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A Compendium of Curious Contraptions

£14.99

Guess what some of the most unusual objects from history were used for in this book by archaeologist Anna Goldfield!

In Stock

ISBN: 9781916745032 Category: Children's - Non-Fiction Tags: Children's / Teenage general interest: General knowledge & trivia, Children's / Teenage general interest: Machines & how things work, Educational: Social sciences, social studies
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Description

An illustrated guide to some of the most bizarre objects from history by archaeologist Anna Goldfield, including a guessing game for kids to play!

Each page contains a mystery item from the past, with a set of clues as to what it was used for. Readers can take a guess before unfolding a giant flap to reveal the answer. Without giving too much away, the book contains Inuit snow goggles, designed to protect eyes from the blinding glare of the ice, an ancient Chinese earthquake detector featuring several metal frogs, and err.. the Royal fistula – an item used to perform delicate surgery on the rear end of King Louis XIV of France.

Kids will delight in trying to work out the purpose of the beautiful objects, brought to life by Mexican illustrator Paula Zamudio, and will learn a lot about the cultures that created them – from ancient Rome to Polynesia, and Mesopotamia to Viking Scandinavia.

Additional information

Weight 0.68 kg
Dimensions 28.8 × 23.6 × 1.8 cm
Author

Goldfield, Anna

Publisher

Neon Squid

Imprint

Neon Squid

Cover

Hardback

Pages

64

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

909 (edition:23)

Readership

Children – juvenile / Code: J

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Happy Independent Bookshop Week!

Being an indie bookshop means supporting the incredible independent publishers that help make bookselling so interesting.

This week, our booksellers are shining a spotlight on some of their favourite indie presses and the books they love from them.

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Thanks everyone for coming to our June event discussing Good and Mad by Rebecca Traister. In July's Feminist Book Club, we'll be discussing Goodlord by Ella Frears. Whether you're new or regular come and join!📚😀 As always tickets are limited so book early to avoid dissapoint

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House of Books and Friends cannot wait to host Lisa Ownes on Wednesday 1st July to discuss her new title ‘Natural Disaster'. 🐍🔥

The evening will begin at 6pm, and involve a discussion, a Q&A, and a chance to get your book signed by Lisa. Lisa will be in conversation with our bookseller, Lily.

About the book

For weeks, she has been saying it will be their special day. One last, perfect day with her children before she returns to work after maternity leave. What’s the worst that can happen?

Unfolding across 24 hours, Natural Disaster is a novel about the absurd, frustrating, hilarious, precarious, bittersweet, sometimes astonishing challenge – literal, existential – of being a woman, a mother, a wife, a person for one single, entire day.

Get tickets via the link in our bio! 🎟

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June 15th - 21st 2026 is a week dedicated to loneliness awareness. Loneliness is something we all experience and by taking part you can create space for more open conversations and meaningful connections. 
2026 marks 10 years of the campaign, and this year’s theme is Giving Loneliness a Voice. By sharing real, human stories of loneliness – and the wonderful power of understanding and connection – together we can make people experiencing loneliness feel less alone.
Here are some fiction and non-fiction recommendations that we feel gives loneliness a voice and fosters empathy for those struggling to form connections.

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How COOL is this customised version of Flights that one of our lovely customers gave their friend as a birthday gift?! 🎁

BRB off to hand paint all our Fitzcarraldo editions...

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House of Books & Friends is excited to celebrate 50 Years of Punk with John Robb and Russ Bestley on 22nd July at 6pm.

John will be discussing his memoir, Punk Rock Ruined my Life: and other stories, while Russ discusses his new title, Turning Revolt into Style: The process and practice of punk graphic design. 
Tickets and info available on our website!


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