What on Earth! Magazine

What on Earth! Magazine, published in partnership with Encyclopaedia Britannica, is the UK’s fastest-growing children’s magazine, helping curious kids fall in love with reading, knowledge and learning. Covering all their favourite topics – from space, animals and the natural world, to history, machines and inventions – each issue is bursting with amazing facts, photos, quizzes, puzzles, jokes and more!

COMPETITION!

FACTopia! • Follow the trail of crazily connected facts all the way from the oldest land animal… to a landmark covered in chewing gum!

WHAT ON EARTH! • Astonishing photos from around the world

Eureka! • The latest astonishing discoveries, inventions and scientific breakthroughs.

SECRETS OF THE   SUPERNATURAL! • Just in time for Halloween, let's explore humans’ fascination with ghosts, ghouls and goblins – and find out where many spooky stories come from…

GHOST MAP! • Ghost stories are told all around the world. Here are 13 places that are famously said to be haunted, and the ghosts that are said to dwell there!

How do ‘ghost ships’ float in the air?

What causes déjà vu?

NOBODY KNOWS! • Scientists think that Venus used to be more like Earth. It may even have had oceans – and life! system. It's hotter even than Mercury, which is the closest planet But now it has a thick atmosphere that makes it the hottest planet in the solar to the Sun! But as for what changed on Venus…

The What on Earth! Quiz • Test your family's brainpower by playing the What on Earth! Quiz together. Regular readers may have an advantage because some of the facts appeared in previous issues of the magazine. Don't worry if you don't know them all, though – the answers are at the end of the quiz!

Ask the experts • Readers ask. Experts answer. Send your questions to: editor@whatonearth.co.uk

SEEING INSIDE THE BODY

CAT • Cats may have first started to live with humans around 12,000 years ago. Since then, the cat has become one of the most popular pets in the world. Cats sleep for around 15 hours a day, but when they're not snoozing they can have lots to say.

PICTURE THIS! • How amazing information about our world – and beyond! – can be brought to life by fascinating infographics. This month we focus on the wonderful world of plants…

A leaf spotter's guide • Just like a snowflake, the closer you look at a leaf the more there is to notice. Here is a guide to common leaf features and how to spot them.

LISTIFIED! • Prepare to be amazed (and amused!) by the unusual facts crammed into this irresistible list.

EVOLUTION! • In a fascinating extract from a brilliant new book by scientists Sarah Darwin and Eva-Maria Sadowski, we explore the story of evolution and how it has shaped the natural world – including you!

Natural selection

The game of life • Let's think about natural selection in action in an imaginary meadow. Out in the wild it is a constant battle for survival, and playing the game isn't always easy. Follow the stepping stones and look out for the three main parts of natural selection as you go.

Puzzles & Games • Stumped? Don't worry, you can find the answers to all the puzzles on page 49.

Absolutely Everything!

Ancient Toys of the Indus Valley

Merry marigolds • Marigolds are important to Día de los Muertos, a holiday in which people honour loved ones who have died. Learn more about Día de los Muertos and make your own marigolds out of paper!

SEND IT IN!

PUZZLE ANSWERS

THE WHAT ON EARTH! QUIZ Challenge

Jokes & Riddles • Tickle your ribs and tease your brain with our favourite gags and riddles, hand-picked by our jokes editor May!

What on Earth! Magazine