Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Format: Non-fiction

Non-fiction

A stunningly illustrated book of extraordinary city maps, telling the story of human civilisation throughout history.

A gorgeous, large-format gift hardback with a stunning neon cover, A History of the World in 25 Cities features 25 beautifully illustrated city maps from all over the world, from ancient history to the present day. Readers can visit cities from every inhabited continent on Earth, from the walled city of Jericho built over 10,000 years ago, to the modern-day metropolis of Tokyo, the most-densely populated city in the world today.

Featuring vibrant, beautifully detailed artwork from Libby VanderPloeg, each carefully researched map takes readers on a city tour at a unique moment in time – from exploring Athens in ancient Greece during the birth of democracy, to walking the beautiful lamplit streets of medieval Benin, deep in the West African rainforest. Readers can even visit China’s long-lost capital city of Xianyang – a city for which no original map exists, which was brought to life with support from the British Museum’s fantastic team of experts.

Non-fiction

Discover 100 of the planet’s most magical islands – their wildlife, trees, diversity, people, treasures, and more – in this beautifully illustrated book.

From islands that have been taken over by animals to disappearing islands, islands made of shells, artificial islands, and even islands that were once prison colonies, Amazing Islands is a whirlwind tour of some of the smallest land masses in the world.

Discover the Galapagos islands, home of giant tortoises, penguins, boobies of all colours. Or visit Jiangxin Park in China, a natural island with an awe-inspiring, giant bookshop. Islands can be home to giant cities, colonies of cats or crabs; they have been hideouts for pirates and have given rise to astonishing scientific discoveries. Amazing Islands celebrates island life in all its extraordinary diversity.

Non-fiction

Discover the science behind wild and wonderful weather in this fact-packed book!

Ever wondered what causes thunderstorms, how snowflakes form, or why our climate is changing? Get all the answers to these questions and more in this children’s book about the weather!

Inside the pages of this responsibly sourced science picture book from DK Books, you’ll discover:

– Beautiful illustrations to introduce scientific topics in a simple and accessible way
– Stand out facts are presented clearly on each spread
– Easy to understand text teaches children about climate change, meteorology, and geography
– The science behind hot, cold, wet, and wild weather suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2 development

From heatwaves and big freezes to tornadoes and fog, this science book gives your budding meteorologist a glimpse into all the action that happens in the sky. Learn about all kinds of weather and marvel at how powerful it can be!

At a time when extreme weather is becoming more and more common, this eco-focused book is perfect for getting your little one clued up about the environment. Throughout the pages of this colourful and energetic STEM book, your child will discover fun facts about the weather. They will also learn everything there is to know about global warming, the seasons and even record-breaking weather phenomena!

Become a Weather Expert in No Time

This educational book tells a riveting story about how big, amazing, and wonderful our weather really is – but it’s told from the child’s perspective. The book itself has also been produced as sustainably as possible, made with responsibly sourced materials and soy inks. It’s the perfect gift for environmentally conscious kids aged 5-9.

Non-fiction

Were charioteers the highest-paid athletes in history?

How did Heracles slay the many-headed Hydra?

Did the Greeks invent the world’s most bloodthirsty sport?

Readers can discover the truth behind some of the most incredible ancient Greek stories and superstitions and unearth the most fascinating aspects of an ancient culture in this immersive book. With flaps to lift on every page, there’s plenty of history to uncover.

Non-fiction

Did you know that under the sea, deep in the forest, and out in the desert there are creatures that make light all by themselves? The Earth is full of curious creatures that really do glow in the dark.

From fireflies and sea turtles to puffins (yes, puffins!), scorpions and squirrels, this beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book reveals a hidden world of amazing glowing animals. How do they glow? And what is the brightest creature of all? Read on to find out all sorts of fascinating facts about these incredible creatures. Children will discover how and why these creatures glow, and explore how humans have tried to harness their dazzling skills. A perfect book for children with a curiosity to learn more about the wonderful animals we share our planet with.

Non-fiction

This book is about changing the world for the better.
It’s about how we all have the power to make a real difference.
And it’s also about the many incredible young people, just like you, who are
already taking action at a time when change is most needed.

This is a book about climate change, and the actions we can take in preventing it. From its causes and the effects they have on our beautiful planet, to the changes we can make, young eco enthusiasts will love finding out more about this global crisis.

With vibrant artwork from Katie Rewse and engaging text from Georgina Stevens, Climate Action is a positive guide to the changes, both big and small, we can make. From sustainable shopping to pollution-tackling green roofs, there are so many exciting innovations which are helping us in our quest to save the planet. What’s more, profiles about the young change-makers making waves to save our planet encourage young learners to join the environmental movement.

Inspiring, informative and uplifting, this is the perfect handbook for being the change we want to see. A tree will be planted for every copy sold in the UK.

Non-fiction

The Arctic ice is melting and the polar bears need our help. They come to Warmland to explain what’s really going wrong. Luckily they find a group of lively, sparky kids who jump into action and draw up a BRILLIANT PLAN.

Non-fiction

Join Roma Agrawal, the award-winning structural engineer who worked on The Shard, for an exciting behind-the-scenes look at some of the world’s most amazing landmarks.

Meet the extraordinary people who challenged our beliefs about what’s possible, pioneering remarkable inventions that helped build the Brooklyn Bridge in the US, the Pantheon in Italy, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Shard in England and the Sapporo Dome in Japan. Discover the ingenious methods engineers have come up with to enable us to build underground, underwater, on ice and even in space. And learn about the impact different forces and materials can have on a structure by carrying out your own engineering experiments from the ‘Try it at Home’ sections.

Beautiful and detailed illustrations by Katie Hickey, including cross-sections, skylines and close-ups of engineering techniques in action, provide unique and illuminating perspectives of our most awe-inspiring constructions. Get ready to see the built world around you like never before!

Non-fiction

She Heard the Birds tells the story of pioneering birder and activist Florence Merriam Bailey, whose compassionate approach to nature influenced modern bird-watching and inspired a lasting sense of curiosity and respect for the world’s feathered creatures.

Spending much of her life outdoors, Bailey studied birds in their natural habitats by quietly waiting, watching, and listening. Bailey was a passionate advocate for kindness toward birds and all wildlife, and her efforts encouraged many others to raise their voices in support of animal welfare. Following A Life Made by Hand , the beautifully illustrated biography of artist Ruth Asawa, Andrea D’Aquino’s colorful illustrations and lyrical text animate the birds Bailey sought to celebrate and remind us to look up into the sky and listen.

Non-fiction

In this stylishly illustrated biography anthology, meet 34 artists, thinkers, athletes and activists with disabilities, from past and present. From Frida Kahlo to Stephen Hawking, find out how these iconic figures have overcome obstacles, owned their differences and paved the way for others by making their bodies and minds work for them.

These short biographies tell the stories of people who have faced unique challenges which have not stopped them from becoming trailblazers, innovators, advocates and makers. Each person is a leading figure in their field, be it sport, science, maths, art, breakdance or the world of pop.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments