The Week Junior

"When you are young, you’re naturally curious about the world and everything in it. But the world seems made for grown-ups; complex and unknowable. That’s why we’ve created The Week Junior. It explains the news and events in ways that children understand; immediate, colourful, exciting. From news to nature, science to geography, and sport to books, The Week Junior explores an extraordinary array of topics from around the globe. Written to engage a young person’s point of view, without spoon-feeding or patronising, it explains events in a safe, accessible and inspiring way."

The big picture

Something worth talking about • Lost for words? Try starting a conversation with one of these questions, inspired by stories this magazine.

Editor’s note

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

WORD OF THE WEEK

Trouble on Cambodia-Thai border

The SEA Games begin

Ukraine’s president visits Downing Street

Countries pull out of Eurovision

IT’S AN AMAZING WEEK FOR…

Plan to invest in youth services

What is a youth centre?

Public garden wins award

Choirs record special song

Guide dog pups visit ballet

Crown Jewels custard protest

Around the world

Should all zoos be closed? • Some people argue that they’re not good for the animals.

The magic of audiobooks • Greg Jenner helps people to learn history and laugh.

Jimmy Cliff 1944–2025 • A musician who gave people hope with his songs of protest and positivity.

THEY SAID IT!

Raccoons are adapting to city life

UK foxes have changed too

NATURE SPY

Good news for the ozone layer

ANIMAL OF THE WEEK

GOOD WEEK

BAD WEEK

The toys on Christmas lists past and present • Spot which toys that sparked a frenzy are still loved today.

Brain has five key ages

Six fun facts about the brain

New collection for dolls highlights fashion waste

Finger counting is good for maths

AMAZING INVENTIONS • A new kind of zipper for clothing

Loving life at London City

Kits at Christmas

THE WEEK’S WINNERS…

Helping out helps you • Doing chores at home can be fun and fulfilling.

“It’s nice to know that you’re helping out.”

Chores to try

SpongeBob’s pirate adventure • He’s yellow, he’s happy and his daring journey to the Underworld is sailing into cinemas.

SpongeBob’s origins

Three SpongeBob spin-offs

Dog detective’s stage musical

FILM CLUB • An animated undersea musical

THIS WEEK’S WATCH LIST

5 stories about the past • Travel back in time with these gripping tales set against real-life events across the world.

Avalanche

Simon Fox • The Avalanche author on snow sports and watching football in the cold.

READERS RECOMMEND

YOUR TURN

Getting ready for the festive season • Freya Blyth owns The Bookshop by the Sea in Wales.

BOOK BITES

ON MY SHELF

Help the forests • A new AI project wants to protect rainforests – and you can help.

UPDATE OF THE WEEK

PODCAST OF THE WEEK

GAME OF THE WEEK

Make tasty latkes • These onion and potato pancakes are served at Hanukkah celebrations.

That’s unbelievable!

Puzzles

Meeting some rugby stars

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

CHARITY OF THE WEEK

GET INVOLVED

YOUR PHOTOS • We’d love to see your snaps. Send them to us at hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Don’t forget to tell us why you took them.

Quiz of the week

The Week Junior