Books & book chapters
Upcoming books:
Geography in Graphics (French and Spanish editions published 2026)
An Anthology of Gems (November 2026)
Past books:
Planet Earth (2026)
See below for a list books which I've worked on as author, contributing author or consultant.
BOOK AUTHOR
‘Planet Earth, a 4.5-billion-year story’ by Anthea Lacchia
https://dk.com/products/9780241716878-planet-earth-a-4-5-billion-year-story
This book tells the story of life on our planet, from its humble beginnings to present-day lifeforms. From giant millipedes, to grumbling triceratops, hungry sloths, frozen mammoths, and tentacled ammonites, travel back in time through the history of life on Earth, and the mass extinctions that shook our planet. This is a book for anyone interested in Earth and its stories.
BOOK AUTHOR
‘An Anthology of gems’ (Nov 2026) by Dr Anthea Lacchia
What secrets lie hidden within a shimmering amethyst? Which legendary gems have adorned crowns and royal collections for centuries? How do seemingly ordinary rocks transform into breathtaking jewels?
An Anthology of Gems invites young readers on a thrilling journey through the world of precious stones, from deep red rubies and ocean-blue sapphires to opalescent moonstones and sparkling emeralds. Uncover the secrets behind every stone's sparkle, how it forms beneath the earth's surface, and is enriched by the myths and meaning that make it timeless.
Learn more:
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
DK Simply Geology
I am one of the three authors of this new book, alongside Chris Jackson and Martin Redfern.
DK Simply Geology covers everything from rocks and fossils, to minerals, plate tectonics, and how Earth's landscapes are shaped. In this book, we go back to basics and explain complex topics as simply as possible.
Learn more: https://dk.com/products/9780241784341-simply-geology
BOOKLET WRITER
Failure in Science
In 2026, I had the pleasure of writing this booklet to accompany Imperial's Good Science Project's conference on research culture.
Much is made of success in science. But what about the role of failure? To reflect on failed experiments, manuscript rejections, failed grant applications, wrong turns, and moral failure, we turn to Dante, Machiavelli, Brunelleschi, Leonardo, and other Renaissance thinkers.
This project afforded me the chance to once again pick up Dante, whose journey, in the Divina Commedia, begins in a moment of deep, existential failure, and leads to renewal and salvation.
As usual, this was a collaborative effort, with wonderful illustrations by Litza Jansz and design by Carly Murphy-Merrydew, all under the thoughtful editorial guidance of Dr Stephen Webster. The conference itself was a collaboration between Imperial’s Office of the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) and Nature magazine.
You can read my 2021 paper on Dante and the scientific virtues here: https://gc.copernicus.org/articles/4/129/2021/
CONSULTANT
What if every volcano exploded at once?
Acted as consultant on this fun and informative children's book published by DK
BOOKLET WRITER
Prism of Research
A booklet I wrote to accompany the 'Prism of Research' conference on research culture, held at Imperial College London on 2 April 2025. Writing this was a real pleasure. The work was developed under Dr Stephen Webster's thoughtful editorial guidance, with illustrations by Ella Miodownik, artist-in-residence for The Good Science Project, and design by Carly Murphy-Merrydew, Keeping the wolves at bay.
The conference was organised by the Good Science Project, an Imperial-wide initiative aiming to promote debate about contemporary research culture, funded by Research England. Learn more about the event here.
CONSULTANT
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Very First Earth Encyclopedia
Acted as consultant on this beautiful children's book.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
DK Treasures of the Earth
I was delighted to work on this gem of a book as writer, covering twenty double-page spreads. From precious materials, to crystals, minerals and gemstones, the book explains their origins in the Earth and their cultural context through storytelling and amazing visuals. For anyone aged 9+ or with a curiosity about the Earth.
BOOKLET WRITER
A Memo on Doubt
The booklet accompanied the Day of Doubt conference held at Imperial College on September 27th 2023. Drawing from interviews, history, literature and myth, the Memo raises questions about the relationship between doing science, and being a good scientist.
My role was that of author.
CONSULTANT
DK Eyewitness Encyclopedia of everything
Worked as a consultant on the earth chapter of this book. DK Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything is jam packed full of fun facts and in-depth knowledge about everything space, earth, life, culture, and history. Targeted at children 9+ it has lots of geology inspiration in its pages, from mountains, to fossils, volcanoes, weather, climate emergency, plus a rocks quiz and a dinosaur quiz!
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
Timelines of Nature
Published by DK, Timelines of Nature is all about our planet's natural history and its life cycles. I was delighted to work as writer and consultant of the Earth chapter.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
The Science of the Earth
Published by DK, this book is full of stunning images covering all of earth science, with easy-to-follow explanations of key processes and topics ranging from volcanoes, to rivers, permafrost, gemstones, and fossils. I worked on over 60 two-page spreads.
CONSULTANT
Water Cycles
Worked as Earth Consultant on this children's book by DK Children. From snowflakes falling from the clouds and deep ocean currents, to hot springs and water in space, this children's nature book showcases the beauty and power of water.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
Life Cycles
I worked as writer and consultant of the Earth section of this illustrated children's book published by DK Children. Life Cycles takes an innovative look at the circle of life, including the life cycles of rocks, carbon, dinosaurs, fossils, volcanoes, and mountains.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
KE Earth
Published by DK Children, this book is aimed at children 9-12 and covers everything related to the Earth, from climate change, to clouds, deserts, minerals, the Solar System and rock types. I wrote the Earth and Habitats chapters, working with consultants, editors and designers on the spreads.
CHAPTER AUTHOR
New Thinking New Ireland
Published by Gill books, this book features 21 essays on the future of Ireland. I wrote the chapter entitled 'Science' on the connections between art and science and the role of science communication in society.
