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Summer Learning: Fabulous Facts

Are you entering a trivia contest? Just wondered “what if?...” Were you up at 3 a.m. because you just weren’t sure about something that’s been nagging at you all day? Well, here’s your cure for insomnia - a list of books on all sorts of facts ranging from the common to the obscure to keep your brain focused and your mind spinning. This is an multigenerational booklist that features selections for Pre-Readers (0-5), Readers (5-10), Pre-Teens (10-12), Teens (12-17), and Adults (18+). Selected by SJPL Staff.

San José Public Library

40 items

  • For Readers. Kid's Almanac of facts presented and compiled by National Geographic.
    BookWashington, D.C. : National Geographic, [2023] — J 031.02 National
  • That's Fact-tastic!

    Mind-blowing, Eye-popping, Jaw-dropping Stuff About Our World

    For Readers. Did you know that a giraffe's eye is as big as a Ping-Pong ball? Or that about 19 million hot dogs are sold at major league baseball games every year? Or that there is only one bone in your body that's not connected to another…
    BookWashington, DC : National Geographic Partners, LLC, [2023] — J 031.02 Thats
  • Bird Atlas

    Amazing Facts, Fold-out Maps, and Life-size Surprises

    De la Bedoyere, Camilla,
    For Readers. Take to the skies and meet the world's most amazing birds. Navigate your way across the continents using color-coded maps and discover birds of prey, birds of paradise, aquatic birds and more. Kids can open full-page gatefolds…
    BookDublin, Ireland : Lonely Planet Kids, 2023. — J 598 DelaBedo
  • For Readers. Full of fascinating facts on space exploration, our solar system, and beyond, this comprehensive book from astronomer Dean Regas takes you on a mind-blowing tour of our universe.
    BookWashington, D.C : National Geographic Kids, 2023. — J 520 Regas
  • What in the Wow?!

    250 Bonkerballs Facts

    Thomas, Mindy,
    For Readers. Covering topics such as animals, architecture, inventions, food, space, and dinosaurs, a book from the hosts of the popular children's podcast Wow in the World presents 250 of the most astounding, gross, and all-around weird…
    BookNew York, NY : Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2023] — J 500 Thomas
  • For Readers. National Geographic Kids presents 5,000 fascinating facts in an accessible and engaging format about animals in kids' own backyards and around the world. This book includes animals from anteaters to zombie worms and covers…
    BookWashington, D.C. : National Geographic, [2022] — J 590 Five
  • Weird but True! Birthdays

    300 Fun-tastic Facts to Celebrate

    For Readers. Unwrap 300 wacky facts and pictures showcasing the hilarious history, crazy coincidences, awesome astrological beliefs, and surprising statistics behind birthdays. You'll be blown away by the world's craziest cakes, most…
    BookWashington, D.C. : National Geographic Kids, [2022] — J 394.2 Weird
  • How the World Works

    Know It All, From How the Sun Shines to How the Pyramids Were Built

    Gifford, Clive,
    For Readers. This essential title provides children with all the information they need to know how the world works! Trustworthy and easy-to-follow text written by Clive Gifford is complemented by vibrant design and illustrations and…
    BookNew York, NY : Kingfisher books, 2022. — J 509 Gifford
  • The Big Book of W.O.W.

    Astounding Animals, Bizarre Phenomena, Sensational Space, and More Wonders of Our World

    Hargrave, Kelly,
    For Readers. A guide to the world's most amazing and awesome wonders features stunning photos and incredible information that reveal the truth, history, and scientific explanation behind all that's wow-worthy in our universe.
    BookWashington, D.C. : National Geographic, [2022] — J 031.02 Hargrave
  • For Readers. Collects infographics and illustrations that visually represent interesting and easy-to-understand facts, figures, and comparisons intended to offer readers a better understanding about all kinds of animals.
    BookBoston : Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2022] — J 590 Jenkins
  • For Readers. Taking readers beyond the clock, this fascinating book, filled with facts, figures, and infographs, explores what happens around the world in just twenty-four hours.
    BookBoston : Clarion Books, an imprint of HarpercollinsPublishers, [2022] — J 031.02 Jenkins
  • The Highlights Book of How

    Discover the Science Behind How the World Works

    Romero, Libby,
    For Readers. By applying methods of critical thinking, engineering and more, kids can thrive as they continue to question the world around them and excitedly seek out answers to those questions. Companion to Highlights' best-selling Book…
    BookHonesdale, Pennsylvania : Highlights Press, [2022] — J 500 Romero
  • For Readers. Join Jop and Blip as they follow their curiosity and investigate these seemingly odd questions using their own brand of logic, critical thinking skills, STEM knowledge, and humor. Can you hear a penguin fart on Mars? What if…
    BookNew York, NY : HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2021] — J 500.0222 Benton
  • For Readers. From dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Giganotosaurus that ruled the land to the mammoths and giant sloths that followed them, discover all you have ever wanted to know about dinosaurs, fossils, and prehistoric life. Uncover…
    BookWashington : National Geographic Kids, [2020] — J 567.9 Daniels
  • For Readers. Who invented pizza? Why do people shake hands? Why do we wear underwear? You'll find the answers to these questions and more in this new series from National Geographic Kids! Ever wonder how basketball got started? Why we have…
    BookWashington, DC : National Geographic Kids, [2020] — J 031.02 Drimmer
  • Machines in Motion

    the Amazing History of Transportation

    Jackson, Tom, 1972-
    For Readers. This book takes readers on a journey through the developmental history of various modes of transportation - from chariots to electric cars, dugout canoes to ocean liners, cable cars to bullet trains, and the many iterations in…
    BookNew York : Bloomsbury, 2020. — J 388.09 Jackson
  • Weird but True! Dinosaurs

    300 Dino-mite Facts to Sink Your Teeth Into

    For Readers. Calling all dino dynamos! Get ready to devour wacky wonders, facts, stats, and trivia about all things dinosaur. Did you know that the T. rex had vision 13 times better than the average human's? Or that people collect…
    BookWashington, D.C : National Geographic, [2020] — J 567.9 Weird
  • For Readers. The size of this massive collection of fun, challenging, and silly factoids is anything but trivial! Featuring more than twenty thousand trivia questions (and their answers), this compilation will provide hours—make that…
    BookJ 793.73 Harry
  • Weird but True! World 2024

    Incredible Facts, Awesome Photos, and Weird Wonders--for This Year and Beyond!

    For Readers and Pre-Teens. Discover Earth's strangest natural wonders, animals, festivals, ancient architecture, news, and more in this annual compendium of everything Weird but True! fans love ... and then some. Readers will journey…
    BookJ 031.02 Weird
  • For Readers and Pre-Teens. The fully revised and updated version of the classic is based on the theme of the Blue Planet, with an emphasis on the natural world, as well as the latest record-breaking successes in music, TV, and sports.
    Book[London, England] : Guinness World Records Limited, [2023] — J 031 Guinness