University of Cambridge: Penicillin and Other Incredible Mistakes You've (Probably) Never Heard Of
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- ISBN 9781839941160
- Dimensions: 250 x 290mm
- Publication Date: 09 Apr 2026
- Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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Discover all kinds of weird and wonderful mistakes you've (probably) never heard of in this funny, fascinating book.
Did you know that Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin BY MISTAKE when he forgot to tidy his lab? Or that an 11-year-old child accidentally invented . . . the ICE LOLLY? What about the chemist whose fiery failure led to . . . the very first MATCHSTICK? Or the chef whose attempt to annoy a fussy customer resulted in . . . the creation of CRISPS?
From building blunders to musical mishaps, mouthwash to ice-cream cones, post-it notes to fireworks, there are all sorts of incredible mistakes that you've probably never heard of . . . and some of them have shaped life as you know it! Maybe one day YOU will make an incredible mistake too.
- Shows children how important lessons can be learned from failure and teaches them not to be afraid of making mistakes
- Features engaging text from author Natalie Labarre, brimming with wit and wow-factor
- Colourfully brought to life throughout with exuberant and amusing artwork from illustrator Gosia Herba
- Created in consultation with experts from the University of Cambridge
Also available from Natalie Labarre: Incredible Jobs You've (Probably) Never Heard Of - Shortlisted for the 2024 Waterstones Children's Book Award!
Natalie Labarre (Author)
Natalie is a Franco-American New Yorker who has had many jobs- from scrubbing pots and selling dolls to exterminating rats and singing in Japan. But these don't come anywhere near the peculiar jobs in her debut book "Incredible Jobs You've (Probably) Never Heard Of".
Now Natalie is doing what she loves most: animating, illustrating, writing and most importantly, staying far, far away from rodents. Obsessions include: spooky podcasts, useless facts and overheard conversations.
Gosia Herba (Illustrator)
Gosia Herba is an award-winning Polish illustrator and graphic artist, known for her distinctive style that combines traditional illustration techniques with a modern approach to form and colour. She creates illustrations for both press and books, collaborating with numerous international publishers and magazines, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Der Tagesspiegel, and The Atlantic. She was honoured with the British Blue Peter Award in 2022. In her free time, she makes porcelain figurines and vases.
