Shopping for a reader this year? Today I've got my favorite nonfiction picture books of the year. If you have a little one who loves to learn or if you need more informational books on your home library shelves, these are wonderful choices.
Shopping for an older nonfiction reader? Check out 12 Days of Giving: Books for Nonfiction Lovers for great suggestions for middle grade and teen readers!
Clever Hans: The True Story of the Counting, Adding, and Time-Telling Horse by Kerri Kokias, illustrated by Mike Lowery (Putnam, 2020). Clever Hans was a horse who could count. Or could he? This fascinating true animal story will please any horse lover and teaches about the scientific process as well.
Eat Your Rocks, Croc: Dr. Glider's Advice for Troubled Animals by Jess Keating, illustrated by Pete Oswald (Orchard Books, 2020). This clever animal book presents facts about all kinds of different animals posed as questions for the local animal doctor. For example, Sebastian Nurse Shark complains that he can't shake the fish that are stuck to his belly and Dr. Glider explains that they are remoras who will help keep him clean. This book presents a lot of animal factoids in a really cute way and it's sure bet for kids who love animal shows like The Wild Kratts.
Jonas Hanway's Scurrilous, Scandalous, Shockingly Sensational Umbrella by Josh Crute, illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewan (Page Street Kids, 2020). This is a really fun nonfiction book about how umbrellas finally came into fashion (and stopped a lot of people from just GETTING WET in England) that will appeal to young readers who like learning weird and wacky facts about their world.
The Nest That Wren Built by Randi Sonenshine, illustrated by Anne Hunter (Candlewick, 2020). This sweet nonfiction picture book is a good bet for nature lovers and I love the rich vocabulary that makes it s really smart choice for sharing with preschoolers. We've all done more bird-watching than usual this past year and this would be a fun book to have in your home library this spring.
RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Atheneum, 2020). This stunning picture book biography is one of my favorites of the year, hands down. If you buy one book from this list, make it this one. Carole Boston Weatherford's deceptively simple text pays homage to the Queen of Soul in a really clever way and Frank Morrison's oil paintings are just gorgeous.
Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Lee & Low, 2019). Last year was the 50th anniversary of the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and this kid-friendly biography introduces young readers to the life of this amazing poet.
You're Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz (Charlesbridge, 2020). This unusual book will have families clamoring to spend some time outside investigating moths this summer. With lively text and photo illustrations, this book presents a "moth ball", a family setting up outdoor stations to study the moths in their backyard. This would be a fun gift for families who love to spend time outdoors to give them a unique activity for once the weather warms up again.
For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists here to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie Carmichael's Bookstore.