120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

🌸 Our Spring Sale is here! Save on Books, Toys, & Puzzles! With overnight NZ-wide delivery πŸŽ‰

On Board

The epic history of ships, sailors and the voyages they made
Brief Description
Set sail for a journey through time and around the world. Packed with exciting, real-life stories and detailed illustrations, this is the fascinating story of how boats and ships have transformed our world. For thousands of years, the only way to cross the oceans was by... Read More
Format: Hardback
$4500
Pre-order
Releases 1st December 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "On Board" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

On Board is a fun and engaging dive into the story of boats and ships. From the first sailors to future vessels, this book explores iconic ships, spotlights real-life sail heroes, traces famous voyages and much more.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Set sail for a journey through time and around the world.

Packed with exciting, real-life stories and detailed illustrations, this is the fascinating story of how boats and ships have transformed our world.

For thousands of years, the only way to cross the oceans was by boat. How must those first voyagers have felt, first hugging the shorelines and eventually venturing out across open seas?

On Board charts water transport through history, exploring:

  • Early seafarers and the great journeys that carried people across the globe.
  • How boats and ships have changed over time, from simple craft to modern engineering.
  • Famous voyages, including circumnavigations and groundbreaking expeditions.
  • Life at sea, from navigation and safety to daily routines on board.
  • Remarkable vessels from history, including iconic ships and ancient discoveries.
  • Inspiring figures who changed maritime history, such as lighthouse keeper Grace Darling, who saved lives at sea and Hugh Mulzac, the first Black US shipmaster.
  • Surprising facts, record-breaking ships and unusual designs from around the world.

Brought to life with rich, detailed illustrations, On Board takes readers deep into the world of seafaring, past and present. From dramatic adventures to quiet moments of discovery, every page reveals something new about how humans have explored and connected across water.

Perfect for curious readers who love history, technology and adventure – step aboard and start your journey today!

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781836004691

Publisher: Quarto Publishing PLC

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 08 October 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Wide Eyed Editions

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Tom Jay

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 256.0mm

Height: 310.0mm

Weight: 950g

Pages: 96

About the Author

Tom Adams is an award-winning television producer and author. He was born in Yorkshire but now lives in Kent, UK. With a science background, he was inspired to turn his hand to writing children's books once his eldest son, then 5, started asking questions about how the world worked. He won the Society of Authors/ ALCS Award for Educational Writing for his book Molecule Mayhem.

Also by Tom Adams

View all
  • On Track
    All aboard for a journey through time and across continents! Jam-packed with fascinating facts and bright illustrations, this is the captivating story of how trains have transformed our world. On Track showcases the railway's incredible engineering breakthroughsβ€”from the earliest trains used in underground mines, to the advent of the steam train, right up to the latest driverless trains and mag-lev...
    Hardback
    $4500
    Backorder
    Ships mid September
  • World of Weird
    In the 21st century, a scientist uncovers their Victorian ancestor's notebook in a box. This ancestor is Dr McCreebor - an eminent explorer, philosopher and collector of the very strange and truly creepy. Dr McCreebors book is filled with the dark and disturbing stories he has collected on his travels around the world. And now, after over 125 years in...
    Hardback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Lost
    A thrilling exploration of people, places, and things that have been lost to time. Have you ever wondered what happened to Amelia Earhart's plane? Or where the tomb of Queen Nefertiti might be hiding? Get ready to embark on an amazing adventure through time with Lost! This dazzling book takes you on a journey across the world and through history,...
    Hardback
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • History's Youngest Heroes
    Pre-order
    History's Youngest Heroes
    This is the story of fearless activists, brilliant inventors, champion athletes, gifted creators, and inspiring leaders. It is the story of tremendous trailblazers who have influenced change with their passion, courage, and determination, and whose inspirational actions and groundbreaking achievements have shaken the world. Stunningly illustrated and wonderfully written, this incredible collection contains the true stories of 50 young heroes,...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Pre-order
    Out 3 Nov 2026
  • A Miscellany of Mischief and Magic
    Welcome all rascals and tricksters to this marvellous miscellany of mischief and magic! This playful book explores the world of deception and trickery - both the good and the bad. Learn the secrets of infamous magic illusions and tricks and discover the stories of some of history's most notorious hoaxes, pranks, and cons. While some are great fun, others contain...
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • The Big Book of Mysteries
    Does the Loch Ness monster really exist? What ever happened to the crew of the Mary Celeste? And where exactly are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Get ready to be amazed as you uncover the world's greatest mysteries, from Bigfoot to the Bermuda Triangle. Including alien abductions, haunted houses, mind-blowing natural phenomena and much more, this book will explain the...
    Hardback
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. β€œ[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    When Nature Calls (Duck #2)
    New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Wild Summer
    A gorgeously whimsical interactive picture book that inspires kids to get outside and engage with nature. With simple, evocative wording and stunning watercolour illustrations, this book celebrates summer days, running through grass and singing with birds. Wild Summer is a joyous read that draws kids in and sends them out with a wanderlust for nature, encouraging mindfulness, gratitude and acceptance....
    Hardback
    $2699
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.