There’s something special about the ideas that science brings to the table, so I decided to have a little fun exploring scientific technique, genetic engineering and bugs in these three very different kinds of mad science adventure designed to educate and enthrall.
Three fun science-themed books.



The Frankie Files (6-10)
Follow Frankie through primary and intermediate school in her quest to become a famous inventor.
“It’s brilliant. I love every single thing about it. The science, the educational aspect, the humour, the sweetness… So easy to read and so fun… This is like the best thing I’ve read for kids since Dahl. Well done.” Michelle Child.
Are you ready for fun? Are you ready for monsters and mayhem (and a little science)? Buy The Frankie Files at great NZ bookstores like Rona Gallery or on Amazon (aff link).
Then you’ll love this story about Frankie, a young inventor whose inventions always get her into Monster Trouble.
Miss Lionheart and the Laboratory of Death (10-14)
Miss Lionheart is a young genius who’s been kidnapped on the way to classes and taken to an underground laboratory to create…
Warning: TOP SECRET!
Keep out! No Spies allowed
May contain traces of mad science
Hijack yourself into mad scientists’ territory, duck the gelignite, avoid the Acme fuses. Do whatever you need to, just make sure you don’t miss out — it’s more than your life is worth.
A mad romp into the dangerous world of evil genius, super spies, and dangerous designer animals.
Lilly’s bundled into Mr Big’s underground laboratory to create designer creatures – or die. She finds herself heading a team of misfits in charge of designing dreadbeasts – deadly giant snake spider hybrids. Determined to make a squirrel-snake hybrid, and escape before Mr Big kills them all, Lilly finds her troubles have only just begun.
“a fun read for any YA mad scientist, secret spy, or evil super-villain” PD Friend
“Packed with ingenuity and exciting twists” Michelle Child
“I wish this book had been written when I was younger.” & “A must-read for precocious pre-teens” Lee Murray
Mad, bad and dangerous to read. E.G
The homework ate my dog. F.S.
A must read for all mad scientists, young and old. L.L.
Attack of the Giant Bugs (8-12)
Ms. Frizzle meets Lemony Snickett
Marjorie
Choose your Own Adventure: On a trip to Greenville’s national history museum you discover YOU are Greenville’s only hope.
You choose which path you take. You can fail your mission or succeed your wildest expectations. But beware, within these pages lies great danger – giant bugs, ants, ladybirds, praying mantises and more. You might come to a grizzly end, or be transformed but whatever happens a real hero keeps fighting, even after they fail.
Are you ready?
Discover a world of spies and giant insects and danger. Solve problems. Decipher code. You must defeat the Bugman, the evil villain turning insects into monsters, or die spectacularly.
On the way, you never know what will happen – you might be caught in a sand trap with a waiting antlion, fly on beautiful giant butterflies, become an explorer or a time traveller or a spy. There are over 25 endings, from gloriously funny, to heroic, to splatter-horror. What path do you want to take?
My mad science adventure books are also available from great New Zealand Bookshops like Arty Bees or online at Amazon (aff link)
Shout out to some great independent NZ Bookstores
Rona Gallery
Arty Bees
Children’s Bookshop
Wardini Books
Gilt Edge readers – The Great Weta Robbery and Save the Moa (see below)






Happy Reading
P.S. Miss Lionheart has a message 😉
Miss Lionheart preview...