The World's Last Mammoth and Other Missing Marvels
Mike Barfield
Illustrated by Franziska Höllbacher
Ages 7 to 11
Paperback
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30 April 2026Imprint: Templar Books
Synopsis
From the missing pages of the Library of Alexandria to the whereabouts of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, The World's Last Mammoth and other Missing Marvels is a treasure trove of mysterious and long-gone things: absent animals, bygone buildings, missing monarchs, past palaces and more... But all is NOT lost - along the way you'll also find the survivors and modern marvels of things gone by.
Explore the lost splendour of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, ponder the fate of historical figures like Cleopatra or Genghis Khan and unravel the mystery behind Amelia Earhart's disappearance. And while we may no longer have dinosaurs, we have fascinating fossils to ogle at instead. We can call the Dodo's closet-living relative, the Nicobar Pigeon, and even though the dancing plague of 1518 is long gone, dance trends like Gangnam style still spread like wildfire today.
This book is a thrilling exploration of things long gone but never forgotten. Be warned - you may find yourself getting lost in laughter along the way!
Explore the lost splendour of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, ponder the fate of historical figures like Cleopatra or Genghis Khan and unravel the mystery behind Amelia Earhart's disappearance. And while we may no longer have dinosaurs, we have fascinating fossils to ogle at instead. We can call the Dodo's closet-living relative, the Nicobar Pigeon, and even though the dancing plague of 1518 is long gone, dance trends like Gangnam style still spread like wildfire today.
This book is a thrilling exploration of things long gone but never forgotten. Be warned - you may find yourself getting lost in laughter along the way!
Details
30 April 2026
9781783425259Imprint: Templar Books
Reviews
An irresistibly engaging, accessible and creative book that is packed with character. Its content is carefully curated to appeal to children and includes topics that range from ancient civilisations, extinct animals, lost treasures, technologies and missing historical figures. Each section features comic strips that bring the details to life and funny captions and dialogue which add a lightness and humour that will keep readers hooked.
A whimsical yet erudite investigation into history's most enduring mysteries. . . The book creates a sense of historical continuity and critical thinking, encouraging children to ponder the fate of figures like Cleopatra while laughing at Barfield's signature humour. Höllbacher's vibrant artwork adds a playful dimension to this treasure trove of bygone buildings and absent animals, making history feel accessible and vital.
Featuring their characteristic cartoon style illustrations and pun filled irreverent humour, this is a text that is perfectly suited to attracting readers, who will surprise themselves by how many interesting facts they will acquire on the way. . . Bound to be a popular and valued addition to class and home libraries and an information book that will be read with great pleasure.
Packed with fascinating facts and Barfield's trademark sense of fun, and Höllbacher's comical and colourful illustrations, this is a thrilling exploration of things long gone.
