Best Nonfiction Children’s Books of 2025
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I’m SO impressed with the 2025 children’s nonfiction books! The writing is engaging, informative, unique, and interesting. These books belong on every school library bookshelf, but will make great gifts for your home and classrooms as well.
Best Nonfiction Children’s Books of 2025
You Are a Garter Snake! written by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Jay Fleck
ANIMALS
I love this second person verby preschool animal nonfiction series because it teaches kids about animals and gets them moving! Garter snakes do things like bend, shed, strike, swallow, wriggle, squeeze, and slumber. The book asks kid readers to do the same motions. Fun, right?
Hope Rode written by Lauren H. Kerstein, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander
HISTORY / LIBRARIANS
I adore this historical story that shows passionate packhorse librarians traveling by horse in all kinds of weather to places where they weren’t always welcome, but they would make a difference. In emotional life-changing moments, we see the gift of books and literacy that changed lives, giving the gift of literacy, knowledge, and hope. And the writing is superb–I can’t get enough of the vivid verb choices and figurative language. (Mentor text, anyone!?) “The first stop appeared ahead. / Flush-cheeked children approached with curious eyes. / Laundry danced on the line. Chipped wood creaked as the librarian stepped in.“
Forests written by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock
NONFICTION, PICTURE BOOK
Sensory language and immersive artwork transport readers into different forests around the world, from the kelp forest to a tropical rainforest. It’s filled with lyrical, poetic language to study for writing craft! “Millions of monarchs moving in your tangerine dream.” “You creep through the crooked curves, curious. Why is there a sea of wood C’s?” In addition to the lyrical language, read factual expository paragraphs that explain more about the page’s topic, whether it’s the forest biome itself or a related topic like wildfires, monarch migration. Back matter shares more about forests and conservation, how to plant a tree, and additional fascinating forests around the world. Highly recommended!
Worthy: The Brave and Capable Life of Joseph Pierce written by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Youa Vang
BIOGRAPHICAL PICTURE BOOK
Sensory writing transports readers into the life of Joseph Pierce, sold as a boy in China, who learned his worth, even though the world around him didn’t always see it. Sold as a child, Joe works as a cabin boy on a ship until he arrives in America in the mid-1800s, where he works on a farm. Pondering his worth, he enlists in the army despite the disrespect for Chinese men. Day after day, Joe shows his bravery in action and eventually becomes a citizen. When Americans treat the Chinese with violence and disrespect. Joe began to wonder if America is worthy of HIM. The art is GORGEOUS — the artist’s use of light and rich detailing is stunning.
Just In Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault written by Megan Clendenan, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese
CONSERVATION PICTURE BOOK
Lovely writing and illustration share the story of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault from its beginnings to its purpose and use. Did you know that seeds from all over the world are collected and stored in this gigantic vault in Norway? Written in sensory, lyrical language with informational insets, this will be an essential read aloud for studying plants, environmental issues, and writing craft.
I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive written by Leslie Barnard Booth, illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey
BIRDS
Masterful, brilliant writing! “I spill across the sky like ink–fill the night with jagged cries. I have one thousand eyes. I see all. Know all. Am all.” I love, love, love this evocative slice of life showing the challenge and survival of being crows who are safer together, written from mostly the “we” perspective. “We might stay alive if we cuddle, if we huddle, if we sleep side by side on this dark black, ice-cold, owl-haunted night.” I highly recommend it for all writers, kids or adults, who need mentor texts for onomatopoeia, verb choice, sensory images, point of view, metaphors, personification, rising tension, beginnings and endings, you name it, this book has done it brilliantly!
In the World of Whales written by Michelle Cusolito, illustrated by Jessica Lanan
OCEAN ANIMALS – WHALES
A masterclass in writing with vivid verbs and description, this is the story of a man’s free dive when he watches a sperm whale having a baby. “A ribbon of umbilical cord flutters from the baby’s abdomen, marking the site of its future belly button. Whales encircle mother and baby in an embrace. The man marvels at the sight.” Underwater illustrations in shades of blues include a fold out spread that shows more of the perspective — a small man next to the hulking whale bodies.
Hello, I’m an Axolotl written and illustrated by Haley and John Rocco
ANIMAL
Narrated by the axolotl, who tells you all about the endangered species, this is an engaging nonfiction book with interactive reader questions, appealing illustrations, the perfect amount of text and information per page, and fact-filled back matter. This series is exceptional– a must own, must read, must share with young readers!
Hiding in Plain Sight Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln written by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
BIOGRAPHY / WOMEN’S HISTORY
It’s almost Lincoln’s inauguration! But he won’t be president if he can’t get to the inauguration safely. Due to a suspected assassination plot, a female spy named Katie pretends she’s a Confederate woman so she can discover the plot and keep Lincoln safe. She thinks of an ingenious way to sneak Lincoln to his destination, disguised as her brother. This is an exciting, true story with the most amazing, eye-catching, unique illustrations that combine paint, collage, and drawing.
His Fairytale Life A Book About Hans Christian Anderson written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
BIOGRAPHY
Written in one sentence (yes, the whole book is one sentence) this poetic tribute shares the highs and lows of the famous fairy tale author, Hans Christian Anderson, an awkward boy who became an awkward man who loved sharing poems and stories that became beloved around the world. Lovely, muted illustrations.
Ready, Steady, Sloth! written by Justin Anderson, illustrated by Manu Montoya
ANIMALS
The slow build of tension mounts as the sloth (slowly) leaves her tree on a special mission. Where is the sloth going? We don’t know yet but we can’t wait to find out. Along the journey, she grabs leaves to share with her baby. She uses her claws as hooks to cling to the tree. It’s a long way down. Informational facts also accompany the story of this sloth’s trip, expanding on the situation whether it’s facts about claws or the species of moths that live on sloths. But where is she going? If you know anything about sloths, you might be able to guess! BRILLIANT and highly recommended.
Salamander Song written by Ginny Neil, illustrated by Charli Vince
REPTILES
From autumn and winter, the vibrant illustrations show a class of school children playing and learning while a little salamander curls up in its underground hole. Exquisite illustrations plus image-filled writing with lots of onomatopoeia enchant as we watch the salamanders in the spring. “While water slips, DRIP! DRIP! DRIP! into the deep and tickles the salamander out of its sleep.” The salamander loves rain. The school children help the salamanders cross a busy road safely to their pool. Highly recommended.
Pine Cone Regrown How One Species Thrives After Fire written by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Kevin & Kristen Howdeshell
FIRE / ENVIRONMENT
Fire can be scary, but this book about a pine cone shows us the possibility of hope after a natural disaster like fire. Lyrical, verby, and evocative, the fire’s heat makes the simple pine cone burst open and drop its seeds. After the fire, those seeds grow into new trees. Powerful writing will pull you in.
Chomp: The Truth About Sharks written by Annette Whipple
SHARKS
Organized by big questions, this is an engaging, readable nonfiction picture book with full-color photographs and an eye-catching design. Examples of questions are: Are sharks fish? What do shark teeth tell us? Do sharks sleep? Kids will love that they can flip around to any question that interests them. Excellent.
Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum written by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Brian Lies
ANIMALS
Mammals can be small. This book features the mini-mammals as if they’re in a museum exhibit. Each animal gets a two-page spread with information about them and two beautiful (framable) illustrations with the question asking if the featured mammal is the mini-est mammal of all. At first, I was surprised that the question wasn’t answered. But wait until the last page, and the question is answered with the smallest mammal of them all.
We Are the Wibbly! A Tadpole’s Tail written by Sarah Tagholm, illustrated by Jane McGuinness
AMPHIBIANS
A delightful read aloud about the tadpole-to-frog journey and the scariness and excitement of change! A tadpole in the wibbly (a group of eggs) narrates the panic of growing and changing in hilarious kid language as it becomes longish, grows things out the side, and does air-swimming. “Oh my crikeys!”
A Book of Maps for You written by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III
MAPS
Every child needs this book–because map reading is a skill, but also it’s SO fun, and kids love maps! Start with the map of a town and continue to maps of the neighborhood, stores, your house, and the sky, plus a pirate map and maze, this book gives readers so much to read. Some maps are three-dimensional from a front perspective, and some are 2D from an overhead perspective.
Cute Animals That Could Kill You Dead written by Brooke Hartman, illustrated by Maria Garcia
ANIMALS
Like the subject of this book (cute animals), the illustrations are ADORABLE. Read about each cute but dangerous animal and learn what makes them dangerous. For example, slow lorises have poisonous fur and a venomous bite, and platypuses have venom that is lethal to small animals. I think kids will LOVE this book. The publisher, Sourcebooks, sent me three playing cards with different animals– and, no surprise, they’re super cute!
Dead Ends! Flukes, Flops and Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels written by Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Teal, illustrated by Adrian Teal
MEDICAL HISTORY
This isn’t the first book about wacky, ill-informed medical practices from history, but this one stands out with its captivating writing, funny illustrations, and a focus on the failures that led to scientific breakthroughs. With cheeky cartoon illustrations, this nonfiction book shares the bloody, gross, and often horrifying medical practices like germy limb amputation, electric shocks, leeches, and fad diets that actually led to important medical breakthroughs. An enticing, mesmerizing read.
The Great Depression: From Hard Times to the New Deal (History Comics) written by Tim Stout, art by Joe Flood
HISTORY
With the clever premise of modern-day kids playing a board game transported back in time, this graphic novel creates memorable vignettes throughout the Great Depression, ensuring readers will remember the main events. I love this series, and this new one might be my new favorite! When the siblings play a Great Depression board game, they are transported back into that time period. In their (newly historically accurate clothing) pockets are game cards with information and directions for actions. Soon, the kids have separated and have different experiences, from riding the rails to getting a job to experiencing the Dust Bowl and Pearl Harbor. (Note for sensitive readers: uses the word damn.) What a great way to learn about history!
Greeking Out: Tales from the Underworld written by Kenny Curtis & Jillian Hughes, illustrated by J. Espila
MYTHS
With entertaining, voicey writing and captivating illustrations, these exciting underworld stories from different patheons are filled with jealousy, love, danger, death, heroes, and friendship. Many readers know about the Greek myths of the underworld featuring Hades, but now they can learn about The Monkey King from China, twins from the Mayan underworld, Loki from Norse mythology, the god of death, Sidapa, from the Philippines, Tano from West Africa, and many more global stories!
Bust or Trust? A Kids’ Mystery Book created by Small Wardour, illustrated by Sam Peet
HISTORICAL MYSTERIES
Put on your thinking cap and dive into ten curious mysteries plus arguments for and against their validity! From the creators of the award-winning Bust or Trust podcast, read about ten real-life mysteries with arguments for and against their validity. Illustrated with timelines, maps, and more, these are well-written mysteries and arguments about stories like Bigfoot, Rasputin’s mystical powers, the cursed tombs of Egypt, and the lost city of Atlantis. After you read the evidence, you get to decide what you think with support about weighing the quantity and quality of the evidence, reliable sources, and other important considerations. I’m impressed by how the creators made this information so accessible and exciting— highly recommend this book for homes and classrooms.
History Smashers: Ancient Egypt written by Kate Messner
HISTORY
From mummies to kings and gods, construction, and hieroglyphs, Messner reveals the myths and truths of Ancient Egypt.
What is it about ancient Egypt that fascinates us so much? With cartoon panels, illustrations, voicey writing, and fascinating facts, this is a must-read, entertaining, and informative book. This series always impresses!
Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. Comet written by Dr. Marc J. Kuchner, illustrated by Matt Schu
SPACE
A comet is heading straight for an asteroid–what do you think will happen? Suspense builds as they head toward each other in space while our narrator tells us more about comets and asteroids so you can see how they compare and start predicting what will happen. For example, one is hot, one is cold, one is big and heavy, while the other isn’t. Readers will find this to be exciting, well-organized, and easily readable with eye-catching illustrations and informational insets.
Turn This Book Into a Bird Feeder! And 19 Other Activities to Explore The Amazing World of Birds written by Lynn Brunelle, illustrated by Anna-Maria Jung
BIRDS
This is the PERFECT book for studying birds, with appealing, colorful illustrations and graphic design. It belongs in every homeschool and library’s bookshelf. You’ll read information organized by topic (feathers, bones, flying, feet, senses, and more), fun facts, and activities, including experiments, crafts, and journaling. Use the slipcover to create a cylindrical bird feeder.
Lighthouse Ladies: Shining a Spotlight on Hardy Heroines written by Kris Coronado, illustrated by Islenia Mil
BIOGRAPHY
There is so much to love about this magnificent book that shares short stories of four women who lived and worked in lighthouses. The artwork is stunning and the rich language is masterful. The stories capture hard lives and heroic moments of these four women and are written like thrilling narratives, not boring nonfiction biographies. Highly recommended.
Trying to navigate the children’s book section at the library is mind numbing. Truly appreciate your short , intriguing book reviews. Thank you!
You’re very welcome!