New Children’s Nonfiction Books, March 2024
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Animals, poems, facts, Shakespeare, elephants, and more–there are a lot of fascinating topics in this batch of new children’s nonfiction books, most of which are for middle grade readers.
Ready to see what’s new?
New Children’s Nonfiction Books
What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest? And Other Questions About Nature & Life Cycles written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky
BIRDS
ages 4 – 8
Gorgeous illustrations illuminate the informational text about birds, their nests, their fledglings, migration, and much more. You’ll learn a lot in this bookish feast for your eyes and mind!
The Mighty Pollinators written by Hellen Frost with photography by Rick Leider
INSECT POETRY
ages 4 – 8
Informational poems about bees, butterflies, moths, fireflies, and other pollinators teach readers about each animal. The stunning photographs will mesmerize your eyes with their close-up, detailed magnificence.
The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants written and illustrated by Philip Bunting
BUGS
ages 4 – 8
Simple text with oversized illustrations of ants will teach readers about the mighty ant. From their various jobs, sprinkling phernomes to communicate, and recycling the food they eat into the soil, this is a good introduction to ants.
Big Book of Words written and illustrated by Taro Gomi
FIRST WORDS
ages 1 – 4
Gomi explains what things are called. What a chair can be, how a fish can be used, things that fly, and how people like to name things to feel safe; things like an elephant, colors, things you can’t see, places, and people. With a light-hearted touch of humor and playful illustrations, this is an entertaining first (or second) book of words.
Great Gusts Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them written by Melanie Crowder and Megan Benedict, illustrated by Khoa Le
WIND POETRY
ages 4 – 8
The authors write poems and informational text about different kinds of wind; winds like Bull’s-Eye Squalls, Papagayo Jet or gap wind, and Sumatra Squall. They introduce readers to 14 types of winds around the world. The artwork is appropriately dynamic and movement-filled. The poems are lovely.
My Antarctica written by G. Neri, illustrated by Corban Wilkin
ANTARCTICA / SCIENTIST
ages 6 – 12
Written like a diary and laid out like one with photos and cartoon drawings of the author on every spread, this is the first-person account of traveling to the coldest place on earth simply because of his curiosity. The author followed the science teams and went everywhere to learn as much as he could about Antarctica. It’s a mesmerizing book that is voice-y and also packed full of information about science, creatures, jobs, penguin encounters, famous explorers, gear, and much more.
Gnomes and Ungnomes: Poems of Hidden Creatures by various
POETRY
ages 8 – 12
Want to know more mythical creatures beyond a unicorn and a fairy? Then, this beautifully illustrated book of 100 poems is for you! Watch the Kukulkan paint the clouds with a feathered tail. Consider the perfection of the Navagunjar, a creature with nine parts. And, of course, read about familiar favorites like Nessie, Leprechauns, a Phoenix, or a Troll. These are whimsical and playful poems of many different types (free verse, haiku, sonnet, etc.) from many incredible children’s literature authors including my friends Nancy Tupper Ling, Josh Funk, and Mia Wenjen.
Poetry Comics written and illustrated by Grant Snider
SEASONAL POEMS
ages 8 – 12
Starting with spring, a girl shares her feelings of fresh possibilities — if she were a tree, thoughts on an empty lot, balloons, and tadpoles, and other topics. For summer, she ponders her inner life, other oceans, best friends, and more. Each season is captured in short poems which are illustrated in comic panels. Readers will be able to flip through this poetry book and read the poems that grab their attention.
Science Comics: Elephants Living Large written by Jason Viola, illustrated by Falynn Koch
ELEPHANTS
ages 8 – 12
In cartoon format, a young elephant narrates about her family in information and dialogue. Readers learn about elephants, elephant life, predators, food, tusks, mating, hunters, calves, and more. Engaging and fact-filled!
Dictionary of Dinosaurs edited by Dr. Matthew G. Baron, illustrated by Deiter Braun
DINOSAUR
ages 6 – 12
Got a dinosaur-loving kid? I predict this illustrated encyclopedia of dinosaurs will be their new favorite book! Most dinosaurs are colorfully illustrated. Every dinosaur includes how to pronounce their name, information about their size, when it lived, where it lived, their diet, and more information. It’s FASCINATING. I also love the graphic-style illustrations.
Houses with a Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books & 30 More Amazing Places to Explore written and illustrated by Seiji Yoshida
IMAGINARY HOMES
ages 8 – 12
This gorgeous book features 30 houses from the creator’s imagination. Some will feel familiar as houses from stories you’ve read, and others will be unusual and unique. With stunning watercolor rendered outsides and insides, you’ll also read descriptions of who lives in the houses, their background, the features of the dwelling, floor plans, and the details of items inside the house like a kerosene heater for a clinic in the woods and a table that folds down in a Deisel Sister’s train car. From an Apple Cider Water Mill abode to The Library of Lost Books and a House with a Dragon, readers will pour over the illustrations and texts. Enchanting from front to back!
Minecraft: The Crafter’s Kitchen for Young Chefs and Their Families
MINECRAFT COOKBOOK
ages 8 – 12
I love any book that gets kids reading about their favorite things like this book does for Minecraft fans. And yes, cookbooks count as reading! It’s organized by landscape (plains, oceans, forests, deserts, swamps, etc.) and the foods are recipes that are made with foods grown in those places. Each section has an introduction about the Earth’s biomes and how you can help with sustainability. For example, in the Ocean biome, read how to make seafood cakes, shrimp kebobs, coconut curry, and Bruce, or dulce de l. Don’t miss the fun Ice Cube Tray Sushi Blocks in the Rivers section or Meatballs in the taiga section.
*I haven’t made any of the recipes yet because too many of them have allergens that we can’t eat but they all look delicious.
Home written and illustrated by Isabelle Simler, translated by Vineet Lal
ANIMAL HOMES POETRY
ages 6- 12
This nature poetry book dazzles with its beautiful illustrations and first-person POV poems from the viewpoint of an ant, a bird, a spider, a marmot, and more. I love that these poems are in first person. Use them to learn about nature and write your own first-person poems!
Ocean Anatomy Activity Book for Curious Kids written by Julia Rothman
OCEANS
ages 8 – 12
I like the handwritten text and appealing illustrations that invite readers into fun activities like diagraming the tidal zone, looking for shell patterns, or learning to draw. From mazes to word searches and I Spy, this is packed full of ocean fun.
The Bard and the Book How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion written by Ann Bausum, illustrated by Marta Sevilla
SHAKESPEARE, PRINTING & BOOK MAKING HISTORY
ages 8 – 12
This is a history of not just Shakespeare but also paper printing, book making, and theater. A folio was a large sheet of papermaking and printing. Did you know that printers (compositors) carefully assembled the words backward, letter by letter? (Often misspelled!) This writing is conversational and fun– I can see this being a great hit with readers, especially homeschoolers who are studying any of the topics in this book!
Gross Factopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Foul Facts written by Paige Towler, illustrated by Andy Smith
GROSS
ages 8 – 12
Brightly colored, eye-catching designs of photos and cartoons grab your attention as do the fun facts. Kids will love everything about these gross facts and this whole series.
Animal Factopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Beastly Facts written by Julie Beer, illustrated by Andy Smith
ANIMALS
ages 8 – 12
This is a new favorite nonfiction series that belongs on your bookshelves! Your readers will love it.
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Science Factopia! Follow the Trail of 400 STEM-tastic Facts written by Rose Davidson, illustrated by Andy Smith
SCIENCE
ages 8 – 12
Ditto to what I said above — this engaging nonfiction book is filled with information and eye-catching, colorful illustrated designs.
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