Publisher Description

Did you know that bubblewrap started life as a new type of wallpaper that didn't catch on?! Or that Lonnie Johnson invented the Nerf Super Soaker while working on a NASA mission to Saturn?

Blue Peter Award-winner Mike Barfield tells the fascinating true stories behind an amazing range of inventions and innovations. From bubblewrap to the barcode, from pizza to post-its, from trainers to the teddy bear! The story of each invention is told in a lively comic-strip format, and we meet the colourful cast of characters involved in these light-bulb moments which changed the world in big or tiny ways.

An irresistible way into science and technology with a dash of history, from the brilliant Mike Barfield, author of A Day in the Life of a Poo, a Gnu and You which won the 2021 Blue Peter Award for a Book With Facts.

Author Biography

Mike Barfield is a writer, poet, performer, songwriter, ukulele player and award-winning cartoonist. He is the author and sometimes-illustrator of funny non-fiction and activity books for young people, with over 40 foreign publishers. His cartoons have been displayed in The Cartoon Museum, V&A Museum, Museum of London and beyond. His book have won many accolades including the BookTrust Blue Peter Book Award 2021 and the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize 2019. When Mike isn't busy writing and drawing, he performs shows and humour-filled workshops at schools, libraries and festivals across the country.

Franziska Hollbacher studied art and design at the FH-Salzburg and graduated in 2021. Even before graduating, she started working as an illustrator for children's books. Her favourite thing to draw is cats - inspired by her own cat, who often keeps her company at work. Close to Munich, she finds everything she needs for a happy life: mountains, nature and lots and lots of bookstores.

Review

A really enjoyable read with irresistible browsing appeal. * LoveReading4Kids *
Fascinating, fun, colourful and clever: this is what all non-fiction books should be made of. We love it. * Mini Travellers *
Packed with the joyful and colourful illustrations of Munich-based artist Franziska Höllbacher, this clever and entertaining book - the first of a three-book non-fiction series from Barfield - offers children an irresistible way into science and technology, with a delightful dash of history. * Lancashire Evening Post *

Promotional

Amazing inventions stories in comic-book form by Blue Peter Award-winner Mike Barfield.

Details