Discover the FACTopia! Series by Paige Towler, Illustrated by Andy Smith

Paige Towler is an author and editor based in Washington, D.C., USA. A former editor for National Geographic Kids Books, she writes poetry about animals doing yoga, weird facts about the world, and silly stories about dogs and bats. Her poetry has appeared in anthologies such as Hey Baby! and National Geographic Kids Nature Poetry, and she has written books for National Geographic, National Geographic Kids, Scholastic and more.

Her illustrating partner, Andy Smith, 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. When not producing commercial work for clients, Andy can be found in the studio screen printing books and posters. Andy’s work has been exhibited in the UK, USA, France and Australia.

The first book in the FACTopia! series, FACTopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Facts, was published in 2021, and sets the tone for the whole series. Each book takes young readers through a world of astounding facts, which neatly connect to one another in surprising and hilarious ways.

Recommended for ages 8+, this series celebrates the wacky, delightful and astounding. Below, we listed all of the books in the series so you can see what they’re about! The seventh book, Secret FACTopia!, is out now!

FACTopia!

Did you know that a squid has a brain the shape of a doughnut? Or that some butterflies drink turtle tears? Welcome to FACTopia!, a marvellous place where every fact is delightful and astounding! Each fact in the book is connected to the next in an enthralling web of information. These connections are wacky and wonderful – you will move from facts about dinosaurs to facts about eggs to facts about goats. This ingenious and playful book is a fact-filled adventure trail and launches a major new series.

Buy a copy of FACTopia! here.

Return to FACTopia!

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!

Buy a copy of Return to FACTopia! here.

Gross FACTopia!

Did you know that sloths poo only once a week? Or that poo from crocodiles was sometimes used as make-up 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 Encyclopedia 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!

Buy a copy of Gross FACTopia! here.

History FACTopia!

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 swimsuits, 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?

Buy a copy of History FACTopia! here.

Animal FACTopia!

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!

Buy a copy of Animal FACTopia! here.

Science FACTopia!

Science FACTopia! is the sixth title in the bestselling FACTopia! series. Follow an ingenious trail of 400 facts about space, animals, rocks and crystals, virtual reality, the body, coding, 3D printing, engineering, plants, fungi, maths and more, where each fact is connected to the next in entertaining and unexpected ways. You’ll meet a parrot called Squawkzilla, find out about the fastest muscles in the body, discover gems that can change colour 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 children will be desperate to share with their friends and family.

Buy a copy of Science FACTopia! here.

Secret FACTopia!

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 amongst 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 children will be desperate to share with their friends and family.

Buy a copy of Secret FACTopia! here.