No catches, no fine print just unconditional book love and reading recommendations for your students and children.
You can create your own school's page, develop tailored reading lists to share with peers and parents...all helping encourage reading for pleasure in your children.
Find out more
Christopher graduated with a double first in history from Cambridge in 1990 and went on to become the Technology Editor for The Sunday Times. He left in 2000 to become CEO of Immersive Education in Oxford before becoming an author in 2006. His best selling history of the world, called What on Earth Happened? (Bloomsbury 2008) is now in 15 languages and has sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide. He established his own publishing house What on Earth Publishing in Spring 2010 and has published a series of timelines in collaboration with illustrator Andy Forshaw covering history, nature, science, sport, Shakespeare and Magna Carta. Christopher is now in great demand as a lecturer and storyteller in schools, museums and at literary festivals throughout the UK and abroad. He divides his time between lecturing and writing.
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2022 Information Books 3-14 | If ever there was a book to inspire curiosity and the joy of learning, it is this sparkling new edition of that old stalwart, the Encyclopedia Britannica. Thoroughly updated for the 21st century and making a welcome return to print, it has been edited by Christopher Lloyd of What On Earth Wallbooks fame and his delight in discovery and knowledge infuses every one of its 400+ pages. It is divided into eight sections covering life on earth, from the formation of the universe to the development of man through to peeks into our future, and each of these sections includes hundreds of different topics, the information carefully and thoughtfully presented through clear text panels supported by colour images, photos and diagrams. All of the information comes from named experts, who are not above confessing when they’re not sure of something or acknowledging ‘known unknowns’, and in another clever touch, there are Q&A features with some of these at the end of each section, where they explain how their passion for their subjects began. The book is fabulous to look at and, whether you are dipping in to follow a particular thread or reading through it from beginning to end, it will answer thousands of questions while sparking thousands more, just as the very best sources of information always do. Highly recommended.
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021 | This richly illustrated, mesmerising exploration shows that humans and other animals don't just live on the same planet, they also share many of the same patterns of behaviour, making us all fellow players in the drama that is life on Earth. Fascinating and stunningly illustrated, Humanimal explores and celebrates the astonishing ways in which animals and humans are alike.
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2020 | This is a historical treasure-trove of information about, pretty much, everything and everywhere. It is almost impossible to put down, with fascinating stories tumbling over each other. Its crisp and clear writing plays well with the photographs and illustrations. It is destined to become a favourite for curious young minds.
November 2015 Book of the Month If you want to know what was happening on Earth any time in the last four billion years, then you couldn’t do better than opening out the Wallbook Timeline of Big History. Each one of the What On Earth Wallbooks contains a 2 metre long poster – ideal for pinning to the wall or poring over on the floor – that presents information in a unique cross-section of time, and history as a continuing Earth-wide story. Packed with pictures, the wallchart is immediately enticing and full of information. A separate quiz tests children on what they can find out and demonstrates the Wallbook’s scope, questions include: which are the first creatures thought to have been able to see underwater? Tulips became a symbol of dignity in which Islamic region? What nationality was the assassin of Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria? A unique, accessible and inspiring information book. ~ Andrea Reece These What on Earth wallbooks are an amazing feat of publishing. The Timeline of Big History depicts millions of years of evolution, the rise and fall of civilisations, one hundred of the top battles and, on the reverse, the story of planet, life and people from the Big Bang to today. In addition to the Wallbook, The Timeline of Big History also includes a Chronicle which features more than 35 newspaper stories and a quiz.
The most innovative approach to non-fiction since Horrible Histories, the What On Earth Wallbooks present information in a way guaranteed to inspire children’s curiosity and to stimulate real enthusiasm for learning. Each one contains a full-colour poster – 2 metres long – that illustrates the complete historical timeline of its subject. Illustrations are accompanied by equally informative captions and there’s longer reading too in the form of spoof newspaper articles and letters to the editor. Billions of years of history at a glance! ~ Andrea Reece The complete collection of hardback What on Earth? Timelines covering Science, Big History, Nature, Sports, Shakespeare and British History. These wallbooks are an amazing feat of publishing. The Timeline shows a complete story on a 2 metre-long timeline. Perfect for younger readers but also relevant to all ages, these comprehensive, accessible and versatile wallbooks are the first ever attempt to illustrate the entire history of nature and natural science on a single piece of paper. In addition to the Wallbook, The Timelines also includes a Chronicle which features more than 30 newspaper stories and a quiz.
The British History Timeline showcases milestones in the extraordinary history of the British Isles from the age of the Dinosaurs 100 million years ago to the hosting of the London Olympics in 2015. In a two metre long poster – ideal for pinning to the wall or poring over on the table or floor – the Wallbook places the oldest footprint on British soil, kings & queens, famous battles, the heroes of science, art and culture as well as iconic national buildings and monuments, all of which have shaped the history of our islands from before humans to the present day. This brilliant visual experience allows you to explore British History as you have never seen it before! Newspaper style articles provide longer reading and support what is described on the poster. It’s a triumph of an information book, comprehensive and inspiring, bound to set readers off on their own journeys of discovery. These wallbooks are an amazing feat of publishing. Perfect for younger readers but also relevant to all ages, this comprehensive, accessible and versatile wallbook is the first ever attempt to illustrate the entire history of nature and natural science on a single piece of paper. In addition to the Wallbook, The British History Timeline also includes a Chronicle which features more than 30 newspaper stories and a quiz.
November 2015 Book of the Month If you want to know what was happening on Earth any time in the last four billion years, then you couldn’t do better than opening out the Wallbook Timeline of Big History. Each one of the What On Earth Wallbooks contains a 2 metre long poster – ideal for pinning to the wall or poring over on the floor – that presents information in a unique cross-section of time, and history as a continuing Earth-wide story. Packed with pictures, the wallchart is immediately enticing and full of information. A separate quiz tests children on what they can find out and demonstrates the Wallbook’s scope, questions include: which are the first creatures thought to have been able to see underwater? Tulips became a symbol of dignity in which Islamic region? What nationality was the assassin of Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria? A unique, accessible and inspiring information book. ~ Andrea Reece These What on Earth wallbooks are an amazing feat of publishing. The Timeline of Big History depicts millions of years of evolution, the rise and fall of civilisations, one hundred of the top battles and, on the reverse, the story of planet, life and people from the Big Bang to today. In addition to the Wallbook, The Timeline of Big History also includes a Chronicle which features more than 35 newspaper stories and a quiz.
Everything you want to know about all sports from the original Olympics to the present day is crammed into the attractively busy pages of this vast wall chart. Fun to browse but also hugely informative, this chart deserves a place on all walls in 2012. Terrifically original publishing. There are three in the series so far: The What on Earth? Wallbook: From the Big Bang to the Present Day The What on Earth? Wallbook of Natural History The What on Earth? Wallbook of Sport Visit the What on Earth series website for more images and information.
With more than 1000 pictures and captions depicting millions of years of evolution, the rise and fall of civilisations, the top 100 battles and on the reverse, the story of the planet, life and people from the Big Bang to the present day, the What on Earth? Wallbook is an exhilarating journey through the past. The book is designed both to be read as a book and to be viewed as a poster that concertinas out to 2.3 metres. Terrifically original publishing. There are three in the series so far: The What on Earth? Wallbook: From the Big Bang to the Present Day The What on Earth? Wallbook of Natural History The What on Earth? Wallbook of Sport Visit the What on Earth series website for more images and information.
With more than 1,000 pictures and captions depicting millions of years of evolution, the rise and fall of civilisations, the top 100 battles and on the reverse, the story of planet, life and people from the Big Bang to the present day, the What on Earth? Wallbook is an exhilarating journey through the past. The book is designed both to be read as a book and to be viewed as a poster that concertinas out to 2.3 metres. Terrifically original publishing. There are three in the series so far: The What on Earth? Wallbook: From the Big Bang to the Present Day The What on Earth? Wallbook of Natural History The What on Earth? Wallbook of Sport Visit the What on Earth series website for more images and information. Visit a GIANT WALLBOOK somewhere near you: Huge pavement Wallbooks that are 8m long and 2m high are being exhibited throughout the country at the following placed between publication and September 2012. 26 April - 14 May 2012, South Bank of the River Thames outside London City Hall. 14 May - 8 Aug 2012, London Zoo. 31 May - 10 Jun 2012, The Family Zone at the Hay Literary Festival. 9 Aug - 9 Sep 2012, Natural History Museum London. For more details go to the What on Earth website.
