Most Popular Books by Gill Arbuthnott

Long before anyone had designed a rocket, the Montgolfier brothers w ere making hot air balloons. In October 1783, they became the first people to experience controlled flight. Balloon to the Moon starts there and leads to Neil Armstrong's 'small step' and beyond. But w hy stop there? Learn about the great innovations of the past, then get ready for BLAST OFF into an unknow n but exciting future.

What was the First World War really like? Step into the boots of 14-year-old James Marchbank and experience the most important, incredible, peculiar, poignant, remarkable and revolting bits of World War 1. Inspired by the real-life diary of

She was Queen of Scotland and of France, and a possible Queen of England; she was involved in a series of mysterious deaths; in the end she lost her head... But what was life really like for Mary, Queen of Scots? Put on your ruff and step into the sixteenth century for a unique glimpse into the dramatic life of the infamous queen. Mary's story is told from the perspective of her young servant Alec. Each easy-to-read chapter mixes the involving story of the queen's life with timelines, charts and revealing illustrations to create a Fact-tastic account that is both educational and emotionally engaging for younger readers. Take a journey through time and find out: Why did Mary become Queen of Scots when she was just six days old? What exotic animals lived with the young queen? How did Mary escape from Lochleven Castle? Why did Mary's cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, arrange her beheading? The Amazing Life of Mary, Queen of Scots continues the brilliant Fact-tastic series, which blends intriguing facts and fascinating fiction to bring the most exciting, gruesome and crucial moments of Scottish history alive for young readers.

Orphaned as an infant, Nyssa can only dream about who she is, where she comes from--and the meaning behind the mysterious words branded on her skin.

“This book merges informative text and dynamic graphics to tell the exciting story of oceans and how we use (and abuse) them. . . . This book invites readers to dive in.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Seen from space, Earth is a swirl of blue and white. The blue is Earth's oceans, which cover 70 percent of its surface. Yet the ocean is the most unexplored region of our planet. From Shore to Ocean Floor is the story of how humans went from building the first boats to discovering the secrets of the deep. Marvel at incredible scientific discoveries, be dazzled by some of the most exciting new species, and admire the incredible people who took the very first steps below the surface.

Kate and David find themselves involved in a race to prevent the Lords of Chaos from tricking the Stardreamer into loosing her power.

Since the beginning of human history, we have been at war with an invisible enemy. Microbes. These tiny organisms can spread terrible diseases. Ramses V, Pharaoh of Egypt may have died of smallpox; in 1918 a new illness called the Spanish Flu killed 50 million people in 18 months; and in the fourteenth century the black death killed more than a quarter of the population. In more recent times Covid 19 has changed the way we live. But there's good news too! Human scientists have learned to fight back. In the 18th century edward Jenner developed the first vaccine, and since the 1930s penicillin has saved millions of lives. And many microbes are helpful. They help our digestion, give us powerful medicines and even food. This is the Microbe Wars. It's good, it's bad sometimes it's ugly, but it's a scientific journey filled with innovation and hope.

Ice-covered sand and frozen seas -- not exactly what you'd expect on your summer holiday, even in St Andrews. But this isn't just awful Scottish weather; Josh soon discovers that something terrible is happening to the seaside town.With his new friend Callie and her enormous dog Luath, Josh is thrown headlong into a storm of witches, ice creatures, magic and the Winter King. Eternal winter threatens, unless they can stop the Winterbringers once and for all ...A brilliant fantasy adventure from Gill Arbuthnott. Prequel to dangerous and spooky Dark Spell.

In Edinburgh, time is coming unstuck and the past is breaking loose. Best friends Kate and David are no ordinary kids. They are keys: powerful controllers of time. The National Museum of Scotland's Millenium Clock is at the centre of a war between the evil Lords of Chaos and the Guardians of Time. Can David help the Guardians while Kate restrains the power of Chaos?

Shortlisted for the Scottish Children's Book Awards 201515-year-old Callie Hall has just found out she's a witch, and things keep going wrong. Sometimes her mind seems to make things happen, things she can't control. She can set fire to things without a match, and when she's angry people can get hurt.Her friend Josh understands she's a bit weird, but it's only on a dark and dangerous visit to the tunnels under the ruins of St Andrews' Castle that he realises just how strange she really is. Something comes back with Callie -- in Callie -- something she can't escape.Can Callie control her power long enough to send back the darkness, before it takes over her life? And will Josh ever understand her secret?A brilliant, engrossing teen fantasy from the author of Winterbringers and The Keeper's Daughter.

What exactly is a living thing? And what is it made of? A Beginner's Guide to Life on Earth starts with the very basics of life and provides manageable bite sized chunks of information to explain away the mystery behind life on Earth. From bacteria to blue whales, slime moulds to sequoias and everything in-between, discover what exactly makes a living thing. Packed full of fantastic artwork and brilliant photos along with amazing facts, A Beginner's Guide to Life on Earth is the perfect guide to life on Earth.

What Makes You You? is a mind-blowing introduction to the building blocks of lifeDNA! Amazing 3D-style illustrations and diagrams help explain what it is, how it works, and what we can do with it. Breaking down complex scientific concepts and processes into bite-sized chunks, this fascinating book explains everything from the basics of evolution to the incredible achievements of modern-day genetic researchand what's in store for the future!

Sunshine, the giant panda, is grumpy. His birthday is coming and he's sure no one will remember. But his best friend Sweetie has a plan. She sneaks around the zoo at night, asking all the other animals whether they can sing. The lion roars, the python hisses and the chimps say oo oo ooo! But which zoo animal has the best singing voice? Will grumpy Sunshine get a giant birthday surprise? Gill Arbuthnott's hilarious story of animal hijinks and Joanne Nethercott's endearing and lively illustrations combine for an entertaining romp set in Edinburgh Zoo! From the team who brought you Lost at the Zoo.

"First published in 2015 by A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc"--Title page verso.

A guide to the elements that make up the periodic table, fully explaining their starring role in the world and clearing away any confusion or apprehension that might surround them.

Rory, the pet mouse, is lost at Edinburgh Zoo. Will he find his owner again? Suggested level: junior.

Almost the entire world depends on a reliable electricity source - but how often do we stop and think about what actually happens when you switch on the light, flick on the T.V or turn on your computer?In this amazing introduction to electricity and magnetism Gill Arbuthnott explains all about the history of electricity, how it gets from its original source to your plug socket and what might happen in the future.Packed full of brilliant full colour illustration, amazing photos and fascinating facts, A Beginner's Guide to Electricity and Magnetism is the perfect first introduction to the mysterious world of electricity and magnetism.