kate hale

        Did you know that scientists can tell how old a whale is from its earwax? Or that sharks existed before trees? Welcome to Awesome FACTopia, a world of perfectly amazing 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; hop from topic to topic in unexpected and hilarious ways, and discover extraordinary facts about fungi, dreams, dogs, tyrannosaurs, planets, diamonds, bumblebees, robots, jellyfish, Egyptian mummies, and more!

        But 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. Discover where your curiosity will take you!

        (Originally published in hardback as Return to FACTopia!)

Kate Hale is a writer, editor and professional fun fact finder. A former executive editor for National Geographic Kids’ Books, she’s edited or written about everything from dog communication to inspiring scientists to wacky roadside attractions. She also co-created and hosted the award-winning kids’ radio program, the Weird but True! show. When she’s not hunting for new facts, Kate enjoys gardening, video games and road trips.

Andy Smith is an award-winning illustrator, and studied illustration at the University of Brighton and the Royal College of Art, London. His work combines illustration and typography to create images that have humour, energy and optimism executed with a handmade, hand-printed, tactile feel. He lives by the sea in Hastings, East Sussex, UK.