The Secret Explorers and the Haunted Castle

Learn all about knights and castles in this spooky history-themed instalment of DK Books’ new educational fiction series for children aged 7 to 9 years old.

Meet the Secret Explorers - a band of brainiac kids from all around the world, here to take young readers on a series of fact-filled fictional adventures! Each with their own specialty, from outer space to dinosaurs, these young globetrotters will teach kids that learning can be fun, encouraging them to become experts in something they love. In this fun, fact-filled children’s book, Kiki the engineering explorer and Gustavo the history expert get caught up in a spooky time travel mystery when a ghostly figure shows up at a medieval castle and terrifies the crowds!

This epic adventure is packed with: 

-Fun facts and illustrations about exciting prehistoric animals
-Simple and informative diagrams telling kids all they need to know about castles and knights
-Quizzes, mission notes, and a glossary of words with definitions

With a gripping narrative that keeps kids engaged, The Secret Explorers and the Haunted Castle by SJ King is the perfect gift for children who are into all things history. It’s written for children aged 7-9 years, with lots of information about medieval knights, castles and ghosts, to give them an exciting introduction into the world of history. 

At the end of this fictional book, you’ll find "Kiki’s Mission Notes" which is a summary of all the scientific facts and discoveries made throughout the story. With fun illustrations, quizzes, and a vocabulary list, the educational value of this book is outstanding for a classroom read!

Never miss a mission! 

A total of nine different books, The Secret Explorer series is both educational and imaginative, combining exciting stories with real-life facts. Embark on another space mission adventure in The Secret Explorers and the Comet Collision. Travel back in time to save a dinosaur egg from destruction in The Secret Explorers and the Jurassic Rescue. Take part in a volcano rescue in The Secret Explorers and the Smoking Volcano. Then travel to the arctic for a rescue mission in Secret Explorers and the Missing Scientist.

Whatever your preferred topic, there’s a mission waiting for you!

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Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs