120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Britannica First Big Book of Why

Why can't penguins fly? Why do we brush our teeth? Why does popcorn pop? The ultimate book of answers for kids who need to know WHY!
By Britannica Group and Drimmer and Sally Symes
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.54 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 39 ratings, 6 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Britannica First Big Book of Why is an engaging exploration designed for curious young minds, answering fascinating "why" questions about the world in a fun and accessible way. With vibrant illustrations and clear explanations, this book encourages children to delve into science, nature, and everyday mysteries, sparking their imagination and helping them understand the world around them.
Read More
Format: Hardback
Save 20% Off
Savings are calculated from our regular price of $41.00 compared to the current price of $33.00.
$3300
Elsewhere:
$4499
On Sale
in School Holiday Sale until 12 Oct or while stocks last
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This captivating children's book may appeal to you if you have a curious child who loves asking "why" about the world around them. It's filled with fascinating facts and engaging illustrations that explain intriguing questions, encouraging learning and a deeper understanding of various subjects. Perfect for young minds eager to explore, it offers educational fun that makes discovering new things exciting.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The definitive and stunningly illustrated question and answer book from Britannica, with answers to more than 100 questions that kids really want to know.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The definitive and stunningly illustrated question and answer book from Britannica, with answers to more than 100 questions that kids really want to know.

Britannica First Big Book of Why delves into fascinating questions such as: Why do elephants have trunks? Why are clouds different shapes? Why does popcorn pop? Why does my tummy rumble? Why do we flush the toilet? This magnificent book covers intriguing chapters on Bugs, Pets, Wild Animals, the Body, Food, Machines, and Space, and even addresses some of the mysteries that experts are still trying to solve!

By encouraging children to question how the world works, Britannica First Big Book of Why supports STEAM learning and nurtures enquiring minds. This book is enhanced by stunning photography and gorgeous original illustrations by Kate Slater, making it the ultimate gift for kids who need to know WHY.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Britannica First Big Book of Why is highly praised for its clarity and accessibility, offering captivating explanations, stunning illustrations, and intriguing puzzles. It's seen as an engaging resource that inspires curiosity, perfect for nurturing young enquiring minds. The book is described as vibrant and fun, effectively addressing children's endless questions about the world while also being informative for adults.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781913750411

Publisher: What on Earth Publishing Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 07 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Britannica Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Slater

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 210.0mm

Height: 280.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 272

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Best Selling Books Britannica Group Children's Books Children’s & Teenage Non-Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Drimmer In Stock Books In stock Children's Books In Stock Kid's Books New Zealand's Best Selling Books Sally Symes School Holiday Sale School Holiday Sale: Books

About the Author

Sally Symes worked for many years as a designer of children's books before turning her skills to writing them. Her collaborations with Nick Sharratt have won several awards, including The Educational Writers' Award for Gooey, Chewy, Rumble, Plop, and The Southampton Favourite Book to Share Award for Something Beginning with Blue. She works from a shed in Sussex, UK, accompanied by her grumpy cat.


Kate Slater grew up on a beautiful farm in deepest Staffordshire, and studied illustration at Kingston University. Her children’s books include A is for Ant, The Birthday Crown, The Little Red Hen, ABC London, Magpie’s Treasure, Make Your Own Birds of Prey and Make your Own Flying Machines. Alongside work for publishing, editorial and advertising, she has created several large-scale installations and window displays.

Also by Britannica Group

View all
  • Epic FACTopia!
    Epic FACTopia!, the eighth title in Britannica’s exuberant FACTopia! series, will take you on an enthralling and hilarious journey through the universe’s most mind-blowing, extreme facts. Follow an ingenious trail of 400 facts about daredevils, death-defying stunts, world records, wacky weather, extreme sports, unusual animals and so much more – all of which are connected in fun and unexpected ways....
    By Britannica Group and Rose Davidson
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Britannica's 150 First Words
    Give toddlers the gift of language with words and short phrases to say all day long from the experts at Britannica. Get toddlers talking all day long with a colourful board book of first words and phrases created by the experts at Britannica. This engaging large-format board book encourages toddlers’ language learning through the repetition of simple words and phrases...
    By Claire Laties Davis MS, CCC-SLP and Britannica Group
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Britannica's 5-Minute Really True Stories for Bedtime
    'I came away with a spring in my step, feeling a little younger and a little wiser for it.' - Joanna Lumley, BookBrunch Why do we sleep? Do animals dream? Where is the oldest bed in the world? In this compendium of 5-minute true stories, you will travel to Ancient Egypt to explore the five beds of Tutankhamun, jet off...
    By Britannica Group
    Hardback
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Britannica's Ready-for-School Words
    All the words a child needs to know for school in a big, busy book from the experts at Britannica Books. Enter the world of Britannica's Ready-for-School Words and discover all the people, places, and things in your community and beyond! Featuring all the words a child should know before they start school, this charming book takes you from familiar...
    By Britannica Group and Hannah Campbell
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Britannica's Word of the Day
    Britannica’s Word of the Day builds knowledge one day at a time with 366 masterful words. Become a word virtuoso in just one year with 366 crackerjack words aimed to impress. This charmingly illustrated book features boffo words selected by the masterminds at Britannica to highlight the best of the English language. Follow a menagerie of animals as they teach...
    By Patrick and Renee Kelly and Sue Macy and Britannica Group
    Hardback
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • FACTopia!
    A wonderland of amazing, exciting and sometimes downright silly facts - The Week Junior Welcome to FACTopia! A wonderland of crazily connected facts. Did you know that a squid has a brain shaped like a doughnut? Or that some butterflies drink turtle tears? Every Britannica-verified fact in the book is connected to the next in an ingenious trail of information....
    By Britannica Group and Kate Hale
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • History FACTopia!
    History FACTopia! offers an enthralling and hilarious journey through global history with 400 connected facts! 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...
    By Britannica Group and Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Return to FACTopia!
    A world of 400 facts, all connected in surprising and hilarious ways! Choose your own path through this ingenious web of astounding information. Did you know that bacteria from between people’s toes have 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...
    By Britannica Group and Kate Hale
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Listified!
    Britannica's Listified! will surprise, amaze, and amuse inquisitive young readers with 300 ingenious lists that organise the best bits of our awesome world. 'A treasure trove of fun and fantastic facts!' - Michael Morpurgo Ever wondered which 10 dinosaurs were the largest, and what they weighed...in cats? Or how much of your DNA you share with other animals...and bananas? Enter...
    By Andrew Pettie and Britannica Group
    Hardback
    $4799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Gross FACTopia!
    In this disgustingly marvellous world, you will discover facts about smelly sports, weird world records, rank rodents, vile Victorians, horrible medicine, gory gastronomy, and more – all of which are connected in unexpected and hilarious ways! 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...
    By Britannica Group and Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia – Updated Edition
    Fully updated edition of Britannica’s landmark children’s encyclopedia, with up-to-the-minute facts, figures, and images, featuring everything from supernovas to Taylor Swift, and from ancient Egypt to artificial intelligence. Earth, Space, Animals, History, STEM: this landmark encyclopedia from Britannica has them all! With more than 400 pages of up-to-the-minute information, including the very latest facts and figures, cutting-edge expert insights, and...
    By Christopher Lloyd and Britannica Group
    Hardback
    $6799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    By Britannica Group and Paige Towler
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Also by Sally Symes

View all
  • My Very First Britannica Encyclopedia
    The first-ever Britannica Encyclopedia for children under three, in a beautifully illustrated, large-format board book. My Very First Britannica Encyclopedia explores big ideas through a little one’s eyes. This huge board book covers an enthralling spectrum of topics: Earth, Animals, Plants, Food, Machines, Art, Music, Numbers, and Shapes. The simple, clear, and lyrical text includes plenty of sound words for...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Giggles!
    Get the giggles in this contagiously funny interactive board book! Gertie's got the giggles,She's found a funny book.Guess who is giggling too... Turn the pages of this large, super-sturdy board book to see who catches Gertie's giggles. Look into the peep-through holes and meet a whole cast of chuckling characters, brought to life with bold, bright colours and a shout-out-loud...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Happy Little Birthday
    Enjoy and encourage imaginative play with your baby in this adorable and hilarious finger wiggle book! Poke your fingers through the holes of this light-hearted birthday board book to bring a charming cast of characters to life and make your party celebrations a whole lot more fun! From fancy dress to the perfect present; from a jolly jelly to candles...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $1499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Happy Little Easter: A Finger Wiggle Book
    Enjoy and encourage imaginative Easter play with your baby in this lively seasonal finger wiggle book! Poke your fingers through the holes of this fabulous Easter board book to make wiggly legs for your favourite cast of springtime characters! From the hopping bunny to the bouncing lamb and the puddle-splashing toddler to the Easter egg waiting to be found, share...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $1499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Merry Little Christmas: A Finger Wiggle Book
    Enjoy and encourage imaginative Christmas play with your baby in this joyful festive finger wiggle book! Poke your fingers through the holes of this brilliant Christmas board book to make wiggly legs for your favourite cast of characters in the run up to the big day! From the fairy at the top of the tree to the snowman with cold...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $1499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Sleepy Little Bedtime
    Enjoy and encourage imaginative play with your baby in this adorable and hilarious finger wiggle book! Poke your fingers through the holes of this light-hearted bedtime board book to bring a charming cast of characters to life and make your go-to-bed routine a whole lot more fun! From cleaning baby's teeth to sharing a story; from a bubbly bath to...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Spooky Little Halloween: A Finger Wiggle Book
    Enjoy and encourage imaginative Halloween play with your baby in this spooktacular finger wiggle book! In Spooky Little Halloween: A Finger Wiggle Book, poke your fingers through the holes of this lighthearted Halloween board book to make wiggly legs for your favourite cast of creepy characters in spooky season! From the witch on her broom to the wolf howling at...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $1499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Yummy Little Picnic
    Enjoy and encourage imaginative play with your baby in this adorable and hilarious finger wiggle book!Poke your fingers through the holes of this light-hearted lunchtime board book to bring a charming cast of characters to life and make your picnic a whole lot more fun! From a tasty egg sandwich on crusty brown bread to a juicy round tomato; from...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    $1499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • First Big Book of How
    A compendious and stunningly illustrated fact-filled book for children who have endless questions about how the world works. How do scientists see into space? How do we know what the dinosaurs looked like? How do chameleons change colour? How do bugs walk on walls? How do bones grow? How do keys open locks? Featuring compelling questions about space, Earth, machines,...
    By Sally Symes and Saranne Taylor
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • Waah!
    Waah! Everyone is wailing in this fabulously funny interactive board book!Willow’s going waah!She’s tumbled on the path.Guess who is crying too...Whoops! Willow's taken a tumble and is in tears. What a lot of noise! Luckily, Willow's big brother Finn is there to help put a smile back on her face!Turn the pages of this large, super-sturdy board book and look...
    By Sally Symes
    Board book
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    New Release
    The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    By Julia Donaldson
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    Backorder
    Ships early October
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    By Airana Ngarewa
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    By David Hill
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Ms Rachel: My First Little Library
    New Release
    Ms Rachel: My First Little Library
    Learn about colours, animals, words and numbers with Ms Rachel in this early learning boxset. This little set contains four board books that help introduce children to early concepts. Perfect for younger readers, each chunky book will keep little hands occupied at home, or on the move. And, once you’re done reading (and re-reading), the four books come together to...
    By Ms Rachel
    Board book
    $1599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    By Shara Curlett
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    By Tim Saunders
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    By Pippa Goodhart
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all