Big Book of Useless History Knowledge
An encyclopedia of mind-bogglingly random history facts that will lodge in your brain and refuse to leave.
Heard about King Henry II's polar bear that was allowed to swim in the River Thames? Or the Filipino soldier who refused to believe that WWII was over and continued to fight until the 1970s? Do you know which US president was a champion wrestler before taking office?
In this compendium of obscure facts, readers will be treated to baffling history knowledge they would never learn at school. Broken into chapters including royals and leaders, sport, and food, a team of experts has scoured the margins to find the silliest and most pointless history facts that the world has to offer.
Accompanied by hilarious illustrations, kids will meet characters like Wojtek the orphaned bear cub who was enlisted in the Polish army, discover which famous explorer used his own poop to help him escape during a blizzard, and learn why hot cross buns were believed to keep away evil spirits. They will also unearth completely useless information, including which US city held a funeral for 30,000 pizzas.
(SPOILER: the information in this book isn’t really useless. It will inspire, shock, and amuse the reader-and maybe spark an interest that will last a lifetime. It just won’t help you with any exams!)
Written by experts including historian and curator Dr Hattie Hearn, teacher and educational inclusivity expert Melody Triumph, and TikTok historian Scott Webber.
Kay Wolfersperger is a designer and illustrator based out of Savannah, GA. Her lively, colourful work often explores humour and positivity.
Liz Kay is a British illustrator whose books include The History of Everywhere and My Met Sticker Collection.
Lauren Radley is a freelance illustrator based in the UK. Her work as colourful, playful, and diverse. When she is not working, Lauren loves cooking, swimming in the sea, and going for walks with her family.