For the last five months, I have the opportunity to read 90+ nonfiction books for children (elementary, middle school, high school). I do tend to favor picture books. I believe that they make great coffee table books for readers of all ages. They are great conversation starters. I learn a great deal about a variety of topics from reading these books, which can inspire me to read college-level books on the same topic.
I also end up giving copies of some of the books to families with young readers. You might find a title that will make a great holiday gift or birthday gift for a young person in your life: your own child, niece/nephew, grandchild, neighborhood kid, a child from your faith community.
Yes, it was painful to select just 10 from the nearly 100 nonfiction kidlit books I have read during the second half of 2023. I hope that you have the opportunity to read at least one of these titles so that you can give a copy of that book to a child (or a local school).
Listed by the age of the target audience.
The overt narrative depicts a parent helping a child identify the species of a teddy bear. However, the book teaches young readers about the scientific principles of definition and classification. The illustrations set each of the eight species of bears into their habitat, and there is a great map of the world that depicts the types of bears found on 4 of the 7 continents.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6097360686
Dogs: A History of Our Best Friends. Author Lita Judge. Published 18 April 2023 by Harry N. Abrams
The book is organized chronologically, showing how humans and dogs have interacted with each other. The dog's role shifts from hunter, to guard, to fashion accessory, to family member and more. The pictures are engaging. Dog lovers of all ages will love this book and learn something new--even if they just casually thumb through the gorgeous and expressive artwork.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6007421633
Most people love ice cream, but do they know who it transitioned from a delicacy only enjoyed by the elite to a treat that could be stored and shipped to a broader customer base? This book shares how Augustus Jackson used some principles of science and entrepreneurship as a way to bring ice cream to the masses. The pictures place the reader with the people in the book as if they are in the same room or standing on the sidewalk. I felt as though I was time traveling by reading this book.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5794218832
We Are Branches Author Joyce Sidman, Illustrator Beth Krommes. Published 2 May 2023 by Clarion Books.
I must confess that I love a good schemata. This book helps young readers understand the concept of branching, which can help with coding software, building circuits, studying biology, analyzing fluid dynamics that underpin traffic management or water management. However, the book looks basic with it's examples from nature and anatomy. It's sneaky, and I love it!
Goodreads Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5695194221
I enjoy books that take a global perspective and an historical perspective. This also helps young readers see that women can contribute in a variety of ways. I value being a wife and a mother, but I also see how women have the ability to transform society in a variety of venues. Boys can read this book, but I can see girls taking an interest in how princesses across time and space have been athletes, scientists, educators, humanitarians, and more.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5784047140
Making More: How Life Begins. Author / Illustrator Katherine Roy. Published 7 March 2023 by National Geographic Books.
The concept of generativity gives this book an opportunity of looking at a variety of ways that nature procreates. Some of the sections look at life on the cellular level. Some pages depict plants, others animals (including humans). Many people of all ages are not aware of the complexity and fragility of life, and this book helps readers gain awareness of how vital (literally) it is that we are good stewards of living things so that we can continue to make more life.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5825812949
Do you know a young person with an interest in civil or mechanical engineering? How have cities managed to provide housing, energy, transportation, and water to their inhabitants? This book also conveys concepts of history and culture. The illustrations are rich and engaging. I learned a lot by reading this, and I encourage readers of all ages to get a copy.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5896906120
Vaccines Change the World. Author Gillian King-Cargile, Illustrator Sandie Sonke. Published 27 October 2023 by Albert Whitman & Company.
During the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, I read eight books about earlier pandemics. By reading this book, I learned a lot more about the people who developed vaccines. This is a great introduction to the scientific process and to how evidence-based medicine works (hypothesis, methodology, data collection, analysis and then repeat to refine). All people need a good foundation in the scientists, but young readers interested in chemistry, biology, health, and medicine will be particularly engaged.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6001218836
For centuries, Indigenous people employed techniques for growing food, making shelter, applying medicines and more. And the European colonists discounted their knowledge base. This book helps introduce some of the effective and powerful skills from Indigenous peoples that can help all people be better stewards of the earth.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5757344094
Astonishing and Extinct Professions: 89 Jobs You Will Never Do. Author Markus Rottmann, Illustrator Michael Meister, Translator Ashley Curtis. Published 1 August 2023 by Helvetiq.
Readers need to have a strong stomach to read about some of these professions that deal with bodily functions, disease, and death. However, those are not the only types of professions depicted in this book. This book is inereseting, funny, and bizarre. But by reading about extinct professions (organized chronologically), readers get a quick tour through various time periods and cultures. My only critique is that the book is a bit slanted to Europe and North America when African, Asia, Oceana, and Latin America have some interesting extinct professions as well.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6020684147
Again, I am in my 60s, and I often read books designed for children. There are some beautiful, interesting, informative, and engaging books written for children that can delight older readers.
Related:Mother's Day 2023 Gift Guide: NF Kidlit
