roald Dahl's revolting recipes.
1994. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
A collection of recipes based on food
and drink featured in Roald Dahl's
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books. They include mudburgers, hot
frogs, lickable wallpaper, stinkbugs'
eggs and crispy wasp stings.
Gilpin, Rebecca
Chocolates and sweets. 2002.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
This book is full of really easy and
totally delicious things to make which
you can enjoy eating or give as
presents.
Stern, Sam.
Cooking up a storm : the teen
survival cookbook. 2005. Suggested
reading age 13+.1v.
Cook up a storm with this healthy
cookbook - written by a teenager, for
teenagers! You'll find the full whack of
food in here. From snacks that you can
wolf down when you're watching "The
Simpsons" through to some full-on
dishes that you can serve up to your
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family. With over 120 food ideas, this
cookbook is full of healthy, tasty and
simple recipes, suitable for anyone
interested in cooking - whether old or
young!
The story of fat apple moon pie and
other recipes. 2004. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v
This is a story and recipe book written
by a group of young people using
produce from their community
allotment garden in Whitley Bay, a
coastal town near to Newcastle upon
Tyne.
Autobiographies & Biographies
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Angelou, Maya
I know why the caged bird sings.
1969. Suggested reading age 15+.
2v.
Growing up in the southern states of
America in the 1920s the author and
her brother Bailey - who gave her the
nickname "Maya", meaning "mine" led a varied, colourful and at times
frightening existence, but her joy
somehow survived.
Castor, Harriet
Guy Fawkes. 2001. Suggested
reading age 5+. 1v.
Guy Fawkes lives in troubled times.
Protestants and Catholics argue about
the right way to worship God. Guy
Fawkes and his friends plot to blow up
the King and change things forever.
rnib.org.uk
Cyrus, Miley
Miles to go. 2009. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Three years ago, Miley Cyrus was a
virtual unknown. Her life in rural
Tennessee was filled with family,
friends, school, cheerleading, and the
daily tasks of living on a farm. Then
along came a little show called
"Hannah Montana."
Fischel, Emma
Roald Dahl. 2002. Suggested
reading age 5+. 1v.
Roald Dahl has many exciting
adventures as he is growing up. He
lives in Africa, flies planes and finally
settles down in England to raise a
family. Then, in a hut at the end of his
garden, he begins to write the most
magical stories.
rnib.org.uk
Fischel, Emma.
Florence Nightingale. 1997.
Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Florence Nightingale was lucky. Her
wealthy parents encouraged her to
travel, to go to parties and, one day
soon, to marry. But Florence had
different plans. She wanted to be a
nurse and no one was going to stop
her.
Fischel, Emma
Mahatma Gandhi. 2002. Suggested
reading age 5+. 1v.
This is the life of one of India's historic
figures. From his earliest beginnings
as a lawyer in the then British colony
of South Africa at the end on the
nineteenth century - where he first
became involved in civil disobedience
against the ruling power - to his
peaceful protests that led eventually to
India's independence.
rnib.org.uk
Frank, Anne
The diary of a young girl. 1952.
Suggested reading age 13+. 3v.
In July 1942, thirteen year old Anne
Frank and her family fled from the
horrors of Nazi occupation, and went
into hiding in an Amsterdam
warehouse. Over the next two years
Anne vividly describes in her diary the
frustration of living in such confined
quarters.
Mah, Adeline Yen
Chinese Cinderella: the secret story
of an unwanted daughter
(Biography). 1999. Suggested
reading age 15+. 2v.
The story of a Chinese woman and
how she suffered appalling emotional
deprivation and rejection by her family,
as a child growing up in China and
Hong Kong.
rnib.org.uk
Potter, Tessa
Louis Braille. 2002. Suggested
reading age 5+. 1v.
As a small child, Louis Braille goes
blind. This doesn't stop him and he is
soon at school. However it isn't easy
for him so he develops a special
system that allows blind people
everywhere to read and write.
Wilkins, Verna
Martin Luther King. 2002.
Suggested reading age 5+.1v.
Martin Luther King is a clever, happy
child. As he grows up he becomes
angry at the way black people are
treated. His efforts to change society
mean that he will always be
remembered.
Poetry
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Ahlberg, Allan.
Please Mrs Butler. c1983.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1V.
This witty collection of poems about
school is full of typical classroom
events that will be recognized and
enjoyed by everyone: the candid
revelations in a pupil's newsbook, the
problem of copycats, bickering, making
up, swaps, picking teams, and forming
gangs.
Duffy, Carol Ann
Meeting midnight. 1996. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
These poems cover a range from the
sublime sensation of chocolate melting
away in your mouth and a boy who is
convinced he is Elvis, to the eerie tale
of a girl in love with a tree, the
invention of rain, and a gentle poem
about a mother who watches her child
breathe at night.
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Eliot, T.S. (illustrated by Axel
Scheffler).
Old Possum's book of practical
cats. 2009. Suggested reading age
9+. 1V.
Cats! Some are sane, some are mad
and some are good and some are bad.
Meet magical Mr Mistoffelees, sleepy
Old Deuteronomy and curious Rum
Tum Tugger. But you'll be lucky to
meet Macavity because Macavity's not
there! A new edition of T.S. Eliot'Sm
beloved cat poems.
Fairy poems edited by Gaby
Morgan. 2006. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
A magical collection of classic and
brand new poems about fairies.
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Hughes, Shirley
Rhymes for Annie Rose. c1995.
Suggested reading age 5+. 1V.
Enter the world of Alfie's little sister
Annie Rose, in this collection of
poems, action rhymes and lullabies,
crafted by Shirley Hughes.
McGough, Roger
100 best poems for children. 2001.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
From hundreds of poems originally
chosen by children from schools
around the UK, Roger McGough has
compiled this collection of
contemporary and classic poems.
Michael Rosen's A to Z : the best
children's poetry from Agard to
Zephaniah. 2009. Suggested
reading age 11+. 1v.
From Agard to Zephaniah, the very
best of children's poetry from the very
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best of children's poets appears in this
anthology edited by Michael Rosen.
Milne, A. A.
Now we are six. 1927. Suggested
reading age 7+. 1v.
A book of verses about Christopher
Robin and Pooh.
The Oxford book of children's
poetry. 2007. Suggested reading
age 9+. 2v.
A definitive collection of poetry
including all the major children's poets,
and with a range of both classic and
modern favourites.
The Puffin book of utterly brilliant
poetry edited by Brian Patten. 1999.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Poets include Spike Milligan - Kit
Wright - Michael Rosen - Charles
Causley - Roger McGough - Benjamin
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Zephaniah - Brian Patten - Jackie Kay
- John Agard - Allan Ahlberg.
Zephaniah, Benjamin
Wicked world! 2000. Suggested
reading age 13+. 1v.
This collection is themed around
people and places, cultures,
nationalities and tribes. It includes
poems about Inuits, Celts, the history
of Britain, Maoris, the Dalai Lama,
North and South Poles amongst many
others - a real tour of the world.
Play texts
Bryant, Nigel
The play of Charles Dickens' Oliver
Twist. 1983. Suggested reading age
13+. 1v.
A dramatization of Dickens' classic
novel, requiring a cast of between 11
and 30. The complex story moves
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forward quickly with the use of open
staging.
Fine, Anne.
The play of goggle eyes.1995.
Suggested reading age 13+. 1v.
Anne Fine has dramatized her own
humorous novel, "Goggle Eyes". In
Goggle Eyes, Kitty Lillin will try
anything to persuade her mum that
going out with boring Gerald Faulkner
is a big mistake. But how can she
convince her that they'd be better off
without him?
Fine, Anne
The play of the granny project.1986.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
This play explores the issues of old
age and the family.
rnib.org.uk
Gray, Nigel
Black harvest (Play text adapted
from the novel by Anne Cheetham).
1986. Suggested reading age 13+.
1v.
In this atmospheric play, a modern
family on holiday awake memories of
the Irish famine. There is an edge to
the horror of this play, which makes for
a tense and gripping performance. The
resource material covers hunger in the
past and in the present.
Hinton, Nigel.
The play of Buddy's song. 1994.
Suggested reading age 13+. 1v.
Buddy is caught in the middle of his
parents' crumbling marriage and feels
torn apart by their different desires for
his future. His mother wants him to
concentrate on his 'A' levels - his dad
wants him to become a famous rock
star. Buddy finds a way to express his
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emotions through his music but he still
has to answer the questions - who and
what does he want to be?
Miller, Arthur
The crucible. 1949. Suggested
reading age 15+. 2v.
Arthur Miller's classic parable of mass
hysteria draws a chilling parallel
between the Salem witch-hunt of 1692
and the McCarthyism which gripped
America in the 1950s.
Miller, Arthur
Death of a salesman. 1953.
Suggested reading age 15+. 2v.
This play tells the story of Willy Loman,
an ageing salesman, who is a failure in
both his business and private life.
Fired by his firm, ignored by his
children, his humiliation ends in
suicide.
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Naughton, Bill.
Spring and port wine. c1957.
Suggested reading age 15+. 2v.
This play tells of a well-meaning father
with firm principles, who learns some
truths in painful clashes with his family.
Orwell, George
Animal farm. 2000.
Suggested reading age 13+. 1v.
This simple and tragic fable tells of
what happens when the animals drive
out Mr Jones and attempt to run their
farm themselves.
Parker, Alan
Bugsy Malone. 1984. Suggested
reading age 13+. 1v.
This play is specially adapted for
schools from the popular film - it
features an extensive cast of male and
female characters (with 15 major
parts), great costumes and memorable
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songs. The resource section includes
background information on the
characters, stills from the film and
helpful advice on how the play can
best be staged. Ideal as either a
drama resource for the classroom, or
as a school production, the terrific
sense of fun will appeal to pupils of all
abilities.
Priestley, J.B.
An inspector calls. 1948.
Suggested reading age 13+. 1v.
A Play. An inspector interrupts a party
to investigate a girl's suicide, and
implicates each of the party-makers in
her death.
Ridley, Philip.
Sparkleshark : a play. c1997.
Suggested reading age 13+.
Philip Ridley's Sparkleshark is, as
most of his books, almost a work of
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art. It combines magic and comedy
with tragedy and debate. The magic of
the dragon that sparkles like sequins is
perhaps a metaphor that could be
interpreted at a deeper level. The
author, as well as entertaining the
audience/reader, also, through the
book, conveys several serious moral
points about bullying, and different
levels at a school - the geeks, the
bullies, the cooldudes an the
'wannabes'.
Russell, Willy.
Blood brothers. 1995. Suggested
reading age 13+. 2v.
This tells the story of twin brothers who
are born into a large working class
family, and what happens when their
mother decides to have one of them
adopted. Comic, yet finally tragic, it
relates the differences and conflicts of
their upbringings, their relationships
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with each other and their real and
adoptive mothers. With commentary &
notes.
Russell, Willy
Our day out. 1984. Suggested
reading age 13+. 1v.
"Our day out" asks what can a group
of back-street kids from Liverpool
expect from life beyond a rare "day
out"?
Shakespeare, William
As you like it. 1599. Suggested
reading age 13+. 2v.
'As you like it' : A duke is exiled by his
cruel brother, who later banishes his
daughter too. The action switches from
the count to the forest where the exiles
and friends wander in a maze of
romances and mixed identities.
rnib.org.uk
Shakespeare, William
Hamlet. 1600. Suggested reading
age 13+. 2v.
The text of the classic tragedy about
the struggle of Prince Hamlet to
avenge his father's murder is
accompanied by extensive critical
notes and historical commentary.
Shakespeare, William
King Lear. 1605. Suggested reading
age 13+. 3v.
A tragedy concerning a petulant king
and his three daughters. Amid much
other, more political action, Lear is
taken in by false avowals of love from
two of his daughters, and disinherits a
third because of her refusal to flatter
him.
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Shakespeare, William
Macbeth. 1606. Suggested reading
age 13+. 2v.
The book provides the complete and
unabridge text of Macbeth. Promised a
golden future as ruler of Scotland by
three sinister witches, Macbeth
murders the king to ensure his
ambitions come true. A story of war,
witchcraft and bloodshed, Macbeth
also depicts the relationship between
husbands and wives, and the risks
they are prepared to take to achieve
their desires.
Shakespeare, William
A midsummer night's dream. 1595.
Suggested reading age 13+. 2v.
A midsummer night's dream remains
one of the most accessible and
popular of Shakespeare's plays for
secondary students the world over.
rnib.org.uk
Shakespeare, William
Much ado about nothing. 1595.
Suggested reading age 13+. 2v.
As well as the complete and
unabridged text, each play has an
extensive range of students' notes.
Shakespeare, William
Romeo and Juliet. 1594. Suggested
reading age 13+. 3v.
Two teenages are in love. Their
families are at war. Can their love
survive?
Shaw, George Bernard.
Pygmalion. 1912. Suggested
reading age 15+. 2v.
Shaw's play features Professor Henry
Higgins who sets out to turn flower-girl
Eliza Doolittle into a lady and to pass
her off as a duchess at an
ambassador's party, and all that in
three months' time.
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Sheridan, Richard Brinsley
The rivals. 1775. Suggested reading
age 15+. 2v.
A comedy in which the rivals are Bob
Acres and Ensign Beverly, and Lydia
Languish is the lady for whom they
contend.
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley.
The school for scandal. 1777.
Suggested reading age 15+. 2v.
(Notes not included) In 'The School for
Scandal', Sheridan's artificial world of
heightened folly delights its audience,
but at times it engages them with
moments of human pain and
happiness.
rnib.org.uk
Sherriff, R.C.
Journey's end. 1929. Suggested
reading age 13+. 2v.
Set in World War I, Journey's end
concerns the lives of a group of British
officers on the front line and opens in
the trenches in France. Raleigh, fresh
out of English public school, joins the
besieged company of his friend and
cricketing hero, Stanhope, and finds
him dramatically changed. This is a
play which deals with the horror and
futility of trench warfare.
Geography
Ganeri, Anita
Bloomin' rainforests. (Horrible
geography) 2008. 1v.
Enter the exotic world of lush and
steamy rainforests. Fern acts as our
guide, conquering her fear of heights
and spiders to introduce the reader to
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the world's tallest trees, stinkiest plants
and hairiest insects. Lots of horrible
information, as well as a balanced look
at ecological issues.
Ganeri, Anita
Cracking coasts. (Horrible
geography) 2006. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Marvel! at the ginormous Giant's
Causeway. Scream! as you surf an
awesome reef breaker. Shiver! with
fear as you take a trip to the spooky
Skeleton Coast. And... visit an eerie
lighthouse where the light suddenly
went out and go sailing with a snail.
Ganeri, Anita
Desperate deserts. (Horrible
geography) 2000. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
This book takes the reader on a
journey around the world's deserts
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inhabited by deadly rattlesnakes,
threatened by sliding sand dunes and
dried out from lack of rain where you
might have to drink camel pee.
Ganeri, Anita
Earth-shattering earthquakes.
(Horrible geography) 2000.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Wave goodbye to boring geography
lessons as you brace yourself for the
shocking world of Earth-shattering
earthquakes. Find out what it takes to
become an earthquake expert, learn
how to survive if an earthquake strikes
and discover how rats and snakes can
predict tremors.
Ganeri, Anita
Freaky peaks. (Horrible georgraphy)
2009. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Freaky Peaks takes the intrepid young
explorer on a thrilling tour of the tallest
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mountains - from Everest to
Kilimanjaro - encountering many
dangers along the way, including
glaciers, yetis, and avalanches.
Ganeri, Anita
The horrible geography of the world
(Horrible geography). 2007.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Geography with the gritty bits left in!
Inside you'll find out what happens
when a volcano turns nasty whether
you'd survive at the frozen poles, how
a frog can help you get a drink in the
desert.
Ganeri, Anita
Intrepid explorers (Horrible
geography). 2003. Suggested
reading age 9+. 2v.
Wave goodbye to boring geography
lessons as you step into the wide
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world of globetrotting Intrepid
Explorers.
Ganeri, Anita
Odious oceans. (Horrible
geography) 2008. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Where in the world can you: Tuck into
a poisonous pufferfish? Spot some
perilous pirates? Explore the savage
seabed?
Ganeri, Anita
Planet in peril! (Horrible
georgraphy) 2009. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
From climate change to carbon
footprints How to Save the Planet is a
Horribly useful guide the
environmental issues children are
most concerned about and offers
oodles of ideas of things readers can
do to help to save the planet.
rnib.org.uk
Ganeri, Anita
Monster lakes. (Horrible geography)
2009. Suggested reading age 9+.1v.
Monster Lakes sweeps young readers
along on a tour of the world's most
fascinating lakes. They can explore a
volcanic crater lake meet scuba-diving
spiders, and hunt monsters from the
deep.
Ganeri, Anita
Raging rivers. (Horrible geography)
2008. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Where in the world can you: Peer
over the edge of a roaring waterfall?
Come face-to-face with a peckish
piranha? Go white-water rafting
through hair-raising rapids?
rnib.org.uk
Ganeri, Anita
Violent volcanoes (Horrible
geography) 2008. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Geography with the gritty bits left in!
Where in the world can you: Find redhot volcanic rocks the size of cars?
Visit geysers that could boil you alive?
Sniff some stinky sulphur?
Ganeri, Anita
Wicked weather. (Horrible
geography) 2008. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
How to survive when things get
horrible! Want to know: How to deal
with a blinding blizzard? What to do
when a tornado hits? How it feels to
get struck by lightning? With wicked
weather facts, life-saving tips and
heart-stopping survival stories.
rnib.org.uk
Ganeri, Anita
Wild animals. (Horrible geography)
2008. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
How to survive when things get
horrible! Want to know: How to cope
with a killer croc? Why you shouldn't
turn your back on a tiger? What to do
if a shark bumps into you? With wild
animal facts, life-saving tips and heartstopping survival stories.
Ganeri, Anita
Wild Islands. (Horrible geography)
2004. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Marvel! as a brand-new island pops up
from the sea. Gasp! at the hottempered island that blew its top.
Choke! on the smell of an island
dragon's foul breath. And if that's not
wild enough for you ... discover where
to find coconuts with magical powers,
try to crack the case of the missing
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island and read the remarkable story
of a real-life Robinson Crusoe.
Oliver, Clare.
100 things you should know about
weather. 2004. 1v.
One hundred numbered facts
challenge children and act as an
incentive as they make their way
through the book.
History
Barber, Jill
Children in Victorian times. c2006.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
This series addresses each topic with
lots of photographs and diagrams plus
clear text and highlighted key words.
Good for report writing, data gathering
and research activities in Year 6.
rnib.org.uk
Castor, Harriet.
Guy Fawkes. 2001. Suggested
reading age 7+. 1v.
Guy Fawkes lives in troubled times.
Protestants and Catholics argue about
the right way to worship God. Guy
Fawkes and his friends plot to blow up
the King and change things forever.
Castor, Harriet.
Henry VIII. 2001. Suggested reading
age 7+. 1v.
Henry is a clever and fun-loving king.
But he has one great sadness in his
life. He and his wife Catherine do not
have a son. In order to marry another
wife, Henry makes huge changes to
the Church in England, so that he can
divorce Catherine. He goes on to
marry five other women in his lifetime.
During his reign he builds England up
into a powerful country.
rnib.org.uk
Cox, Phil Roxbee.
Who were the Romans? 1993.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
This series consists of simple
illustrated guides to answer children's
questions about history and invite
comparisons with life today. This
particular title deals with the Romans.
Deary, Terry
The angry Aztecs (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
The foulest facts about the people
whose idea of fun was ripping out
human hearts, and the gory details on
the incredible empire that was brought
down by 260 Spanish invaders and a
few germs.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
The awesome Egyptians (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Introduces aspects of everyday life in
ancient Egypt, explaining the gory
details of how mummies were
prepared and the basics of Egyptian
arithmetic.
Deary, Terry
The barmy British Empire (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Giving you the brutal facts about how
Britannia ruled the waves - from
infamous antics in India to dreadful
deeds down under.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
The blitzed Brits (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
What really happened to Dad's army?
This book provides spiffing slang, foul
food facts about rotten rationing, and
the terrible facts about London's
bloodthirsty blackout murderer.
Deary, Terry
The cut-throat Celts (Horrible
Histories). 1997. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Gives you the ghastly truth about the
wild warrior race who weren't afraid to
fight the rotten Romans...and who had
the horrible habit of collecting human
heads. It'll tell you why Celts laughed
at funerals, gruesome games for Celtic
kids and the strange sacrifices and
terrible trails.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
Gorgeous Georgians (Horrible
Histories). 1998. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
This book tells you about the people
who lived in these riotous times.
Deary, Terry
Even more terrible Tudors (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Takes you back for another look at the
mad Tudor monarchs and their
suffering subjects, who just could not
help losing their heads. Read on for
information about the good times and
the gory from the great goose fairs to
the painful punishments and trickery of
the ruthless royal family.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
Measly Middle Ages (Horrible
Histories). 1996. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Tells you what life was really like in
days of old when knights were bold,
women wore tall pointy hats and the
peasants were revolting.
Deary, Terry
Rotten rulers (Horrible Histories).
2005. Suggested reading age 9+. 2v.
Gives you the lowdown on the world's
most loathsome leaders. From bizarre
tsars and evil emperors to crazy kings
and queens, people all around the
world have suffered at the hands of
their rulers for centuries.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
The ruthless Romans (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Reveals the grim truth behind the
greatest empire of all time - from the
terrible twins who founded Rome to
the evil emperors who made murder
into a sport.
Deary, Terry
The savage stone age (Horrible
Histories). 1999. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
The savage stone age clubs you over
the head and drags you back to the
days when people lived in caves,
hunted wild animals and had never
heard of table manners.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
The slimy Stuarts (Horrible
Histories). 1996. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
This history book describes the more
gruesome side of the Stuart period. It
tells why some Stuarts ate toads,
snails and fleas, which king picked his
nose and never washed his hands,
and who wore fish on their feet. Facts
about the revolting Roundheads and
ghastly Guy Fawkes are given.
Deary, Terry
The stormin' Normans (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
This title contains fascinating facts
about Bill the Conquerer and his bully
boys who battled at Hastings, stormed
around Europe and joined the
Crusades.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
The terrible Tudors (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Takes you back for another look at the
mad Tudor monarchs and their
suffering subjects, who just could not
help losing their heads.
Deary, Terry
The 20th century (Horrible
Histories). 1996. Suggested reading
age 9+. 2v.
The text takes you from the last days
of the vile Victorian queen right up to
the nostalgic Nineties, with all the
amazing changes and incredible
inventions that happened in between.
rnib.org.uk
Deary, Terry
The villainous Victorians (Horrible
Histories). 1994. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
Terry revisits one of the best-selling
subjects on the list, and gives us more
of the grim truth about the nasty
nineteenth century.
Deary, Terry
The woeful Second World War
(Horrible Histories). 1999.
Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
If you want to hear the dreadful truth
about Dad's Army, or how sweet
rationing drove a teacher to steal from
his pupils, or what happened when an
elephant got loose in the blackout, the
full foul facts about life on the home
front are laid out before your ears.
rnib.org.uk
Fischel, Emma
Florence Nightingale. 1997.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Florence Nightingale was lucky. Her
wealthy parents encouraged her to
travel, to go to parties and, one day
soon, to marry. But Florence had
different plans. She wanted to be a
nurse and no one was going to stop
her.
Fischel, Emma
Mahatma Gandhi. 2002. Suggested
reading age 7+. 1v.
This is the life of one of India's historic
figures. From his earliest beginnings
as a lawyer in the then British colony
of South Africa at the end on the
nineteenth century to his peaceful
protests that led eventually to India's
independence.
rnib.org.uk
Fowke, Bob
World War II. 1997. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Did you know that Adolf Hilter wasn't,
in fact, German? The Second World
War brought horror and heartache to
millions of people all over the globe,
and it turned everyday living upside
down too. Any history book will give
you the boring facts they think you
should know, but only this one will tell
you what life during World War II was
really like ...
MacDonald, Alan
Henry VIII and his chopping block.
1999. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
You've probably heard of Henry VIII.
He is dead famous for marrying six
unlucky wives and getting very carried
away with his chopping block. But
have you heard that Henry: was a
handsome hunk and a sports star,
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accused his second wife of witchcraft
and bricked up his bedroom door at
night?
Macdonald, Fiona
100 things you should know about
Vikings. 2005. Suggested reading
age 9+. 1v.
The perfect introduction to the Vikings.
Mayes, Susan.
The Usborne book of dinosaurs.
1993. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Children are fascinated by the world of
dinosaurs. They want to know the
names of those amazing creatures,
what they looked like and how they
lived. This book invites them to step
back into prehistoric times and
discover the answers for themselves.
rnib.org.uk
Robinson, Tony
Bad kids. 2009. Suggested reading
age 11+. 1v.
All through history, children have been
getting into some serious scrapes. And
they didn't often get off lightly. Tony
Robinson takes you on a guided tour
through the lives of outlaw children
from history, their dastardly crimes and
awful punishments.
Robinson, Tony
The Hutchinson book of kings and
queens of England. 1999.
Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Putting history into perspective by
rooting Britain's monarchs firmly in
children's minds, this book has a lively
text which is both accurate and full of
fascinating details about kings and
queens. What were they really like?
What did they eat for breakfast?
rnib.org.uk
Robinson, Tony
The worst children's jobs in history.
2006. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Tells the stories of all the children
whose work fed the nation, kept trains
running, and put clothes on everyone's
backs, over the last few hundred years
of Britain's history.
Simon, Francesca.
Horrid Henry's dinosaurs. 2011.
Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Packed with freaky facts and random
trivia, this is the perfect guide to
everything you ever wanted to know
(and lots of things you might never
have wanted to know) about
dinosaurs.
rnib.org.uk
Steele, Philip
100 things you should know about
British history. 2004. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Track your way through the Stone
Age, Celtic times, the Roman era and
the fascinating lives of English, Irish,
Welsh and Scottish kings.
Steele, Philip
100 things you should know about
Victorian Britain. 2006.Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
Fascinating facts about Queen
Victoria's reign and the rise of the
British Empire through to art and
architecture.
rnib.org.uk
Walker, Jane.
100 things you should know about
knights & castles. 2004. Suggested
reading age 9+. 1v.
An exciting insight into life in the
Middle Ages.
Language books
Davies, Helen.
Usborne French dictionary for
beginners. 2009. Suggested reading
age 9+. 2v.
This dictionary contains over 2000
everyday words and phrases.
They are grouped thematically and are
illustrated with amusing pictures and
busy scenes.
rnib.org.uk
Davies, Helen.
Usborne German dictionary for
beginners. 2009. Suggested reading
age 9+. 2v.
Please note
We also stock several 'Livewire' titles;
a range of reading material with a
teenage / adult interest level for those
with a reading age of ten or below, or
for adults learning English as a second
or foreign language. These include
many sports and music biographies.
Please ask for the Emerging Readers
booklist for further information on
these.
There are also more Shakespeare
titles available than those listed here,
as well as plays by other playwrights.
Please ask if one you require does not
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appear on this list, and we will be
happy to check for you.