When a new influenza virus emerges that is able to be transmitted between humans, it spreads globally as a pandemic, often with high mortality. Enormous social disruption and substantial economic cost can result. The 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic was undoubtedly the most devastating influenza pandemic to date, and it has been Dr Robert Webster’s life’s work to figure out how and why. In so doing he has made a remarkable contribution to our understanding of the evolution of influenza viruses and how to control them. A century on, Flu Hunter is a gripping account of the tenacious scientific detective work involved in revealing the secrets of this killer virus. Dubbed ‘Flu Hunter’ by Smithsonian Magazine in 2006, Dr Webster began his research in the early 1960s with the insight that the natural ecology of most influenza viruses is among wild aquatic birds. Painstaking tracking and testing of thousands of birds eventually led him and the other scientists involved to establish a link between these bird virus ‘reservoirs’ and human influenza pandemics. Some of this fascinating scientific work involved exhuming bodies of Spanish flu victims from the Arctic permafrost in a search for tissue samples containing genetic material from the virus. Could a global influenza pandemic occur again? Webster’s warning is clear: ‘... it is not only possible, it is just a matter of when.’

Bind: paperback

Pages: 220

Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm

What does it mean to live in a material world, and how do materials of the past and present hold the keys to our future? This book tackles these questions by focusing on various issues that human beings face and by discussing potential materials-related solutions. Through the lens of intriguing projects by designers, artists, makers, and scientists, it presents a colourful panoply of ideas, technologies, and creative efforts that focus on the earth’s most basic elements, while also showing how these elements can be transformed into entirely new materials. It explores, for example, how ancient practices such as dyeing fabric and making glue may hold the secret to renewable and earth-friendly consumer products, as well as how recycling plastics can tackle food waste, and how a type of light metal being developed may one day make air travel less fuel-reliant. This book also investigates the potential of the digital experience, suggesting how this most ephemeral type of matter can be used to improve our world. Eye-catching and provocative, Why Materials Matter serves as both a stimulating catalogue of possibilities and a timely manifesto on how to consume, manufacture, and design for a better future.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 240

Dimensions: 240 x 300 mm

Publication Date: 19-10-2018

Get Ready For Your New Best Friend If you’re longing for the pitter-patter of four furry feet, you have some homework to do. When new cat owners aren’t prepared, it’s the cat who suffers, so it’s very important to consider all angles of cat care and ownership before making the commitment. This book starts with the process of selecting a suitable cat for your home and lifestyle and goes on to discuss the present and future requirements of feeding, grooming, training, healthcare, and much more to fully educate prospective new cat owners. Inside 77 Things to Know before Getting a Cat: Advice on selecting a kitten or adult cat based on your family, living space, and lifestyle Buying a purebred from a breeder versus adopting from a shelter or rescue group The equipment and supplies you’ll need before the cat comes home Getting the cat acclimated to his new environment Feeding, grooming, training, and healthcare for all life stages Keeping your cat safe at home and away Illustrations, charts, and checklists, to help you plan and prepare

Bind: paperback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 178 x 230 mm

Publication Date: 19-10-2018

More than 90% of the world’s population is exposed to air pollutant concentrations exceeding World Health Organisation guideline levels. Having air that is healthy to breathe is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st Century. Some of this is unfinished business from the last 60 years, but as more and more of us live in cities, more of us are living close to pollution sources. Europe is wrestling with air pollution from diesel transport and in China and India they are facing air pollution problems that they have never met before. The air pollution that we breathe every day is largely invisible to us but it is having a significant impact on our health and that of our children. The Invisible Killer will take you on a journey from London to Los Angeles to Beijing, challenging our ideas of what creates air pollution and how we measure it, and introducing us to incredible individuals whose groundbreaking research paved the way to today’s understanding, often at their own detriment. Dr Fuller argues that to change the future of our planet and collective global health, city and national government action is essential. It is not for lack of evidence that air pollution harm persists. Instead it remains in place due to a lack of political will to make changes to our urban lives, to persuade the public and to make polluters bear the full cost of the harm that they do.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 28-11-2018

The mountain fastness is close enough to feel powerful but not claustrophobic ... The lake has a gleaming, softening presence ... There is a serene coherence to it all. Neville Peat describes the scenic splendour of Wanaka and the myriad activities and attractions for visitors in this updated edition of a book that serves as both a guide to one of New Zealand’s tourism hotspots, and as a souvenir. The book covers the history of the Wanaka area and its progress into a contemporary centre renowned for an exciting range of outdoor activities and regular events, including the internationally recognized Warbirds Over Wanaka air show. Further material offers a guide to local walking and cycling tracks, local flora and fauna, and Mt Aspiring National Park.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 80

Dimensions: 170 x 210 mm

A Practical Guide to an Enjoyable Hobby Bee keeping isn't just for the professional farmer―bees can be kept in any situation from simple backyards and rooftops to large expanses of farmland. Discover whether honey beekeeping is right for you, and find out everything you need to know to keep and acquire bees in this updated guide. Honey Bee Hobbyist, 2nd Edition will help novice beekeepers fully understand this exciting pastime. Dr. Norman Gary, a world-renowned honey bee expert and enthusiast, counsels beginners on all things honeybee related. He takes readers from finding bees and housing them to collecting honey and using their produce for pleasure and possible profit. With more than 100 fascinating colour photographs and tips and tricks acquired over half a century of beekeeping, this practical handbook is your first step toward a wonderful and rewarding lifelong hobby. Honey Bee Hobbyist, 2nd Edition will show you how to: Start your own hive Understand the life and times of honey bees Care for your bees in each season and at every stage of life Expand your apiary Keep your neighbours happy Educate others about bees Get the most out of your new hobby

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 178 x 230 mm

Publication Date: 15-11-2018

Discover the essential ways that we are connected the earth in Precious Planet, and learn what you can do to take care of our planet. How amazing is the home we all share, planet Earth! It's home to millions and billions of animals and plants, but have you ever wondered how everything is connected? In Precious Planet, learn all about our home that was formed almost 4.6 billion years ago― the earth’s crust, the continents we live on, and the oceans in between―and dive into the planet’s fascinating geography. One of the most important parts of living in a home that you love is taking care of it. Precious Planet shows how we can work together to take care of this magnificent place―from saving water and trees, to looking out for each other. Precious Planet uses eye-popping illustrations to explain the world's natural phenomena, while opening children’s eyes to the importance of sustainability and conservation in a fun and engaging way.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 48

Dimensions: 270 x 370 mm

Publication Date: 31-08-2019

The incredible world of the animals, plants, and other nocturnal phenomena that live their lives throughout the night. Most living things are active as long as the sun shines on the sky, but at dusk, when the light dims, life continues. The moonlight illuminates the Earth, plants come to life, animals awaken and some organisms glow like jewels in the dark. For these creatures, plants and natural phenomena, the night falls and another day begins.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 48

Dimensions: 280 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 31-08-2023

Water is our planet’s most important resource, yet it’s easy to overlook its significance in our daily life. This kaleidoscopic journey across the planet offers fascinating insights into how water is connected to the air we breathe, the food we eat, and how our own actions can upset the delicate balance of its cycle. Readers will learn about how water journeys from ocean to sky to mountains, rivers, soil and back again; how water purification works; the flora and fauna of the rainforest; cloud formations and the weather they predict; natural phenomena such as the tiger bush; why rivers flood; what causes a tsunami. Presented in lively and engaging double-page spreads, each topic is explored with quirky illustrations, trivia, and sidebars that encourage further exploration and experimentation. Best of all, it makes young readers aware just how deeply entwined their futures are with the health of our planet’s water

Bind: hardback

Pages: 60

Dimensions: 240 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 05-09-2023

Coasts have always been the starting point of discovery— whether by explorers searching for new lands or children sifting through the sand for beautiful shells. This trip around the world’s oceans provides hours of fun and learning in a series of highly detailed double-page spreads that look at every aspect of critical coastal habitats, including the ebb and flow of tides; life in a coastal settlement; artistic depictions of seashores; native animals and plants; the whaling industry; tourism; and climate change. The book also provides a Twenty-First-Century corrective to Western-centric narratives about exploration and colonialism. Interspersed throughout are meticulously detailed maps of the world’s largest oceans with historic events, figures and scientific facts highlighted. As fun as it is informative, this vibrant book takes readers on a trip around the globe that fosters a feeling of connection between their lives and the world’s coastlines.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 64

Dimensions: 272 x 370 mm

Publication Date: 12-09-2023