Books by Mary Richards

Listen to the Music is a narrative non fiction trip through the history of music, complete with 10, 10-second sound clips of the world's best loved, era defining pieces from baroque to bebop.

A history of the world told through the prism of language, from Shakespeare to Anne Frank, Martin Luther King to Greta Thunberg. A History of Words for Children explores the uniquely human ability to transfer thoughts from one brain to another using words. Written in a lively narrative style, the book presents a history of the world and human development through the prism of language, introducing readers to the civilisations, inventions and wordsmiths who have shaped the way we communicate. Divided into themed chapters, the book explores what words are and how humans communicate using spoken language and sign; the development of written scripts and writing implements, including paper; the history of manuscripts and printed books, including worldwide bestsellers and famous libraries; the process of learning another language; dialects and accents and the way language can reflect our identity; the power of words to calm, inspire, rally crowds and rule nations; graffiti's role in spreading messages; codes and invented languages; the patterns of poetry; the future of words, including emojis; and languages facing extinction.

A global history of music for children that celebrates how and why we make music.

WINNER, Best Designed / Illustrated Book For Children -- Junior Design Awards 2020 (Silver Medal) "A book to make going outside an inspiring adventure. This little paperback does much more than it says on the tin. . . It really should make young people see and think differently about the natural world around them, and packs in a great deal of information and stimulation." -- Andrea Reece, LoveReading4Kids Take Me Outdoors is the fourth book in an exciting series of guided journals for young explorers. With its smart design, lively illustrations and perfect size to carry around, it's a fun, lively way to engage with the wild and natural world - whether in your own garden, a local park, or further afield.This innovative, interactive book is divided into five 'adventure' chapters - one for each excursion. Each chapter is divided into themes that encourage children to explore their surroundings, record their thoughts and draw what they see. As they complete lists, create pictures and answer questions they are prompted to think carefully and look at their world - from the clouds in the sky to grass or stones on the ground - with fresh eyes. A final chapter allows them to compare their adventures, and there's also a useful glossary so they can learn new words and ideas.Fun, quirky and bursting with facts about birds, bugs and plants; the weather and the environment; expeditions and explorers; and the artists, writers and musicians who have been inspired by nature, this book is a must for children curious about the incredible world they live in. It's both a great keepsake and a tool for sparking creative writing.