History FACTopia! by Paige Towler. Illus. by Andy Smith

History FACTtopia! is the fifth book in this clever and very entertaining non-fiction series for children (and the adults in their lives). It is full of incredible information that is easily accessible for younger readers and is told with humour and colourful engaging images. The format of the book encourages the reader to follow the trail of 400 historical facts, beginning with the discovery by archaeologists in China of a pair of trousers 3,300 years old to the very last fact about a group of claqueurs who were hired by theatres in 18th century France to clap, cry and laugh to inspire audience participation.

The reader is able to read this book and follow the dotted or broken lines to view items of their own interest. There is no chronological link as such, but random interactions with semi-connected areas. For example, information about a 3000 year old artificial toe made of wood and leather attached to an Egyptian mummy and is the oldest known prosthetic body part, leads to either more information about mummies or information about the world’s oldest pillow made of stone 9000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Which then leads to running-water toilets discovered in a 2000 year old tomb and added as a ‘restroom for the afterlife’ which then leads to further information about the topic of pee… The path is endless!

Children will enjoy the humour, graphic-style illustrations and photographs throughout and will be offered hours of entertainment. It is a wonderful book to pour over and for those who prefer a more structured path there is an index at the end as well as a detailed glossary of historical terms, credits, picture sources and information about the Factopians.

Themes: History, Facts, Humour.

Kathryn Beilby