Time Trek

Time Trek by Tommy Donbavand & Steve Beckett

Reading Age 7-8,  Interest Age 9-12,  Word Count 1,300-1,400

Follow the adventures of Spike and Mia as they travel back in time to stop Spikes uncle, Dr Darius Dire, from stealing artefacts from historical figures in Tommy Donbavand’s new series, Time Trek.

Spike and Mia are frequently joined by Igor, Dr Dire’s cat, as they embark on fun-filled journeys through time, bumping into historical figures including Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Vincent Van Gogh and even the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.

The eight stories take place over different periods of time and have been specifically written for children aged 9-12 but who have a reading age of 7-8. The simple yet punchy sentence structures, vibrant colour illustrations and humorous themes will entertain and enthral your reluctant readers time and time again.

Key features of Time Trek

  • Humorous and light-hearted storylines
  • Dyslexia-friendly font and spaced out paragraphs
  • Age-appropriate look and feel, coupled with realistic amounts of text
  • General introduction ensures that each book can be read as a standalone novel, whilst in context with the others in the series
  • A page at the beginning to introduce the characters and highlight and difficult vocabulary
  • Colour illustrations to hold the reader’s interest and encourage the sense of achievement created from turning the page
  • Questions at the back to help the reader understand and contextualise the text
  • An informative and fun introduction to the author and illustrator

Blog Posts: 1–11 of 7
  1. Win a Signed Set of Time Trek

    Win a Signed Set of Time Trek

    Posted on: Jun 09, 2017
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    Tommy Donbavand’s new series, Time Trek, is now available and we are giving you the opportunity to win a full set signed by both the author, Tommy Donbavand, and the illustrator, Steve Beckett!


    The series follows the adventures of Spike and Mia as they travel back in time to thwart Spike’s Uncle, Dr Darius Dire, from stealing priceless artefacts from famous historical figures for his museum.

    Our fabulous duo meet King Author, Princess Elizabeth, Napoleon, William Shakespeare and more in their attempts to stop the dastardly devious Dr Dire.

    With no more than 1,400 words and a reading age of 7-8, the eight titles in this series are accessible and appealing to reluctant readers aged 9-12. Each title features a general introduction which allows the books to be read as standalone novels, and a page at the beginning of the book to introduce the characters and highlight any difficult vocabulary.

  2. War Over Waterloo

    War Over Waterloo

    Posted on: May 02, 2017
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    In no particular order, here's the next instalment of Time Trek, the fantastic reluctant reader series from Badger Publishing.

    Spike and Mia are keeping tabs on Dr Dire to ensure that the world's future is safe, and prevent the next historic artefact from being stolen. Lurking in Dr Dire's shed, Spike and Mia leap into the time vortex after Dr Dire to discover they have landed in the middle of the Battle of Waterloo.

    With cannon balls flying, the intrepid duo trace Dr Dire to a very famous French General's tent where he is trying to convince him to relinquish an artefact to take back to the future. Will he succeed? Will Spike and Mia be able to stop him or will they all fall into the clutches of the French army?

    Available to order now, Time Trek is an easy and engaging read for reluctant readers aged 9-12 who have a reading age of 7-8. War Over Waterloo can be read in isolation or as part of the Time Trek Series. These humorous titles written by comic author, Tommy

  3. Frantic in France

    Frantic in France

    Posted on: Apr 18, 2017
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    Blue and yellow shimmering lights are dancing all over the kitchen window of Dr Dire's house which can only mean one thing...

    He's going back in time to try and steal something again! Someone needs to stop him, stealing from the past can change the present and may even destroy the future. But who can stop him? What is he trying to steal? Is the future going to be destroyed?

    Not if Spike and Mia can help it!

    This inventive series will have reluctant readers' imaginations swirling as much as The Gizmo's vortex. With fast-paced, humorous plots and captivating characters, Time Trek will be an asset to your school.

    The modern, colourful illustrations by Steve Beckett bring the stories to life and encourage the reader to turn the page, rewarding them with more exhilarating graphics and mesmerising stories.

    Award winning, comic author Tommy Donbavand, has exceled himself with this brilliant series. Frantic in France, one of the eight titles in the series,

  4. Grief at the Globe

    Grief at the Globe

    Posted on: Mar 23, 2017
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    Dr Dire is out, and Spike and Mia have decided to take the initiative and squeezed through Igor's shiny new cat flap (just!) to prevent Dr Dire's next misadventure back in time.

    But has Spike inadvertently provided Dr Dire's next time trek trophy idea? Can Spike and Mia stop the theft of the next artefact from the Globe Theatre? Who will they meet during their quest?

    Grief at the Globe is one of eight titles that comprise the new Time Trek series written by Tommy Donbavand. Written for reluctant readers aged 9-12, who have a reading age of 7-8, Grief at the Globe provides another scintillating trip back in time to the Globe Theatre where William Shakespeare famously presented his plays.

    With only 32 pages, spaced out paragraphs, a practical word count and an engaging storyline, reluctant readers won't find this an intimidating read. The main characters - Spike & Mia - are realistic and sure to appeal, and the colourful illustrations – by Steve Beckett - will

  5. New title Ahoy!...

    New title Ahoy!...

    Posted on: Mar 15, 2017
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    Spike and Mia are casually enjoying a boat ride and picnic in their local park when all of a sudden, shiver me timbers, Spike's Uncle, the dastardly Dr Darius Dire, appears and activates The Gizmo to travel back in time to steal something. But what booty can he be after this time?

    Spike and Mia don't hesitate and jump into the swirling vortex to try and stop him. It's all hands on deck as Spike and Mia are mistaken for stowaways, but can they stop Dr Dire from stealing the item he's after?

    Skirmish at Sea is one of eight titles in Tommy Donbavand's new series, Time Trek. It will captivate the most reluctant of reader with its ingenious plot and reward them with fantastic, full colour illustrations by Steve Beckett.

    Written specifically for 9-12 year olds who have a reading age of 7-8, Skirmish at Sea features simple yet punchy sentence structures, spaced out paragraphs and a realistic word count of 1300-1400.

    This title, along with the other seven, will undoubtedly

  6. Emergency for England

    Emergency for England

    Posted on: Mar 06, 2017
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    Have you ever wondered how Princess Elizabeth celebrates her birthday? Does she have a party? Does she play games? Well, take a trip back in time with Spike and Mia to find out…

    It’s Spikes birthday and Mia has accidently sent his present to his Uncle’s house. For most families this would be fine, but Spikes Uncle is Dr Darius Dire, a shifty scientist who travels back in time to try and steal artefacts for his collection.

    The trouble with stealing things from the past is that it changes the present, and may even destroy the future.

    But where in time is he going, and what is he after?


    Emergency for England is one of eight titles in Tommy Donbavand’s new series, Time Trek. The series follows the adventures of Spike and Mia, as they endeavour to stop Spike’s Uncle, Dr Dire, from stealing artefacts from famous historical figures.

    With a word count of 1300-1400 and a reading age of 7-8, Emergency

  7. Chaos in Camelot

    Chaos in Camelot

    Posted on: Feb 27, 2017
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    There really is Chaos in Camelot when Dr Dire travels back in time to try and steal a famous sword. But what can Spike, Mia, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table do to stop him from getting Excalibur?

    Reluctant readers all over the land will love the creative way Tommy Donbavand incorporates history into these humorous stories. Time Trek follows the adventures of Spike and Mia as they do their best to stop Spike's Uncle, Dr Dire, from stealing precious artefacts from famous historical figures.

    The series consists of eight titles which have been specifically written to be accessible to 9-12 year olds who have a reading age of 7-8. They feature a dyslexia friendly font, bite-sized chunks of text and a quiz at the back of the book to aid comprehension.

    The eye catching, vibrant illustrations by Steve Beckett really help to bring these stories alive and will ignite your pupils' imaginations and reward them for their efforts.

    The full series is available

Blog Posts: 1–11 of 7