Tag Paige Towler

Secret Factopia!

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Secret Factopia!
Paige Towler, illustrated by Andy Smith
What on Earth Books

You never know where you might end up when you open this book. Readers will discover all kinds of weird, wonderful and sometimes downright disgusting facts as they explore the various trails presented in this latest Factopia extravaganza. With 400 mysterious facts trails to follow, there are revelations of secrets relating to a whole gamut of topics from fashion to forensics, creepy crawlies to camouflage and cryptography, and toilets to theme parks, all in bite-sized chunks.

Did you know that the spiky tropical durian fruit has a powerful smell that is said to resemble sweaty socks and rotten onions? I think I’ll pass on that one despite its nutritional value.

This, like the previous six titles in the series, acts as a great springboard to further research on topics that capture a reader’s interest. I found myself looking several things up as I worked my way through the pages, including that about clothing with hidden solar panels that can charge a phone battery and the reference to a lady slipper orchid so rare that it’s given its own police guard.

This is one of the spreads that integrates photography and Andy Smith’s (often comical) art. Another is that where a photograph of a place in China where 1437 people participated in the largest ever hide-and-seek game has numerous faces peeping out. Readers will surely enjoy seeing how many they can count.

Back matter includes an index, and a list of information sources. Fun and immersive; it certainly deserves a place in primary school collections.

History FACTopia!

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History FACTopia!
Paige Towler, illustrated by Andy Smith
What on Earth Books

In this, the fifth in the clever series readers are invited to ‘Follow ye olde trail of 400 facts’ beginning with the discovery by archaeologists in China of a pair of trousers 3,300 years old right through to the final fact about a group of claqueurs who were hired by theatres in 18th century France to applaud, cry and laugh to inspire audience participation. That, I’ve most certainly not heard of before, but then the same is true of quite a lot of the fascinating facts herein.

It’s overflowing with nuggets of historical information – did you know that in 1988, inspired by local barrow derby races Jamaica formed its first ever bobsled team. I guess they must have had some snow around then.

Astonishing too is to read that in 14th century Europe, when the bubonic plague struck, some people believed that by eating a spoonful of crushed emeralds you could be cured.
Perfect for sparking further investigation from curious minds. Your journey will twist and turn forwards and backwards through time, across the world, embracing a variety of cultures, beliefs and noteworthy happenings. For instance, information about the oldest known prosthetic body part, a 3000 year old artificial toe made of wood and leather, attached to an Egyptian mummy, leads to either further facts about mummies

or information about the world’s oldest pillow made 9000 years ago in Mesopotamia and made of stone. Ouch!

Children will enjoy the humour, vibrant graphic-style illustrations and photos throughout this zany compilation; it’s playful learning that is likely to spark further investigations from the curious.
Back matter includes an index, a detailed glossary of historical terms, and information about the FACTopians.

Gross FACTopia!

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Gross FACTopia!
Paige Towler, illustrated by Andy Smith
Britannica Books

Prepare to be disgusted as you delve into this compilation of foul facts, every one of which is cleverly linked to the next and every one verified by Encyclopaedia Britannica. Should you choose to start at the beginning you’ll find yourself back in 1858 beside the Thames which at that time was clogged with utterly obnoxious smelling human waste so bad Government thought about moving. Follow the smelly trail and you’ll learn that that was not even the worst smelling place on planet earth. That award goes to Seal Island, just off Cape Town and home to 75,000 Cape fur seals whose poo pongs of rotting fish. There’s a whole lot more about poo

and sewers including that back in ancient Roman times, women sometimes used crocodile poo as make-up. To be sure your olfactory lobes are going to be subjected to an onslaught of gross aromas if you let your nose lead you through the pages.

Of course there are many other ways to go depending on your taste – oops! make that interest takes you. Assuredly you’ll find lots of funny things you didn’t know previously on such topics as gastronomic goriness, what seems like sporting stupidity and much, much more, all somehow connected.