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

Come visit us this weekend!🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Gross FACTopia!

Follow the Trail of 400 Foul Facts [Britannica]
By Britannica Group and Paige Towler
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
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?... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

‘Gruesomely captivating.’ Guardian

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

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 Encyclopaedia 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!

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804661659

Publisher: What on Earth Publishing Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 February 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: What on Earth Publishing Ltd

Illustration: 300 Illustrations, color

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Andy Smith

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 207.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 208

Collections

Britannica Group Children's Books Children’s & Teenage Non-Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Humour Paige Towler

About the Author

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 snakes and bats.

Andy Smith is an award-winning illustrator, and 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. He lives by the sea in Hastings, East Sussex.

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 Monday
  • 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 Monday
  • 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
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Britannica First Big Book of Why
    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...
    By Britannica Group and Drimmer and Sally Symes
    Hardback
    $3300
    Elsewhere:
    $4499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • 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 Monday

Also by Paige Towler

View all
  • Yes! No? Maybe So...
    Yes! No? Maybe So... by Julie Beer and Paige Towler is a quirky, super-stuffed curiosity quencher that dives into a multitude of fascinating questions. Do robots have emotions? What would happen if you jumped into a black hole? Can plants ... hear things? You'll find the answers to these and even more far-flung questions right here. Some questions have simple...
    By Julie Beer and Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $5400
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Talking Rocks and Minerals: Fact-Packed Guide to Geology
    For fans of Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll comes a delightful nonfiction picture book told from the perspective of rocks—offering a fun and informative view of geology, straight from the source. Let's talk rocks. No, let's let rocks talk! Pebble the Rock Reporter is ready to interview a whole host of rocks and minerals to get the scoop on...
    By Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $3700
    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
  • Secret FACTopia!
    Discover facts about detectives, poisons, lost cities, spy gadgets and more in this new addition to Britannica’s bestselling FACTopia! series! 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...
    By Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $2899
    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
  • How It Happened! Skateboards
    How It Happened! Skateboards by Paige Towler, WonderLab Group Whether you're attempting your first ollie or have perfected railsides, everyone can agree: skateboarding is seriously fun! Did you know that skateboarding used to be called sidewalk surfing and the sport can trace its roots back centuries? Or that today there are more than 3,000 skate parks in the US alone?...
    By Paige Towler and WonderLab Group
    Paperback
    $2499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Free Gift
    Lonely Planet My Amazing Travel Journal
    The ultimate fun-filled travel journal for globetrotting kids to write, draw, play games, and capture special memories during their next big trip! This all-in-one journal, scrapbook, and sketchbook is an extension of the Lonely Planet Kids A Kid's Guide To series and is the perfect keepsake for curious adventurers. Packed with fun prompts, fill-ins, games, and spaces for notes, pictures,...
    By Lonely Planet and Paige Towler
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • How It Happened! Pizza
    Age range 8 to 12 Find out how pizza became the world's favourite comfort food in this nonfiction book, part of the How It Happened! series. Did you know that every hour, more than one million slices of pizza are eaten in the United States? But this cheesy flatbread had a long journey before becoming a global comfort food. This...
    By Paige Towler and WonderLab Group
    Paperback
    $2499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • How It Happened! Skateboards
    Whether you're attempting your first ollie or have perfected railsides, everyone can agree: skateboarding is seriously fun! Did you know that skateboarding used to be called sidewalk surfing and the sport can trace its roots back centuries? Or that today there are more than 3,000 skate parks in the US alone? Get ready to soar through the story of skateboarding...
    By Paige Towler and WonderLab Group
    Hardback
    $3499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Lost Mysteries
    History is full of the weird, wild, and wacky—and in this interactive adventure book with 250+ photos, middle grade readers uncover the incredible mysteries of our world. Kids ages 7+ will discover why history is the coolest subject ever, with mind-blowing stories about ancient civilizations, dinosaurs, hidden treasures, pirates, and more. How were the ancient Egyptian pyramids built and who...
    By Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $5000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • How It Happened! Gum
    How It Happened! Gum
    Find out how gum became everyone's favourite chewing candy in this fact-filled nonfiction book, part of the How It Happened! series. Baseball stadiums, movie theatres, underneath your desk at school—gum is everywhere. But how did this gluey glob become everyone's favourite candy to chomp on? Readers will love gobbling down the story of gum, from its ancient origins to its...
    By Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $3499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • National Geographic Kids: Yes! No? Maybe So... (Disney)
    National Geographic Kids: Yes! No? Maybe So... (Disney)
    You've got questions, right? We're talking about huge questions! Mind-bending, head-scratching, keenly curious queries. Like ... what if we could dig a hole through the centre of Earth? What's the deal with the Bermuda Triangle? Is your houseplant listening to you? And will we ever be able to talk to animals? Get the scoop on these questions and more—with whimsy,...
    By Paige Towler
    Hardback
    $4099
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    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
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    New Release
    The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    By Donovan Bixley
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    By Sam Smith
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • 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 Monday
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    By Asako Yuzuki
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • 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 Monday
  • 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 Monday
  • Millie from Milford
    New Release
    Millie from Milford
    Based on the true story of Ruth Shaw and her husband Lance looking after a baby seal that had been shot between the eyes. Millie from Milford lives in Milford Sound, the number one tourist destination in Aotearoa New Zealand. After Millie was checked by a vet, she was taken to Ruth and Lance's home to be looked after until...
    By Ruth Shaw
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • 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 Monday
  • 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 Monday
  • 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 Monday

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