Illustrated throughout, this encyclopedia is the essential reference book for children, and a must for every classroom and library shelf. Extensive cross-referencing and 'Find out more' panels are used, and all entries are listed alphabetically.

* Volumes 1-7 give comprehensive coverage of subjects from Aborigines to Zoos.

* The Biography volume includes the lives of 560 important people, both current and historical.

* The Index volume includes an index of over 15,000 entries, a gazetteer of the countries of the world, and a timeline of world history.

Notable updates for 2004 include: - the 'war against terrorism', including the Afghan and Iraq wars - the genetic revolution (cloning, GM foods, the Human Genome Project) - technological developments such as digital photography and DVDs - the introduction of the euro and the expansion of the EU There are also a number of new biographical articles, including George W. Bush, Saddam Hussein and J. K. Rowling.