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One Piece of Evidence at a Time
Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery follows two young travelers as they journey through time and are introduced to DNA research and groundbreaking scientific work. Where did the idea behind this story come from?
The idea came from my desire to help young readers see that DNA is more than a diagram in a science book. It represents years of careful observation, experimentation, measurement, and questions asked by real scientists. Rosalind Franklin gave me the opportunity to bring that process to life. Her work with X-ray diffraction, her attention to detail, and her determination to let the evidence guide her conclusions made her an ideal scientist for Jennifer and Daniel to meet through the Portal. I wanted children to enter her world, see the laboratory work taking place around them, and understand that important discoveries are often built one careful piece of evidence at a time.
How does this book build on the educational goals of the earlier books in the series?
Each book in Dr. K’s Portal Through Time combines science, history, and adventure so that children can learn scientific ideas through the people who helped shape them. Book 5 continues that goal, but DNA gives us the opportunity to move into the science of life itself. Jennifer and Daniel are not simply told what DNA is. They see how scientists study structure, interpret evidence, ask questions, and revise ideas as new information becomes available. The book also continues the larger purpose of the series, which is to show children that science is a process of curiosity, observation, persistence, and discovery. I want readers to understand the science, but I also want them to understand how scientists think.
What do you hope readers understand about Rosalind Franklin beyond her connection to DNA?
I hope readers come away seeing Rosalind Franklin as a complete scientist, not only as the person associated with one famous DNA photograph. She was a highly skilled chemist and crystallographer who approached her work with precision, independence, and discipline. She believed that conclusions should be supported by evidence, and she was willing to keep working until the evidence was strong enough. Her scientific career also extended beyond DNA into important research on coal, carbon, and viruses. I want young readers, especially young girls, to see a scientist who was serious about her work, confident in her abilities, and committed to getting the science right.
What would you most like teachers to discuss with students after reading Book 5 in Dr. K’s Portal Through Time series?
I would most like teachers to discuss how scientific knowledge develops and why evidence matters. Rosalind Franklin’s story opens the door to conversations about careful experimentation, collaboration, scientific credit, and the way several researchers can contribute different pieces to a major discovery. It is also a good opportunity to talk about the importance of understanding science within its historical moment. What scientists knew in early 1953 was not the same as what we know about DNA today. I would encourage students to ask what Franklin could observe from her own experiments, what conclusions could reasonably be drawn at that time, and how later discoveries expanded our understanding. Most of all, I hope students leave the discussion knowing that science grows through questions, evidence, persistence, and the willingness to keep learning.
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Jennifer and her brother Daniel have always been curious, raised by their grandfather Dr. Liu to treat science not as a set of facts but as a practice built on observation, honesty, and patience. So when the Time Portal opens once more, they are ready for the journey of a lifetime: London in the early 1950s, where a brilliant and determined scientist named Rosalind Franklin is working to decode one of nature’s greatest mysteries.
Inside the laboratory at King’s College, Jennifer and Daniel witness Franklin’s meticulous craft firsthand. Using X-ray crystallography, she interprets diffraction patterns of scattered light into evidence, building toward the historic image known as Photo 51. But discovery is never simple. The siblings learn that behind every breakthrough lies patience tested and persistence that refuses to surrender. As they follow the trail of data that helped reveal the double helix structure of DNA, they must sharpen their own thinking, choosing evidence over assumption and careful reasoning over easy answers.
In Dr. K’s Portal Through Time: Book 5: Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery, science is not a spectator sport. It is an adventure that demands courage, precision, and the willingness to look closer when everyone else looks away. Includes a companion Science Primer with lesson plans and activities for classroom and home.
Book 5 – Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery: Dr. K’s Portal Through Time
Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery, the fifth book in Dr. Katherine E. A. Korkidis’s Dr. K’s Portal Through Time series, blends time-travel adventure with an introduction to molecular biology. Jennifer and Daniel journey to 1950s London, where Rosalind Franklin guides them through her laboratory work, the creation of X-ray diffraction images, and the evidence behind DNA’s double-helix structure. Their visit later expands to Franklin’s research on viruses, giving readers a broader picture of her scientific career and influence.
The science is presented patiently and in concrete terms. DNA becomes a twisted ladder, diffraction patterns become clues written in light, and model-building turns an invisible molecule into something children can picture. Ideas such as base pairing, replication, hydration, and the connection between structure and function appear several times, creating a steady instructional rhythm. The resource section and science-primer links also make the book especially practical for classroom lessons or further exploration at home.
Franklin emerges as precise, resilient, and deeply committed to evidence. The book pays close attention to her working methods, showing discovery as a process of preparing samples, controlling conditions, recording results, and revising interpretations. It also addresses the prejudice Franklin faced and the delayed recognition of her contributions in clear, age-appropriate language. Much of the story unfolds through explanatory dialogue, so the experience often feels like joining an unusually memorable science lesson with a warm adventure wrapped around it.
I’d recommend Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery to curious upper-elementary and middle-grade readers, particularly children who enjoy biology, experiments, or stories about overlooked figures in history. Parents and teachers looking for an accessible bridge between scientific concepts and character education will also find plenty to discuss, from research ethics and collaboration to perseverance and fair recognition. It’s a thoughtful invitation to see science as both a body of knowledge and a human pursuit shaped by patience, integrity, and curiosity.
Pages: 146 | ASIN : B0H9ZSBQ6F
Unique Voices
Winston the Titan Terrier: Adventures in Ancient Egypt follows a superhero dog who unexpectedly travels back in time to ancient Egypt, where he discovers dinosaurs are present and must figure out how they got there and fix history. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Mia and I approached the sequel with a clear goal: to deepen the engagement that readers loved in the first book. We focused on three main areas to achieve this.
The Power of Engagement: Puzzles and Fun
First and foremost, we expanded the interactive elements. Both Mia and I share a passion for brain teasers, so we wove numerous puzzles and riddles into the narrative of Book 2. This wasn’t just filler; it was a deliberate strategy to maintain a high level of reader engagement and, as our young audience told us with the first instalment, to genuinely ‘get their minds working.’ We see this as a way to make the reading experience active, not passive.
Weaving in Surprising, Up-to-Date Knowledge
Secondly, we made a point of ‘sprinkling in’ fascinating, recently discovered facts and snippets of knowledge. We didn’t want to rely on old, common knowledge. A great example of this is a scene where we highlight how a domestic cat, like our character Smokestrike, is actually capable of running faster than a fully grown Tyrannosaurus rex at its estimated speed. This is based on new research from fossilised footprints, which suggests that large theropods could only walk or trot due to the mechanical limits of their weight and bone structure.
Another discovery we used was acknowledging that Queen Cleopatra was not Egyptian but Greek, a descendant of Ptolemy, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. These details add unexpected depth and authenticity, correcting common misconceptions for our young readers.
Authentic Detail and Historical Context
Finally, we committed to integrating authentic historical details through our research. For example, we feature ‘biltong,’ the famous South African dried-meat snack, as Winston’s all-time favourite snack. Our research revealed that dried meat was historically very common in ancient Egypt for preservation, as there definitely weren’t any fridges back in those times. So connecting a modern detail to an ancient practice and adding a vivid, believable layer to the narrative, where we learnt something new about ancient Egypt.
Perhaps the most fascinating discovery we wove into the story was the Ahramat Branch, a now-extinct arm of the Nile River that once flowed right past the Giza and other pyramid complexes. This newly identified river branch may explain how the ancient Egyptians transported their massive stones to the pyramids. We featured this detail prominently in our cover artwork and several illustrations.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Most enjoyable character to write for…
Mia won a reversible yellow octopus at the arcade shortly after our first book was released. It was a yellow reversible super grumpy Octopus, that she instantly nicknamed as “Sadface.” I began speaking to Mia in character as the persona of a friend who used to complain about numerous events and situations on a constant basis, which sparked endless laughter from her.
We both kind of knew this work in the Winston universe and our readers as a formidable yet hilarious antagonist who could inject both chaos and entertainment into future storylines.
Most challenging character to write for…
We found great satisfaction in developing the full range of our characters, and it was rewarding to bring their individual personas and unique voices into the narrative of this book.
Where can your fans expect to find Winston, Diesel, and Teddy next?
Future Storylines and Book 3
One of the most enjoyable parts of the creative process for Mia and myself was the discussions and debates about future storylines. We’re currently mapping out Book 3, and it’s set to be our most ambitious adventure yet.
The Stakes in Ancient Egypt
The first half of Book 3 will address the cliffhanger from the sequel. Our heroes, Teddy and Diesel, are now equipped with their newly discovered superpowers, and they have some unfinished business: they must first save Ancient Egypt from the remaining dinosaurs and successfully retrieve Winston from that ancient timeline. This means facing huge, new dangers, such as the gigantic Mosasaurus lurking in the Nile and any remaining pteranodons still patrolling the skies with powers they haven’t really mastered yet, which could have some hilarious outcomes.
Expanding the Scope: A New Realm of Danger
From there, the scope of the story expands dramatically. Once they return to the future, their main goal will be to track down and battle their persistent foe, Sadface, and other infamous creatures known for destroying large ships. This chase takes them through a new, unpredictable realm filled with hidden dangers and legendary underwater locations that challenge the heroes’ new abilities.
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From multiple award-winning storytellers Mia van Dongen and Colin van Dongen comes the next thrilling instalment in the “Winston The Titan Terrier” series!
Get ready for Winston’s new epic journey where futuristic chaos collides with ancient history! In Adventures In Ancient Egypt, our beloved superhero dog, Winston, and his best mate Teddy with his super-hyperactive dad Diesel, find themselves catapulted into more unbelievable new challenges against Smokestrike the naughty ninja cat and new intergalactic villains.
Following their discovery of a secret, magical tunnel system beneath the Bone Shop, Winston and his crew thought they’d seen it all. But when the mischievous alien Disco Duck unleashes a new time-twisting plot, Winston is hurled back to the scorching sands of 51 BC Ancient Egypt, under the reign of Queen Cleopatra herself!
Armed with his incredible Cosmic Bone, a shape shifting, language decoding, enemy outsmarting marvel, and a backpack full of transforming nanotech gadgets. Winston must navigate a world of ancient wonder and dinosaurs?! That’s right! A super grumpy, chaos-loving alien octopus known as Sad Face, is intent on destroying Earth by transporting prehistoric creatures into future timelines, with the help of a modified time twister device!
Can Winston, with the help of ancient allies and a surprise assist from a certain naughty ninja cat, stop Sad Face before he unleashes intergalactic mayhem and turns history into his own personal movie set?
Prepare for a laugh-out-loud, action-packed adventure filled with:
⏳🚀 Time-traveling escapades
🦖👽 Epic action packed chases with prehistoric beasts and alien villains
🧠🧩 Clever riddles and mind-bending challenges
❤️😂 Heart warming friendships and hilarious antics
🐶🐱 And a whole lot of canine and feline courage!
Perfect for young readers aged 6 to 10 years and families who love dogs, cats, dinosaurs, ancient history, and a good dose of intergalactic fun. Join Winston on his wildest adventure yet! From the imagination of a 7 year old.
Grab your copy of Adventures In Ancient Egypt today!
UK Book Band : Brown Level (7+ Year olds)
Year Group 3+
Oxford Reading Level 12
Big Cat Band : Copper
Suitable for shared reading for kids (Ages 5+) that love dinosaurs and adventure with parents and carers
Encouraging Young Minds
Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky follows a pair of curious siblings and Dr. K and her magical time portal, who travel back to Renaissance Italy to meet Galileo and experience firsthand the wonder of his telescope and discoveries. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came from my desire to make science and history feel alive for children. Galileo’s discoveries changed how we understand the universe, yet for many young readers, history can feel distant or abstract.
By introducing a magical time portal and pairing the story with two inquisitive siblings, I wanted to create a bridge between today’s readers and the past.
The setup allows children to see history not as dusty facts in a textbook but as living experiences full of curiosity, wonder, and adventure.
I enjoyed your characters, especially Dr. K. What was your favorite character to write for and why?
Dr. K was certainly the most rewarding character to write. She is both a guide and a fellow traveler, modeling how to ask questions, nurture curiosity, and balance seriousness with a sense of wonder. Through her, I was able to weave together elements of science, history, and imagination.
She is not only a mentor to the children in the story but also a representation of my own lifelong passion for encouraging young minds to explore the world around them.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to emphasize both Galileo’s scientific process and the cultural context of his discoveries. Children learn not only that Galileo built a telescope and observed the moons of Jupiter, but also that these observations challenged established beliefs of the time.
The book highlights critical thinking, perseverance, and the courage to question accepted truths.
I also included a “Science Primer” at the back of the book to give readers and educators additional resources, ensuring that the story supports learning in both classrooms and homes.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Dr. K and the direction of the second book?
The second book, Marie Curie’s Radiant Quest, transports readers to Paris at the turn of the 20th century.
In this story, Dr. K and the siblings meet Marie Curie and learn about her groundbreaking work with radioactivity.
The narrative continues to blend adventure with science, showing not only Curie’s discoveries but also her perseverance in the face of challenges as a woman in science.
The series as a whole will continue to introduce children to great scientists across time, always with an emphasis on curiosity, resilience, and the wonder of discovery.
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In the awarding-winning Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky, the first book of the captivating Dr. K’s Portal Through Time series, Jennifer, a vivacious 10-year-old, and her intellectually curious 8-year-old brother, Daniel, embark on an exceptional voyage through the annals of time. Guided by the enigmatic and brilliant scientist, Dr. K, they are transported to the heyday of Renaissance Italy, straight into the workshop of the iconic astronomer, Galileo Galilei.
As they traverse the time portal, Jennifer and Daniel experience firsthand Galileo’s groundbreaking observations of the celestial expanse through his innovative telescope. They are enlightened about the significance of questioning established norms and the audacity needed to defy the status quo. The siblings witness Galileo’s unveiling of the cosmos’s wonders and his revolutionary proposition that our Earth is not the center of the universe.
Throughout their journey, Jennifer and Daniel support Galileo in chronicling his pioneering discoveries. They confront challenges that enhance their problem-solving abilities and deepen their grasp of the scientific method. Their adventure cultivates an appreciation for the quest for knowledge and the potency of curiosity.
This enthralling tale seamlessly blends history, science, and adventure. It offers young readers a captivating, educational narrative, introducing them to the mesmerizing world of astronomy and the enduring contributions of one of history’s most illustrious scientists. The story of Jennifer and Daniel will inspire the readers to question, explore, and cherish the pursuit of knowledge, just like Galileo did. The book, while being a thrilling read, also helps foster a love for STEM disciplines in young, inquisitive minds, making it a perfect addition to any child’s reading list.
At the end of Book 1 is a QR code for the Science Primer, a comprehensive, free downloadable guide over 100 pages long, written specifically for parents and teachers. It also includes a complete Teacher’s Guide with detailed lesson plans, a glossary of terms, and an extensive list of resources such as books, videos, websites, and other online Resources for teaching about Galileo and his discoveries. The primer is designed to make science education engaging and accessible. Each of the books written for the series will feature its own tailored Science Primer. Book 1 itself also includes a glossary of terms and resources designed specifically for children ages 8-12, complementing the exciting adventures of Jennifer and Daniel.
