This is my final day of holiday recommendations from the great folks at National Geographic Kids. You can see day one here (ULTIMATE PREDATORPEDIA and WHY NOT?). And last Friday I presented the third choice with THE POETRY OF US.

Today are two more gifts perfect for a last minute stocking stuffer. WEIRD BUT TRUE! starts things off with its tenth edition.

The 6.5 inch square paperback is filled with facts. You know right from the get-go you are in for a fun and eye popping ride—

The average rain cloud weighs as much as 100 elephants.

Continuing on, you’ll find fascinating scientific facts—

There are more than 60,000 tree species on earth.

A few facts I’m not sure I wanted to know—

Doctors removed a 14-pound hairball from a woman’s stomach.

And ones to celebrate the 10th edition—

There are 125 million 10-year-olds around the world.

You’ll find 346 more to keep both you and your children occupied, discussing and rereading each amazing fact. The pictures bring even more awe. Here’s the official blurb:

 Weird But True! 10 (ages 8-12) With the release of the TENTH book in the Weird But True franchise this Fall, things just got even WEIRDER.   To celebrate this major milestone, WBT! 10, as well as books 1-9, feature a new cover design and 50 MORE facts than the original releases (that’s 350 facts per book if you are counting!).  Did you know that ears are self-cleaning, itching is contagious. or that 99% of people can’t lick their elbows — but 90% of people who read this will try??   Topics include science, space, weather, geography, food, pop culture, and just about everything else under the sun, presented with fascinating photos and illustrations. This quirky little reference and perennial favorite is all about fun and and is perfectly sized and priced for a stocking stuffer or paired with a teacher’s favorite gift card. 

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Wrapping up the holiday gift parade is a book I reviewed last September: EXPLORER ACADEMY-THE NEBULA SECRET. It’s the first fiction title from NGK.

I wrote at the time— “Twenty-one chapters provide much intrigue and fun through the advanced classes the young explorers take. The mystery is what propels the story forward to an exciting and an “I did not see that coming” conclusion.

The Official Plot: Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado has been invited to become part of an elite group of young explorers at the prestigious Academy in Washington, D.C. Yet even before Cruz can leave his home in Hawaii, an attempt is made on his life. Things only get more complicated, and dangerous, when Cruz arrives in the nation’s capital. Someone wants him dead and it may involve a secret his mom took with her to the grave seven years ago. Join Cruz and his fellow explorers as they travel the globe, following clues and cracking codes to unlock a mystery that could change their world, and ours, forever. Be sure to look for the hidden puzzles and codes embedded throughout the book! 

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All five books presented the past week would make long lasting gifts.

Enjoy and have a happy holiday!