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Children's books

Q&A with Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday. Last chance to send in questions

50 replies

RebeccaSMumsnet · 01/11/2013 17:19

Guinness World Records is one of the bestselling books of all time and Guinness World Records 2014, our November children's book of the month, is jam packed with new and updated achievements from around the world, from tallest to shortest, from animals to machines and from the wacky to the astonishing.

Discover the most awe-inspiring people, pets and products from a 15-metre-long robot dragons to the world's furriest cat, and with over 100 all-new original photographs and a SEE IT 3D Augmented Reality feature, this new edition is guaranteed to be a favourite with all the family this Christmas.

We have 50 copies to give away so apply before 10am on 8 November and we'll email those who have been selected. Don't forget to come back and post your feedback over the month on this thread.

Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday, will also be joining us for a Q&A to answer your questions about the Guinness World Records series. He has answered some of the questions but for those who are saving the book as a Christmas present he will be taking your questions until 10 January 2014. Please do keep posting up your reviews/ thoughts on the book and questions for Craig after Christmas.

OP posts:
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JiltedJohnsJulie · 01/11/2013 20:49

Done.

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Georgethesmartestgiant · 05/11/2013 09:10

Done - my last copy is years old would love a new one

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femjh · 05/11/2013 10:09

I haven't read one of these books, since I was a child.

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cornflakegirl · 05/11/2013 10:49

Signed up - DS1 would love this - he's a big fan of trivia and facts and figures - as am I! The 3D bits also look very cool and would give him a great excuse to steal my phone...

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Picturesinthefirelight · 07/11/2013 12:12

Done. Ds has asked for this.

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gazzalw · 11/11/2013 18:34

Hi Craig,
I grew up with the Guinness World Records: Roy Castle and the twin brothers..... It was one of those programmes that shocked and delighted in equal measures!
I just wondered what your favourite world record is and why? And were you a fan as a child?
Many thanks!

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RachelMumsnet · 11/11/2013 23:01

The Book giveaway is now closed and we'll be emailing the lucky 50 tomorrow to let them know that they will be receiving copies. Please do come back and post your feedback and also post a question (or your DCs questions to Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday. The Q&A is open for you to post your questions before 25 November.

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wetaugust · 13/11/2013 20:01

Hi Craig

If you could personally hold just one of the records in the book, which one would you choose?

I'd go for fastest woman (100 metres).

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PomBearWithAnOFRS · 14/11/2013 11:55

Our book has just arrived and it is lovely Grin It's ginormous and I have had to tear myself away from it by force - I only opened it for a quick look and half an hour passed on one double page Grin
It's going upstairs now to be hidden away for Christmas for no3 son - he will love it I know.
Thank you "Guinness People" and MNHQ Grin

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lottegraham · 14/11/2013 20:32

Our book arrived today :) thank you very much
the book is wonderfully written, fantastic photos and full of knowledge!!
not a quick read and could take a few weeks to finish if read properly.
the book would be great for older children or teenagers as it is full of history as well as funny records. i tried to use the 3D app but when it got onto the loading page with a turning circle the app crashed again and again. a bit disappointing but doesn't change how i feel about the book.

brilliant book thank you very much :)

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Georgethesmartestgiant · 15/11/2013 19:42

We received the book today, thank you very much. It's very addictive reading, I love the fact most of the records have photographs although the photo of the man with the stretchiest skin scared me ! I would definitely recommend this as a gift for a child or adult who loves facts and figures. I am sure this book will provides hours of entertainment, thanks again.

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annie06 · 17/11/2013 09:04

I received my copy yesterday - thank you very much. It is a family tradition in our house that my daughter gets one of these every Christmas. It really is addictive and everyone (young and old) loves it!

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firawla · 19/11/2013 18:53

ours arrived on the weekend and my dses were really interested in seeing info especially any "fastest" records like fastest cars and runners. it's the first year we have had one and i think especially my eldest will get a lot of use out of it through the year and hopefully learn some cool facts

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missorinoco · 19/11/2013 20:51

Thankyou for my copy.
We've never had one before. I like the way it is laid out, and the photographs.
It will be great reading for an older child, teenager or adult.

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k8vincent · 19/11/2013 23:02

Thank you so much for our copy. DS1 is going to be thrilled with this for Christmas. DH loves all the crazy pictures.

Question for Craig Glenday: I was wondering whether, given that there is a clear appeal to the younger market, there might be a space for 'Youngest Ever' section. Is that something you have thought about?

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tinypumpkin · 20/11/2013 16:43

I was lucky enough to receive one, thank you. I know it's not about me but I really liked the layout and it did grab your attention! The children loved the photos and the 3D aspect of it also. Nice and easy to dip into although it's easy to get addicted and spend longer reading it. Definitely some interesting facts to learn.

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HazelDormouse · 21/11/2013 17:47

Thank you for our copy. Fabulous book. It is interesting for all the family and generates even more questions on the part of my young ds. I remember Record Breakers as a young child and Norris McWhirter in particular. My questions are:

What do you think Norris McWhirter would have thought of Guinness World Records as the global brand and entity that it has now become?
Do you consider being editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records as a job or a passion?

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Chippednailvarnish · 22/11/2013 00:28

I've received our copy, it's just as I remember it from when I was a kid!
A great big book full of great photos and short bursts of text that will be capture my Ds's attention. This would be very enticing for even the most reluctant reader.

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Pinkbatrobi · 22/11/2013 02:39

Hi, we received our copy yesterday but I couldn't get a look at it until today as the children were always around! :-) Thank you so much for this. My son is only so happy to receive it! He absolutely loves it, and the last one we had was 2010 and he is still looking at it...I think that he knows some records my heart. This years edition is even more exciting with the 3-D feature, although I admit I only managed to have it work on the front page. That snake is scary! I am sure it's just me being technologically challenged and DS will be able to work it out no probs!! Lol I particularly like group achievements (I was one of the silly people trying to break the record fir the most people dancing the Macarena in Cambridge a few years back, and if I remember correctly there was something involving Groucho Marx!) but I know my son will go straight for the weird and gruesome. My bet is on the Bodification page. He's only 12, but I dread the moment he's going to come home with first tattoo/piercing, he seems to be fascinated by them. His favourite from old book was lady with longest nails. Eurgh!

My question for Craig is : who comes up with the ideas, and what is your criteria for choosing? I mean for instance, when the guy showed up with a coil going through his throat and nose, did you think 'right, this one is on the right side of crazy, let's see how he does?' Or do you have that as a category and that chap thought to himslf: yeah,I can do that...

And another question: what does it take to become one of the judges who go around to check for no cheating, ecc?

Thanks for reading my ramblings and thank you all at MNHQ even more for the book!!
R

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Pinkbatrobi · 22/11/2013 02:40

"Darn Autocorrect!"": ...my son is GOING to be so happy...

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Eirwen · 22/11/2013 10:29

Received ours in the post last Friday. We haven't had one for a few years but the children still dip into the old ones now and again. This new one is fabulous. Thought I'd have a quick look but got engrossed and lost over an hour ! Have now hidden it away so I can wrap it up as an extra Christmas gift. Thank you so much to Mumsnet and Guinness World Records Limited for choosing me to receive one - it will be well read and loved in this house!

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CMOTDibbler · 23/11/2013 15:16

Thanks you for our copy. Ds(7) is entranced by it, and I've already said to a couple of friends with like minded children that theirs would love it. A really good mixture of useful and useless information

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Loveitall · 23/11/2013 19:18

Received mine and had a quick flick through, it's shiny, bright, full and I know it will be loved as a crimbo pressy!

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hotcrossbunny84 · 24/11/2013 13:23

Thanks for our copy its great. Daughter has really enjoyed finding out weird and wonderful facts and figures. Would make a lovely Christmas present. Haven't tried the 3-D feature yet but if it works I am sure it will make a great addition to a superb book!

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janeyh31 · 25/11/2013 21:58

Thank you so much for our copy of the Guinness world records 2014. I have had great fun looking through this book, looking at the amazing facts. The pictures are great, bright & colourful and its crammed with loads of information. Will definitely make a great Christmas present :0)

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