Siri Scientific Press

31/05/2026

Amber ... what a remarkable window to the past👍

26/04/2026

Time to start planning those summer holiday fossil collecting trips, with our extensive range of guide books.

03/03/2026

For National Book Day week I am proud to add this important new book to the autoimmunity literature.

Summary:
Children on Fire is an extraordinary and deeply important book that every parent, teacher, school leader, and carer should read.
Not long ago, childhood illness largely meant short-term disruptions—colds, flu, maybe a broken arm. Today, far too many children are navigating something far more serious: chronic autoimmune diseases that are complex, exhausting, and life-altering. Conditions that were once considered rare—or primarily adult illnesses—are now appearing in children at younger and younger ages. This shift is not just medical; it is educational, emotional, and societal.

That’s why this book is so timely.

We are living through what can only be described as a growing autoimmune epidemic among children. Research continues to explore the reasons—environmental triggers, infections, microbiome disruption, ultra-processed diets, antibiotic overuse, modern stressors—but regardless of the cause, one truth is undeniable: schools are now on the front line. Teachers are increasingly supporting students who live with invisible illnesses that sap energy, impair concentration, and challenge confidence. Yet many educators receive little training in how to understand or accommodate these conditions.

I have written Children on Fire to fill that gap.
What makes this book so powerful is its balance of science, compassion, and practicality. I have two doctorates in science, more than 15 published books, and decades of experience translating complex topics into language everyone can understand. I am also a member of the Autoimmunity Research Advisory Group at Queen Mary University of London—and crucially, someone living with an autoimmune condition myself. I also work in a school, teaching science and maths online to learners who are unable to attend, including due to autoimmune diseases. This combination of expertise and lived experience gives this book both authority and authenticity.
But this is not a dense medical text. It is accessible, clear, and written with genuine care for children and the adults who support them.

The book does three vital things:

Raises awareness – It explains what autoimmune diseases are, why they are increasing, and how they affect children in everyday school life.

Dismantles confusion – It tackles misconceptions and helps adults understand that these are not “excuses” or “just tiredness,” but serious medical realities.

Provides practical tools – It encourages teamwork between parents, teachers, healthcare providers, and students themselves, showing how individualized plans and open communication can help children not just cope, but thrive.

This book is written for the child who feels misunderstood. For the parent fighting to be heard. For the teacher who wants to help but doesn’t know where to begin.

In a time when autoimmune conditions are appearing earlier and more frequently in young lives, this is exactly the kind of awareness we need. Clear, compassionate, evidence-informed, and accessible to a broad readership, Children on Fire does what the best books do: it educates, empowers, and inspires action.

My aim has been to shine light on an urgent issue in a way that is both scientifically grounded and deeply human.

This is not just a book—it is a call to action. And I hope it will be read widely.

17/02/2026

Pleased to announce my new book is now available. If you know somebody who has a child with an autoimmune disease please share this post with them. Many thanks.

Not long ago, most children’s health challenges were short-lived—colds, flu, the occasional broken bone. Today, an increasing number of children face something far more complex: chronic, lifelong autoimmune diseases. Many of these conditions—often unheard of by most people—are quietly reshaping childhood, stealing energy, confidence, and opportunities from young lives.

Why is this happening? The causes are still being uncovered, but they likely involve a mix of environmental triggers, infections, genetics,
disruptions to the gut microbiome (through poor nutrition choices and antibiotic use), certain medicines and treatments, and modern lifestyle factors such as ultra-processed foods and excess sugar consumption. Whatever the reasons, one fact is clear: autoimmune conditions in children are on the rise, and schools are on the front line.

This book is a call to action. Supporting students with autoimmune disease requires teamwork—between teachers, parents, healthcare providers, and the children themselves. With open communication, individualized health plans, and the understanding of trusted adults, children can not only survive school but truly thrive, both academically and socially.

Dr. Penney has written Children on Fire as a practical guide for schools, parents and carers.The aim? To raise awareness, dismantle confusion, and give every school community the knowledge and tools to support young learners living with these conditions—so they can live with dignity, resilience, and hope. Dr. Penney brings both knowledge and personal insight. His lifelong interest in immunology and disease became deeply personal when he was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition at 50. Today, he teaches maths and science to learners unable to attend school in person—some of whom battle autoimmune disease. This book is for them. For their families. For their teachers. And for the thousands of children who deserve not just care, but understanding. Available on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/0ijPxLaf

17/02/2026

New title now available via Amazon. Book overview: Childhood illness is changing
Not long ago, most children’s health challenges were short-lived—colds, flu, the occasional broken bone. Today, an increasing number of children face something far more complex: chronic, lifelong autoimmune diseases. Many of these conditions—often unheard of by most people—are quietly reshaping childhood, stealing energy, confidence, and opportunities from young lives.

Why is this happening? The causes are still being uncovered, but they likely involve a mix of environmental triggers, infections, genetics,
disruptions to the gut microbiome (through poor nutrition choices and antibiotic use), certain medicines and treatments, and modern lifestyle factors such as ultra-processed foods and excess sugar consumption. Whatever the reasons, one fact is clear: autoimmune conditions in children are on the rise, and schools are on the front line.

This book is a call to action. Supporting students with autoimmune disease requires teamwork—between teachers, parents, healthcare providers, and the children themselves. With open communication, individualized health plans, and the understanding of trusted adults, children can not only survive school but truly thrive, both academically and socially.

Dr. Penney has written Children on Fire as a practical guide for schools, parents and carers.The aim? To raise awareness, dismantle confusion, and give every school community the knowledge and tools to support young learners living with these conditions—so they can live with dignity, resilience, and hope. With two doctorates in science, over 15 published books, and decades of experience translating complex topics for broad audiences, Dr. Penney brings both knowledge and personal insight. His lifelong interest in immunology and disease became deeply personal when he was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition at 50. He is a member of the Autoimmunity Research Advisory Group (Queen Mary University of London). Today, he teaches maths and science to learners unable to attend school in person—some of whom battle autoimmune disease. This book is for them. For their families. For their teachers. And for the thousands of children who deserve not just care, but understanding. This book is for every parent, teacher, and carer who wants to make a difference.

Childhood illness is changing Not long ago, most children’s health challenges were short-lived—colds, flu, the occasional broken bone. Today, an increasing number of children face something far more complex: chronic, lifelong autoimmune diseases. Many of these conditions—often unheard of by mo...

31/10/2025

Formally released today. This beautiful volume has been produced as a very short print run (300 copies), so order soon before all the copies are gone.

by William J Toosey Foreword by Prof. Michael J. BentonSiri Scientific Press (2025, 31 October) 978-1-7395570-5-8 RRP £34.99 393 pp, 297 x 210 mm, soft cover, 900+ colour illustrations IN STOCK - Usually ships within 48 hoursReviews Field guides for dinosaurs are a dime a dozen, but I have yet to c...

18/10/2025

NEW TITLE ALERT:
This is a beautiful volume ... short print run though, only 300 copies!

Journey through the Cenozoic: Tetrapod faunas 66 million years in the – Siri Scientific Press

by William J Toosey Foreword by Prof. Michael J. BentonSiri Scientific Press (2025, 31 October) 978-1-7395570-5-8 RRP £34.99 393 pp, 297 x 210 mm, soft cover, 900+ colour illustrations IN STOCK - Usually ships within 48 hoursReviews Field guides for dinosaurs are a dime a dozen, but I have yet to c...

09/11/2024

Check out 👀 our 💥BUNDLE SPECIAL OFFERS💥 on our website, where you can purchase related titles together 📚 and save £££ off the RRP👍

21/07/2024

A fab new book review of our recent title on British Jurassic ichthyosaurs

We are very pleased to announce a new book review of our recent title: Ichthyosaurs from the Early Jurassic of Britain, just published in Proc. Open Uni. Geol. Soc. 2024, 10, 102 (edited snippets): A monumental monograph on Britains ichthyosaurs that will serve as the definitive work on the subject....

12/05/2024

Wow, wow and wow😮! I never thought I would see one of these👀. An ogre-faced/net-casting spider🕷 in Baltic amber. I am aware of them having been reported as present in this amber but have never come across a convincing example.