Not all children’s books have to be fictional, as even non-fiction books can have valuable themes and messages that can entertain, teach, and inspire children right from an early age.
So if your child loves to read, it’s well worth introducing them to real-life stories and tales inspired by true accounts to help broaden and nurture their view of the world, society, and life in general.
And to point you, and them, in the right direction, we’ve gone ahead and rounded up 18 amazing non-fiction books for kids that they are sure to love.
So with all that said, have a scroll through these and see which ones your kids might want to read next!
1. Dream Big, Little One
Author: Vashti Harrison
Publication Date: 2018
Publisher: LB Kids
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction, Picture Books
Dream Big, Little One is an illustrated account of 18 black women and their inspiring stories, offering up universal themes that include perseverance, dreaming big, and overcoming the odds of not feeling or being accepted – a must-read for young children of all backgrounds.
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade tells the colorful and inspiring real-life story of Tony Sarg, “The Father of Modern Puppetry”, who made the balloons for the first-ever Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, bringing joy to people all over America for decades to come.
3. Finding Winner: The True Story Of The World’s Most Famous Bear
Author: Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)
Winnie-the-Pooh might be fiction, but the story behind the real bear that inspired Winnie—and generations of people long after—is true. Finding Winnie is both heartfelt and heartwarming – a comforting read with a message that will also leave most adults smiling with nostalgia.
4. She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed The World
Author: Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)
Like Dream Big, Little One, She Persisted is a fantastic collection of true stories about women who left their mark on the world against all odds. For little ones, it’s another must-read book to let them know that anything is possible through courage and persistence.
5. The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
Author: William Kamkwamba
Publication Date: 2009
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Non-Fiction, Autobiography, Memoir
Everyone in William Kamkwamba’s village thought he was crazy, yet perseverance and one big dream saw him hand-build a windmill that helped save his village from drought and hunger. It’s a true story that’s inspiring and full of heart for adults and young children alike.
6. My First Book Of Planets: All About The Solar System For Kids
Not every children’s non-fiction book needs to have a story! My First Book of Planets is the perfect introduction to the solar system for kids, offering beautifully detailed illustrations and written profiles of each planet with space facts that are sure to fascinate and enthrall.
7. The Water Princess
Author: Susan Verde
Publication Date: 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
The Water Princess is a realistic fictional story about Gie Gie(based on supermodel Georgie Badiel) and her upbringing in a rural African village.
Gie Gie dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her village, and what she does to achieve it is a story that will educate and inspire young readers of all reading levels.
Often one of the most difficult aspects of parenting is teaching children about feelings and how to deal with them.
The Way I Feel is the perfect answer to that, providing evocative illustrations and descriptions that connect emotions and words in a way that’s both entertaining and easy to process!
9. The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life Of Paul Erdos
Author: Deborah Heiligman and LeUyen Pham (Illustrations)
Paul Erdos was something of a prodigy – a gifted young boy with the ability to crunch numbers in his head better than most adults. This story shines a light on Paul’s inspiring story, doubling as a fantastic introduction into the world of math, science, and education for young readers.
10. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book Of Animals
Author: Catherine D. Hughes
Publication Date: 2010
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction, Animals
For little ones and kids who love animals, First Big Book of Animals is a fun and educational animal encyclopedia with larger-than-life photos, bright colors, easy-to-read fonts, and fascinating facts that will have them occupied (and learning!) for hours on end.
11. Greta’s Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went On Strike To Save The Planet
Author: Valentina Camerini, Moreno Giovannoni (Translator), and Veronica Carratello (Illustrator)
Publication Date: 2021
Publisher: Aladdin
Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography, Science
Few schoolgirls have impacted the world as much as Greta Thunberg, the young climate crisis activist who has stood up to politicians and corporations around the world. This biographical account has one clear message for kids: that you can make a difference no matter your age.
A Ticket Around the World is a colorfully illustrated, story-driven educational book that covers 13 countries across 6 continents, told using the adventure of one young boy.
A great introduction to geography and travel, this book offers a fantastic overview of each country and its language, culture, landmarks, food, and wildlife.
13. Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don’t
Author: Christopher Lloyd
Publication Date: 2020
Publisher: Britannica
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction, Science
Even adults can learn from this book! Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia covers a range of topics—including geology, biology, physics, chemistry, and history—using fun, readable descriptions with terminology that kids, both into science or not, will be interested in from start to finish – and there are over 300 pages!
14. Beware Of The Crocodile
Author: Martin Jenkins and Satoshi Kitamura (Illustrator)
If your kids love crocodiles, then there’s no better book on this list. Beware of the Crocodile uses stunning illustrations and playful descriptions that tell all there is to know about crocodiles, from their habitats and sleep habits to their hunting methods!
15. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned To Read
Author: Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora (Illustrator)
Mary Walker, born in 1848, didn’t have the best upbringing. She was a slave, then a wife and parent, then a senior working numerous jobs. At 116, she learned to read. It’s never too late to learn and there is always hope – a message that this book tells with the help of well-drawn illustrations.
16. Hidden Figures
Author: Margot Lee Shetterly
Publication Date: 2016
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Science, Biography
Hidden Figures is a New York Times bestseller for children and adults alike, detailing the lives of several female African-American mathematicians who worked for NASA just before Neil Armstrong walked the moon.
And yep, they played a big role in making it happen, so this is an inspiring true story that needs to be told and read!
17. Honeybee: The Busy Life Of Apis Mellifera
Author: Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann (Illustrator)
Has your child ever asked where the phrase, “as busy as a bee” comes from? This is the book that will give them a fun insight into the lives of the busiest, most hardworking creatures on the planet, using detailed illustrations and superbly poetic descriptions.
18. The Girl Who Thought In Pictures: The Story Of Dr. Temple Grandin
Author: Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley (Illustrator)
Last but not least: The Girl Who Thought in Pictures. This is a highly inspiring biographical account of Dr. Temple Grandin, an autistic scientist who became one of the most influential thinkers and academics of the last century – a sure-fire must-read for children with autism and without.
Final Word
And that completes our list of 18 amazing nonfiction books for kids that they are sure to love – from the first page to the last! These are real-life true stories with messages and pictures that entertain, teach, and inspire, so make sure to pick up a few (or all!) of these books for your kids to read next.
Hi, my name is Penny Spacer and I have been an avid reader since I can remember. I have always sought out book fairs, events, and sales to find a new adventure.
There’s nothing better than someone falling in love with a book that you told them to read!
This is the reason why I decided to start up my website where we can talk about fiction, non-fiction, reviews, and more. I want to get more people excited about reading!
I hope you enjoy my website and who knows, maybe I’ll meet you around the bookshelves one day.
