Books! Books! Books!

A handmade gospel hidden in a saint’s coffin; a HUGE atlas that takes six people to lift it; a tiny prayer book carried by a queen to her execution; the original handwritten manuscript of Alice in Wonderland; books so rare and valuable they are kept in a bomb-proof store-room. The British Library is an amazing place!

From man-eating monsters and brave knights to wicked witches, lost children, haunted moors, magical creatures and flying machines award-winning duo Mick and Brita bring to life the amazing and extraordinary history of the book through the treasures of the largest library in the world – the BRITISH LIBRARY. LET’S GO INSIDE!

"The book acts as a pathway for children to venture into libraries and explore, to follow their imaginations, learning along the way."

"Visually engaging and interesting to read."

"Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom have managed to distil some of the treasures of the British Library to create an exciting and very readable book that will not only have children poring over it and returning to it, time and time again, but its likely to have them clamouring to their parents and teachers to take them to see the real thing."

“This book has many virtues to commend it. The illustrations are vivid and imaginative. The photographs of the objects are exemplary. But the book’s main virtue is to encompass the scope of an age-old historical collection in a single brief volume.”

"Mick and Brita have been producing quality children’s books for years;in fact they celebrate 24 years with this book, and this is another gem."

"This book is a treasure trove of books."

"This inspiring book introduces the reader to the British Library and to some of the greatest treasures kept there. It's a fabulous celebration of libraries and their importance...A fascinating and beautiful book in its own right."

"My favourite pairing ever have brought us another wonderful book - and what better than to celebrate books….. This lavishly illustrated book shows them all to us through narrative text and evocative illustrations - it's nearly as good as visiting the library yourself, and will definitely encourage children to visit the library - and library."

"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...A unique and fascinating way of examining the history of the book through one of our greatest institutions."

"Mick makes the whole place sound absolutely fascinating and Brita’s visuals really bring each and every entry to life." 

"Mick Manning and Brita Granström's approach to non-fiction for younger children has revolutionised our bookshelves."

Specializing in lyrical non-fiction picture books, Mick Manning and Brita Granström have perfected their unique approach to children's books over 24 years. 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.

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