We’re not talking guns and explosions, here; what we’re talking about are the books that throw facts at you that blow your mind. As a parent, you’re often faced with the questions “why?” “how?” or “what for?” – and, more often than not, you don’t have a good answer. As a child or a young adult, what you tend to be left with is a feeling of disappointment.

However, with more and more books making the transition from paper to digital, there’s a good supply of e-books that will answer even the most obscure questions. Let’s take a look at five of the best.

1) Horrid Henry’s Dinosaurs

The wickedest boy in the world has a passion for dinosaurs that he’s bursting to share with younger readers. This book is stuffed with prehistoric nuggets, rhymes and illustrations that’ll have your little ones bursting at the seams; a great way for kids to soak up information without realising it.

2) When it comes to Answering the Weirder Questions in Life

Do Igloos Have Loos is a must-have on the Kindle. If you’ve been asked questions such as “is your right foot really clever?” or “why does sand come in different colours?” then seek this e-book out at all costs. Your sanity may depend on it.

3) Does Farting Make You Faster?

Is for slightly older readers – around the 9 to 11 age-bracket. Once again, it’s brimming with the answers to the kinds of question that only kids can come up with. Can the world’s fastest swimmer catch a jet-ski? Which nutter invented the ski-jump? This book combines science and sport, making an informative and entertaining read that’s easy to dip in and out of.

4) Climbing further up the Literary Reading-age Ladder

The Now You Know Big Book of Answers will provide you with the answers to questions that you tend only to ask when you’re a grown-up. If you want to know why the oceans are known as “the high seas” or why confetti is thrown at weddings, then you need to download this one fairly soon. This is trivia in its purest form, covering a range of questions from a range of topics. It’ll make you the go-to girl or guy for pub quiz teams, too.

5) Last

But by no means least – comes the e-book that everyone ought to have a copy of: the book of Guinness World Records. Each year, this book is updated so that you can check out the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the slowest…records that will astonish you and have you asking those questions that your kids ask you: “how?” “why?” and “what for?”

From more traditional records to some truly weird and wonderful entries, the book of Guinness World Records 2014 appeals across the board’ no matter how old or young you are, there’s sure to be something in there to stimulate the old grey matter.

The e-book edition is not only crammed with amazing – and sometimes ridiculous – facts, but there are also videos and animations to practically bring you into the world of Guinness World Records, rather than making you feel like a spectator. It’s got facts, fun and all-round family appeal.