25 Terrific Nonfiction Books for Pre-Ok and Elementary Cabinets
Good nonfiction reads could be simply as participating and intriguing as fiction, particularly once they’re about subjects that enchantment to a reader’s private pursuits. This roundup of nonfiction books for younger readers contains biographies of sports activities stars, civil rights activists, and extra unbelievable function fashions. You’ll additionally discover a number of STEM-related nonfiction reads on subjects like animals, astronomy, and the climate, plus life-skills books on cash administration and wholesome display time habits. Whether or not you’re looking out for brand spanking new read-alouds or age-appropriate titles for impartial readers, you’ll discover all of them right here!
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Pre-Ok and Kindergarten Nonfiction Books
Ray: How Gentle Works
The Science Friends sequence introduces the youngest learners to scientific ideas in methods which are straightforward for them to grasp. This entry explores the science behind mild, following the cheerful Ray as he tells children all of the issues he could be and do. Use this e book to introduce a unit on the solar or properties of sunshine.
Purchase it: Ray: How Gentle Works (A Science Friends Guide)
Ablaze
So many children in the present day know firsthand in regards to the risks of wildfires. Assist them really feel safer by studying in regards to the individuals who assist struggle them, together with America’s first feminine smoke jumper, Deanne Shulman. Pair this learn with a visit to your native hearth station!
Purchase it: Ablaze
What a Map Can Do
In an period of turn-by-turn GPS, the power to learn maps might really feel much less necessary to children. However nothing might be farther from the reality! Present all of them the methods map studying issues on this cute learn that follows a raccoon as he delves into street maps, park maps, and even a map of the human physique. Observe up this read-aloud by exploring a map of your personal hometown!
Purchase it: What a Map Can Do
Hey, I’m a Loris
We love nonfiction books for youths that commemorate lesser-known animals. The Meet the Wild Issues sequence does simply that, and its newest entry teaches little ones in regards to the lovable loris household. This is a wonderful e book for introducing animal variations, since these Asian primates have large eyes to assist them see at night time.
Purchase it: Hey, I’m a Loris (Meet the Wild Issues sequence)
When Cloud Turned a Cloud
Studying in regards to the water cycle? Add this nonfiction learn to your curriculum! Youngsters will love Cloud, a cute white puff that takes them on a journey via every stage of the cycle. Whenever you’re completed, use cotton balls and googly eyes to make Clouds for college students to take residence.
Purchase it: When Cloud Turned a Cloud
Grades 1 and a pair of Nonfiction Books
I Am Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson modified the face of American baseball by changing into the primary Black participant within the main leagues. His accomplishments have been inspiring younger athletes for generations, and this entry within the Atypical Folks Change the World sequence brings his story to life. This standard title is now accessible in paperback too.
Purchase it: I Am Jackie Robinson (Atypical Folks Change the World sequence)
I’m Making an attempt To Love Farts
From the identical creator who gave us I’m Making an attempt To Love Spiders comes this laugh-worthy title. Behind the humor, although, children and adults will discover a number of fascinating information about flatulence. Do that learn to accompany a unit on human anatomy if you’re studying in regards to the digestive system.
Purchase it: I’m Making an attempt To Love Farts
Time for Youngsters: Planets
Beginning a unit on the photo voltaic system? You’ll positively wish to add this choose to your cabinets. It’s filled with information and images about each planet (even dwarf planet Pluto!), all at a studying degree meaning children can discover this one all on their very own. (A Spanish version is coming in spring 2026 too!)
Purchase it: Time for Youngsters: Planets (Time for Youngsters sequence)
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Image Guide)
William Kamkwamba was solely a teen when he helped his household carry electrical energy and water to their farm by constructing a windmill from recycled components. His unbelievable story went on to grow to be a bestselling e book and Netflix movie. This image e book model is ideal for introducing this modern-day hero to younger learners. (Paperback version coming January 2026!)
Purchase it: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Image Guide)
Polecat Has a Superpower
When Polecat brags about his superpower, Porcupine is certain he is aware of what it’s: a skunk’s capability to defend himself with a smelly spray. However Polecat has different abilities, together with the power to climb and conceal higher than different skunks. He may even do handstands! That is technically a fiction title, but it surely has a lot helpful data, it positively counts as a nonfiction learn.
Purchase it: Polecat Has a Superpower
The Buffalo Are Again
Western North America as soon as teemed with buffalo, however they had been practically hunted to extinction by the 1800s. In the present day, small herds of buffalo roam the plains as soon as extra because of the work of scientists and conservationists. This considerate nonfiction e book explores the story of an American icon, inspiring children to assist defend them within the years to come back.
Purchase it: The Buffalo Are Again
The Historical past of We
Each human residing in the present day can hint their ancestry again to the continent of Africa. This e book takes children on a journey via time, exploring what life was like for the primary members of the human species, and exhibiting how we’re all a part of the identical huge household—a message that appears extra necessary now than ever earlier than.
Purchase it: The Historical past of We
Caitlin Clark: A Who HQ Illustrated Biography
This entry within the Who HQ Illustrated Biography sequence places the highlight on basketball celebrity Caitlin Clark. Youngsters who take pleasure in this one will wish to take a look at the remainder of the sequence for information on Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Michael Jordan, and others.
Purchase it: Caitlin Clark: A Who HQ Illustrated Biography
As a result of Claudette
Earlier than Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin, an adolescent who was arrested for refusing to surrender her bus seat to a white lady. Should you’re studying about Parks and the Civil Rights Motion, make sure you add this e book to your curriculum too.
Purchase it: As a result of Claudette
Grades 3 and 4 Nonfiction Books
What Was Constructed To Be a Ship of Desires? The Titanic
This graphic nonfiction e book tells the story of the Titanic shipwreck via the varied viewpoints of a number of survivors. From the opulence of firstclass to those that sailed under decks, the narration and illustrations will transport emergent readers again in time to the scene of one of many world’s most well-known disasters.
Purchase it: What Was Constructed To Be a Ship of Desires? The Titanic
Sports activities Superheroes: Wilma Rudolph
This brand-new graphic nonfiction learn introduces children to one of many biggest observe stars in historical past. Childhood polio practically derailed her profession earlier than it ever began, however Wilma Rudolph went on to interrupt pace information and rack up three Olympic gold medals. She’s the very embodiment of development mindset!
Purchase it: Wilma Rudolph (Sports activities Superheroes sequence)
Are There Rainbows in Area?
For teenagers who can’t get sufficient cool science information, this e book is a must have! Every truth is expounded to paint in a roundabout way, from why flamingos are pink to how some animals change colour for camouflage. The brief sections make terrific passages for studying comprehension observe out and in of the classroom.
Purchase it: Are There Rainbows in Area?
Time for Youngsters: Cash and Finance Subject Information
It’s by no means too early to introduce necessary life abilities like understanding and managing cash. Add this e book to your classroom cabinets as a reference information for curious children, or use the assorted chapters to show key monetary literacy abilities in age-appropriate methods.
Purchase it: Time for Youngsters: Cash and Finance Subject Information
The Wonderful Era
Jonathon Haidt’s e book The Anxious Era addressed the sharp rise in teen psychological sickness lately. Now he’s again with a e book aimed particularly at tweens, educating them sensible methods to take care of in the present day’s distinctive challenges, together with the overuse of screens. It is a must-read for any child about to get their very own cellphone and/or social media accounts, or those that really feel overwhelmed and anxious earlier than they’ve even began highschool.
Purchase it: The Wonderful Era
Who Was Wilma Mankiller?
Youngsters can’t get sufficient of the Who Was sequence, which highlights fascinating individuals all through historical past. On this biography, they’ll find out about political activist Wilma Mankiller, maybe finest recognized for her half within the Occupation of Alcatraz in 1969. She later turned the primary lady principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, and her inspirational legacy lives on to encourage Indigenous activists in the present day.
Purchase it: Who Was Wilma Mankiller?
The Dust! Wild Life Beneath the Soil’s Floor
A complete world lives out their lives beneath our toes! Dive beneath the floor to satisfy the creatures that decision the soil residence, with participating illustrations that carry all of it to life. Nonfiction reads like this are particularly nice for exploring textual content options along with your college students.
Purchase it: The Dust! Wild Life Beneath the Soil’s Floor
Grades 5 and 6 Nonfiction Books
Mexikid
This Newbery Honor e book proves that graphic novels are worthy of their place on classroom and library cabinets. Be a part of Pedro on a household street journey to Mexico to carry his abuelito (grandfather) residence. The journey is stuffed with highs and lows, with components that can make children chortle out loud and others that may trigger them to tear up a bit. It’s a coming-of-age memoir that’s good for youths who, like Pedro, are starting to seek for their very own cultural id.
Purchase it: Mexikid
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Younger Readers Version)
This model of William Kamkwamba’s wonderful accomplishments is written particularly for younger readers. Attempt pairing it with a classroom viewing of the Netflix movie and a STEM problem the place children attempt constructing their very own windmills from primary provides.
Purchase it: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Younger Readers Version)
Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb
When J. Robert Oppenheimer led the American effort to create the atomic bombs that ended World Battle II finally, he additionally unleashed a weapon extra highly effective than any in human historical past. His later makes an attempt to warning the world in regards to the risks of nuclear weapons led to his final downfall. This intriguing learn is superb for sparking classroom dialogue and debate in regards to the moral questions of scientific developments.
Purchase it: Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb
