I’m not sure if it’s a boy versus girl thing, but my son loves nonfiction fact books much more than my two daughters ever did. I have to say that I’m enjoying learning about various topics; I feel like I’m preparing for Jeapordy! or an intense round of Trivial Pursuit.
I’m giving away a copy of My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things by DK, a gateway book for younger kids to explore nonfiction reference books. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.
What about you? Do you and your kids like nonfiction books? Thanks for sharing your favorites in the comments!
Fun Nonfiction Fact Books for Kids
My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things by DK
This is a four-color appealing encyclopedia for younger kids. With illustrations mixed with photographs, there is plenty of explanations written in short, simple sentences to keeps kids engaged. It’s perfect for young learners with lots of questions. [nonfiction illustrated encyclopedia, ages 5 and up]
It Can’t Be True 2 by DK
This is similar to National Geographic Kids 5,000 Awesome Facts [About Everything] so when you finish up that book and feel a void, continue with this series by DK. My son and I are working our way through the National Geographic Kids series of fact books and these fact based trivia books make perfect bedtime reading material because you can start and stop at any point, making for easier “lights out.” It Can’t Be True 2 series has more illustrations with bigger type than the National Geographic Kids 5,000 Awesome Facts so it might be more appealing to reluctant readers. If you read aloud to your child, you can start at a younger age, like 5 or 6. If your child is reading independently, then this series would be perfect for ages 8 and up. [nonfiction fact book, ages 6 and up]
5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything) 3
Find fascinating knowledge nuggets on all kinds of cool topics, from bubble gum and ice cream to the outer space and the North Pole! This book offers hours of unplugged fun for curious kids who love to be the trivia expert in the family. [nonfiction fact book, ages 8-12]
Weird but True 8
Kids love Weird But True! The latest, greatest in this endlessly fascinating series – now with more than 20 titles — is full of 300 all-new wild and wacky facts and pictures. [nonfiction fact book, ages 8-12]
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2017
Get inspired for the year ahead with the most popular kids’ almanac on the planet! It features 350+ pages of incredible photos, fun facts, news, activities, and features about animals, science, exploration, technology, culture, and more. [nonfiction fact book, ages 8-12]
Science Stunts: Fun Feats of Physics by Jordan D. Brown, illustrated by Anthony Owsley
I like this book more than Oh, Ick! below because with 25 experiments, it’s more manageable. Also, this book is in four color, making it more appealing to read. These experiments also are easier to pull off; the requirements for the tricks tend to be common household objects. I also like how the science behind each trick is explained in detail. This is the kind of science experiment book that my son would like. I would use this for summer entertainment with him. [nonfiction science experiment book, ages 8 and up]
Oh, Ick!: 114 Science Experiments Guaranteed to Gross You Out! by Joy Masoff, Jessica Garrett and Ben Ligon
This giant book of gross science experiments would be good for homeschoolers or for summer activities. The text is pretty dense and it’s printed in two color so older kids might like flipping around and reading it but it might be too much text for younger kids. [nonfiction science experiment books, ages 8 and up]
Who Wins?: 100 Historical Figures go Head-to-Head and You Decide the Winner by Clay Swartz, illustrated by Tom Booth
This is a kind of gamers version of history. There are two panels of historical figures with their bios and little known facts on the back. The middle panel is the challenge of Who Wins? For example, between two figures that the reader selects, who would sell the most Girl Scout Cookies? Or Survive a zombie apocolypse. The game is set up so that you rank them in six categories: wealth, fitness, wisdom, bravery, artistry, leadership, and intelligence. This is a fun way to learn about a wide range of people from across history. Think of it as a book that is disguised as a board game. [nonfiction historical fiction reading game, ages 8 and up]
Super Cool Tech: Technology, Invention, Innovation by DK
I do like this four color book that explains how things work but I don’t like how the book is bound vertically but meant to be read horizontally. It’s unwieldy to read it that way, especially for my son and I as we like to read lying down in bed at night. Still, my son will like this factoid book that includes how objects that he owns — XBox One, 3-D Pen, and Glow Sticks — work, as well as other interesting feats of science, engineering, and technology. [nonfiction fact book, ages 8 and up]
The Skeleton Book: Get to KNow Your Bones, Inside Out by DK
My 12-year-old son is learning the basics of anatomy in order to improve his manga drawing skills so I’ll pull out this interesting reference book for him as need arises. My 11th grade daughter will also benefit from this book as she plans to study Anatomy next year. This is a visually beautifully designed book, though the font size is pretty small. It’s fun to flip through and the information that compares human anatomy to that of different animals is fascinating. [nonfiction reference book on skeletons, ages 8 and up]
My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things by DK GIVEAWAY
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My boys love the Weird but True and Amazing Facts series!
Mother of 3 recently posted…Weekly Wrap- Up: The Week We Played All Those Games
My son too!! And I have read so many of them that I am hooked too! National Geographic Kids has such engaging nonfiction factoid books for kids!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Julie F
I love these type of books for kids! Such a nice switch up from chapter books!
Hi Julie F,
I agree! There are times at bedtime where we don’t have much time so reading a chapter from a chapter book is not going to work but reading the nonfiction books is perfect because we can skip around and it feels as satisfying as a longer read.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Olivia
Awesome list – you can’t go wrong with National Geographic! And the Who Wins? series looks interesting since they get to decide who “wins” based on the facts presented.
Hi Olivia,
I need to read the Who Wins? books!! Thanks for that great suggestion!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Our 10-year-old great granddaughter loves books that have facts — the stranger the better. Great suggestions.
Patricia Tilton recently posted…The Grand Wolf by Avril McDonald
Hi Patricia,
I am new to these nonfiction fact books. My son introduced me and I do think they are fascinating! I’m glad girls enjoy them too. My two girls didn’t read these kinds of books, so I missed them.
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Kathy
We have a book called Hippos Can’t Swim and Other Fun Facts that is full of fun and unusual facts about animals – fun for kids and adults!
Hi Kathy,
That book sounds great!!! Will look for it! Also did not realize that about hippos!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Elaine Butler
Children’s books about facts are a good starter for adults wanting to start studying a new subject. They give a starting point and help the reader learn the basics.
That’s a great point Elaine! I like how they are quick reads and allow for flipping around. We appreciate the design of the book too as the page layout becomes really important.
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John Smith
The best nonfiction books for kids are collections of biographies, or books with wacky, interesting information about animals, the world, etc.
We like those kinds of books too! I haven’t seen as many on people than animals or the world though.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
My kids love the National Geographic book as well as the DK books. This one you are giving away sounds excellent.
maryanne recently posted…Color-me Heart Valentines Sewing Tutorial
Hi MaryAnne,
We love those two series too! This series would fit right in!
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Jennifer Oliger
My fourth-graders love non-fiction, which is about half of our classroom library. They especially like The Who/What Was? and Who Would Win series?
I have to find those series! Thanks so much for putting it on my radar Jennifer!! My son loves nonfiction fact books so I am just now exploring this genre with him.
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Tina Estlinbaum
So excited about ALL of these great books!
Thanks so much for entering Tina!!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Ashleigh Kane
My boy loves to read about bugs and the skeleton. Nat Geo is a favorite!
My son is the same!!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Alyssa Annico
Anything with animals is always a hit!
Hi Alyssa,
For us too!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
That’s a really neat list! I’ve found that I like nonfiction books that are slightly older for some reason. I just usually find them more interesting. 🙂
Erik – TKRB recently posted…Perfect Picture Book Friday! Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
I can see that! You are probably learning so much from nonfiction books; the younger books are full of factoids to get kids reading which is fun too.
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olga
My favorite book is Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
I heard that book is great Olga. It seems sad so I’ve avoided it.
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