usborne big picture book of general knowledge

"The best ice skaters can spin around on one foot up to 115 times without stopping" (p. 15). Also, at the annual La Tomatina festival in Spain, people throw around 1 million tomatoes at each other (p. 10). Oh, and one more thing: most Ancient Greek and Roman marble statues were originally painted (p. 25). 

When I first opened ​The Usborne Big Picture Book: General Knowledge, I sat at my desk and pored through it for about half an hour. Every page is packed with interesting facts... I couldn't put it down! And there are so many tidbits of information, I am still learning something each time I pull it off the shelf. (Did you know a guy named Dave Kunst walked around the world in the 70s over the course of four years?) 

One thing that makes this book so captivating is the way the information is presented. Each page is its own theme - Back in Time, On the Move, Animals, Natural Wonders, Record Breakers, etc. - and the facts are all presented with creative illustrations, so it's both a visual and written experience. Check out examples in the photos! You come for the pictures and stay for the fascinating info. :) 

Incidentally, did you know that submarines extract oxygen from sea water, so the crew inside can breathe? (that's from page 9, "On the Move") Sorry, I can't help myself. Ok, so picture my excitement about all this stuff and translate it to kids! They will love exploring these pages and sharing their new finds with you. And what a great way to find topics they want to delve into deeper! This would make an incredible homeschool book... or really, an incredible book to have at the home of anyone who wants to learn something new.

It's that book that makes you more knowledgeable and more curious at the same time.

Oh, and by the way, Bangkok's name in full is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit (p. 3). 

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Book benefits:

• This book feels substantial - between the sturdy hardcover binding, the thick pages inside, and the close to 10" by 12" dimensions
• Each page is packed with facts, so you'll be learning over the course of multiple explorations
• Illustrations are detailed and engaging, drawing you in before you read a single word
• Facts are shared in bite-sized pieces that beg for further research by curious learners
• This book is internet-linked (through Usborne Quicklinks), so you have a jumping off point for follow-up learning!

(Speaking of the internet, did you know an early form of the internet, known as the arpanet, was launched in 1969? p. 32...)

Buy the Usborne Big Picture Book of General Knowledge here! (hardcover, $14.99)