Kate Cunningham

ALLi Author Member

Location: United Kingdom (the)

Genres: Young Adult (YA), Historical Fiction, History, Children's general

Skills: Performance/Spoken Word, Press/Media Interview, Reading/Literary Event, Self-publishing Workshop/Training, Speaking Engagement/Lecture

After working as a primary teacher I now write picture books which are illustrated by my son, Sam. Together we produce stories about Vlad, a flea in history. Each tale is a historically accurate retelling of a moment in the past. I produce teaching materials to use with the books and I visit schools and libraries sharing the stories and the research behind them.

Kate Cunningham's books

Vlad and the Great Fire of London

It is 1666 and Vlad the flea and his friend Boxton the rat, love eating and biting their way around London. But one night in Pudding Lane they are caught up in a fire that threatens to destroy them, along with most of the City of London.

This 2nd Edition of Vlad and the Great Fire of London is a 32-page, fully colour illustrated, picture book. It is produced by mother-son team, Kate and Sam; Kate writes the text and her son Sam is the illustrator. The story is supplemented with a fact file that gives the details of this moment in history.

Vlad and the First World War

On 25th March 1918 Vlad the flea and his friend, Crisp VC the carrier pigeon, are on a mission to deliver a secret message from behind enemy lines. They must dodge the dog-fights, survive the trenches and seek help from the staff of the hospital tent as they race to reach Britain safely. In this adventure Vlad encounters Skipper Thomas Crisp, Second Lieutenant Walter Tull, Dr Phoebe Chapple and the Red Baron.

Vlad and the First World War is a 32-page, fully colour illustrated, picture book. It is produced by mother-son team, Kate and Sam; Kate writes the text and her son Sam is the illustrator. The story is supplemented with a map, glossary and fact file that gives the details of this moment in history.

Vlad and the Great Fire of London Activity Book

In 1666 Vlad the flea and his friend, Boxton the rat, got caught in the Great Fire of London as it spread across the city. There isn't much Vlad doesn't know about the fire, the people and London, but how much do you know? Test yourself with puzzles and games ... but don't get singed.

This is a companion to the picture book but also stands alone. Printed in black and white, there are pages to colour, word problems, facts, games and activities to test and increase your knowledge of the Great Fire of London.

Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure

The dirt and filth of Scutari Hospital provide the perfect home for Vlad the flea and Loxton the rat. But the arrival of Florence Nightingale and her strange companion changes everything. Will the friends be driven out or can they save the day?

Part of the Vlad flea picture book series, once again Vlad tells a story that shares the historical facts.

Vlad and the Space Race

Whilst Russia and America race to be the first to conquer space, Vlad the flea and Strelka the dog are more interested in what they can scavenge on the streets of Moscow. Little do they know that they are about to go on an adventure that will take them out of this world.

Follow the true story of Strelka, the first living being to go into space and return safely through the eyes of her companion Vlad flea.

Vlad and Tutankhamun's Tomb

Tutankhamun has died suddenly and the rush is on to prepare his tomb. Vlad the flea and Miu the cat supervise the artists as they paint the murals. will they finish in time, or will there be a sting in the tale?

Find out facts about the famous tomb through the eyes of the narrator Vlad flea and his account of what happened 3,000 years ago.

Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure Activity Book

In 1854 Vlad the flea and Loxton the rat were enjoying the rotten food and dirt in Scutari Hospital. Their lives were turned upside down by the arrival of Florence Nightingale and her tortoise Jimmy.

In this companion book to the picture book story, children can test their knowledge with games and puzzles whilst finding out a few practical and fun facts along the way.

Vlad and the First World War Activity Book

In 1918 Vlad the flea and his friend, Crisp VC the carrier pigeon, raced to deliver a secret message from enemy territory.

This companion book to the picture book adds facts and fun activities with puzzles and code breaking information.

Vlad and the Space Race Activity Book

In 1960 Strelka the dog was whisked away from the streets of Moscow and became one of the first animals to go to space and return safely.

This companion book to the picture book story shares games, quizzes, facts and activities to boost children's space knowledge.

Vlad and Tutankhamun's Tomb Activity Book

Find out more about the Ancient Egyptians through fun activities and games. This 24 page black and white book is full of original puzzles and things to do that help find out more.

Vlad and the Roman Triumph

Vlad flea has been taken from his home and brought back to Rome with his friend Felix the cat. They become separated from the parade and find themselves wandering the streets finding all the strange new things the city has to offer. Will they find their fellow Egyptians and see the finale in the Circus Maximus.

The book is filled with details of a Roman Triumph and life in Ancient Roman in both the story and the illustrations. It finishes with a fact file and has many supporting resources on the Reading Riddle website.

Vlad and the Roman Triumph Activity Book

Learn about the ancient Romans through original games and activities. This 24 page black and white book accompanies the picture story book Vlad and the Roman Triumph.

Captain Vlad and the Mary Rose

It is 1545 and Vlad flea and his scurvy crew are setting sail for Portsmouth to stop a French invasion. They are aboard King Henry VIII's favourite ship, the Mary Rose, but they are about to find out there are dangers on every deck and even the journey will be filled with adventure.

Using the artefacts and historical research, this Tudor ship is brought to life for young readers.

It finishes with facts about the ship and a glimpse at the divers finding the wreck in the Solent.

Captain Vlad and the Mary Rose Activity Book

Find out about Tudor ships, money, food and much more, through original games and activities. This 24 page B&W book is full of puzzles and help learn about the Tudors and the Mary Rose through fun.

It accompanies the picture story book Captain Vlad and the Mary Rose.

Benji and the Gunpowder Plot

This Middle Grade book takes young Benji from at night celebrating Bonfire Night to the murk, grime and danger of London in 1605.

Benji finds himself as an apprentice to a swordmaker and through this comes into contact with the actors of the Globe Theatres (including the Shakespeare brothers), the royal court and some shady characters who seem to be planning some terrible deed.

Benji has to work out how to stop the plotters and get safely home, and finds out a lot about his family along the way too.

MARY Adrift in the Sea of Sorrow

Mary has only known the white room that she lives in.
Vander is a new member of staff who has never seen inside the lab before.
When they meet they will set off a chain of events that will chase chaos in a world that has already been turned upside down by disaster.

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