Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: Greystone Books

For kids 8 to 13, join the largest Arctic expedition ever undertaken—and discover the secrets hidden deep in the ice that reveal how one of the world’s crucial ecosystems is changing.

The Arctic is changing—fast. The once-frozen landscape is melting before our eyes, and the effects can be felt around the world. But the Arctic is also the region we know the least about. Thick ice, extreme cold, and total darkness have always prevented scientists from uncovering its secrets. Until now.

This science-based guide for middle readers follows the 2019 MOSAiC expedition on the largest expedition to the Arctic ever undertaken. On board the Polarstern, a powerful ice-breaker research vessel, more than five hundred scientists from all over the world turned their attention to this mysterious region. Their mission? To let their vessel freeze in the sea ice and drift towards the North Pole in order to study how the Arctic is changing, and how these changes will affect our world.

Mission: Arctic features:

Filled with photographs from the expedition
Thrilling facts, illustrations, diagrams, and fact bars about the polar region
The dangerous conditions the scientists endured, from freezing temperatures to terrifying storms and polar bears
The important discoveries made on the mission
Through this thrilling book, readers will discover the Arctic ice is not as permanent as we thought, and what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic. The knowledge gathered on the Polarstern has the power to determine our planet’s future—if only we pay attention.

An adorable, STEM-themed picture book for kids 4 to 8 that reveals the wisdom mushrooms have to teach us.

Mushrooms always wear their thinking caps. They know so many things. This vibrant and informative book shares the fascinating lessons that fungi can teach us: that small can be mighty, being unique is a reason to celebrate—and staying connected is key. Sara Gillingham’s lively art and Kallie George’s charming text captures the wondrous world of mushrooms, and everything we can learn from it.

Featuring over fifty kinds of mushrooms, Mushrooms Know shares:
Engaging informational side bars with wild facts about mushrooms (such as how some are so strong they can grow through cement, and others can glow in the dark!)
Backmatter that dives further into the science
Important life lessons (including how to help each other and keep our homes clean)
For budding mycologists and forest adventurers alike, this is a must-have addition to the science and nature bookshelf.

This inspiring introduction to activism and social justice for young teens shows the important role music plays in changing the world, featuring:
Musicians young teens will know and love: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, and more!
Iconic artists from past generations: readers will learn about the extraordinary impact of artists such as Nina Simone, Neil Young, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, and more.
Playlists for each social justice issue: Each chapter includes a playlist with recommended songs about an area of activism, from classic tracks to contemporary hits.
In Rise Up and Sing!, Andrea Warner explores how music has contributed to the fight for social justice. Across eight areas of activism—the climate emergency, Indigenous rights, civil rights, disability rights, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, gender equality, the peace/anti-war movement, and human rights—Warner introduces some of the artists, past and present, who have made a difference both on stage and off.

Through ground-breaking artists and iconic moments, Rise Up and Sing! shows us that a song is never just a song, and that music really does have the power to change the world.

Follow a mother and her daughter on an exploration of the natural world to find out more about light in nature…

What a beautiful book! Julia Kuo introduces young readers to the amazing kind of light called bioluminescence, the light created within the bodies of living creatures. This book contains an introductory text in larger font with additional explanatory text in smaller font so the book works well with both older and younger primary school children. This also makes it easy to read aloud and share with a class using the images as the stimulus.

Throughout the pages with the luminous illustrations you are introduced to a variety of creatures that produce bioluminescence, including foxfire (fungi), glowworms, deep-sea anglerfish and the crown jellyfish. It’s fascinating to consider all the remarkable ways that creatures have found to use the light their bodies create; distraction, hunting, and camouflage.

The digitally created illustrations follow a mother and daughter as they explore the natural world. The dark background allows the light emanating from the creatures to stand out wonderfully. This book gives us a brief reminder of the dangers of light pollution whilst reminding readers to take the time to enjoy the natural world. A stunning picture book for children who love animals and great read to gain science knowledge for age 7 and beyond.

Welcome Rain perfectly conveys the often complicated relationship that humans have with wet weather beautifully. It is written from the perspective of two young children who explore their environment and celebrate the wonder of rainy weather. From encouraging the worms to rise ready for a bird’s breakfast to filling the reservoirs with water which flows through our taps, the book gives insight into the importance of water. However, just as we all moan about too much rain, the children also wish for the rain to stop. They recognise that it stops them from playing outside on their scooters and that the thunder can scare their dog.

The illustrations set the bold colours of the toddler characters against the murky landscape which accompanies rainy days and there is so much in the illustrations to investigate. The double page with the children flaked out from too much heat on their beds is extremely relatable during the summer months!

As part of a Weather topic, the book holds so much to discuss; from the impact of rain on wildlife to us as humans. It also has lots of patterned language and topic vocabulary to talk about and copy. It is written in the first person so offers the opportunity for children to use the language models within the text to give their own opinions about rainy weather too.

What a gorgeous book to share and inspire an EYFS class, especially on a wet play day.

A book to inspire the scientists in all of us. Thinking about the world, so many discoveries have been made. The story is filled with great facts about the natural world, before thinking about what the reader will discover next. The discoveries are many and the book is sure to instil a curiosity in those who read this.

It Takes Guts is a recommended book to support the teaching of digestion in Key Stage 2. The colourful and well-labelled diagrams provided clear examples and easy to access information.

The children in Year 4 were quick to find and remember key vocabulary. The book is great for allowing independent research into the digestive system and the children enjoyed finding out various facts.

A celebration of diversity and deliciousness, Teatime Around the World reveals all the wonderful ways we can enjoy a cup of tea—or two!

Let’s go on an adventure to discover new cultures and friends through tea! In this fun and lyrical picture book for ages 4-8, kids will learn how tea is enjoyed in Thailand, Japan, Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Uruguay, South Sudan, India, and more countries!

Did you know that po cha, the traditional tea in Tibet, is thick and salty like soup? Or that in Iran, tea is served with a rock? (A rock candy, that is!) Or that afternoon tea was dreamed up in England by a duchess who complained of being hungry between lunch and dinner?

With vivid poetry, vibrant illustrations, and unique facts about different tea cultures, Teatime Around the World tells the delightful story of a beloved beverage.

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