To Follow Frankie through the staff only door, click here
Bee
Bees are flying insects that serve an important role in the ecosystem pollinating flowers. The best-known species of bees are the honey bee, for producing honey and beeswax, and the bumblebee, for its large size and fluffy appearance. There are nearly 20,000 recognized species of bees worldwide.
To return to the exhibit, click here
Centipede
Despite their name, Centipedes have varying numbers of legs depending on the species, and have one pair of legs per body segment. Around 3,000 species of Centipedes have been described. A key trait for centipedes is the venom claw, which helps them catch and kill prey. Centipedes have been around for thousands of years, with fossil records showing they were around before the time of the dinosaurs.
To go through the emergency exit, click here
Cockroach
Over 4,500 species of cockroaches have been discovered, although only thirty species have been known to live alongside humans. Of these, only four are known to be pests. They’re very resilient and some have even been known to live without heads.
To return to the School Trip, click here
Fly
There are over 120,000 species of fly known to science, and it is likely that there are many more undiscovered. One of the most common is the housefly. The giant model described in this book is a bluebottle fly. It’s called the bluebottle fly, due to the pretty metallic-blue coloring on its body. A common fly species worldwide, it is also often considered a pest.
To return to the exhibit, click here
Ladybird
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs, are not actually true bugs – they are actually beetles. Ladybirds commonly have red, yellow or orange wing covers with black spots. These wing covers are also called wing-cases or carapaces by scientists. These beetles are useful to gardeners because many species eat pests that gardeners consider harmful, like aphids.
Take me back to the Megan and Murray and Steve so we can find the Bugman
Praying Mantis
The Praying Mantis is probably best known because the females cannibalize the males during mating. There are roughly 2,400 species worldwide, commonly found in temperate or tropical habitats. They are typically ground-dwelling ambush predators. Some species of Mantis have become so adapted to hunting around one type of plant, they have evolved a plant-specific camouflage, like the pink Orchid Mantis.
To return to the smashed terrarium, click here
Stick insect
Stick insects, also known as walking sticks or stick bugs, are the name for a group of insects which have adapted to look like sticks as a form of camouflage. Against the right background, they can be very hard to see, making them hard for predators to find. Stick Insects are found all over the world, aside from the Antarctic and Patagonia. Which seems very strange, so if they do turn up in Patagonia we will not be surprised.
To return to the exhibit, click here
Spider
Spiders have eight legs, and almost all of them have venom and vomit enzymes to help digest their meals. Many spin webs to catch flies and other insects. Two species are featured in this book. Peacock spiders are tiny jumping spiders, growing no more than 0.2 inches in length. They’re named for the males’ flashy mating display. Male peacock spiders have brightly colored abdomens with flaps on the sides so their colorful fan can be tucked away when not in use. The tiny, but colorful, peacock spider is found in Australia.
The other group featured spiders are tarantulas. Approximately 900 species of tarantulas have been identified. They are typically large in size and very hairy, which may be why these arachnids have become quite popular in some parts of the world as exotic pets.
Take me back to where the Bugman points Frankie’s transmogrifier at the spider web
Take me back to the butterfly.
Scorpion
Scorpions are arachnids, which means they’re related to spiders (and some ticks). They possess eight legs and have two main body parts: a head and an abdomen. But the thing most people notice about a scorpion is its pincers and long tail, tipped with a venomous stinger. These arachnids can be found on all continents except for Antarctica. All scorpions glow under ultra violet light, so if you’re out in the dessert at night don’t forget to bring a black light to see how many there are.
For Frankie’s Remote to explode, click here
For the Bugman to wave the remote at random insects, click here
Weta
These spiny insects are native to New Zealand. There are five main groups: giant weta, cave weta, tree weta, tusked weta and ground weta. They’re related to crickets, and range in size from the small cave weta to the giant weta. Unfortunately, many species of weta are threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators.
To return to class, click here
To return to the weta and butterfly boy, click here
Whip Scorpion
The scorpion featured in this book is a tailless whip scorpion, also known as a whip spider. These arachnids are actually a separate species to true whip scorpions. They are pretty harmless to humans as they possess no venomous fangs, and prefer to grab prey with their claws,
To return to the smashed terrarium, click here
To return to the sandpit, click here.
Glossary
arachnologist
Someone who specializes in spiders
To return to story click here
entomologist
Someone who studies insects, traditionally this has included other terrestrial (land dwelling) arthropods like spiders.
To return to story click here
The WOS mailing list is available on Miss Lilly Lionheart’s website
Either click the World of Spies link here, or go to this address: https://misslillylionheart.wordpress.com/join-us-at-the-wwwos
The WOE Mailing list is available on Miss Lilly Lionheart’s website
Either click the World of Evil link here, or go to this address: https://misslillylionheart.wordpress.com/join-us-at-the-wwwoe
Adventure Contents
Learn how to use the hyperlinks in this book
School Trip
Jeremy Wilder at the Museum
Stay with the class
Sneak through the blue door
Rush out through the emergency exit to rescue the class
Try and find Ms. Xavier. Maybe you can sneak after the class together
Say you have Ms. Xavier in your pocket
Keep quiet and don’t mention Ms. Xavier
Say you’ll join the Bugman
Tell the Bugman you’d rather die – warning, this ending is too scary for one of the authors!
Sneak through the green door
Volunteer to help Steve find the Bugman
Throw the exploding chewing gum at the ladybug/ladybird
Put your hands up and go to stand by the wall with the two scientists
Stand up for what you believe in
Tell the Bugman you want to join WOE
Stay with Steve and defy the Bugman
Volunteer to help Kennedy find Ms. Xavier and Frankie
Race up to fight off the Ladybug with your laser pen
Suggest you should keep looking for Frankie
Run outside
Decide to join him (ant jaws are pretty ferocious)
Refuse the Bugman’s offer
Press the arrow
Press the red button
Press the green button
Suggest you follow the trail of the class and the Bugman
Tell the journalists you think the Bugman has a hideout under the elephant statue
Tell the journalists you’re just a kid on a school trip
Follow Frankie through the staff only door
Try to grab the remote
Put your hands up
Race over to add sugar to the water bowl
Help Frankie use the string as reins
Keep pulling on the butterfly reins
Tell Frankie to stop pulling on the butterfly reins
Chase after Ms. Xavier to get the remote back
Press the black button and jump in front of the transmogrifier
Press the gray button and jump in front of the transmogrifier
Stay on the butterfly’s back to distract the Bugman
Attack the ant with the mini screwdriver
Continue through to the rest of the exhibit
Team up with Spider Girl
Grab the remote
Rush to save Ms. Xavier
Help Rose distract the Bugman
Team up with the boy drawing the weta
Ask Jeremy Wilder, “Why?”
Join WOS as a spy
Become an entomologist
Stay silent and see what happens
Help Eric look for Ms. Xavier
Tell the Bugman where Eric went
Keep quiet and hope Eric and Ms. Xavier are okay
Obey instructions and grab a terrarium
You choose: Ant. Grasshopper
You choose: Bee. Caterpillar
You choose: Cat. Lepidoptera
Insect Glossary
Ant
Antlion
Butterfly
Bee
Centipede
Cockroach
Fly
Ladybird
Praying Mantis
Stick insect
Spider
Scorpion
Weta
Whip Scorpion
Glossary
arachnologist
entomologist
The WOS mailing list is available on Miss Lilly Lionheart’s website
The WOE Mailing list is available on Miss Lilly Lionheart’s website
Adventure Contents
Dear Reader,
Thank you for supporting this book, I hope you enjoyed your foray into the crazy world of Miss Lionheart and the Laboratory of Death. Squidge, Lilly, Brian, Missy, Quetzee and all the crazy critters running around GKS laboratories have been some of the most enjoyable characters I've ever spent time with. If you’d like to tell me what you thought of them, and their world, I’d love to hear your feedback, and don’t forget, authors love reviews! So leave yours on Amazon or Goodreads.
Thank you for reading,
Sincerely,
A.J. Ponder & L. Lionheart
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About the Author
A.J. Ponder has a head full of monsters, and recklessly spills them out onto the written page. Beware dragons, dreadbeasts, taniwha, and small children—all are equally dangerous, and capable of treading on your heart—or tearing it, still beating, from your chest.
A.J. has novels and short stories published around the world. A.J.’s notable and award-winning stories include; Dying for the Record, Wizard’s Guide to Wellington, Frankie and the Netball Clone, BlindSight & Ahi Kā.
Books for younger readers include The Frankie Files, Attack of the Giant Bugs a You Choose Adventure Book, The Great Weta Robbery and Save the Moa.
Follow A.J. Ponder’s adventures by signing up to A.J.’s Writing Adventures newsletter today.
Sylvalla escapes Avondale castle, and the life of a princess, in search of the adventure she’s always wanted.
Once found, adventure bites back.
Fortunately Sylvalla is not alone – Unfortunately, her new-found companions are less than heroic. Jonathan would rather make money. Dirk would rather live a long and happy life. And at 150, Old Capro would rather stop gallivanting about and harangue unsuspecting students about his glory days over a nice cup of tea. Quest has everything, heroes, monsters, chases, escapes and a complete lack of true love.
Will our adventurers succeed? Or will Sylvalla be bundled back to Avondale in disgrace? Read the preview now...Quest
Attack of the Giant Bugs
You Choose a Science and Spies Adventure
(Ages 8-12)
You are Greenville’s only hope. You can fail your mission or succeed your wildest expectations. But beware, within these pages lies great danger – giant bugs, ants, ladybirds, praying mantises and more. You might come to a grizzly end, or be transformed beyond your wildest dreams.
Are you ready?
Buy your copy today, because saving the world from giant bugs has never been so much fun.
The Frankie Files
(Ages 7-11)
Are you ready for Monsters and Mayhem?
Frankie wants to be a world-famous inventor, but her inventions always get her into monster trouble.
Get your copy today and discover the magic of invention and science with Frankie—the irrepressible inventor.
Wizard’s Guide to Wellington
(Ages 8-12)
When Alec’s father goes missing, Alec and Perrin discover that Wellington is a dangerous magical city—and underneath it all is a taniwha who could destroy everything.
Will Alec find his father? Or will the people who’ve kidnapped him destroy everything in their mad quest for power…
“Wizards and a taniwha running wild in Wellington – who would have thought it. Perrin’s adventures in the capital city are fun to follow and full of surprises. My (unpointy) hat is off to Alicia Ponder. Now where’s my broom...” Fiona Kidman
Buy your copy today and discover adventure and magic in the heart of Wellington.
Also by A.J. Ponder
Quest
Wizard’s Guide to Wellington
The Great Weta Robbery
The Frankie Files
Save the Moa
Attack of the Giant Bugs—You Choose a Bug Adventure
And many short stories –
Check out my Amazon page to see which anthologies are currently available
§
Coming Soon
Prophecy: Book 2 of the Sylvalla Prophecies
Omens Book 3 of the Sylvalla Prophecies
Book II Miss Lionheart’s Laboratory
Wizard’s Guide to London
You Choose a Fairytale Adventure
Finding Merlin
You Choose a Spy Adventure
Web of Evil
You Choose a Spy Adventure
Web of Spies