Can reading books and magazines be both fun and educational for kids? The publishers of What on Earth! tell us their approach to making books fun to read
What’s the story behind What on Earth!?
What on Earth! is a small but mighty publishing team based in the UK and US. We are devoted to bringing children the most trustworthy and inspiring non-fiction books and magazines available anywhere. We use warmth, humour, fun, surprise and diverse perspectives to engage children’s natural curiosity and keep them happily and safely learning about the real world, which we believe is far more amazing than anything you can make up!
What is the unique appeal of What on Earth!?
What is the child in your life interested in? We believe this is the most important question you can ask a child. All the What on Earth! books and our magazine are designed to help a child explore and discover whatever fascinates them most, from nature, space and life on Earth, to history, machines, music, art, sport and more. With wow-worthy facts, amazing true stories and stunning imagery of the real world, What on Earth! helps children connect the dots of knowledge to build a lifetime love of learning.
What are some of the latest What on Earth! books?
Secret FACTopia!, the seventh book in the best-selling FACTopia! series, is out in July. With this book you’ll follow an ingenious trail of 400 connected facts about everything from secret recipes and escape artists to hidden treasure and invisibility cloaks. We’re also very excited that the first book in the series, FACTopia!, is also going into paperback for the very first time the following month.
Open Wide!, a book about the most marvellous mouths of the animal world, is out in September. Children aged 7+ are especially aware of their own mouths as they lose their milk teeth and have adult teeth grow in their place. This book compares their teeth to those of their favourite animals (and some super weird ones, too).
First Big Book of How, also out in September, provides answers for every inquisitive child. How do scientists see into space? How do bones grow? How do keys open locks? This lavishly illustrated compendium features compelling questions about space, Earth, machines, vehicles, buildings, animals and the human body.
Why did we decide to launch a children’s magazine?
We believe that non-fiction stories are often the BEST and most inspiring stories. And we are confident that many children agree. However, non-fiction books are often relegated to ‘information books’ or ‘reference’, denying them the narrative status they deserve. It is our goal at What on Earth! Magazine to promote non-fiction as a key motivator for children to develop a lifelong love of knowledge and discovery. Plus, magazines are a perfect format for visual learners, for young readers who like to dip in and browse and, of course, to offer fun interactive elements such as puzzles, games and jokes!
Who are some of What on Earth! leading writers and illustrators?
We’ve worked with a range of fantastic authors and experts across all our books. Recently, this has included: Dr Sarah Darwin, Charles Darwin’s great-great-granddaughter and scientist at Museum Für Naturkunde in Berlin, who co-authored Evolution; Dr Shini Somara, a mechanical engineer, media broadcaster and producer, who wrote Engineers Making a Difference; and Dr Michael E. Mann, internationally renowned climate scientist, who wrote a foreword for How to Teach Grown-Ups About Climate Change.
All of the articles in What on Earth! Magazine that are not taken from our books are written by our brilliant editors Ali Eldridge and Andrew Pettie. Most of our covers and feature illustrations, graphics and infographics are created by our in-house design and illustration team of Susanna Hickling and our art director Mark Hickling.
The wonderfully talented Andy Smith has illustrations in a lot of the magazine issues, including the cover art for our April 2024 Comedy Special issue. He’s also illustrated all eight books in the FACTopia! series. With wit and playfulness in each illustration, Andy brings every fact to life.
What age groups are the books and magazine aimed at?
We publish books for children aged 0–12, while the magazine is aimed at a slightly older readership of 7–14. Although… we always joke that both the books and magazine are for ages 0 to 100, as a result of the amazing feedback we’ve had from parents and grandparents. For example, Pamela, a grandparent, told us, ‘It’s a super magazine – I read it before handing it over I have to admit.’
What educational organisations does What on Earth! work with?
We work with a number of brilliant organisations, each motivating children to read for pleasure at home, in schools, and in libraries, including the Open University’s Reading for Pleasure research programme, Bookmark, BookTrust, Reading Agency, and Twinkl. We’re currently working on a project with 600 children, led by Professor Cremin of the Open University, investigating how What on Earth! Magazine engages a child by inspiring them and leading them towards building a love of reading for pleasure.
Is there a catalogue of Current What on Earth! titles available?
Discover our catalogue of books: https://issuu.com/whatonearthbooks/docs/autumn_fall_24_uk_digi-pages?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ
Discover the What on Earth! Magazine back issues: https://www.britannicamagazine.com/backissues
Where can I find What on Earth! activity sheets?
Browse our range of free resources, including downloadable activity sheets, teachers’ guides and online quizzes! Designed to accompany our books, these interactive resources support the curriculum and help make learning stick.
https://www.whatonearthbooks.com/activitysheets/
What else does What on Earth! offer?
We have the What on Earth! Schools Quiz Challenge, taking place this year on 29th November. Join hundreds of schools from around the country who are engaging their pupils in a nationwide general knowledge quiz. It’s absolutely free for all primary and secondary schools (KS2 and KS3) throughout the UK to enter. All the questions are inspired by topics covered in What on Earth! Magazine – and we send you all the resources you need.
Sign up today to take part in the online heats in October, with the live grand final taking place in London in November: www.britannicamagazine.com/quizinterest
Where can I find out more about What on Earth!?
Browse all the What on Earth! books: https://www.whatonearthbooks.com/
Subscribe to What on Earth! Magazine: https://www.whatonearth.co.uk/
Find our social handles on each website.
