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

Come visit us this weekend! Auckland Bookstore open 8:30am-5:00pm Sat & Sun 🎉

What's the Weirdest Thing About Animals?

The wildly wacky and seriously shareable new series!
By Edward Brooke-Hitching
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
Think you know everything there is to know about our world’s weird and wonderful animals?Well think again.From bottom-breathing turtles to fish that live in trees, set off with Edward Brooke-Hitching on a fact-packed safari to discover the strangest, silliest and down-right weirdest things our planet’s amazing... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2299
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Set off with Edward Brooke-Hitching on a fact-finding safari to discover all the strange, silly, wild and wacky things there is to know about Earth’s awesome animals.

Set off with Edward Brooke-Hitching on a fact-finding safari to discover all the strange, silly, wild and wacky things there is to know about Earth’s awesome animals.

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

Think you know everything there is to know about our world’s weird and wonderful animals?

Well think again.

From bottom-breathing turtles to fish that live in trees, set off with Edward Brooke-Hitching on a fact-packed safari to discover the strangest, silliest and down-right weirdest things our planet’s amazing animals has to offer.

Written by former QI elf and author extraordinaire, the first book in Brooke-Hitching’s spectacular new series is extraordinarily enlightening and seriously shareable. Both information- and humour-rich, it is a glorious treasure trove of bite-sized facts for children to either snack on throughout the week or gobble up all in one go. And with a ‘Who’s the Smartest?’ quiz at the end of each section, this book is the perfect companion for children determined to know their barking piranhas from their purring rottweilers – and that’s a fact!

Also available in this series: What’s the Weirdest Thing About the World.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526685155

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 January 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Jez Tuya

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 170g

Pages: 208

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Edward Brooke-Hitching

About the Author

Edward Brooke-Hitching was until recently a writer for TV’s QI. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. His writing has featured in the Guardian, The Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist and the Washington Post, amongst others. An unsuccessful amateur sword-swallower, he lives in Berkshire.

Jez Tuya is an illustrator based in Wellington, New Zealand’s windy capital. He’s been honing his craft and working as an illustrator for many years, and over this time he’s worked for many clients in children’s book publishing including Walker Books, Nosy Crow, Usborne and Dorling Kindersley.

Also by Edward Brooke-Hitching

View all
  • The Most Interesting Book in the World
    'Charming, hilarious, and guaranteed to make you the most interesting person at any party. Or the most annoying' - Adam Rutherford ‘Weird and wonderful facts you didn’t know you needed. Full of quirky nuggets of information and trivia’ - Sun ‘Joyously bizarre facts in a new book from a QI brainbox’ - Daily Mail Drawn from a former BBC QI...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Madman's Library
    BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK 'Anybody who loves the printed word will be bowled over by this amusing, erudite, beautiful book about books. It is in every way a triumph. One of the loveliest books to have been published for many, many years' — Alexander McCall Smith 'Quite simply the best gift for any book lover this year,...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    $4800
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Madman's Gallery
    Enter The Madman's Gallery - the perfect gift book for any art lover. Discover an eccentric exploration through the curious history of art, to find the strangest paintings, sculptures, drawings, and other artistic oddities ever made. From the author of the bestseller The Madman’s Library (Sunday Times Literature Book of the Year 2020, Radio 4 Book of the Week) comes...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    $7599
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Love; A Curious History
    ‘Edward Brooke-Hitching's delightful book is a collection of curiosities. From a 19th-century lonely hearts ad to a nuptial blessing of the bride’s buttocks, an entertaining history of love over the millennia that proves when it comes to the heart, little has changed.’ Daily Mail From the author of the critically acclaimed The Phantom Atlas and The Madman’s Library (Sunday Times...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    $5900
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Madman's Orchestra
    From the bestselling author and former BBC QI Elf comes a fascinating and beautifully illustrated journey through the entire history of music. In The Madman’s Orchestra, join Edward Brooke-Hitching as he lifts the curtain on the strangest episodes from the entire history of music, taking us on a backstage tour of surprising and eccentric stories. From the musical secrets of...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    $6999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Devil's Atlas
    'Very beautiful and illuminating' – Mariella Frostrup Edward Brooke-Hitching, author of the international bestseller The Phantom Atlas, delivers an atlas unlike any other. The Devil’s Atlas is an illustrated guide to the heavens, hells, and lands of the dead as imagined throughout history by cultures and religions around the world. Packed with colourful maps, paintings, and captivating stories, the reader...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    $5999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed
    Bedtime is about to get a lot more interesting. 365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed is a joyful collection bursting with wild facts, weird wonders, and unbelievable-but-true stories — one for every night of the year. You'll learn things like... Where does it rain diamonds? What does a comet smell like? Why would you keep a dog up...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • What's the Weirdest Thing About the World?
    Pre-order
    What's the Weirdest Thing About the World?
    The world is fantastic and enormous. It’s colourful, beautiful, exciting. Sometimes it’s dangerous, and occasionally it’s disgusting. You already know all of this. But, did you know just how weird a place the world can be? From Labrador-sized pearls to salt-and-vinegar-flavoured grass, set off with Edward Brooke-Hitching on a fact-packed expedition to discover the strangest, silliest, and downright weirdest things...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Paperback
    $1999
    Pre-order
    Out 2 Feb 2027
  • The Phantom Atlas
    A STUNNINGLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK REVEALING THE GREATEST MYTHS, LIES AND BLUNDERS ON MAPS 'Highly recommended' - Andrew Marr 'A spectacular, enjoyable and eye-opening read' - Jonathan Ross The Phantom Atlas is an atlas of the world not as it ever existed, but as it was thought to be. These marvellous and mysterious phantoms—non-existent islands, invented mountain ranges, mythical civilisations, and...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • The Sky Atlas
    Beautiful ... endless, brilliant, unforgettable stories' Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6* Combining myth and science, this breathtaking book [is] packed with stunning images' Daily Mail After the enormous international success of The Phantom Atlas and The Golden Atlas, Edward Brooke-Hitching's brilliant book unveils some of the most beautiful maps and charts ever created during mankind's quest to map the skies...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • The Golden Atlas
    'Stunning...divine' Stephen Fry ‘A fabulous book, good enough to eat with a spoon! Marvellous’ John Lloyd, creator of QI ‘Perfect for the armchair adventurer historian, this is a rich visual exploration of some of the most beautiful charts ever created’ National Geographic 'Introduces us to a whole different way of looking at maps. Great illustrations, most engaging - the author...
    By Edward Brooke-Hitching
    Hardback
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • 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
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    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
  • 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
  • New Release
    When Nature Calls (Duck #2)
    New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...
    By Matt Stanton
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Wild Summer
    A gorgeously whimsical interactive picture book that inspires kids to get outside and engage with nature. With simple, evocative wording and stunning watercolour illustrations, this book celebrates summer days, running through grass and singing with birds. Wild Summer is a joyous read that draws kids in and sends them out with a wanderlust for nature, encouraging mindfulness, gratitude and acceptance....
    By Vasanti Unka
    Hardback
    $2699
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    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