Horrible Science

Last updated

Horrible Science
Measly medicine.JPG
Front cover of Measly Medicine
Author Nick Arnold; Phil Gates
IllustratorTony De Saulles
Cover artistDe Saulles
CountryUnited Kingdom
SubjectScience
Genre Children's literature; science writing
Publisher Scholastic
Publication date
1996–present

Horrible Science is a similar series of books to Horrible Histories , written by Nick Arnold (with the exception of Evolve or Die, which is written by Phil Gates), illustrated by Tony de Saulles and published in the UK and India by Scholastic. They are designed with the intention to get children interested in science by concentrating on the trivial, unusual, gory, or unpleasant. The books are in circulation in 24 countries, and over 4 million books have been sold in the UK alone. [1]

Contents

Nick Arnold released a paper entitled "Teaching Science the Horrible Way", [2] in which he demonstrates the reasons why the Horrible Science series has a positive contribution to learning. According to Arnold, Horrible Science books are based on everyday topics and key areas of the curriculum. The range of approaches used in Horrible Science books are intended to emphasise the drama and excitement and wonder of science. Science words and concepts are introduced gradually, often using humour or fact files. Although mathematics is not needed at the level of science covered in the books, some activities require calculators. The books contain experiments under the heading "Dare you discover...". Several of the books end with thoughts on how science will shape the future.

History

Before writing the series, Nick Arnold was at the University of North London working on an educational project. He explained to The Birmingham Post: "It was actually a lucky break or a well-placed letter – whichever you want to believe – Because I wrote this really cheeky letter to the publishers Scholastic saying that if they were looking for someone to write a horrible science book I was the one. And would you believe they actually let me write a science book and put lots of horrible bits in it – and then it was hugely successful”. [3]

During the mid-2010s, Horrible Science was given a book makeover, altering the covers of some of their old books, and all of the new books being published to have a new, more colorful background and updated information.

A Horrible Science theatre show produced by the Birmingham Stage Company which, also brought Horrible Histories to the stage, was created in 2013. [3]

Approach

Nick Arnold explained his approach towards writing the series in an interview with The Birmingham Post: "My approach to a subject is to vastly over-research it. I have become quite good at science by writing these books so have got quite a lot of knowledge already but then I really like finding out more information. If I over-research then I don’t just have all the facts I need, I have a lot more – and that means I can really choose what I want to include. The thing about a Horrible Science book is that actually it is all about imagination. The more you know the more you want to know and the more you want to develop that." [3]

Critical reception

The response towards the series has been generally positive. Some reviews of the series website [4] included a The Independent review that "Really Rotten Experiments" is "Perfect for keeping the kids occupied on a rainy day, this is full of useful tips...and fun, naughty experiments". Another review by the Evening Express (Aberdeen) said that the book Horrible Science: Painful Poison is "With fantastic fact files, quirky quizzes, humorous cartoons and easy-to-understand text, it makes science pretty horrible, but great fun". Books For Keeps said of the book Deadly Diseases: "Gruesome gut churning contents, you need a strong stomach to tackle this, and certainly before eating". The Scotsman commented on the series as a whole, "Nick Arnold has a reputation as quite a showman and his Horrible Science series provides him with plenty of opportunity for stunts. Children emerge wide-eyed and inspired". A review at [5] described the series as "These are so much better than some of the dry textbooks that I used to have to read when I was in school...I'm saying that books like this are great for students because they show students that science is truly interesting and amazing!". A review by Roberta of the Growing with Science blog said of the book Chemical Chaos: "It is every bit as humorous (downright silly in spots) and as comprehensive as the history series was". She adds that the "[series as a whole] go a long way to fill that gap [between middle and high school students". As said of Evil Inventions in a review by Jennifer Cameron-Smith at: [6] "This is a delightful book and would make a wonderful present for any budding young scientist as well as a worthwhile addition to a school library. Making science fun can sometimes be a challenge, but books such as this certainly assist."

Controversy

There has been a negative response to Issue 6 - Hidden Horrors in the Home in the magazine adaption of the book series. The article named "Loony Lab" in this Horrible Science Collection had a section called "Grow your own manky microbes". A complainant, a biology teacher and parent, described it as "irresponsible in the extreme". A plastic petri dish and sachet of agar powder are provided as "free gifts", and children are encouraged to sample areas which may harbour disease-causing organisms (pathogens), such as a toilet handle, a dog's ear, or a "bogey". Under certain circumstances, contact with these substances is potentially life-threatening. The complainant added "The potential for real harm is jaw-dropping. Even in school, under supervision of trained staff, we would not be allowed to do much of what the article suggests, namely for health and safety reasons. How can they be sure that every child will follow even the meagre and woefully inadequate safety advice given?" [7]

Awards and nominations

The Horrible Science series has received the following awards : [8]

Book categories

Original books

These are the original books in the core series:

Omnibus editions and boxed sets

There are several "Two in One" editions:

There have also been Three in One editions such as Ugly Bugs, Nasty Nature and Vicious Veg, a set of 10 books (Vicious Veg, Space, Stars, and Slimy Aliens, Ugly Bugs, Bulging Brains, Deadly Diseases, Chemical Chaos, Disgusting Digestion, Blood, Bones, and Body Bits, Nasty Nature, and Evil Inventions) titled Ten Beastly Books, and a set of 20 (Angry Animals, Blood, Bones and Body Bits, Bulging Brains, Chemical Chaos Deadly Diseases Disgusting Digestion, Evolve or Die, Fatal Forces, The Fight for Flight, Frightening Light, Killer Energy, Microscopic Monsters, Nasty Nature, Painful Poison, Shocking Electricity, Sounds Dreadful, Space, Stars, and Slimy Aliens, The Terrible Truth About Time, Ugly Bugs, and Vicious Veg) titled Bulging Box of Books.

Activity books

Shuffle puzzle books

  • Angry Animals Shuffle Puzzle Book (2008)
  • The Blood, Bones and Body Bits Shuffle Puzzle Book

Jigsaw books

  • Dangerous Dinosaurs Jigsaw Book (2006) (Dinosaurs)
  • The Seriously Squishy Jigsaw Book
  • Ugly Bugs Jigsaw Book (2008)

Sticker-activity books

  • Disgusting Digestion Sticker-Activity Book
  • Ugly Bugs Sticker-Activity Book

Others

  • The Seriously Squishy Quiz Book Pack
  • The Awfully Big Quiz Book

It may be noted that the Sticker-Activity books have been renamed, along with their new design, by dropping the "Sticker" aspect and leaving "Activity".

Annuals

Specials

There are a couple books in the Horrible Science series that have a special sign on the front cover that indicate their inclusion in the "Special" sub-series of Horrible Science:

Handbooks

Following suit with the other main Horrible series', Horrible Science has recently introduced a new range of books, known as Handbooks.

Teachers resources

The Horrible ScienceTeachers Resources subseries is, as described by Nick Arnold: "a whole series of books full of expert tips and photocopiable resources designed for pupils aged 7–11".

Others

These are the books that do not fit into the other categories. They are:

Magazines

The front cover of the issue Super Sleuth Supersleuth.jpg
The front cover of the issue Super Sleuth

There is also a magazine collection to this series, which is collectively known as the Horrible Science Collection. This series was originally planned to encompass 60 issues, but due to their popularity, another 20 were added to the series. The titles are as follows:

  1. Beastly Body Bits - (Human Body)
  2. Chemical Chaos - (Chemicals)
  3. The Smashing Solar System - (Solar System)
  4. Disgusting Digestion - (Digestive System)
  5. Shocking Electricity - (Electricity)
  6. Hidden Horrors In The Home - (Bacteria and Germs)
  7. Bulging Brains - (Brains)
  8. Savage Spiders & Slippery Slimeballs - (Spiders and Slugs)
  9. Rotten Reactions - (Chemical Reactions)
  10. Beastly Bloody Body Bits - (Human Body)
  11. Awful Earth - (Earth)
  12. Mad as Matter - (Matter)
  13. Painful Poisons - (Poisons)
  14. Bones 'n' Groans - (Bones)
  15. Insect Invaders - (Insects)
  16. Super Sleuth - (Spies Codes)
  17. Nasty Nature - (Nature)
  18. Fearsome Fuels - (Fossil Fuels)
  19. Deadly Diseases - (Diseases)
  20. Gruesome Gravity - (Gravity)
  21. Mean Machines - (Machines)
  22. Universe & Worse.... - (The Universe)
  23. Vicious Veg - (Plants)
  24. Body Owner's Manual - (Body Parts)
  25. Lethal Lightning - (Lightning)
  26. Mean Mammals - (Mammals)
  27. Mighty Magnetism - (Magnetism)
  28. Awesome Ants & Sleazy Bees - (Ants and Bees)
  29. Fatal Forces - (Forces)
  30. Crazy Cures & Revolting Remedies - (Cures)
  31. Barmy Birds - (Birds)
  32. Blast Off! - (Spacecraft)
  33. Evil Evolution - (Evolution)
  34. Horrible Heat - (Heat)
  35. Freaky Fish - (Fish)
  36. Startling Senses - (The 5 Senses: Sight, Smell, Taste, Touch and Hearing)
  37. Sounds Dreadful - (Sound)
  38. Sinister Swamps - Swamps)
  39. Ghastly Genes - (Genes)
  40. Microscopic Monsters - (Microorganisms)
  41. Growing Up Grossly - (Growth)
  42. Foul Frogs & Slimy Toads - (Frogs and Toads)
  43. Terrible Time - (Time)
  44. Frightening Light - (Light)
  45. Dangerous Dinosaurs - (Dinosaurs)
  46. More Painful Poisons - (Poisons)
  47. Fearsome Flight - (Flight)
  48. Foul Food - (Food)
  49. Staying Alive - (Survival)
  50. Fearsome Flying Machines - (Flying Machines)
  51. Revolting Reptiles - (Reptiles)
  52. Dead Freezing - (Cold)
  53. Noisy Nature - (The animal kingdom)
  54. Mad Medicine - (Medicine)
  55. Foul Fungi - (Fungi)
  56. More Dangerous Dinosaurs - (Dinosaurs)
  57. Blinding Light - (Light)
  58. Gruesome Germs - (Germs)
  59. Slimy Sea Monsters - (Sea creatures)
  60. It's About Time - (Time)
  61. Perilous Planes - (Planes)
  62. Big And Bad Beasts - (Dangerous Animals)
  63. Shady Spies - (Spies)
  64. Musical Mayhem - (Sounds and Music)
  65. Prehistoric Pests - (Prehistoric Life)
  66. Baffling Brainboxes - (Human Brain)
  67. Mind Boggling Materials - (Matter)
  68. Pesky Plants - (Plants)
  69. Wicked Weather - (Weather)
  70. Underwater Uglies - (Aquatic animals)
  71. Mean Body Machine - (The Human body)
  72. Rowdy Robots - (Robots)
  73. Gruesome Guzzling - (Eating and Digestion)
  74. Nuclear Nasties - (Nuclear power)
  75. Mind Magic - (Science of magic)
  76. Hairy Humans - (Evolution of humans)
  77. Freaky Future - (Futurology)
  78. Horrid Healthcare - (Health and Medicine)
  79. Awful Inventions - (Inventions, Technology)
  80. How to be a Suffering Scientist - (Scientists)

There have also been three 'special' magazines in the series:

S1. DIY Shocking Science - (Experiments)

S2. Spooky Science - (Hallowe'en and Monsters)

S3. Alien Science - (Aliens)

Flip charts

On 3 March, 2008, several online flip charts (aka Activlessons) were released by Promethean Planet. [12] [13] As the site explains, "these ready-made interactive whiteboard resources have instant child-appeal, making the teaching of the QCA Science units fun and effective". The titles included are:

TV series

In May, 2015, British television network CITV announced that filming had begun on a new ten-part TV series of Horrible Science. The series is produced by Toff Media, a company owned and founded by comedians Ben Miller and Alexander Armstrong, and co-owned by Hat Trick Productions.

The series stars Ben Miller, stand-up comedian Chris Martin, Tom Bell, Jason Forbes, Letty Butler, Susan Wokoma and Eleanor Lawrence. There will also be some guest appearances by other actors. [14]

The series focuses on a science show and its crew that consist of the show's host Mark (Martin), a talking brain Professor McTaggart (Miller) (who hosts the segment called The Brain Dump), robot Bob (Bell), microscopic Professor Small (Lawrence) and her crew of scientists and the show's producer Lucy (Butler). Armstrong provides the voice of the unseen announcer Tannoy who tells the crew how long until the show starts. Each episode also features a famous scientist being interviewed by either Mark or McTaggart. In a similar vein to the TV adaptation of Horrible Histories, each episode also concludes with a song that serves as a parody of another popular song.

Episodes

Series 1

Series 1 began on 13 September 2015.

No.
overall
No.
for series
TitleDirectorWriter
11"Deadly Diseases" [15] Simon Gibney Mark Oswin13 September 2015 (2015-09-13)

This episode coughs up the disgusting details of snot, sneezes and viruses, from the cruel common cold to shocking smallpox. Guest Star: Ben Miller as Edward Jenner

Song of the Week:
22"Abominable Blood" [16] Simon Gibney Marc Haynes and Will Maclean20 September 2015 (2015-09-20)

Red blood – what is it and why do we need it? How does it transport important things around the body? Bob the robot needs his first aid badge so he can go to the robot jamboree – the only trouble is he is hates blood. Mark is stopped just in time by expert Charles Drew as he is about to give someone a blood transfusion from a dog! Guest Star: Jason Forbes as Charles R. Drew

Song of the Week:
33"Chemical Chaos" [17] Simon GibneyMarc Haynes and Will Maclean27 September 2015 (2015-09-27)

This episode features explosions, atoms and fiendish forces that bubble, go bang and bump! What makes things explode? Lucy has made a mistake in the script and now everyone thinks the show is about elephants. It is a disaster – especially as their guest is the legendary scientist Marie Curie! Guest Star: Eleanor Lawrence as Marie Curie

Song of the Week: Elements
44"Space, Stars and Slimy Aliens" [18] Simon Gibney David Armand 4 October 2015 (2015-10-04)

This episode examines what happens to our bodies in space. Can we live on other planets? Who invented the telescope, and how can we make one at home? Guest Star: Marcus Garvey as Galileo Galilei

Song of the Week: I'm Mr. Average
55"Wasted World" [19] UnknownUnknown11 October 2015 (2015-10-11)

Gruesome greenhouse gasses and deadly toxic waste. Why do we recycle and what would happen if we stopped? Is global warming really bad news? The team try to find out what is going on with the climate, although the show nearly ends in disaster again when they discover there is a bear roaming free in the studio! Guest Star: Bear Grylis

Song of the Week: Let It Snow
66"Gruesome Guts" [20] Simon GibneyUnknown18 October 2015 (2015-10-18)

This episode examines poo, pizza and disgusting germs! Why do we poo and how does digestion work? Who was Louis Pasteur and what is his legacy? Mark arrives at the studio with terrible stomach pains and asks the Shrinking Scientists to find out what is wrong with him. In their toughest mission yet, Dr Sensible, Professor Small and Junior get ready to fly up Mark's nose to investigate. Guest Star: Marcus Garvey as Louis Pasteur

Song of the Week: Poohemian Rhapsody
77"Microscopic Monsters" [21] UnknownUnknown25 October 2015 (2015-10-25)

This episode examines some of the nasty invaders that live in our homes and on our bodies. Fleas, parasites, worms and every tiny, disgusting thing in between. Mark can't stop itching, but no one knows what is causing it. The Shrinking Scientists get on the case and investigate. Microscope expert Robert Hooke joins them in the studio. Guest Star:

Song of the Week: 8 Pints
88"Bulging Brains"UnknownUnknown1 November 2015 (2015-11-01)

Guest Star: as Rita Levi

Song of the Week:
99"Sounds Dreadful"UnknownUnknown8 November 2015 (2015-11-08)

Guest Star: Alexander Graham Bell

Song of the Week:
1010"Vicious Veg"UnknownUnknown15 November 2015 (2015-11-15)

Guest Star:

Song of the Week: Killer Veg

Related Research Articles

<i>Horrible Histories</i> (book series) Historical book series by Terry Deary and Peter Hepplewhite

Horrible Histories is a series of illustrated history books published in the United Kingdom by Scholastic, and part of the Horrible Histories franchise. The books are written by Terry Deary, Peter Hepplewhite, and Neil Tonge, and illustrated by Martin Brown, Mike Phillips, Philip Reeve, and Kate Sheppard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judith Viorst</span> American writer

Judith Viorst is an American writer, newspaper journalist, and psychoanalysis researcher. She is known for her humorous observational poetry and for her children's literature. This includes The Tenth Good Thing About Barney and the Alexander series of short picture books, which includes Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972), which has sold over two million copies.

Steatorrhea is the presence of excess fat in feces. Stools may be bulky and difficult to flush, have a pale and oily appearance, and can be especially foul-smelling. An oily anal leakage or some level of fecal incontinence may occur. There is increased fat excretion, which can be measured by determining the fecal fat level. The definition of how much fecal fat constitutes steatorrhea has not been standardized.

Gez Walsh is a former joiner, former social worker and children's poet. He has written various books of children's comedy poetry including; "The Spot on my Bum," "The Return of the Spot," "Someone's Nicked My Knickers," Parents, Zits and Hairy Bits, Norah's Nasty Kickers, Fido's Foul Surprise, Don't Wee in the Bath, Terry and Mum, the Dog's Drunk Again! In addition, he is also the author of a trilogy of sword-and-sorcery fantasy novels: "The Man in the Skirt", "Banshee Moon" and "The Keeper".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnold Ehret</span> German naturopath and alternative health educator

Arnold Ehret was a German naturopath, alternative health educator and germ theory denialist, best known for developing the Mucusless Diet Healing System. Ehret authored books and articles on dieting, detoxification, fruitarianism, fasting, food combining, health, longevity, naturopathy, physical culture and vitalism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iatrochemistry</span> Early modern branch of medicine

Iatrochemistry is an archaic pre-scientific school of thought that was supplanted by modern chemistry and medicine. Having its roots in alchemy, iatrochemistry sought to provide chemical solutions to diseases and medical ailments.

Frankenstein's Cat (ISBN 0-689-84695-9), created by Curtis Jobling, is a children's picture book that follows the exploits of Doctor Frankenstein's first experiment. The cat is created by the Doctor out of nine different cats, leading to his name being Nine. He has no friends and feels lonely, which leads up to him asking the Doctor to create him a friend. Nine learns to be "careful what you wish for", as the Doctor creates a companion that is more than Nine can handle. The picture book was republished by Hodder.

Nick Arnold is a British writer of science books for children. He is best known for the long series Horrible Science, illustrated by Tony De Saulles, and the short series Wild Lives, illustrated by Jane Cope. His other works include some published under the name Robert Roland.

<i>Warmonger</i> (novel) 2002 novel by Terrance Dicks

Warmonger is a BBC Books original novel written by Terrance Dicks and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Fifth Doctor and Peri.

The Blue Peter Book Awards were a set of literary awards for children's books conferred by the BBC television programme Blue Peter. They were inaugurated in 2000 for books published in 1999 and 2000. The awards were managed by reading charity, BookTrust, from 2006 until the final award in 2022. From 2013 until the final award, there were two award categories: Best Story and Best Book with Facts.

<i>Nina and the Neurons</i> British television series

Nina and the Neurons is a British television programme shown on the CBeebies channel, aimed at young children to help them understand basic science. Nina is a neuroscientist who enlists the help of five Neurons in her brain to answer a scientific question.

Nasty Canasta is a cartoon character and antagonist of the Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes series who made appearances in three cartoons. Created by animator Chuck Jones, Canasta is depicted as a tough, hulking, and brutish-looking outlaw. Like other similar antagonists in Looney Tunes, he is a typical 'dumb muscle' but is relatively more criminal in his personality and much more intimidating, especially in his nearly superhuman physique and threatening use of his revolver pistols. He was originally voiced by Mel Blanc, with Daws Butler voicing him in Barbary Coast Bunny.

Horrible Histories is an educational entertainment franchise encompassing many media including books, magazines, audio books, stage shows, TV shows, and more.

<i>Horrible Histories</i> (2009 TV series) British sketch comedy childrens television series

Horrible Histories is a British children's live-action historical and musical sketch comedy television series, based on the bestselling book series of the same name by Terry Deary. The show was produced for CBBC by Lion Television with Citrus Television and ran from 2009 to 2014 for five series of thirteen half-hour episodes, with additional one-off seasonal and Olympic specials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human digestive system</span> Digestive system in humans

The human digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract plus the accessory organs of digestion. Digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller and smaller components, until they can be absorbed and assimilated into the body. The process of digestion has three stages: the cephalic phase, the gastric phase, and the intestinal phase.

Post-mortem chemistry, also called necrochemistry or death chemistry, is a subdiscipline of chemistry in which the chemical structures, reactions, processes and parameters of a dead organism is investigated. Post-mortem chemistry plays a significant role in forensic pathology. Biochemical analyses of vitreous humor, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine is important in determining the cause of death or in elucidating forensic cases.

<i>Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness</i> 2016 book on evolution of consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith

Other Minds is a 2016 bestseller by Peter Godfrey-Smith on the evolution and nature of consciousness. It compares the situation in cephalopods, especially octopuses and cuttlefish, with that in mammals and birds. Complex active bodies that enable and perhaps require a measure of intelligence have evolved three times, in arthropods, cephalopods, and vertebrates. The book reflects on the nature of cephalopod intelligence in particular, constrained by their short lifespan, and embodied in large part in their partly autonomous arms which contain more nerve cells than their brains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Longgood</span> American journalist and writer

William Frank Longgood was an American journalist and writer known for the controversial book Poisons in Your Food.

Horrible Science is a TV series based on the Scholastic book series of the same name and stylistically fashioned after the Horrible Histories children's sketch show, both of which are part of the Horrible Histories franchise.

References

  1. "Welcome to Horrible Science – Horrible Science". horrible-science.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  2. "Teaching Science the Horrible Way" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Horrible Science finds all the ingredients for a good children's story". birminghampost. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  4. "Welcome to Horrible Science – Horrible Science". horrible-science.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  5. "abasiccurriculum.com" . Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  6. "Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Evil Inventions (Horrible Science)". amazon.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  7. "Interactive Primary Newsletter 33 - "Horrible Science" magazine - a health warning". Archived from the original on 16 April 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  8. Reviews horrible-science.co.uk [ dead link ]
  9. Arnold, Nick (2012). House of Horrors (Horrible Science): Nick Arnold, Tony De Saulles: 9781407116730: Amazon.com: Books. Scholastic. ISBN   978-1407116730.
  10. Annual 2012 (Horrible Science): Amazon.co.uk: Nick Arnold, Tony De Saulles: 9781407129648: Books. ASIN   1407129643.
  11. How to Draw Horrible Science: Amazon.co.uk: Tony De Saulles: 9781407111018: Books. ASIN   1407111019.
  12. Resources prometheanplanet.com [ dead link ]
  13. Series prometheanplanet.com [ dead link ]
  14. "Press Releases". Press Centre.
  15. Guide, British Comedy. "Horrible Science Series 1, Episode 1 - Deadly Diseases". British Comedy Guide.
  16. Guide, British Comedy. "Horrible Science Series 1, Episode 2 - Abominable Blood". British Comedy Guide.
  17. Guide, British Comedy. "Horrible Science Series 1, Episode 3 - Chemical Chaos". British Comedy Guide.
  18. Guide, British Comedy. "Horrible Science Series 1, Episode 4 - Space, Stars And Slimy Aliens". British Comedy Guide.
  19. Guide, British Comedy. "Horrible Science Series 1, Episode 5 - Wasted World". British Comedy Guide.
  20. Guide, British Comedy. "Horrible Science Series 1, Episode 6 - Gruesome Guts". British Comedy Guide.
  21. "Today - TV Guide". ITV Hub.