Make Learning Fun!

28 nonfiction books that your kids will actually enjoy

As kids head back to school, you may be looking for ways to remind them that learning is fun! Whether you have a curious kid who's always on the lookout for new sources of information or one who has yet to find their area of interest, we've got you covered with this roundup of twenty-eight engaging nonfiction books covering a variety of topics and a range of ages.

Science and Nature

For young readers who find fascination in our natural world or get excited by the endless possibilities of STEM industries, pick up one of these great reads.

Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock and Katherine Roy
The suspenseful, little-known true story of engineer Otis Barton and explorer Will Beebe, who invented a hollow metal ball for their history-making expedition exploring the depths of the ocean on June 6, 1930. (Ages 4–8)

The Animal Book: A Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest—and Most Surprising—Animals on Earth by Steve Jenkins
A bookshelf essential! A huge variety of animals, smooth and spiky, fast and slow, hop and waddle through the 200+ pages of the Caldecott Honor artist's beautiful almanac of more than three hundred animals. (Ages 4–8)

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
For a new generation of explorers, here is the ultimate story of adventure and discovery. Simply told, grandly shown, budding rocketeers will enjoy this extraordinary account of the historic 1969 moon landing. (Ages 5–8)

Humongous Fungus by DK
From tiny microbes to the largest living thing, fungi are everywhere—and essential to our ecosystem! Not quite animals and not quite plants, unearth the many mysteries of mushrooms with this weird and wonderful book. (Ages 7–9)

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals over the course of millions of years, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Discover the astonishing evolution within its walls, both past and present. (Ages 7–12)

Dinosaur by D.K. Publishing
Become an eyewitness to the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and learn all about your favorite prehistoric creatures, from tiny, chicken-sized Compsognathus to the mighty, long-necked Brachiosaurus. (Ages 9–12)

History

Getting the perspective of different historical periods can help kids make sense of our complex world and better understand stories from the past.

Let Freedom Sing by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
"Rosa Parks at the front of the bus, she let her light shine." The struggle for civil rights forever changed life in America. With text to the tune of "This Little Light of Mine," this rich picture book offers a vivid message of hope. (Ages 4–8)

Bold & Brave: Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote by Kirsten Gillibrand
From well-known figures, such as Sojourner Truth to lesser known leaders like Alice Paul, here are the stories of the heroes who fought for women's right to vote in America—a journey that took more than seventy years. (Ages 6–9)

Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh (Coming soon in Spanish!)
In 1947, U.S. citizen Sylvia Mendez was turned away from her local school because of her Mexican heritage. This is the story of her family's fight to end segregation in California schools, seven years before Brown v. Board of Education. (Ages 6–9)

A Child's History of the World by V. M. Hillyer
Past eras are brought to life in this classic volume considered one of the best kids' history books of all time. It offers a grandfatherly narrative history of the world from the earliest civilizations to our current age. (Ages 8–10)

American History: A Visual Encyclopedia by D.K. Publishing
From the cultures of the first Native Americans right up to the events of the present day, uncover the key moments that shaped American history. Perfect as both invaluable homework help and a fascinating read. (Ages 8–12)

A Really Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
What happened to dinosaurs? How big is the universe? Why are oceans salty? Is a meteor going to hit us? Tackling everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, explore the mysteries of the universe. (Ages 8–12)

Biographies

These powerful stories of people who stepped up and broke the mold will inspire youngsters to reach for their own great heights.

Courage Like Kate by Anna Crowley Redding
Travel back to the stormy, rocky shores of 19th century Connecticut and meet an unforgettable heroine. Taking over as lighthouse keeper for her ailing father, twelve-year-old Kate Moore saved the lives of twenty-three sailors. (Ages 4–8)

Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh
After overcoming physical limitations he was born with, Fauja Singh kept going. At 81, he decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records, including becoming the first person over 100 to complete the grueling race. (Ages 4–8)

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark
Ada Lovelace may have been the daughter of famous poet Lord Byron, but she made her own mark. After meeting Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first computer, Ada wrote the world's first computer program. (Ages 4–12)

I Am Jane Goodall by Brad Meltzer
After receiving a stuffed animal chimpanzee for her first birthday, Jane Goodall's fascination with animals only grew. She advocated for animal rights everywhere and became the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees. (Ages 5–8)

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kalman
Much more than just the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was a true Renaissance man. He played violin, spoke seven languages and was a scientist, naturalist, botanist, mathematician, and architect. (Ages 5–9)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
When drought struck William's Malawian village, his family lost all their crops. Looking for a solution in the science books in his village library, William came up with a brilliant idea that changed his family's life forever. (Ages 10 and up)

Current Events

It may be difficult to shield kids from the alarming headlines of the daily news. Helping them gain a better understanding of some of the issues can empower them and alleviate their fears.  

Corona (The Germ) by Sophie Morris
Told from the perspective of a little germ who has unknowingly made people sick, this picture book helps young children talk about and process the potentially overwhelming feelings brought about by the pandemic. (Ages 2–6)

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jennette Winter
In the Spring of 2003, war was imminent in Basra and librarian Alia Muhammad Baker was trying to figure out how to save her city's books. This true story reminds us all of the enduring importance of literature and knowledge. (Ages 4–7)

Why? by Nikolai Popov
A frog and a mouse fall into an argument over a flower in this wordless modern classic, perfect for starting conversations with children about peace, conflict, warfare, and the importance of de-escalation. (Ages 4–8)

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Put a human face on the refugee crisis with this graphic novel depicting the real-life experience of Omar and his brother, Hassan. The two Somali boys spent much of their childhood in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. (Ages 9–12)

Finance

Even preschoolers can benefit from learning about money and how it works. These books can help kids develop a healthy understanding of how to manage their finances.

What Is Money? by Kelly Lee
Where does money come from? What should kids do with it? Why should we save? Money management is one of the most critical skills to have, and yet, it is not often taught in schools. (Ages 3–6)

Get to Know Money: A Fun, Visual Guide to How Money Works and How to Look After It by Kalpana Fitzpatrick
Understanding money is important for kids, whether they're managing their allowance or making plans to invest in the stock market. This jam-packed guide outlines how to save money, how to keep it safe, and how to grow it! (Ages 7–9)

Not-So-Common Cents: Super Duper Important Facts About Money You Can't Afford to Miss by Sarah Wassner Flynn
Cha-ching! While money certainly isn't everything, one fact is true: No matter where you live in the world, money is a basic necessity. This book teaches our kids everything we wish we'd known about money when we were kids! (Ages 8–12)

The Know-Nonsense Guide to Money: An Awesomely Fun Guide to the World of Finance by Heidi Fiedler
This easy-to-read guide explains the basics of saving, spending, and other lessons in ways that kids will understand. With simple definitions, memorable examples, and hilarious illustrations, it makes finance fun! (Ages 8–12)

A Smart Girl's Guide to Money: How to Make It, Save It, and Spend It by Nancy Holyoke
What's your money style? Do you make it last? Or do you spend it all in one place? This book is packed with quizzes, tips, and helpful quotes to make learning about money management easy and fun. (Ages 9–12)

How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000: Earn! Invest! Save! by Matt Fontaine, Jeannine Glista, and James McKenna
From the creators of Bill Nye the Science Guy, this comprehensive guide lays out the basics of earning, saving, spending, and investing. Build financial literacy, solid decision-making, and appreciation for a hard-earned dollar. (Ages 10–14)

Whatever topic your kids want (or need) to learn about, get them excited about the process with these compelling nonfiction reads.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon