How Machines Work is a unique interactive guide to understanding simple machines and mechanisms. Each spread introduces you to a key mechanical principle that you put into practice by building one or more working models. This hands-on approach makes it easy to understand how these principles work and how they can be applied to everyday objects, such as cars, bicycles cranes and seesaws.                                  

Lonely Planet's Travel Book especially for kids. Takes the inquisitive, data-hungry explorer on a tour of 200 countries. Packed with iconic images, evocative stories and informative facts and stats. In-the-know info on captial cities, language, currency, epic events, hideous histories, food, festivals and wildlife.

What are things made of? What is the sun? Why is there night and day, winter and summer? Why do bad things happen? Are we alone? Throughout history people all over the world have invented stories to answer profound questions such as these. Have you heard the tale of how the sun hatched out of an emu's egg? Or what about the great catfish that carries the world on its back? Has anyone ever told you that earthquakes are caused by a sneezing giant? These fantastical myths are fun - but what is the real answer to such questions? "The Magic of Reality", with its explanations of space, time, evolution and more, will inspire and amaze readers of all ages - young adults, adults, children, octogenarians. Teaming up with the renowned illustrator Dave McKean, Richard Dawkins answers all these questions and many more. In stunning words and pictures this book presents the real story of the world around us, taking us on an enthralling journey through scientific reality, and showing that it has an awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling magic which far exceed those of the ancient myths. We encounter rainbows, our genetic ancestors, tsunamis, shooting stars, plants, animals, and an intriguing cast of characters in this extraordinary scientific voyage of discovery. Richard Dawkins and Dave McKean have created a dazzling celebration of our planet that will entertain and inform for years to come.

Review: "I wanted to write this book but I wasn't clever enough. Now I've read it, I am" --Ricky Gervais

Author Biography: Richard Dawkins is the former Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University (1995-2008). His many bestsellers include The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion. Dave McKean has illustrated many award winning books and graphic novels, including Coraline by Neil Gaiman, and the Newberry and Carnegie Medal winning The Graveyard Book. He has created hundreds of album, comic and book covers, and has designed characters for two of the Harry Potter films. He has also directed two feature films, MirrorMask and Luna.

The story of design in a nutshell D.E.S.I.G.N. is a fascinating review of 69 of the most innovative household items from the past 150 years - from the classic to the most crazy. These are icons of design from the most eminent designers in the world, from the 'Le Corbusier' chair by Philippe Starck, to the 'Puddle Vase' by Aalto. Through light and witty descriptions, colourful anecdotes and bold illustrations, D.E.S.I.G.N entertains, amazes and teaches us about the origins, aesthetics and form of objects that surround us. Designers include: Charles Rennie Macintosh; Alvar Aalto; Arne Jacobsen; Charles & Ray Eames; Philippe Starck; Frank Gehry; and many others. Designs span 1859 to 2009. Objects include: chairs; tables; beds; an orange juicer; shelves and storage; a bath; lights; and much more.

Author Biography: Ewa Solarz studied Art History at Warsaw University in Poland. For many years she worked as a journalist for the Polish magazine, House & Interior (Dom&Wetrze).D.E.S.I.G.N. is her first book. Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland in 2008. They have their own graphic design business called Hipopotam Studio. They wrote and illustrated H.O.U.S.E. (Gecko Press, 2010).

Released December 2011                                      

Discover 1000s of new and classic records in GWR 2012. Get on your marks for the London Olympics and marvel at the International Space Station. See over 900 new eye-popping photos, watch 30 Records come alive with Augmented Reality technology, discover hundreds of bite-sized facts and a stunning 3D jacket design in one amazing