Books with author David MacDonald

It's the end of the 15th century, and your local castle is looking for a jailer. Are you up to the job? Your charges will include all sorts of people, from hardened criminals to people with mental illnesses, and you won’t be expected to treat them kindly…This title in the best-selling children’s history series, You Wouldn't Want To…, features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail and a narrative approach placing readers at the centre of the history, encouraging them to become emotionally-involved with the characters and aiding their understanding of what life would have been like in a medieval dungeon. Informative captions, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal introduction to the conventions of information books for young readers. It is an ideal text for Key Stage 2 shared and guided reading and helps achieve the goals of the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14.

World-famous monsters. Deadly dinosaurs. Inexplicable phenomena. Get ready to SCREAM! This quirky, kooky, and ever-so-slightly creepy compendium features 100 entries about some of the scariest and weirdest things ever! Packed with vibrant cartoon-style illustrations, it looks at everything from ruthless rulers, cursed mummies, and murderous pirates to hideous beasts (like the Abominable Snowman), frozen bodies in the snow, and airplanes that seem to vanish mysteriously into thin air.

Angela Nicely might look like she's made of sugar and spice and all things nice, but nothing could be further from the truth! Whether she's learning a new skill for the school talent contest, getting lost on a nature walk, or squaring up to the boys on the football pitch, she's determined to stand out from the crowd! With fantastic artwork by award-winning illustrator, David Roberts (Tyrannosaurus Drip, The Wind in the Willows, The Troll, Eddie Dickens Trilogy), these deliciously funny stories are perfect for confident readers to enjoy by themselves, or for sharing with your child. Angela Nicely is sure to delight young readers, with her larger-than-life personality and her desire to be the best!

Marrying Henry VIII was not an easy option. Top tips provided in this book include 'think carefully before accepting his proposal' and 'give birth to a son, not a daughter'. Set against a backdrop of turbulence in the royal court of Tudor England, this book describes Henry and his many wives - what went right, what went wrong and what became of them all. With information on the church's break with Rome and explanations of the roles of the key figures involved including Wolsey and Cranmer. You really wouldn't want to be married to Henry VIII!

A fantastically funny series from Alan MacDonald and David Roberts, creator of Dirty Bertie, Angela Nicely is already well known to Bertie’s fans after he struggled to escape her clutches in Kiss! Angela Nicely might look like she's made of sugar and spice and all things nice, but she's not quite as sweet as she'd have you believe! Perfect for young readers who are fans of Dirty Bertie. Whether she's having a bake-off against Tiffany Charmers, riding high at a pony party or snooping on her mysterious neighbours, she's determined to steal the show! With fantastic artwork by award-winning illustrator, David Roberts (Tyrannosaurus Drip, The Wind in the Willows, The Troll, Eddie Dickens Trilogy), these deliciously funny stories are perfect for confident readers to enjoy by themselves, or for sharing with your child. Angela Nicely is sure to delight young readers, with her larger-than-life personality and her desire to be the best!

From the world of Dirty Bertie comes a new star! A brand new series from David Roberts, creator of Dirty Bertie, Angela Nicely is already well known to Bertie's fans. Angela might look like she's made of sugar and spice and all things nice, but nothing could be further from the truth! Angela knows best! Whether she's matchmaking her teachers, flogging homemade lemonade, or dealing with the Ugly Sisters, she always has an answer for everything...

What if you never had to visit the dentist?Let's face it: no one really looks forward to going to see the dentist. But have you considered the alternative? In past centuries, the only cure for a decayed tooth was to pull it out-without anesthetic, and with only the beating of a drum to distract you and drown out your screams. This book in the new You Wouldn't Want to Live Without series describes, in entertaining words and pictures, what teeth consist of, how to take care of them, what may happen if you don't-and why you should never be afraid of going to the dentist.

Everyone knows that moccasins, canoes and toboggans were invented by the Aboriginal people of North America, but did you know that they also developed their own sign language, syringe needles and a secret ingredient in soda pop? Depending on where they lived, Aboriginal communities relied on their ingenuity to harness the resources available to them. Some groups, such as the Iroquois, were particularly skilled at growing and harvesting food. From them, we get corn and wild rice, as well as maple syrup. Other groups, including the Sioux and Comanche of the plains, were exceptional hunters. Camouflage, fish hooks, and decoys were all developed to make the task of catching animals easier. And even games—lacrosse, hockey and volleyball—have Native American roots. Other clever inventions and innovations include the following: • Sunscreen • Surgical blades • Diapers • Asphalt • Megaphones • Hair conditioner With descriptive photos and information-packed text, this book explores eight different categories in which the creativity of First Nations peoples from across the continent led to remarkable inventions and innovations, many of which are still in use today.