A new range of guides hopes to give young people the low-down on holiday destinations, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Ever wondered where the World's Biggest Liar competition is held? Or what people in the village of Nasty are actually like? These facts and many more are all part of Leo Hollis's Pick Your Brains About . . . England, an alternative tourist guide for eight- to 12-year-olds. It's one of four books that explain the history of European countries in a light but informative way.

"This is about writing a quick history, an introduction to England," says Hollis. "So many times you're stuck in the back of a car with your parents and they're going, 'That is a big building,' and, 'That is a big building,' and you're going, whatever. But with this book children can get their revenge and go, well, no, actually, this is what happened. It's about trying to imagine what the really interesting things are when you arrive."

The series, which also covers Spain, Italy and France - with one on Ireland up next - concentrates on strange and unusual facts as well as the more common tourist attractions; it is similar in style to the Horrible Histories collection of the mid- 1990s.

"When you go on a family holiday it is a group activity," says Hollis. "You've got to keep people entertained and keep them occupied. You can go into museums, and there are lots of buttons and things, but it can be a bit bland; you do need this sense of fun. These books are all illustrated with great cartoons, and it really brings out the stranger qualities of the stories. It's just trying to introduce things in an exciting and interesting way."

Hollis says there has already been a good response from children who have read the series. With school presentations and school-going "guest editors" asked for their opinions on the final versions, those involved in writing the books have had the chance to gauge children's responses to the collection.

"The main thing that I got back from James [the 12-year-old guest editor for the guide to England\] was that he couldn't believe Teddy boys existed. So to actually hear their viewpoint was important. I've also been to a few schools and given readings, and that's been very exciting. It started off just after Euro 2004, and to tell them that Portugal had St George as their patron saint as well - well, that sort of annoyed them. But to be able to tell them stuff about their own area that they didn't know was fantastic."

Having lived throughout England, from Lancashire to London via Devon, Hollis was keen to replace the clichéd bowler-hat-and-umbrella view that foreign children can have of the country.

By concentrating on historical events such as the second World War, cultural festivals such as the Mudathon - a 200-yard race through waist-high mud in Essex - and the contrast between northern and southern accents, he helps to explain the complex nature of England.

"I tried to do the whole country, cities and towns, because it didn't all happen in London and continues not to all happen in London. In every place you can find a Starbucks and a McDonald's, but apart from that there are usually subtle differences. The history of England is all about continuous waves of new races coming in and adding to the mix, and it's something that reads into the book quite nicely. It is important that if you're going to talk about religion or something you talk about all the religions, even the Jedis'."

With the fifth book in the Pick Your Brains About . . . series, on Ireland, due to be published early next year, Hollis is optimistic that the collection will continue to give children the incentive to learn more about neighbouring countries.

"All books are stepping stones to reading more. I think it's great to try and incubate that passion, to push those buttons that get them to go off and get interested. It would be a shame to go all the way to Florence and just think about a Coca- Cola and a pizza. But when you read these books you'll realise that you're not necessarily going somewhere that is so alien that you're not going to know about anything. Now when you're walking through France or Spain you'll know why everyone is kissing and hugging each other."

Pick Your Brains About . . . England by Leo Hollis is published by Cadogan Guides, £4.99 in UK