Author spotlight July 22 Nick Arnold
Nick Arnold
Photo: Scholastic
Nick Arnold is an award-winning author of science books for children. He is best known for his long-running and phenomenally successful series, Horrible Science, which has sold over 15 million copies and has appeared in 40 countries, bringing the wonder of science to children all around the world.
From Chemical Chaos and Painful Poison to Shocking Electricity and Deadly Diseases, learning all about science is fun with Nick’s explosive books. Fizzling with fun facts and fascinating formulas, Nick’s Horrible Science series takes everyday topics and explains the science behind them in engaging and exciting ways that make learning about science fun and interesting, concentrating on the gruesome, the gory, the weird, and the ‘icky’. Nick’s books are accessible and appealing to boys and girls who like squishy stuff or have ever wondered why things explode, why some things are different, and how disgusting some things can be.
Described as a ‘one-person book factory’, Nick was born in Cambridge and his first published works appeared while he was at the University of North London. He became an editor and began writing articles, some of which appeared in The Guardian. Nick is also the author of Wild Lives (Scholastic), a Horrible Histories spin-off series published in the early 2000’s, with a focus on the animal kingdom.
In 2006, Nick founded the Appledore Book Festival.
As well as writing the Horrible Science series, Nick is a professional historian. In 2008, he received publicity for a major discovery in locating the site of the Battle of Cynuit, fought between the Saxons and Danes in 878.
So far in 2022, Nick has presented his online science shows to schools all around the world, ranging from Shanghai and Thailand to Madrid and Saudi Arabia, as well as bringing his Horrible Science live shows to schools up and down England.
Works
Experiment with engineering science (2022)
This photographic book of engineering experiments and projects features clear, step-by-step instructions and a fresh, contemporary design, with an emphasis on fun, achievable experiments to give kids hands-on experiences. The science behind each experiment is explained, giving readers the theory behind the practical activities, and diagrams and photos show these fun and easy to recreate experiments in action!
Do no harm (2021)
For the gruesomely curious or medically minded, this romp through the history of medicine packs in the fascinating and often macabre ideas and practices employed during humanity's constant battle against illness and injury
Experiment with outdoor science (2020)
Science isn't limited to the classroom - it can be found out in the garden! This photographic book of experiments and projects covers chemical reactions, states of matter, microbiology and much more - all with materials and equipment that can be found at home. Each book in this series features clear, step-by-step instructions and has a fresh, contemporary design, with an emphasis on fun, achievable experiments to give kids hands-on experiences. The science behind each experiment is explained, giving readers the theory behind the practical activities
Experiment with Kitchen Science (2019)
Science isn’t limited to the classroom – it can be cooked up in the kitchen! This photographic book of experiments and projects covers chemical reactions, states of matter, microbiology and much more – all with ingredients and equipment that can be found in the kitchen. Take science out of the lab and into your home with this book of fun experiments to try out in your kitchen!
Tools, robotics and gadgets galore (2018)
Make your own jet boat, build your own robot arm, dye your own colourful T-shirt and discover the milestones in invention history! These are just some of the fun, do-at-home activities featured in title. Activities are accompanied by bite-size factoids explaining the scientific theories and principles behind them
Fantastic forces and incredible machines (2018)
Make a jet-propelled rocket, construct your own mini maglev train, build and test bridges and tunnels and solve the mystery of the ghost can! These are just some of the fun activities featured in 'Fantastic Forces and Incredible Machines'. Activities are accompanied by bite-size factoids explaining the scientific theories and principles behind them.
Horrible Science series
The bestselling Horrible Science series is a result of a 25-year long collaboration of author Nick Arnold and illustrator Tony De Saulles. Their very first book Ugly Bugs was published in 1996, followed shortly by Blood, Bones and Body Bits. The series explore the most disgusting bits of biology, chemistry, and physics. If you think that science is boring then have a read.
Dangerous Diseases (2021)
From the cruel common cold to shocking smallpox, see what happens when your body is attacked by germs! Find out which brave nurse drank diarrhoea, which scientist used eyeballs as food for bacteria, why deadly cholera makes your skin turn blue and how munching maggots can cure flesh diseases! With sickening sick notes, dreadful disease facts, and lots of vicious viruses to make you vomit, it'll leave you bursting with the knowledge of dangerous diseases!
Shocking Electricity (2018)
Are you buzzing to discover how an electric eel can give you a nasty shock? Or which scientist gave electric shocks to his eyeballs? Use fact files and quizzes, teacher tests and cartoons to discover the shocking facts about electricity
Painful Poison (2018)
If you think you can stomach the sick side of science, then read on as we get wise to the wicked world of killer chemicals. With fantastic fact files, quirky quizzes and crazy cartoons, 'Painful Poison' is reading to die for.
Nasty Nature (2018)
This series looks at the nastier side of science. 'Nasty Nature' uses fact files, quizzes, cartoons, and teacher tests to show children some of the more revolting and zany aspects of the animal world.
Microscopic Monsters (2018)
This text features science with the squishy bits left in! What makes your guts a brilliant home for bacteria? Which creature lays its eggs between your toes? Why is your toothbrush covered in germs? Get the answers in this book!
Space, Stars and Slimy Aliens (2018)
Zoom around the planets with Oddblob the alien, find out which galaxies eat each other and see if you've got what it takes to be a staggering stargazer. With fact files, quirky quizzes and crazy cartoons, this book is out of this world!
Blood, Bones and Body Bits' reveals the secrets of strange scientists, shows how to diagnose deadly diseases, explains what happens when a boil bursts, and other horrible aspects of the body
Ugly Bugs (2014)
This series looks at the nastier side of science. 'Ugly Bugs' looks at some grim families of bugs and tests the theories of disguise. It explains what slugs do with their slime, why flies throw up in your tea, and how insects drink your blood.
House of Horrors (2013)
Who lives in a house like this? Just about everyone. This is a title that will have the cleanest of neat freaks running for cover when they discover what they'll never be able to get out of the carpet. 'House of Horrors' dishes the dirt on the secret life of dust mites and parasitic pet poo.