First, Coding with micro:bit introduces you to the hardware and software features of the BBC micro:bit, including the built-in microphone, speaker, and touch sensor added in micro:bit version 2. You’ll learn new skills such as how to code your micro:bit to play music, send messages, display pictures, and detect light.

• Getting started: This section gives you a tour of the micro:bit and gets you started with coding your first program.
• Basics: Here, you’ll learn to display images and text on the micro:bit’s LED grid.
• Inputs:: This section shows you how to work with the input systems on the micro:bit, like the buttons, the accelerometer, and the light sensor.

Once you’ve mastered these skills, the book guides you through 10 exciting projects, including a temperature sensor, simple interactive games, and even an alarm system!

1. The 99 game: This first project is a game of chance that involves throwing the micro:bit among a group of people. You’ll learn more about coding, like using variables and control flow techniques.
2. Heads or tails: In this project, you’ll use the LED grid and accelerometer to create a “coin toss” generator that detects when you flip your micro:bit, and displays heads or tails.
3. Steady hand game: This game challenges you to hold your micro:bit in your hand as long as you can without wobbling. You’ll also learn more about the micro:bit’s abilities and other fundamental coding techniques.
4. Temperature display: Here, you’ll use the micro:bit’s built-in temperature sensor to detect the temperature and scroll it across the LED grid.
5. LED control: In this project, you’ll learn how to wire up an external LED and control it with code. This exercise teaches you about using the micro:bit with other components so you can build even bigger projects.
6. Trespasser alarm: By connecting a speaker to your micro:bit, you’ll create an alarm system that detects when someone has broken into your room and alerts you by playing a tune.
7. Fortune teller: This project ramps up the coding complexity, showing you how to program your micro:bit to tell your fortune just like a Magic 8-Ball!
8. Compass: Here, you’ll turn the micro:bit into a real working compass using its built-in magnetometer.
9. Radio communication: In this project you’ll use two micro:bits to send and receive radio messages.
10. Bag alarm: Using your radio skills from the previous project combined with the accelerometer, you’ll build a bag alarm with two micro:bits. The first micro:bit stays inside your bag and alerts a second micro:bit in your pocket if someone tries to steal your bag.

Each project has been designed to work with both versions of the micro:bit.

You’ll find “Try This” sections that suggest other ways for you to try out your new knowledge. These ideas will inspire you to build your own projects with the micro:bit.

So whether you’re a coding newbie, or you think you know it all, grab your micro:bit and let’s get coding!

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• Charming Christmas lift-the-flap puzzle: Count down the last 12 days till Christmas with the cozy Cat Family
• Sturdy gift box contains: 76-piece puzzle with 64 regular pieces and 12 shaped lift-the-flap pieces, plus a 28-page booklet; finished puzzle measures 33 × 33 cm / 13 × 13 in. 
• 12 flaps to open: On the completed puzzle, lift a flap each day to reveal sweet holiday scenes
• Includes story and activity booklet: Read the Cat Family story and find ideas for sustainable holiday activities
• Christmastime fun for kids ages 4–7: An activity-packed gift to engage kids in Christmas preparations

 
Count down to Christmas with the Cat Family in this lift-the-flap puzzle with 12 flaps to open.

Piece together the puzzle to create your Cat Family Christmas scene, based on the popular children’s book series. Open the 12 flaps on the shaped pieces to reveal what the Cat Family have been up to as they decorate, bake and prepare the house for the holiday. Every flap leads to a heart-warming miniature scene that will fill you and your family with Christmas cheer.
 
Infused with the warm nostalgia of a traditional Victorian advent calendar, the puzzle image shows the adorable Cat Family decorating their Christmas tree next to their roaring fireplace, with knitted stockings hung from the evergreen garland–draped mantle.
 
In the enchantingly illustrated booklet, join the Cat Family as they prepare for Christmas Day, decorating their home, baking treats, writing letters to Santa, making gifts and more. Along the way, find ideas for your own family-friendly holiday activities, such as making your own decorations and gift wrap, and spreading festive cheer in the community.
 
Make your own holiday just as special as the Cat Family Christmas with this whimsical gift.
 
Delight in even more Cat Family fun with the books:Cat Family Christmas and Cat Family at The Museum.

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A highly illustrated and creative scientific guide to the small creatures and natural wonders we find when we take time to open our eyes to the world around us—and ode to the power of quiet observation.

“Inspirational.” Love Reading 4 Kids

“A brilliant blend of factual and hilarious.” Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

“A charming work sure to spark a lifelong habit of looking closely at the natural world.” Kirkus Reviews, starred review

An observologist is someone who makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants and fungi. They know that water snails glide upside down on the undersurface of the water; not all flies have wings; earthworms have bristles; butterflies taste with their feet.

The Observologist puts over 100 small creatures and features of the natural world under the microscope, piquing our curiosity with only the most interesting facts. Subjects range from slugs, ants and seeds, fungi and flies through to bees and bird poop.

But this is no everyday catalogue of creatures. It is an antidote to boredom, an invitation out of the digital world and screentime, an encouragement to observe our environment, with care and curiosity, wherever we are.

Facts combine with comics, detailed illustrations, science and funny stories in this unique, warm and fascinating account of the small things all around us. Graphic and comic illustrations with funny talking insects make this a playful and informative book for 7- to 11-year-olds and one to be treasured in the classroom.

Giselle Clarkson has a comics and conservation background. Through her unique sensibility you’ll find that once you start thinking small, there’s no limit to what you can notice—right under your nose.

Reviews of The Observologist

“A carefully curated museum for all ages.” The Sapling

“A magnum opus – Giselle has a great ability to see the world from a child’s perspective.” Radio New Zealand

“The ultimate boredom-buster and a wholesome antidote to the digital world…teaches young readers to embrace curiosity, show patience and care for their environment in unexpected ways.” Books + Publishing

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