Category: Kids Nonfiction

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Poetry for Kids by ❤️Joyce Sidman❤️

📚 Have you discovered the dazzling poetry of Joyce Sidman?

If you’re looking for books that blend science, nature, and truly beautiful language, her work is something special. I love it so much! Lyrical, thoughtful, and rich with imagery, these books invite kids to slow down, notice the world, and see it in a whole new way.

Here are three favorites to explore:

🦉 Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen
This Newbery Honor–winning collection reveals the hidden life of the natural world after dark. Each poem feels like a quiet discovery, paired with intricate scratchboard illustrations that glow with detail and mystery. 

🌅 Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes
A gentle, hopeful poem about a child wishing for snow—woven with themes of patience, change, and wonder. The luminous engraved, wood-print illustrations, touched with soft color, makes this one especially magical. It truly tugged at my heart.

🌳 Dear Acorn, Love Oak: Letter Poems to Friends by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Sidman’s newest book just came out last year and it is full of clever, heartfelt poems written as letters between elements of the natural world. The mixed-media illustrations are bursting with texture, movement, and charm are just GORGEOUS!

All three books are a celebration of language, art, and the beauty of the world around us—perfect for curious kids (and grown-ups) who love to linger over words.

✨ Do you have a favorite poetry book to share with kids?

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🚀 The Artemis Buzz Is Real—Let’s Turn It Into Learning

Our house was glued to the Artemis mission updates…

There’s something magical about watching history unfold in real time—but for me, it was also deeply personal. My last vivid memory of a space mission growing up was the Challenger. So watching this new chapter in space exploration—and seeing the crew return home safely—felt especially meaningful.

And it’s made me realize how important it is that my kids understand the context of this moment. Why this mission matters. Why it’s exciting. Why it hasn’t always been guaranteed that astronauts make it home.

Kids are naturally curious right now—this is the perfect moment to lean in and help them explore that curiosity through great books. 📚✨

Here are a few we’re loving:

🌕 Who Owns the Moon? by Cynthia Levinson & Jennifer Swanson
A fascinating look at the big questions surrounding space exploration—who gets to go, who makes the rules, and what the future might hold.

🕵️‍♂️ Space Case by Stuart Gibbs (also available as a graphic novel!)
A fun, fast-paced mystery set on the moon—perfect for middle grade readers who like their science with a side of suspense.

🚀 Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
A stunning picture book that captures the wonder, tension, and triumph of the very first moon landing.

☀️ Sun: One in a Billion! by Stacy McAnulty
Part of a fantastic series, this one gives the sun a big personality (a little cocky 😄) while sneaking in tons of fascinating space facts.

Moments like this don’t come around often—and they’re such a powerful opportunity to connect kids with science, history, and big dreams.

✨ Are your kids caught up in the excitement of space right now?

#BooksForCuriousKids #STEMBooks #SpaceForKids #ArtemisMission #KidLit #NonfictionForKids #MiddleGradeBooks #PictureBooks #RaisingReaders #CuriousKids

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Two Stunning Animal Picture Books

📚 Looking for nonfiction that feels as exciting as a story?

These two stunning books bring the natural world to life in ways that will leave kids fascinated (and maybe a little awestruck):

🐝 Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Follow a single honeybee from birth as she takes on the many roles needed to keep her hive alive. Told in lyrical, immersive prose, this book reads almost like a story—while the detailed, textured illustrations place readers right inside the hive.

🦑 Giant Squid by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Dive deep into the mysterious ocean to encounter one of its most elusive creatures. With a sense of suspense and wonder, this book reveals what scientists know (and still don’t know) about the giant squid. The dramatic illustrations and pacing make it feel like a deep-sea adventure.

Both of these books are perfect for curious kids who love animals, science, and learning something new in a way that feels alive and unforgettable.

✨ Which would your kids rather explore—the hive or the deep sea?

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Fantastic Picture Books Biographies for Curious Kids: HOUDINI’S LIBRARY and MESMERIZED

📚 Looking for picture books that bring real-life stories to life?

These two fascinating biographies introduce kids to larger-than-life figures who amazed audiences in very different ways:

🎩 Houdini’s Library by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Marie Lafrance
Before he was the world’s most famous escape artist, Harry Houdini was a poor immigrant boy who found a way to make his fortune with the knowledge he found in books. This inspiring story highlights the power of knowledge and determination—and the artwork is just as captivating. Created with a mix of traditional and photographic techniques, the illustrations layer texture, collage, and dramatic lighting to evoke the mystery and theatricality of Houdini’s world.

✨ Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved the Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
The King of France had a problem. A mysterious Dr. Mesmer claimed he discovered a new force that allowed him to make all kinds of things happen. But was it real or just a hoax? The King asked Benjamin Franklin to investigate. This intriguing picture book explores the strange and captivating world of early hypnotism and how Benjamin Franklin was able to use the scientific method to solve the case.

Both books are rich in history, visually stunning, and perfect for curious kids who love to learn about real people who changed the world (or at least amazed it!).

✨ Which story would your kids find more fascinating—magic or mystery?

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Thrilling Adventure Books: CANYON’S EDGE and LIFEBOAT 12

📚 Looking for edge-of-your-seat adventure reads for middle grade readers?
If your kid loves stories of survival, courage, and grit, these two unforgettable books will keep them turning pages late into the night:

🏜️ CANYON’S EDGE by Dusti Bowling
When a flash flood traps 13-year-old Nora in a slot canyon, she must rely on her instincts—and her resilience—to survive. Told in alternating prose and verse, this story pulls readers right into the danger while also exploring grief, healing, and inner strength.

🚢 LIFEBOAT 12 by Susan Hood
Based on a true story from World War II, this powerful novel in verse follows a group of children stranded at sea after their ship is torpedoed. Stuck in a lifeboat with limited supplies, they must find the courage to survive together.

Both of these fast-paced verse novels combine action and emotion in a way that feels immediate and immersive—perfect for readers who want adventure with heart.

✨ Which setting would you survive: the canyon or the open ocean?

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Today’s book recommendation: SOMETHING ROTTEN: A FRESH LOOK AT ROADKILL by Heather L. Montgomery | Illustrated by Kevin O’Malley

– Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

– Middle Grade Nonfiction

If you’re super squeamish, this might not be the book for you. But if you can handle descriptions of dead animals, it’s definitely worth a read. I found it fascinating and my boys could NOT get enough of it! We read it together before school, and each day they rushed to get ready so we would have more time to read. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is! 🙂

📚 Here’s the official book promo:

*****
When Heather L. Montgomery sees a rattlesnake flattened on the side of the road, her first instinct is to pick it up and dissect it–she’s always wanted to see how a snake’s fangs retract when they close their mouths, and it’s not exactly safe to poke around in a live reptile’s mouth.

A wildlife researcher with a special penchant for the animals that litter the roadways, Heather isn’t satisfied with dissecting just one snake. Her fascination with roadkill sets her off on a journey from her own backyard and the roadways of the American South to scientists and kids in labs and homes across the globe. From biologists who use the corpses of Tasmanian devils to investigate cures for a contagious cancer, to a scientist who discovered a whole new species of bird from a single wing left behind, to a boy rebuilding animal bodies from the bones up, to a restaurant that serves up animal remnants, Heather discovers that death is just the beginning for these creatures.

Dig into this eye-opening and irreverent look at the dead and dying animals that we pass by without a second thought.
*****

Montgomery’s passionate curiosity is contagious, and I just love how she takes readers along with her on this bizarre, but interesting, learning journey. Her prose is full of good humor, and I found myself laughing out loud so many times reading this book.

SOMETHING ROTTEN has won a ton of awards, including a JLG Gold Standard, an ALA Notable Book, and the Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, so be brave and give this book a try!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation:🔥THE FIRE OF STARS: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of by Kirsten W. Larson

Illustrated by Katherine Roy

Published by Chronicle Books

📚 Nonfiction Picture Book Biography

The Fire of Stars by Kirsten W. Larson

This STEM biography is a major award winner! It is exceptionally crafted and beautifully illustrated! I absolutely love how author Kirsten W. Larson manages to tell two stories at once with her lovely, poetic text.

Here’s the official BOOK PROMO:

*****
Astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne was the first person to discover what burns at the heart of stars. But she didn’t start out as the groundbreaking scientist she would eventually become. She started out as a girl full of curiosity, hoping one day to unlock the mysteries of the universe.

With lyrical, evocative text by Kirsten W. Larson and extraordinary illustrations by award-winning illustrator Katherine Roy, this moving biography powerfully parallels the kindling of Cecilia Payne’s own curiosity and her scientific career with the process of a star’s birth, from mere possibility in an expanse of space to an eventual, breathtaking explosion of light.
*****

This book encourages curiosity and a love of science on every page, along with gorgeous swirls of stardust, sparks of color, and heartfelt moments in Cecilia’s journey through life.

⭐ Perfect for kids who love space, science, and stories of trailblazing women.
⭐ A beautiful blend of STEM and storytelling.
⭐ Inspiring for classroom use or bedtime brilliance.

Have you read this starry gem yet? 💫 Drop a 🌟 in the comments if you love space books!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: MOLES: The Superpower Field Guide by Rachel Poliquin

– Nonfiction Middle Grade

No matter what age you are, learning about animals is super duper fun, especially when you have Author Rachel Poliquin @rachelpoliquin framing their abilities as sensational superpowers!

I first came across MOLES: The Superpower Field Guide a few years ago, and we loved it so much, I promptly bought the whole series.

I mean, who doesn’t want to know how this “humble hero” of the animal kingdom has the “Blood of Gods,” the “Saliva of Death,” and “Indefatigable Paws of Power.”

*****
💥 Here’s the official book summary of MOLES:
Meet Rosalie, a common mole. The first thing you need to know about Rosalie is that she is shaped like a potato. Not a new potato, all cute and round, but a plain old lumpy potato. She may be small. She may be spongy. But never underestimate a mole.

I know what you’re thinking: moles are just squinty-eyed beasts that wreck your lawn.

You’re right! Those squinty eyes and mounds of dirt are proof that moles have superpowers. There is absolutely nothing common about the common mole.
*****

The simple cartoon-y illustrations are perfect for the witty narration and there are quizzes and even a mole maze to get kids engaging with what they are learning.

I highly recommend these books! Pick one up today and give it a try!

And, as always,
happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendations:

BUTT OR FACE? CAN YOU TELL WHICH END YOU’RE LOOKING AT?
by Kari Lavelle

-and-

BATTLE OF THE BUTTS: THE SCIENCE BEHIND ANIMAL BEHINDS
by Jocelyn Rish

– Nonfiction Picture Books

If you have kids who enjoy potty humor, then have I got the books for you! We picked these up at the same time and it made for a combination that had the whole family dying with laughter.

Did you know that some animals disguise their rumps? Or that manatees control their buoyancy with flatulence? If they want to move up in the water, they hold it in, and if they want to sink, they let it rip!

Here are snippets of the official BOOK PROMOs:

*****
✒ Butt or Face? offers kids a delightfully cheeky challenge: examine a close-up photo of an animal, and then guess whether you’re looking at the top or the…um…bottom. The answer is revealed on the next page with a complete photo of the animal! Readers will discover animals like the Cuyaba dwarf frog whose backside looks like a pair of eyes, the Mary River turtle that breathes through its butt, and many more!

✒ Battle of the Butts
Butts are used for breathing, eating, swimming, talking, and even killing in the animal kingdom. Focusing on ten different animals and their derrières, and offering fun facts about their origin, habitat, and “posterior power,” this hilarious book captures the wonder of our ecosystem. Which animal has the coolest butt power? That’s up to you to decide!
*****
Humorous nonfiction like this is the perfect way to learn about the amazing world around us. And there’s nothing like unique animals and their surprising abilities to give a book instant kid appeal!

Snuggle up with these books and prepare to giggle. 🤣

Happy reading! 📚

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Today’s book recommendation: THE DOUBLE V CAMPAIGN by Lea Lyon

-YA Nonfiction

This book is a must-read for teenagers and adults, alike! It’s the chapter of World War II history that you don’t get in school!

When America entered WWII, many African Americans wondered how they could go to war for a country that still didn’t treat them as full and equal citizens. The Double V campaign was the answer.

A man named James Thompson came up with it and the black-owned newspaper, the Philadelphia Courier spread the word.

The double “V” stood for a double victory—abroad in the war and at home for civil rights. This was huge because it allowed African Americans to feel patriotic about serving in the war, while also being true to their fight for equal rights.

My favorite part was when author Lea Lyon shows how by organizing a potential march on Washington, activists were able to force President Roosevelt’s hand, getting him to sign an executive order to desegregate the defense industry.

Then, five years later, right after the war, their efforts culminated in another executive order, this time with President Truman desegregating the military. This act was so important because it led the way for other industries to do the same.

All of these events were the beginning of America’s decades long civil rights movement, and I honestly had no idea about any of it! Really, I hope educators will pick up this book and incorporate it into their curriculum. It’s a quick read and so inspiring! I really couldn’t put it down.

Highly recommend and happy reading! 🙂