Quarto Publishing PLC

Join Sweetpea Magee, the world’s ultimate mermaid expert, as she sets off on a fun-filled adventure to teach you absolutely everything there is to know about mermaids.  Mermaids are Sweetpea’s specialist subject, and she wants to help you become an expert too. From super-strong river mermaids to synchronised-swimming mermen, follow along as she introduces you to her flippered friends and their unique personalities. She’ll even open up her top-secret notebook of mermaid fact files for you.  But there’s one mermaid Sweetpea has never seen – and with you by her side, she’s ready to start searching. Hold tight as she faces an ogre, a dragon, a goblin and a witch, all in the hunt for the rarest mermaid of them all.  And in a final twist, you might just discover that the magic of these creatures is closer to home than you think . . .   Written and illustrated by rising star Rhian Wright, children will love following daydreamer Sweetpea and pouring over her fact-packed notebook in this joyful celebration of imaginative play.  Uncover a world of wonder and mermaid magic with Sweetpea Magee!

Move the slider mechanism to answer funny questions about baby farm animals and lift five flaps to find hidden creatures!  Explore farm life in this interactive and playful board book, which places the child at the centre of the action. Each spread is packed with fun and includes an engaging question about the scene. Decide and slide to choose your answer!    Inside you’ll discover:  Six multiple choice questions explore different farm scenes. Vibrant, bold and funny illustrations from Susie Hammer will keep little ones entertained and engaged. A multi-sensory reading experience, with a slider and flaps to lift. Spot the Quizzy Bean characters on each spread and lift the flaps to find out who’s hiding. Encourages active engagement and interaction, and helps children to express their knowledge and preferences. Each title in the series explores key Early Years concepts across the questions, for example: shape, colour or size.  From Rebecca Atkinson – best known for pre-school series Mixmups, which airs on Channel 5's Milkshake! – and Susie Hammer, this entertaining series is perfect to develop children's understanding of the world around them, learn to express choices, play and enjoy reading!  Other titles in the series include: Ask Me About: Bedtime, Home, Busy Wheels.

'Well-researched and enthralling, Peter Ricketts brings the wartime Foreign Office to life.’ – Tim Bouverie'The gripping story of how the men and women of the Foreign Office secured Britain's victory in the Second World War and created a new international order.' – Professor Helen McCarthy“A gripping account of British diplomacy during the Second World War, filled with high drama and moments of tension. Ricketts vividly brings to the fore some of the most fascinating figures in the history of the Foreign Office.”Dr Helen FryDiscover the untold story of the British diplomats who shaped WWII – and the peace that followed – in this vivid exploration of a transformative moment in modern history. While military exploits and Churchill’s leadership dominate history books, Peace Makers reveals how the men and women of the Foreign Office forged alliances, supported resistance movements, managed refugee crises and laid the groundwork for the post-war international order. From the rooftops of Whitehall during the Blitz to embassies under siege across Europe and Asia, diplomats and their families demonstrated extraordinary resilience and ingenuity. They evacuated civilians, backed resistance networks, gathered intelligence and waged battles of persuasion. Some endured years apart from home; others, like staff in Tokyo, survived internment. Figures such as Archibald Clark Kerr in Moscow and Sir Alexander Cadogan in London steered critical alliances and helped shape the world to come. Peace Makers also explores how the war transformed the Foreign Office itself, sweeping away the barriers that had kept women out of top jobs. Through vivid portraits of pioneers like Freya Stark, Nancy Lambton and Elizabeth Wiskemann, you'll learn how women began to rise to senior diplomatic ranks. It also features the first published account from the only surviving member of the wartime Foreign Office, who shares her extraordinary story of travelling with Anthony Eden to the great wartime Summits. Peace Makers brings these stories together in a compelling narrative that blends fresh research with vivid storytelling. It offers a new lens on the war – one that highlights diplomacy as a frontline force and reveals how its legacy continues to shape our world. This is essential reading for anyone interested in history, international affairs or the human stories behind global change. ----------------------------------------------'A fascinating account of how the Foreign Office helped turned wartime victory into postwar peace.’ – Professor David Reynolds'Places the dedicated men and women in the British Foreign Office in the pantheon of WWIl heroes.’ – Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell'Who better than a former Permanent Secretary to take us on a riveting tour of the Foreign Office at war?’ – Professor Peter Hennessy'A fascinating account of the ingenuity and courage required of diplomats in wartime.' – Lord Hague

Meet the baby platypus who loves to snuggle by day but bounces awake when the sun goes down, in this playful picture book with a joyous twist.  The moon rose and all the animals curled up to go to sleep. But then, Platypus’s puggle just wanted to… PARTY IN THE NIGHTTIME! During the day, an array of baby animals love to play. Giraffe’s calf made everyone laugh, Hen’s chicks did magic tricks and Sheep’s lamb got herself in a jam, but Puggle just wants to snuggle . . . until darkness falls.  From New York Times bestselling author, Mo O’Hara, and brought to life with adorable illustrations by award-winning Loretta Schuer, discover what Puggle and the other baby animals get up to in this funny (and surprising!) bedtime story.  Packed with animals in hilarious scenarios and witty, rhyming word play, this is a perfect bedtime read for children who just can’t keep still at night!

*NOW FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED*‘A must-have for every British cyclist and an essential read for anyone who thinks they know the hills of the British Isles.’* – Cycling Weekly  From lung-busting city cobbles to windswept mountain passes that break legs and spirits, this definitive guide pinpoints the roads that have challenged riders for generations and earned their place in cycling folklore.  Whether you’re a leisure rider seeking your next challenge or an elite athlete chasing records, these are the 100 British climbs you need to conquer.  To help you along the way, the guide includes: Maps: with the start and finish of each climb, as well as grid and OS references. Timings: the approximate time it takes to complete each climb so you can plan your trip.  Difficulty ratings: from 1-10 taking into account gradient, length and surface, with climbs suitable for all abilities. With chapters dedicated to each region of the UK and complete with a checklist at the back to track your progress, this is a must-have for cycling enthusiasts up and down the country.  Now fully revised with more pages, stunning new photography, enhanced climb profiles and extra stats, 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs will inspire you to get out, gear up and ride them all.

Discover the world’s most iconic train journeys and soak up the geography, heritage and quiet luxury that make each unique. Spanning six continents, the journeys range from epic, multi-day odysseys to delightful local rides to capture the simple joys of rail travel. Each journey is brought to life with: Commissioned illustrations that evoke the spirit of each route. An exploration of the cultural and historical significance of the trains, tracks and stations.  Highlights to watch for along the way, from architectural gems and engineering feats to natural wonders and stunning landscapes. Travel through the snow-covered peaks of Switzerland, the vast deserts of Australia, the lush valleys of Japan and the dramatic coastlines of Norway. Encounter tales of lions in Kenya, elephants on Namibian tracks, and wartime escapes in the Alps. Whether it’s the Ghan, the Glacier Express or the Settle & Carlisle, each route invites readers to experience the world from the window of a train. Perfect for armchair travellers, train enthusiasts and lovers of slow travel, Great Rail Journeys is a giftable tribute to the enduring magic of railways. It’s a book to inspire your next adventure, or simply to enjoy the ride.

A fresh introduction to ‘blue health’, The Healing Power of Water shows how building a new relationship with water can calm stress, awaken clarity and enrich your body and mind. From coastlines and rivers to lakes and rain, ocean advocate and Blue Health Coach™ Lizzi Larbalestier combines academic research and lived experience to encourage you to discover some of the many ways water heals and how you can connect more deeply with it.  This photographic-rich book includes: Guided practices: breathwork, short meditations, and sensory exercises you can do wherever you are. Practical activities: rituals and thought experiments, as well as physical activities such as snorkelling and surfing, to cultivate simple everyday habits and bring blue health into your routine. Evidence and explanation: accessible summaries of the latest scientific research on how water improves health. Eco-centred perspective: reflections on stewardship and how deepening your relationship with water supports planetary as well as personal wellbeing. Beautiful imagery: evocative photography and illustrations that make the book a tactile, coffee-table companion as well as a practical guide. Whether you live by the sea or seek peace of mind in busy urban spaces, The Healing Power of Water offers science-informed tools to reduce anxiety, sharpen attention, restore vitality and cultivate a more fluid way of living. This is the perfect book for wellness readers, mindfulness practitioners and anyone wanting to develop their blue health. Let The Healing Power of Water be your invitation to slow down and connect with water, to fall in love with it in the many ways it shows up in your life, and to enhance your mental and physical wellbeing, whilst helping protect the planet’s most vital natural feature. For more ways to connect with nature, discover other books in the series, The Healing Power of Trees and The Healing Power of Sound.

Why do ships sink? What really happens when they go down? Join Dr Profundo on a voyage across the world’s waters to uncover the astonishing true stories behind real-life shipwrecks.  With more than 50 fascinating case studies uncovering the mysteries surrounding shipwrecks beneath the waves, The Shipwreck Atlas offers a captivating journey through maritime history and discovery. Written by Jo Arnold, a trusted voice in children’s books, this immersive guide provides an expert yet accessible look at what lies hidden on the seabed.  For example, readers will learn about:  The Mary Rose, a shipwreck which left historians scratching their heads for centuries.  The SS Gairsoppa which sank in just twenty minutes. The HMS Erebus and HMS Terror which were trapped in ice before sinking in Arctic Waters in 1848. SS Sultana’s deadly explosion on the Mississippi River. . . . and many more extraordinary stories from across the world’s waters. Each spread features full-bleed artwork and engaging annotations, bringing the drama and mystery of each wreck to life. Discover the ships in their glory days and their resting places on the ocean floor, zoom in on remarkable artefacts and learn fascinating facts through ‘Did you know?’ bubbles and ‘In numbers’ lists. Perfect for curious minds, The Shipwreck Atlas combines adventure, history and science in a visually stunning package. This is the ultimate book for young explorers, budding historians and anyone fascinated by the secrets that lie beneath the sea.

Comedian and bestselling author Russell Kane is back with When Brian Met Terry – a hilarious and relatable story that will resonate with anyone who’s had to make room for someone new. Terry the Burmese cat has it all. A loving family, a cosy home and the undivided attention he believes he deserves. Life is comfortable for this pampered pet – until everything changes. One day Dad arrives with Brian, an excitable chihuahua puppy with big eyes and even bigger energy. While the family fall instantly for Brian’s charms, Terry is less impressed. In fact, he is FURIOUS! Terry makes it clear that he won’t share his kingdom easily. As his tantrums become more and more dramatic, the family wonder if Brian and Terry will ever learn to get along.  When Brian Met Terry is perfect for any animal lover, but can also be read as a metaphor for sibling rivalry and the ups and downs of introducing a new baby to the family. At its heart, this funny and heartwarming picture book is about learning to get on with those whom you might dislike at first – or who dislike you. That and a very, VERY dramatic cat.  With Russell’s trademark wit and brilliantly characterful illustrations by Erica Salcedo, When Brian Met Terry combines laugh-out-loud moments with a reassuring message of acceptance. It’s perfect for reading aloud at bedtime or gifting to pet-loving families. Entertaining and reassuring in equal measure, this is a picture book children will want to return to again and again.

From social media superstar, and Sunday Times bestselling author and gardener, Jamie Walton, this charming picture book uses plant friendships to show how cooperation, kindness and growing together help everyone.  From cheery sunflowers and shy little carrots to brave (but smelly) onions, each plant has its own strengths that help the vegetable garden thrive.    But when Squish the squash plant sprouts and can't stop growing, the garden faces new challenges: can she find the right friends to help her fit in? And when sneaky beetles creep into the patch, munching leaves and causing trouble, will the helpful herbs come to the rescue?  With teamwork, understanding and a little bit of magic from Mari the Marigold, the plant friends discover that everyone has a role to play and that plants, like people, need friends to be able to grow!  Plants Need Friends Too! is a heartwarming adventure with companion planting techniques at its core.   Complete with wonderfully whimsical illustrations by Rose Gerrard, this book teaches lessons from nature and shows that being a good friend – just like a good companion plant – means helping others.

Across Britain, and especially in the southern chalklands, is a series of figures cut into the hills, exposing the chalk beneath. These hill-figures are strange, mysterious, and sometimes controversial. They are of varying and often contested age, and vague purpose. They are horses, giants, crosses, a lion, a lost panda, crowns, a kiwi, regimental badges. They are often sited near ancient trackways, iron age earthworks or dissolved monasteries, and or close to stone circles. Some are faded or lost, their names preserved only in the names of valleys or hills.Humans have long decorated their landscapes, but chalk hill figures are, almost uniquely, a feature of the English downland. This means they are sometimes seen as emblematic of Englishness, celebrated by poets, writers, artists and musicians. The book is a portrait of the places where these figures dominate, bringing in history, politics, literature, music, film and TV, but with a light touch. The Tattooed Hills isn’t a nostalgic elegy for England, instead it uses the figures as a lens through which to explore the land and delves into more troubling undercurrents – the way that chalk hill figures have sometimes been appropriated, in an attempt to pin down a narrow definition of Englishness and belonging.Chalk carvings are signals for our identity and identities, and that their long history, the way they have inspired artists, musicians and writers, and the communities that live in their shadows, offer an alternative way of thinking about ourselves. Often created as memorials for historical events, their meanings, like their shape, have shifted over the years, these new interpretations reflecting our changing society and values. They are beacons on the hills, they speak to us and of us, no matter where we live or where we’re from.

Born on the island of Madeira in Portugal, Cristiano grew up playing football from a very young age. With determination and self-belief, he pursued his dream of becoming a professional player, overcoming setbacks and challenges – including surgery for a heart condition called tachycardia – along the way. From his first matches in local clubs to international stardom, his journey shows the power of hard work, resilience and courage. This inspiring book introduces children to Ronaldo’s record-breaking career, including three consecutive Premier League titles with Manchester United, victories in the Champions League and Club World Cup, and his record transfer to Real Madrid in 2009. Ronaldo’s remarkable, record-breaking career is a story of hard work and determination, one that is sure to resonate with young sports fans, inspiring them to dream big and believe that anything is possible. Ronaldo is also known for his charity work, using his fame to raise awareness and help good causes. Young readers will learn how he followed his passion, never gave up and became a role model for millions around the world, both on and off the pitch. This inspirational book also features dynamic illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timelinewith historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete’s life.

WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS 2022  Discover the animal inventors who have shared their super inventing powers to make amazing things for humans in this internationally bestselling book for kids!   Humans may think they’re the ultimate inventors, but animals have been solving problems and creating ingenious designs for millions of years. From super-speed swimmers to masters of disguise, nature’s inventors have inspired some of the world’s most amazing technologies – and this book reveals their secrets.  This fascinating and fact-packed book includes: Brilliant animal innovations that have shaped human inventions, from shark skin swimsuits to bird-inspired bullet trains. Mind-blowing adaptations like gecko feet that stick without glue, butterfly wings that shimmer without pigment and termite mounds that inspired eco-friendly architecture. Fascinating science explained in a fun, accessible way for young readers. Stunning illustrations that bring the inventions to life. Check out the snail who has invented a house that stays cool inside even in the desert and take a closer look at the eagle whose super-zoom vision has inspired the invention of the world's tiniest and most powerful cameras. Every animal – and their invention – is a marvel in this unique non-fiction blend of science, technology and wildlife.  Perfect for animal enthusiasts and budding inventors, Invented by Animals will change the way you see the natural world.

A clever, funny picture book about one of life’s most important skills: the art of saying sorry.   Sammy is in trouble. He’s stuck in his room (on his mum’s birthday!) writing sorry letters for things he shouldn’t have done. But what exactly has Sammy done?   Told entirely through Sammy’s letters, this inventive and laugh-out-loud story gradually reveals the chaos behind his well-meaning plan. As one apology letter leads to another, the story of Sammy’s robot-related adventure unfolds . . .   But the big question is will Sammy make it out of his room in time to celebrate his mum’s birthday? And what’s going on with all the robots?  A fresh take on one of life’s essential lessons, Sorry, Sammy combines laugh-out-loud humour with a heartfelt message about making things right.

Learn all about the incredible story of Harry Kane, an inspirational athlete whose determination and hard work helped him become captain of England’s football team. Little Harry always knew he wanted to be a footballer. He joined his first club, Ridgeway Rovers, at a young age and worked hard to improve his skills every day. He was soon scouted by Arsenal, who spotted his potential and asked him to join. But when he was dropped from Arsenal after just one season, Harry was devastated – he thought it would be the end of his footballing journey. With the support of his dad and the rest of his family, he picked himself back up, trained even harder and proved that he had real talent. And when he joined Tottenham Hotspur, it felt like home. He became their top scorer, netting hundreds of goals and delighting fans with every match. Harry’s incredible determination saw him rise to the top and become captain of the England team. In his first World Cup, he won the Golden Boot – a prize for being the top-scorer in the competition. Even in tough matches, Harry has been a pillar of strength for the team, showing true leadership. And he uses his voice off the pitch, too, by starting a foundation to help encourage people to talk about their feelings. This highly-illustrated book, about a little boy who never gave up on his dream, introduces children to the incredible moments in Harry’s career. His remarkable story of determination and perseverance shows young readers that anything is possible. This book also features extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with photos and a detailed profile of the athlete’s life. Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Formula One: The Controversies dives deep into the most dramatic and polarizing moments in F1 history, exploring the rivalries, scandals, and high-stakes decisions that have defined the sport. From controversial rule changes and shocking crashes to team politics and driver rivalries, this book uncovers the backstories behind F1''s most heated moments. It reveals how power struggles, technology wars, and ethical debates have shaped F1, influencing both its evolution and the public’s perception. A must-read for all racing enthusiasts, this book offers an insider’s perspective on the sport''s most divisive episodes and what they mean for F1’s future.