The History of Toys demonstrates that throughout history toys have changed very little. Egyptian, Greek and Roman children played with balls, spinning tops, rattles and dolls. There were toys on wheels too. Kites have been flown in China for centuries. Many of today's crazes are the same as those that enraptured children generations ago. The development of new technologies and changing materials have had a huge impact on the design and manufacture of toys but their purpose has remained the same.

Read more about The History of Toys here.

Ingenious Women is the culmination of original research relating to the hundreds of women who, before 1914, invented all variety of gadgets and devices. They navigated through social attitudes and legislation that was not in their favour to patent their inventions and register designs, in their own names. Some formed companies to manufacture and market their inventions. Some widows developed and improved their deceased husbands' inventions making profits t support their families and others took over companies. Many of these invention and companies continued to be successful. Other women were engineers, mathematicians, nurses and designers who, drew on their knowledge to resolve problems.

Read more about Ingenious Women here.

Victoria examines Queen Victoria's reign of sixty-four years in the context of the vast political, social and technological changes of the 19th century. It also looks at Queen Victoria's personal life, as wife of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and mother of nine children. Published to coincide with the centenary of her death, the book is lavishly illustrated using over 200 photographs and images from the period.

Read more about Victoria here.

Make a Book!, written with Vivien Frank, is six books within a book. The folding book from Thailand, Japanese scroll, book of hours, movable book, flicker book and newspaper have all been taken from examples in the British Library. Simple instructions show how to make them from the pages in the main book.

Published by Frances Lincoln in conjunction with The British Library, 2000 (UK); Dutton Children's Books (US)
ISBN 0 7112 1474 3

Press-Out Masks to Make and Decorate, written with Vivien Frank, is kit book for children to make and decorate 10 masks from different cultures around the world. There is a map to highlight the area of origin, pictures of the masks and background information on their histories.

Published by Frances Lincoln, 1996 (UK); Harcourt Brace (US); Flammarion (France)
ISBN 0 7112 1096 9

What's Left of Henry VIII is a guide book to the life of King Henry VIII, who radically changed the course of English history. It includes places to visit relating to his life - palaces, forts, ships, museum collections, archives and record offices.

Published by Ian Allen/Dial Press, 1995
ISBN 0 7110 2304 2

The Best of Britain for Children, written with Sue McAlpine, is a guide book of unusual places to take children - castles, palaces, museums, galleries, caves, railways, mines and farms - and how to make the most of the visit. Each venue has been meticulously researched for its child friendliness and interest factor as wells as access for pushchairs and wheelchairs, restaurant and shop.

Published by Ian Allan/Dial Press, 1993
ISBN 0 7110 2142 2

Making Masks, written with Vivien Frank, is a step by step guide, through different projects, of designing and making masks.

Published by Quintet, 1992
ISBN 1 85078 374 7