What on Earth Publishing

"Visually driven with factoids, lists, infographics, even quizzes." - New York Times

"This exciting single-volume compendium ranges across time and space, and it's packed with pictures." - Wall Street Journal

"A wonderful encylopedia for the curious kids in our lives." - Mary Pope Osborne

Earth? Space? Animals? History? STEM? The Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia has them all.

This beautifully illustrated, 424-page compendium of knowledge is a must-have addition to every family bookshelf and library collection!

With more than 100 expert consultants from around the world, and over 1000 images, including specially commissioned illustrations and stunning photography, this single-volume encyclopedia for kids takes Britannica’s reputation for authentic, trustworthy information and brings it to a whole new audience.

A unique family reference guide to American history, featuring a timeline and newspaper-style articles that make you feel as though you are watching history happen!

Experience the events that shaped the United States from earliest times to present day, as if it were all breaking news! Newspaper-style features bring history to life—from articles reporting events as they unfold to obituaries of key figures, recipes, inventions, and even the wonderous debut of Mickey Mouse. A running timeline and special context boxes support readers’ understanding of how episodes in America’s past have influenced its present day and its future. Developed in collaboration with The Washington Post and with QR codes linking to Post podcasts and archival resources, this book is a powerful and compelling commemoration of the 250th birthday of the United States

An exclusive invitation into your favorite animals’ homes! Use the magic lens to see through, peek behind, and tunnel deep into bear dens, armadillo burrows, termite nests, beehives, bat tents, squirrel dreys, and more.

Have you ever wondered what’s going on inside nests, dens, hives, burrows, and other animal homes? Deep underground, high up in the mountains, and way down at the bottom of the sea, animals make extraordinary homes in surprising places and ingenious ways. Use the magic lens to look inside these clever constructions and discover all the amazing ways animals make themselves at home in their habitat. Take a tour inside termite mounds and squirrel dreys, bat tents and beehives, bear dens and tarantula burrows. Explore a whole world of Marvelous Animal Homes!

This ingenious, playful book invites every reader to add their own sound effects to the gorgeously illustrated scenes!

Explore every scene of this mesmerizing book and follow the prompts to create your own noises! Enter the storm scene and add the “plip… plip… plip” of raindrops and the “rumbrumbrum” of thunder.… Take a tour of the bustling kitchen and make the “zmmmm zmmmm” of machines and “crashhhhhh” of plates.… Gaze up at the night sky and add the “fiiewwwwww” of the fireworks as they whoosh into the darkness! With the turn of every page, readers will create their very own landscape of sound. This playful book offers children a joyfully interactive reading experience, which is both absorbing and hilarious.

The extraordinary story of Harriet Tubman’s life, leadership, spirituality, and relationship with nature, told through powerful poetry and collage.

Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature celebrates the life of the hero of the Underground Railroad with the power of hip-hop-style rhythm and rhyme accompanied by luminous, rough-edged collage.

Tubman was born enslaved, was torn from her parents and assigned dangerous work from the age of six, and suffered a brain injury in her teens. Despite it all, she developed a rich understanding of nature and a deep spirituality, using them to free herself and then to lead hundreds of others to freedom along the Underground Railroad. Once the Civil War began, she threw herself into the Union effort, doing everything from laundry, nursing, and spying to becoming the first woman in American history to lead soldiers on a military mission.

Author-illustrator Caroline Brewer, former chairwoman of the Taking Nature Black Conference, is devoted to connecting children to both reading and nature, and her passion infuses every word and illustration in the book.

Includes glossary, index, source notes, and map.

Fully updated edition of Britannica’s landmark children’s encyclopedia, with up-to-the-minute facts, figures and images, featuring everything from supernovas to Taylor Swift, and from ancient Egypt to artificial intelligence.

Earth, Space, Animals, History, STEM: This landmark encyclopedia from Britannica has them all! With more than 400 pages of up-to-the-minute information, including the very latest facts and figures, cutting-edge expert insights, and over 1,000 illustrations, photographs, and maps, this gorgeous compendium will satisfy even the most curious minds. Unlike old encyclopedias that are structured from A to Z, this encyclopedia will take you on a journey from the beginning of time to the present day and even into the future! Meanwhile, 100 experts from around the world, and a whole team of Britannica fact-checkers, fulfill Britannica's reputation for authentic, trustworthy information. Full of amazing facts you can trust, this updated edition of Britannica’s bestselling encyclopedia will spark curiosity and wonder in every reader.

Find out how similar you are to your favorite animal and how.

We Are All Animals offers children an awe-inspiring new way to understand the animal kingdom.

This unique book reveals astonishing similarities in the anatomy – and many more characteristics – of humans and other animals, celebrating our entire furry, scaly, slimy, slippery, extended family.

Did you know that most animal bodies, including ours, are shaped like tubes? Or that humans share 75% of their genes with chickens? That rats are ticklish, and dolphins give each other names? Children will be delighted to discover how similar they are to bats, bees, dogs, frogs, jellyfish, giraffes, and many more. By encouraging readers to make connections between distant corners of the animal kingdom, this book celebrates the extraordinary ways in which all of Earth’s creatures are connected.

Created in partnership with the Humanimal Trust, a charity advocating collaboration between physicians and veterinarians, this book is underpinned by cutting-edge medical science. The charity’s founder – Professor Noel Fitzpatrick – is an internationally renowned veterinarian, who also stars in his own TV series, The Supervet (a nickname he has earned through the groundbreaking veterinary procedures he performs). He has written a foreword to the book, and his extensive medical expertise runs throughout every page.

Includes a glossary and index.

Follow the trail of 400 epic facts!

Follow an ingenious trail of 400 facts about daredevils, death-defying stunts, world records, wacky weather, extreme sports, unusual animals, and so much more—all of which are connected in fun and unexpected ways.

On this epic fact-trail, you will dine inside a volcano and waterslide through a shark-filled lagoon. You will meet a cat worth $97 million, a goat who can ride a surfboard, and a daredevil who skydived from space. And there isn’t just one path through these facts—follow detours along the way to see where your curiosity will take you!

Lavishly illustrated with witty illustrations that combine artwork and photography, and verified by the experts at Encyclopedia Britannica, Epic FACTopia! uncovers some of the world’s most wow-worthy, awe-inspiring, and unbelievable facts, that kids will be desperate to share with friends and family.

Includes contents page and index.

The amazing science of sunlight, smartphones, microphones, mushrooms and everything in-between.

Have you ever stopped to think about all the stuff you encounter every day? There’s the stuff you breathe, the stuff you eat, the stuff you wear, the stuff you read, the stuff you walk on, the stuff you ride in, the stuff your body is made of… plus water, trees, sunlight, soap, electricity, vaccines, smartphones, and so much more!

In The Greatest Stuff on Earth, Steve Tomecek and John Devolle show us how this stuff works, including the miracle of transforming energy into matter and matter into energy. Stars do it…and also internal combustion engines…and living things, including grass and bacteria and worms and cheetahs and even us humans.

With contagiously enthusiastic and chatty explanatory text, fast facts, and clever, stylish and sometimes funny photos, illustrations, and diagrams, this fantastically browsable book offers hundreds of entry points for knowledge-hungry kids.

Steve holds a degree in Geology and has 30 years’ experience educating children (and their teachers) about science in a super fun, friendly way – as a writer, a radio and television presenter, and a live performer. He’s the perfect person to introduce middle-grade kids to the inner workings of the material world.

Includes a glossary and index.

A compendious and stunningly illustrated fact-filled book for children who have endless questions about how the world works.

How do scientists see into space? How do polar bears keep warm? How do keys open locks? How do fireworks explode? Featuring more than 150 compelling questions about space, Earth, machines, buildings, animals, and the human body, this magnificent book by the author-and-illustrator team behind the bestselling First Big Book of Why provides answers for every inquisitive child. And these are answers you can trust, as they have all been thoroughly fact-checked and reviewed by subject experts, who are proudly profiled in the book.

By encouraging children to question how things are happening in the world around them First Big Book of How supports STEAM learning and nurtures curious minds. The warm and playful text is accompanied by stunning real-life photography as well as gorgeous original illustrations and helpful, friendly diagrams. This book is the ultimate gift for kids who need to know everything—and now!

Includes a contents page, glossary, index and source notes.

Explore the most marvelous mouths of the animal kingdom, from the awesome jaws of the great white shark to the tiny teeth of the garden snail.

Some animals sport tongues that are longer than their bodies, others have super-sticky spit that can speedily snare an insect snack. And animals use their mouths for lots of things other than just eating-to carry their food or their babies, to build their homes, or even to climb waterfalls!

Join scientist and author Letizia Diamante to discover some of the most important animal body parts that are often overlooked, even though they’re right under our noses!

Includes a glossary and index.

Follow an ingenious trail of 400 facts about everything from secret recipes and escape artists to hidden treasure and invisibility cloaks.

You’ll meet an underwear-stealing cat, find out about sharks that glow, uncover a toilet in disguise, and learn about the biggest ever game of hide-and-seek. And the facts aren’t the only secrets in this book, for hidden among the illustrations are ten mice just waiting to be found!

Lavishly illustrated with witty illustrations that combine artwork and photography, and verified by the experts at Encyclopaedia Britannica, Secret FACTopia! sheds light on some of the world’s most amazing “hidden” facts, which kids will be desperate to share with their friends and family.

Index included.

Welcome to the Galapágos Islands, a pristine archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, where locals and visiting scientists work among giant tortoises, salt-snorting iguanas, diving penguins, and erupting volcanoes. They are looking for just the right balance between humans and nature to lead the world to a sustainable future.

Far off the coast of Ecuador lies a group of volcanic islands unlike any other. Home to species as diverse as giant tortoises, salt-snorting marine iguanas, and the birds that made Charles Darwin famous, the Galapágos are a living laboratory for scientists working on the most urgent problem of our times: How can humans exist in harmony with nature on the only planet we are ever likely to have? Karen Romano Young, author of Antarctica: The Melting Continent, again takes to the field, visiting the archipelago to observe its environments first-hand and to interview the people who are lighting the way for the rest of us. Illustrator Amy Grimes brings Karen’s experience into vivid visual life for those of us who haven’t been there – yet.

Includes a glossary and index.

An enthralling and hilarious journey through the worlds of space, animals, engineering, numbers, machines, and more in 400 connected facts!

Science FACTopia! is the sixth title in the bestselling FACTopia! series, which has sold over 100,000 copies to date. Here you’ll find an ingenious trail of 400 facts about space, animals, rocks and crystals, virtual reality, the body, coding, 3D printing, engineering, plants, fungi, math, and more, where each fact is connected to the next in hilarious and unexpected ways. You’ll meet a parrot called Squawkzilla, find out about the fastest muscles in the body, discover gems that can change color, and learn about black holes that “burp.”

Lavishly illustrated with witty illustrations that combine artwork and photography, and verified by the experts at Encyclopaedia Britannica, Science FACTopia! brings STEM topics to life, with facts kids will be desperate to share with their friends and family.

Index included.

A witty guide to the science behind climate change, which puts kids in charge.

Never has there been a more perfect time to empower kids to take the lead and educate their grown-ups about climate change. Featuring a foreword by internationally renowned climate scientist Dr. Michael E. Mann and bursting with fabulous original illustrations, this delightfully witty book deals with the pressing topic of our changing planet in an uplifting, positive way. Interwoven amongst the more serious questions––why is Earth so special in the first place? How do we know about climate change? What causes it? How can we recognize false information? Fun-filled facts about cow burps, woolly mammoths, panda-shaped solar panels, and much more. Crucially, this book also equips kids and adults alike with the practical tools they need to tackle climate change in their everyday lives. And there’s a handy quiz at the end so that you can check your grown-up has been paying attention!

Includes a glossary and index.

A groundbreaking new encyclopedia from Britannica, where the pictures do the talking!

This authoritative encyclopedia is perfect for visual learners: it reveals astonishing information about space, Earth, animals, humans, and technology through 200 infographics, including maps, charts, timelines, and more!

Grasp facts at a glance as you turn every page: discover the size of our Sun in comparison to the largest star in the universe; find out which animal can leap 200 times its body length; learn how many cups of snot your body makes a day; compare the sizes of the biggest beasts that have ever lived; witness what happens in a single second across the world.

With stunning infographics by internationally renowned data designer Valentina D’Efilippo, along with beautiful color photography, as well as interviews with leading expert consultants for every chapter, this ravishing book from Britannica offers an exhilarating visual way to understand the world around us.

Includes a contents page, index, glossary and source notes.

It’s time to walk on the wild side and talk with the animals. This book will teach you not just how to chat chicken but also gossip with gorillas, mumble with meerkats, and warble with whales. You’ll be ready for any adventure into the animal kingdom.

It’s a noisy world out there. Almost eight billion people are saying hello, asking for directions, buying food, singing lullabies, paying compliments, and all in their own languages--of which there are six or seven thousand! And that’s just humans… animals have millions of languages!

Insects, birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians are all talking to each other too, with grunts, squeaks, and tweets, as part of the natural orchestra that is Life on Earth. Some of those noises can sound scary, others sweet… wouldn’t it be nice to be able to understand what they were all trying to say?

Author Dr Nick Crumpton acts as our translator and guide through the animal kingdom in this fun, and funny, book. He teaches us what our pet dog’s bark means and how an orangutan says “Hello!” (Whuuu-whuuu-whuuu just in case you ever need it!). Each sound has been researched using recordings and information from scientists in the field. This book will teach you not just how to chat chicken but also gossip with gorillas, mumble with meerkats, and warble with whales. You’ll be ready for any adventure into the animal kingdom.

Includes a glossary and index.

Discover the story of life on Earth and how it came to be, with real-life scientists Sarah Darwin and Eva Maria Sadowski.

The Earth has come a very long way from the molten planet with oceans of magma that existed 4.5 billion years ago. Since then, the land has shifted, the climate has changed, and life has flourished. But how exactly did living things come to be?

Let real-life scientists Sarah Darwin and Eva Maria Sadowski enlighten you about the fascinating facts of evolution: what it is and how it works. Dive into the history of life on Earth and learn about the theory of natural selection that Sarah’s great-great-grandfather, Charles Darwin, and naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace came up with together. In this beautifully illustrated book, feature spreads explain the important things that you need to know and a timeline plots the history of life on Earth.

Budding botanists will be delighted by this in-depth tour of life that leaves no stone unturned and will keep children (and adults) enthralled for hours. Find out how plants, humans, pet dogs, and everything else came to be and what this might mean for our future.

Includes a glossary and index.

An enthralling and hilarious journey through global history in 400 connected facts!

In this blast-from-the-past adventure you’ll discover hundreds of the most mind-blowing facts from history. Hidden tombs, ghostly ships, boiled vipers, samurai warriors, snow machines, pet lions, hidden pyramids, secret codes, flaming fireballs, wooden bathing suits, sparkling jewels, and many more are all woven together in this ingenious web of connected facts.

And there isn’t just one trail through these facts. Sometimes your path branches, and you can choose to fast forward or rewind to a completely different (but still connected) part of history. Where will your curiosity take you?

Includes an index.

The COSTCO edition of this book of amazing facts you can trust will provide hundreds of hours of fun learning for curious children and their families.

The most remarkable true stories of all time and around the world brought vividly to life – from the Big Bang right up to the present day.

Embark on a journey across millennia and around the world, from the latest understanding of the origins of the universe through the birth of the Earth, the very first life, the age of dinosaurs, the rise of humans, ancient civilizations, colonialism, wars, technology, everyday life, global struggles for freedom and equality, pandemics – and much more. Eye-catching and informative illustrations and photographs throughout join with author Christopher Lloyd’s engaging narrative to bring to life the most remarkable true stories of all time. The 2nd edition is revised for fuller global coverage and updated with the latest research, as well as with events that have occurred since the first edition. The design has received a fresh treatment and many new photographs have been included.

Includes a glossary and index.

Did you know that English words come from all over the world and that their meanings have changed along their journey?

Our word "zero" comes from the Arabic word for empty space. "Companion" is from the Latin for with bread.

With simple descriptions and dazzling, evocative and witty illustrations, this is a fascinating introduction to the rich history and cultural diversity of our language.

Words included: orchestra (Japanese); zero (Arabic); guru (Sanskrit); ukulele (Hawaiian); jaguar (Tupi); royalty (Norman French); companion (Latin); kookaburra (Wradjuri); worm (Old English); mummy (Persian); caribou (Algonquin); safari (Swahili).

The perfect Shakespeare home-learning resource for children aged 6 - 14

William Shakespeare's plays are presented as never before, with all 38 masterpieces simultaneously performed in front of you on a 6-foot fold-out timeline set in the iconic Globe Theatre.

Spot the ghosts, hunt for the murderers, discover the poison, and revel in Elizabethan romance as each play unfolds. Concise plot summaries, key textual quotes, and carefully illustrated scenes help pinpoint the action.

Developed in partnership with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the timeline also features essential moments in Shakespeare's life, providing a unique narrative context to the works of the world's favourite bard. These are written in the form of 40 newspaper articles in an easy-to-read chronicle, and feature important events such as the first sale of Shakespeare’s works and the rebuilding of the Globe Theatre. Other features include a page of letters to the editor, a fifty-question quiz, and pocket magnifier to make it easy and fun to explore all the timeline’s details.

This timeline is essential for all curious minds in a world where loving learning matters more than ever before. It is perfect for 6–14 year olds, but equally fascinating for drama lovers of any age! You can enjoy this timeline many ways: unfolding it on the floor, reading it like a book or detaching it to stick it to the wall.

This limited, luxury, collector's edition of Britannica's new encyclopedia for kids features a slipcase, gold page-edges, two ribbon markers, and a numbered (1 of 500) book plate signed by Christopher Lloyde and J.E. Luebering from Encyclopedia Britannica.

"Celebrates nature and the diverse world we live in, while giving an honest yet optimistic take on collective sustainability." - Forbes

"This encyclopedia of facts is first-rate." - Smithsonian Magazine

Britannica’s Listified! will surprise, amaze, and amuse inquisitive young readers with 300 ingenious lists that organize the best bits of our awesome world.

Ever wondered which 10 dinosaurs were the largest, and what they weighed…in cats? Or how much of your DNA you share with other animals…and bananas? Enter the listiverse and get ready to see the world in a whole new way. Listified! takes the best and most amazing parts of the universe—erupting volcanoes, medieval machines, jumping spiders, exploding stars, and everything in between — and organizes them into quirky list form for curious kids and their friends and family to enjoy.

Brought to life by imaginative and hilarious artworks, each list presents subjects from new and unexpected angles.

So let Britannica's Listified! take you on a journey through 300 lists that illuminate everything from the human body, to prehistoric creatures, planet Earth, outer space, and the mysteries beyond. Here are three mind-blowing facts from Listified! to get you started…

• A Tyrannosaurus rex could swallow 15,000 hamburgers in a single bite.
• A bolt of lightning is the width of your thumb and five times hotter than the surface of the Sun.
• If you tied all your hair together into a single cord, it could support the weight of 18 cows.

An utterly absorbing compendium of amazing facts and trivia that will keep children aged 8+ entertained for hours!

Includes a glossary and index.

Reveal the incredible inner workings of the human body

In this eye-catching book, readers can explore the hidden inner workings of the human body, look inside different organs and body systems, and learn about how to look after their own physical and mental health at the same time. Readers use the see-through "magic lens" to reveal how our bodies function and the different body parts hard at work inside us. Find out how your senses work with your brain to show us the world around us, how doctors and nurses spot diseases, and how we turn food into energy... and poop. So pick up the magic lens and take a tour of the marvelous human body!

Includes index.

Be on the look-out for the wildest of mammals with Agent Osprey as she explores the animal kingdom in search of all things fierce and friendly!

Mammals! includes a six-foot-long timeline, featuring over 100 mammals from their first known forms through to their living descendants, and looks into how they have survived and thrived. Join our explorer on her quest to find out as much as possible about these amazing creatures in her fascinating journal. Find out key discoveries, how they manage our environment, and more! Explorer: Mammals! by Nick Forshaw and William Exley is latest to join Plants!, Bugs!, and Dinosaurs! in the Explorer series from What on Earth Books. 

Bugs! and Dinosaurs! are winners of a Parents’ Choice Silver Award 2018.

In a world of COVID-19, bad germs and bacteria are all around us. But, not all germs are bad!

Check in to The Good Germ Hotel to learn about all the good germs and bacteria superheroes that live inside the human body. These amazing microbes fight viruses, digest food, and keep us healthy and happy.

Did you know that your body is full of bacteria? And that most of it is good bacteria that helps to keep you healthy? Well, now's your chance to get up close and personal with the microorganisms that live inside all of us. Travel through the body with our gut bacteria guide, stopping off to meet the other amazing microbe residents along the way.

In today's pandemic climate, bad germs and bacteria are the subject of many conversations. This book helps kids learn that not all bacteria are bad and introduces them to all the good germs in the body that help us fight viruses and infections. The dialogue around good gut health has also been gaining traction in recent years, so The Good Germ Hotel is the perfect place to visit to get to know your gut microbiota.

Includes a glossary and index.

A world of 400 facts, all connected in surprising and hilarious ways! Choose your own path through this ingenious web of astounding information.

Did you know that bacteria from between people’s toes has been used to make cheese? Or that the world’s most expensive cheese is made from donkey milk? Or that the milk from one species of cockroach is the most nutritious substance on Earth? Or that a cockroach can survive for weeks without its head? Welcome back to FACTopia, a world of perfectly amazing facts, all of which are verified by Encyclopedia Britannica!

Every fact in the book is connected to the next in an ingenious trail of information, where you will hop from topic to topic in unexpected and hilarious ways. And there’s not just one trail through these pages: sometimes your path branches and you can choose to jump to a totally different (but still connected) part of the book. Let your curiosity lead you through this witty wonderland of facts!

This book will make you ROAR with laughter! Discover facts about escaping penguins, farting zebras, leaping dolphins, snorting elephants, dancing bears, and more—all connected in weird and wonderful ways.

Did you know that beavers have orange teeth? Or that some monkeys floss their teeth using bird feathers? Or that one species of bird can walk underwater? Or that alligators stay underwater for longer by swallowing rocks? Or that sea otters use rocks to crack open prey?

Welcome to Animal FACTopia!, a purrfectly amazing world of facts, all of which are verified by Encyclopaedia Britannica. Every fact in this book is connected to the next in a fascinating web of information, where you will leapfrog from topic to topic in surprising and hilarious ways. Sometimes your path branches and you can slide down a rabbit hole to a totally different, but still connected, part of the book. Discover where your curiosity will take you!

Includes and index and glossary.

In this disgustingly marvelous world, you will discover facts about smelly sports, weird world records, rank rodents, vile Victorians, horrible medicine, gory gastronomy, and more—all of which are connected in unexpected and hilarious ways!

Did you know that sloths poop only once a week? Or that poop from crocodiles was sometimes used as makeup in ancient Rome? Or that ancient Romans sometimes purchased vials of gladiator sweat? Or that apes and monkeys sweat from their armpits just like humans do? Welcome to Gross FACTopia!, a wonderland of fantastically foul facts, all of which are verified by Encyclopaedia Britannica! Every fact in this book is linked to the next in an ingenious trail of information, where you will slither from topic to topic in surprising and stomach-churning ways. Sometimes your path branches, and you can catapult forwards or creep backwards to a totally different (but still connected) part of the book. Follow your curiosity (and your nose) through this ridiculously revolting world of facts!

Includes an index.

The Massachusetts Chronicles, developed in partnership with Plymouth 400, features key events in the state’s history through a 100-moment photographic timeline and over 60 newspaper-style stories, each one written as if the event has just happened.

For thousands of years Native people lived in what is now the state of Massachusetts. Then, with the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620, their world changed forever. See the story of Massachusetts unfold over 400 years, chronicled in a series of epic moments, many of which have defined US and world history.

The Massachusetts Chronicles also includes QR codes that enable readers to see the history of the Bay State in a series of videos told through the eyes of students.

True stories which reveal the amazing science and history behind family time activities

What did the world’s first playgrounds look like? What do families all over the world eat for breakfast? How did dinosaurs look after their babies? In this compendium of 5-minute really true stories you will meet all types of family—human and animal!—and learn about the many ways they spend time together. From family bicycle rides to animal migrations, and from tidy up time to cozying up with pets, discover the amazing science and history of family activities. With up-to-the-minute, expert information and stunning illustrations, this book will bring out the joy of the everyday things we do at family time.

A colorful, joyful, and playful exploration of our world, and our place within it.

Where are you in the world? Can you imagine what your home would look like if you saw it from above and zoomed out further, and further, and further…? Join the mischievous pet cat on a journey of discovery that encourages young readers to think about their place in the world. Inspired by the feeling of being trapped inside and imagining the world beyond during the worldwide lockdowns, this enjoyable picture book reminds us that even when we are apart, we are all connected. The world keeps turning, a cat keeps purring, and children will find their happy place in the world.

WHY do elephants have trunks? WHY are clouds different shapes? WHY does my tummy rumble?

Britannica’s huge, authoritative, and lavishly illustrated question and answer book will satisfy even the most curious kids, with over 100 questions verified by Britannica experts. Spanning a range of topics including animals, the body, machines, space, and more, this book provides clear and accessible explanations—and even explores some of the mysteries that experts are still trying to solve!

By encouraging kids to question how the world works, Britannica First Big Book of Why supports STEAM learning and nurtures enquiring minds. With stunning photography and gorgeous original illustrations by Kate Slater, this is the ultimate gift for kids aged 4+ who need to know WHY!

Includes an index and glossary.

Explore history, culture, geology, and the environment through treasures ancient and modern! Discover 100+ of the world’s most extraordinary man-made and natural treasures, objects and places.

Giant gemstones, precious artworks, architectural wonders, intriguing ruins, moon rocks, and more! Treasures both natural and man-made make an appearance in a tour which stretches across thousands of years and all around the globe. Discover sunken wrecks loaded with pirate gold, the abandoned tombs of the world’s most powerful rulers, and even meteorites – treasures from outer space! A central foldout map reveals the locations of all the treasures featured in the book, while award-winning author David Long also addresses contemporary topics such as our threatened natural wonders and the ownership of cultural treasures.

The perfect book for any curious explorer or treasure-hunter aged 7+

Includes an index and glossary.

Other titles in the Our Amazing World series include:

• Amazing Islands
• Amazing Rivers
• Amazing Animals

Dive into the Ocean and discover all the Secrets of the Deep! From clown fish to killer whales, and sunlit coral reefs to smoking deep-sea vents - welcome to our great global ocean.

Did you know that the ocean is home to the biggest animals in the world? Did you know that the ocean is deeper in some places than Mount Everest is tall? If your elementary school reader is asking questions about life under the sea, this is the place to look!

In this book you can dive underwater and discover menacing sharks, playful dolphins, clown fish, penguins, turtles, whales, shimmering jellyfish, a gargantuan giant squid and much much more! You can also find out about all the dangers to our ocean, including plastic pollution, climate change, and overfishing, and the ways you can help save our ocean and keep it healthy.

Ocean: Secrets of the Deep is jam-packed with over 200 stylish illustrations, infographics and surprising facts about the world’s marine life. First, readers are taken on a journey from the water’s surface to the deepest, darkest depths of the oceans. Then, information-packed pages about marine life follow, before a final section about how to protect our ocean. At the end of the book, an illustrated world map and glossary of sea-related terms provide additional supporting information.

Parents' Choice Silver Award Winner!

Investigate haunted castles, spooky forests and even outer space with a monster-revealing magic lens in this striking and unusual book. Children’s favorite monsters are hidden inside each page waiting to jump out when the magic lens is held over them. Mythological creatures, ghostly spirits and monsters from film and fiction all make an appearance.

Fascinating or frightening, monsters are everywhere...but who are they, what do they look like, and what do they do? Budding sleuths will love using the 'magical detector' tucked inside this intriguing, interactive book as they set out to comb forests, caves, mountains, castles, and fairy tales to discover the secrets of monsters and then hunt them down with a hand-held colored lens.

Armed with the monster-revealing magic lens, young detectives must find some of their favorite characters from fiction, film, myth and legend, which are all hidden on pages packed with quirky, vivid illustrations and the secret story of each fascinating creature. Brief, lively text reveals all their secrets, from their ghastly origins to their favorite meals. And if that isn’t enough, children also get the chance to design their very own monster!

A witty guide to Pluto’s discovery and demotion, which puts kids in charge.

Pluto has not been a planet since 2006. But this tiny world still inspires people of all ages while sparking controversy. In this delightfully witty book, astronomer Dean Regas teaches you how to educate your grown-up about the cutting-edge science of space, most crucially the reason why Pluto is NOT a planet anymore. Delving into the history of space discoveries, the key players who have helped our understanding of the universe (including the 11-year-old girl who named Pluto in the first place), and the ever-changing nature of science, this book will equip every reader with the tools they need to bring their grown-ups fully up to speed, and to sneak in as many amazing astronomical facts as possible. And there’s a handy quiz at the end so that you can check your grown-up has been paying attention!

Includes a glossary and index.

Take a fresh look at the world from an animal’s perspective.

In this fun flap-filled book, you’ll learn how smell plays a key role in the lives of animals and shapes their behavior and relationships. Each flap reveals the hidden side to each environment only perceptible through smell. Watch a polar bear track its prey beneath the ice, join a column of marching ants, and learn how to say hello to a family of forest piglets.

Anything is possible when you follow your nose!

Record breaking tongues, playful dolphins, sleepy koalas—animals come in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes and sizes. Discover over 100 of the world’s most remarkable animals in this beautifully illustrated tour of Earth's wildlife.

From the record breaking tongue of a chameleon to the dashing dance of the peacock spider, you'll learn about the most amazing creatures from air, land, and sea. Discover playful dolphins, sleepy koalas, and even a fish that keeps its babies safe in its own mouth, uncovering the secrets of their survival, the incredible habitats they call home, as well as the environmental threats putting them in danger.

Includes a glossary and index.

Other titles in the Our Amazing World series include:

• Amazing Islands
• Amazing Rivers
• Amazing Treasures

So you think you’re special? Just because people have built cities, invented pop-up toasters and put people on the Moon that they are somehow different from (or better than) other living things? Well it’s time to think again! Humanimal explores the interconnections of the human and natural worlds in ways you never before imagined...

Inside you will discover how: 

• Slime molds learn how to navigate through a maze
• Rats are ticklish and how it makes them laugh out loud
• Elephants have funerals for their lost loved ones
• Bees vote in elections to decide where to locate their nests
• Crows use cars to crack nuts
• And a whole lot more!

This richly illustrated, mesmerizing exploration shows that humans and other animals don’t just live on the same planet, they also share many of the same patterns of behavior, making us all fellow players in the drama that is life on Earth. Fascinating and stunningly illustrated, Humanimal explores and celebrates the astonishing ways in which animals and humans are alike.

Written by Christopher Lloyd, the bestselling author of Absolutely Everything!, and illustrated by the superbly talented Mark Ruffle. Including a colorful jacket with a wonderful animal surprise underneath, this book will astound and amaze children aged 7–11, along with their family and friends, too!

Includes a glossary and index.

"A book of incredible facts from our fast-moving world." - Time for Kids

Have you ever wondered what happens around the world in each and every second of the day? How many text messages are sent? How much ice cream is eaten? How many plastic bottles are recycled?

This book also provides the perfect launch-pad for thought and discussion about a wide range of issues, including the environment. For example, juxtaposing statistics show that although 15,000 plastic bottles are produced every second, only 1,600 are recycled. With remarkable facts, lush illustrations, and memorable infographics, Every Second reveals the incredible things that happen each and every second in our world!

"This interactive read reveals what the world looks like through animals' eyes! Eye-mazing!" - National Geographic Kids

Ever wonder what your cat is watching through the window? Or how having eyes on the sides of its head changes the world for a horse? And what would life be like seeing in 5 colors instead of only 3?

Children see exactly how animals view the world around them in this innovative and exciting lift-the-flap book. After a whirlwind tour of how eyes work, children lift the flaps to find out how animals as different as dogs, owls, and chameleons see the same scene. EYE SPY: Wild Ways Animals See the World is a truly eye-opening experience guaranteed to fuel and satisfy the curiosity of any animal lover.

Have you ever wondered what’s going on inside some of the world’s most incredible machines and inventions?

Using the see-through magic lens, you can learn about mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering by exploring the inner workings of machines.

In your kitchen or bedroom, beneath city streets, or far up in space, machines are at work day and night making, moving, building, and even thinking for us. In this eye-catching book, you can explore the hidden inner workings of machines and inventions: from everyday objects like toasters and bicycles, to cutting-edge technologies such as pill-sized medical robots and super-fast trains. The see-through magic lens will reveal how all these machines work, showing all the elements hidden within them – from wires and pipes, to magnetic and gravitational forces.

The ideal gift book for budding scientists and engineers aged 7+.

Includes index.

"The ultimate brainy bedtime companion for children aged 4 to 9." - USA Today

Why do we sleep? How do sharks snooze underwater? Where is the oldest bed in the world?

In this compendium of 5-minute really true stories about bedtime, you can go on a journey of wonder and learning to find out the answers to all these questions, and many more!

Travel to Ancient Egypt to explore the beds of Tutankhamun, jet off into space to see how astronauts get ready for bed, or even plunge underwater to learn how hibernating turtles breathe through their bottoms! There are 30 amazing 5-minute stories, with all facts verified by Britannica.

Lavishly illustrated on every page with specially commissioned artwork, and packed full of up-to-the-minute, expert information, this book is the ultimate brainy bedtime companion for children aged 4 to 8.

Includes a glossary and index.

The perfect cross-curricular home-learning resource for children aged 6 - 14.

Explore the story of the Natural World from the dawn of life on Earth to the present day, in this unique fold-out timeline book that brings natural history to life!

The timeline begins over 4 billion years ago, includes over 1,000 illustrations and captions and is divided into sections (Sea, Land, Sky and Planet Earth), with a timeline running along the bottom. Witness the emergence of life, the reign of dinosaurs, the migration of mammals, and finally, the story of humanity from the first two-legged hominids to a world populated by more than 7 billion people today. The nearly 6-foot-long timeline allows readers to compare events across the world at any given moment in time – making this a wonderful cross-curricular, all-encompassing history tool for the whole family!

Created in association with the American Museum of Natural History, the timeline also includes an easy-to-read chronicle, written in the form of 30 newspaper articles. These examine the key moments in natural history in greater detail, such as the extinction of dinosaurs and the threat of climate change. Other features include a page of letters to the editor, a 50-question quiz, and a pocket magnifier to make it easy and fun to explore all the timeline’s details.

This timeline is essential for all curious minds in a world where loving learning matters more than ever before. It is perfect for 6–14 year olds, and for history lovers of any age! You can enjoy this timeline many ways: unfolding it on the floor, reading it like a book or detaching it to stick it to the wall.

Intrepid explorers aged 7–11, get ready to embark on a breath-taking tour of over 100 islands found all around the world!

Discover over 100 of the planet’s most magical islands - their wildlife, history, diversity, people, cultures, treasures, and more - in this beautifully illustrated book. From islands that have been taken over by animals to disappearing islands, islands made of shells, artificial islands, and even islands that were once prison colonies, this book takes you on an exciting tour of some of the smallest land masses in the world.

Our planet is sending out an SOS. From global warming to plastic pollution, real-life environmental monsters are threatening our world at every turn. Now it’s your chance to challenge them!

Meet the habitat-harming monsters that are ruining the Earth and learn how to vanquish each one.

The fearsome Atmosdragon is heating the planet and causing global warming, while the bright-eyed Glareworm is busy creating light pollution and the Smogosaurus is filling our air with toxic fumes. Each of these beasts is wreaking havoc on our planet and we need heroes – could you be one of them?

In all, 22 monsters are featured in Planet SOS and each of them is accompanied by a Monster Card outlining the big, bad beasts’ weaknesses and how to use each one to your advantage. Mythical monsters have always represented humanity’s greatest fears, and the environmental monsters in Planet SOS are no different. Each is paired with the mythological beast it is based on.

Glossary, index, and source notes are also included.

The perfect cross-curricular home-learning resource for children aged 6 - 14.

Explore the story of the world from the Big Bang to the present day, in this unique fold-out timeline book that brings history to life!

A richly illustrated, foldout graphic history of the United States, Mexico, and the islands of the Caribbean.

Includes a glossary and index.

Be inspired by incredible stories of kindness from around the world, and throughout history.

Join the Planetwalker, John Francis,on an exploration of kindness, great and small. From the kindness John has experienced in his own life to the history of how kindness has helped to shape our laws, morals and communities from around the world.

Over the whole history of humankind, kindness has been key to the survival of our species, and to making our world a better place. Learn about Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to help others escape from slavery, the Nomads Clinic, which sends doctors trekking into the Himalayas to tend to patients, The Linda Lindas, a group of young musicians who use their talent to speak up for the rights of others, Joshua Coombes, a hairdresser who gives free haircuts to the homeless, and many others. The joyous and awe-inspiring stories in this book will encourage young readers to be kind to others. And being kind, even in small ways, turns out to be healthy for you, yet another reason to practice kindness every day. It’s our planet to share together—let's be kind.

Includes a glossary and index.

Antarctica–vast, cold, and mysterious. This frozen continent is full of incredible stories. Here you can discover incredible wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes, and adventurous scientists and explorers.

Join author Karen Romano Young on a trip across Antarctica, hanging out with people and animals and learning about how this special place is changing, and what it means for our planet. Hang out with some of the coolest creatures on earth above and below the ice as you meet emperor penguins, killer whales, and elephant seals. Suit up for the cold and explore some of the harshest landscapes on earth, following in the footsteps of brave explorers. And learn about how scientists survive here today and what they do all day–from studying climate change to investigating ice cores almost a million years old to learn about the history–and future–of our planet.

Includes a glossary and index.

"Solid scientific browsing.—Kirkus Reviews

Find out how unique Planet Earth really is in this eye-catching book of comparisons!

Earth is big! (compared to a frog) Earth is small! (when it’s hiding in a galaxy) And that's not all. Earth is wet and dry, hot and cold, round and jagged, fast and slow. You get the idea. It depends how you look at it!

Get to know our planet in a whole new way by comparing it to a huge variety of other incredible things―from tiny particles to giant star clusters. Did you know soap bubbles are some of the roundest objects in the universe? Or that we humans are totally outnumbered by chickens? Or that the driest desert on Earth isn’t scorching but freezing? Tour some of the most extreme places on the planet and beyond it, take a look at life forms from bacteria to elephants to redwood trees, and explore what makes our planet the perfect home for us.

You’ll never see Earth the same way again!

Includes an index and glossary.

Explore the most amazing moments in scientific and technological discovery in this unique fold-out timeline book that brings the history of science to life!

The timeline includes over 1,000 illustrations and captions and is uniquely divided into 7 sections:

• Sky and Space
• Transportation and Communication
• Building and Invention
• Earth and Land
• Medicine and Biology
• Physics and Chemistry
• Math and Measurement
• With a timeline running along the bottom

Created in association with the American Museum of Natural History, the timeline also includes an easy-to-read chronicle, written in the form of 30 newspaper articles. These examine the key moments in scientific history in greater detail, such as the first use of written numbers and the invention of the telephone. Other features include a page of letters to the editor, a 50-question quiz, and a pocket magnifier to make it easy and fun to explore all the timeline’s details.

This timeline is essential for all curious minds in a world where loving learning matters more than ever before. It is perfect for 6–14 year olds, and for science lovers of any age! You can enjoy this timeline many ways: unfolding it on the floor, reading it like a book or detaching it to stick it to the wall.

Explore the daily lives of children around the world through through the lens of a single, special day in June, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and the shortest in the southern hemisphere.

The rising and setting of the Sun is one of the few truly common experiences in our diverse world. This book places that shared experience at the heart of its global story.

Every year, during the June solstice, the Earth tilts towards the Sun, creating either the longest or shortest day of the year. Across the world, people celebrate this day in different ways, from bonfires and banquets to firework festivals and ancient rituals. In this book, you will celebrate the solstice alongside 14 fictional characters from 14 real places around the world. You will be transported to Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nepal, Morocco, China, Turkey, America, the United Kingdom, and Norway. Each account is both a personal story and an informative narrative, full of cultural insight, geographical information, and words from each native language. Meanwhile, specially commissioned artwork, by illustrators from each place, bring familiarity and warmth to every page.

The solstice is both a symbol of global unity and a celebration of cultural diversity. Here, this unique event takes center stage in a fascinating account of children’s lives around the world.

Glossary and index included.

A must-have for dinosaur enthusiasts aged 7-11! ”A pleaser for fans of all things big, toothy and extinct”—Kirkus Reviews

Journey back hundreds of millions of years to prehistoric Earth, where you will discover frozen ice-age landscapes, lush prehistoric rainforests, and vast ancient oceans!

Prehistoric is full of bold illustrations that allow children to discover the fascinating creatures that used to roam the planet, including awe-inspiring dinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers, and giant insects.

Developed in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution, Prehistoric shines a light on our planet’s past-and points the way to its future. Clever infographics reveal the secrets of Earth’s geology and changing environments. The reader is encouraged to link ancient creatures and places to present-day Earth and issues, such as climate change and deforestation.

Includes a glossary and index.

From ancient rock painters and Spanish explorers, through the Alamo and the Republic of Texas, to the Gusher Age, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Moon landing, read all about the story of Texas—it’s a story as big as the state itself.

Journey through more than 100 key moments in the incredible history of Texas, using a six-foot-long fold-out timeline. Dive deeper into more than 40 newspaper-style articles written as if the events have just happened. Informative and entertaining, The Texas Chronicles reveals the remarkable people and events that have shaped the Lone Star State.

"Celebrate nature and the diverse world we live in, while giving an honest yet optimistic take on collective sustainability." - Forbes

“Children have a unique curiosity for Nature and for this amazing planet we call home.” So writes His Majesty King Charles III in his introduction to It’s Up to Us: Building a Brighter Future for Nature, People and Planet (The Children's Terra Carta).

It’s Up to Us is based on the Terra Carta, a roadmap to sustainability issued by His Majesty King Charles III and his Sustainable Markets Initiative. The story explains in lyrical text how Nature operates in a world without humans. It then shows the damaging impact People have had on the Planet. It finishes by proposing a series of new pledges that we can all make – a Terra Carta – to help solve the problems.

This book has been developed in partnership with The Prince’s Foundation, a charity established by His Majesty to demonstrate how Nature can be put at the heart of human activities. Half of all the proceeds from sales will go directly to the work of the charity, based at Dumfries House in Scotland, UK.

Printed in Canada on 30% recycled FSC paper with vegetable inks, and all carbon impacts of the production have been offset through sustainable forestry programs.

Includes a glossary and index.

Dig deep into the fascinating world of dinosaurs with the first book in the What on Earth? Explorer series, complete with a six-foot-long fold-out timeline. 

Join explorer Agent Eagle as he explores these amazing creatures - from the earliest dinosaur fossil discoveries, to the relationship between birds and dinosaurs. Discover the history of the dinosaur, in each major era, emphasizing how dinosaur bodies and diets adapted over time. Learn about the best places to find fossils, who are the great dinosaur explorers and scientists, and ultimately, what killed off the dinosaurs. 

A quiz, name game, and glossary lead you to the book’s biggest feature – a fold-out timeline featuring 100 of the most incredible dinosaurs that ever lived – from their first appearance 230 million years ago, to their current living descendants. Full of facts and bursting with illustrations, Explorer: Dinosaurs! Is a unique book for any dinosaur buff.

Explorer: Dinosaurs! won a Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award and was a finalist in the 2018 International Book Awards Young Adult Non-Fiction category.

Also in the Explorer series: Bugs!, Mammals!, and Plants!

"Exuberant overview." - New York Times

Follow this unique 8-foot long fold-out timeline through a celebration of the history of music all around the world, while listening along to the accompanying Spotify playlist!

Learn about how different genres started–including classical, folk, jazz, gospel, rock 'n' roll, country, punk, grunge and pop. Explore the histories of music linked to particular cultures or regions–including Indigineous American, Asian, and African music; Son Cubano and Caribbean styles; and Australian bush music. Discover the stories of music maestros from around the world–including Beethoven, Wei Liangfu, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Maria Callas, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, and Beyoncé. Marvel at the orchestra with a huge illustration set in London’s Royal Albert Hall, and find out about the ancient instruments discovered all over the globe.

All this and more features in this richly illustrated timeline of music from 60,000 years ago to the present day that will delight children and families alike!

Includes a glossary and index.

In celebration of its official Bicentennial year, take a trip through the incredible history of Illinois with this fascinating timeline book that brings to life 200 years of the State’s history

Beautifully illustrated and hugely engaging, The Illinois Chronicles’ show-stopping main feature is a 6-foot-long, fold-out timeline with more than 100 stunning images and illuminating captions that take readers on the Prairie State’s remarkable journey. The informative text is written in the form of nearly 50 “newspaper” articles, capturing important events in Illinois history in an engaging way. Experience key moments such as the birth of Illinois as the 21st state, the Chicago fire, Abraham Lincoln’s political rise, the Chicago World Fair, Barack Obama’s presidential election, the Chicago Cubs’ first world championship, and more. With features such as an Illinois Honor Roll – 36 mini biographies of important people in Illinois history – as well as 27 places to visit, a map, and information on the government branches and state flags, it all adds up to an exciting story of the people and events whose unique legacy can still be felt today.

Do you want to go on a journey through space? Then all you have to do is look up at the night sky.

What can you see? This super-sized book of maps takes you on a space adventure from the stars to the solar system, and far beyond!

Marvel at the constellations, and learn what their names and patterns mean to different cultures. Then venture farther out, past what the naked eye can see, and hop from planet to planet to explore Earth’s celestial neighbors. Discover how humans have used rockets, probes, and telescopes to explore space–and even stop off at the International Space Station to visit the scientists working there!

Let Space Maps take you on a tour through the universe, with its 24 maps, stunning illustrations, and amazing facts. Grab your telescope and get ready for the intergalactic journey of a lifetime!

Includes a glossary, index and source notes.

Bugs! and Dinosaurs! are winners of a Parents’ Choice Silver Award 2018.

Welcome to FACTopia!, a wonderland of crazily connected facts.

Choose your own path through this hilarious world of 400 facts, all of which are verified by Encyclopaedia Britannica. Every fact in the book is connected to the next in an ingenious trail of information.

Did you know that a squid has a brain shaped like a doughnut? Or that some butterflies drink turtle tears? Hop from topic to topic in unexpected and delightful ways, and discover what connects a giraffe with the Eiffel tower, or a slice of pizza with Cleopatra. On your awe-inspiring journey, you will find out extraordinary facts about space, bones, dinosaurs, spiders, sharks, robots, ancient Rome, and more.

And there’s not just one trail through these pages: sometimes your path branches and you can choose to jump to a totally different, but still connected, part of the book. Who knows where your curiosity will take you!

This wittily illustrated book is the perfect gift to inspire and delight curious children.

Includes an index.

Fly into the engrossing world of bugs with the buzziest book in the What on Earth Books Explorer series, complete with a six-foot-long fold-out timeline.

Join explorer Agent Eagle on his next mission, as he shares the history and science of our insect friends. From ants and bees, to spiders and wasps, learn what a bug is – scientifically – through an understanding of classifications, body shape identification, bug communication and more. Uncover the history of bugs, including how they evolved and how they are born and grow, and unearth how they support our environment. A list of great bug explorers, a quiz, name game, and glossary lead you to the grand finale – a fold-out timeline featuring 100 of the creepiest, crawliest, coolest creatures that ever lived – from their first appearance 520 million years ago until today.

Explorer: Bugs! won a Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award and was a finalist in the 2018 International Book Awards Young Adult Non-Fiction category.

Also in the Explorer series: Dinosaurs!, Mammals!, and Plants!

Fearless adventurers, set sail on a fascinating voyage down the world’s most extraordinary rivers!

Discover over 100 of the world’s most incredible rivers in this fascinating title by Julie Vosburgh Agnone and illustrated by prize-winner Kerry Hyndman. Amazing Rivers takes readers on a tour of the world’s waterways, revealing the animals that call them home, the societies that rely on them, and the environmental issues threatening them along the way.

Learn about incredible wildlife, from brown bears catching salmon that swim upstream to anacondas large enough to eat a pig. Explore astounding natural wonders, from a boiling river so hot you can cook an egg in it to a multicoloured river that flows like a liquid rainbow. And discover awesome river traditions, from ritual baths to rubber duck racing to barefoot waterskiing!

A fact-filled celebration of some of the most AMAZING rivers on EARTH!

Includes and index and glossary.

Other titles in the Our Amazing World series include:

• Amazing Islands
• Amazing Treasures
• Amazing Animals