Houston Public Library
Nonfiction Books for Kids
Spring 2022
Select Your Preference:
New Books
Favorite Books
New Books
The Cat on the Dovrefell: A Christmas Tale
by Tomie DePaola

In this comical retelling of a Norwegian fairytale, a man and his polar bear come to the rescue of a man in the Dovrefell mountains whose home is taken over by trolls every year on Christmas Eve.
Photo Ark ABC: An Animal Alphabet in Poetry and Pictures
by Debbie Levy

This engaging picture book pairs stunning photos from a National Geographic photographer with lively poems to present the letters of the alphabet and pay tribute to the diversity of the animal world.
What's the Point of Science?
by Edward Aves

Explains in simple terms how science really works and offers stories of ingenuity and endeavor that convey the sense of wonder that inspired great scientists past and present.
Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life
by Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan

Presents an introduction to dinosaurs and other extinct animals that lived in prehistoric times.
Courageous Creatures
by Lauren Tarshis

Shares four true stories of animals facing disaster and and the humans who help them survive.
Science Comics: Whales
by Casey Zakroff

Zip, an enthusiastic beaked whale, is eager to share everything he can about whale pods by broadcasting his very own undersea podcast! He will travel across the global ocean interviewing a diverse assortment of whales and dolphins about their amazing behaviors and habitats, as well as their interactions with the human world. Can this one small whale tell the story of the whole ocean and the interconnectivity that affects us all?
Snow Leopards and Other Wild Cats: A Magic Tree House Fact Tracker
by Mary Pope Osborne

The Fact Trackers are back with even more information on snow leopards and wild cats from all over the world, in this nonfiction companion to the bestselling Magic Tree House series featuring photographs, illustrations and fun facts. 
Gross and Ghastly: Human Body
by Kev Payne

Did you know that there are about 600 hairs in a person's eyebrow? Can you guess how much of your life will you spend on the toilet? Learn about all the gross things that the human body does, with this fantastically gruesome factbook! Human Body is a stomach churning journey that investigates how and why our bodies can be so disgusting. Travel from your head to your toes and discover a variety of funny facts, like why your farts smell and how bogies get in your nose! Packed full of facts, puzzles, and games, young readers are sure to find out something new and revolting about their bodies. Including delightfully disgusting illustrations, this is a must-have for every budding young scientist!
Plagues and Pandemics
by Kate Messner

From the Black Death to COVID-19, this nonfiction book smashes everything you thought you knew about history and delivers the whole truth about diseases, using a mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos and graphic panels.
Cook It!: The Dr. Seuss Cookbook for Kid Chefs
by Daniel Gercke

Created specifically for children to use with adults, the text of this unique cookbook contains 50 recipes inspired by Dr. Seuss. Partially written in rhyme and illustrated throughout with cheerful Seussian - inspired photographs by an acclaimed photographer and classic artwork from 21 different books by Dr. Seuss. Sturdy lay-flat binding makes it easy to use in the kitchen.
How to Build LEGO Houses: Go on a Journey to Become a Better Builder
by Hannah Dolan

Create 30 incredible LEGO homes. Build a beautiful thatched cottage, make a cool treehouse, create a fantasy home with a slide, spook your friends with a haunted house, and much more. From foundations and roofs to balconies and microscale buildings, learn everything you need to create your own LEGO houses.
Minecraft Blockpedia: Guide to Combat
by Craig Jelley

In this brand-new, fully illustrated guide to combat, Minecrafters will learn how to survive the perils and pitfalls of defending their base.
How to Train Your Pokemon
by Lawrence Neves

From where to find a Snorlax to the treats that your Pickachu will love, this ultimate resource for any aspiring Pokémon Trainer reveals the secrets to caring for and training Pokémon.
Big Book of WHO: All-Stars
by Sports Illustrated Kids

Highlights the achievements of history-making star athletes - from Michael Jordan to LeBron James, Tom Brady to Patrick Mahomes, Mia Hamm to Megan Rapinoe, Babe Ruth to Mookie Betts - through photographs, facts, and statistics.
World Soccer Records 2022
by Keir Radnedge

A unique presentation of facts and stats from the world of international soccer. Focusing simultaneously on all the major world and continental tournaments, national team records, exceptional matches and the stars who made it all possible, this exhaustively researched book tells the stories of these key moments and some of the tales behind them..
 
How to Make a Book (about My Dog)
by Chris Barton

Find out how books are made in this entertaining and engaging exploration of how to make a nonfiction picture book about author Chris Barton's real-life dog, Ernie.
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present
by Adrienne Keene

An accessible and educational illustrated book profiling 50 notable American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people, from NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Standing Rock Lakota to Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country
by Atinuke

A Nigerian storyteller explores the continent of Africa country by country evoking each unique blend of modern and traditional, in this fascinating book complete with colorful maps, an index and patterned and textured illustrations.
The 50 States: Amazing Landscapes, Fascinating People, Wonderful Wildlife
by Kana Kavon

From north to south and coast to coast, America's 50 states await! Learn all about the natural wonders, man-made landmarks, and history that make each state unique with this fun-filled state-by-state guide.
Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
by Cheryl Blackford

Introduces the self-taught scientist who became one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever and helped shape scientific thinking about extinction and prehistoric life long before Darwin published his famous work on evolution.
Favorite Books
Updated Each January
Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You
by Sonja Cherry-Paul

A chapter-book adaptation of the best-selling introduction to the history of racism and antiracism in America explains where racist ideas came from, how racism impacts today’s world and the approaches of leading change activists.
Climate Action: What Happened and What We Can Do
by Seymour Simon

An introduction not only to the dramatic effects of climate change, but to the solutions. Learn how our behavior and actions have led us to this point, hear from kids around the world dealing with extreme storms, wildfires, and sea level rise, and discover what scientists, youth activists, and ordinary citizens are doing to protect their communities.
The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas
by María García Esperón

Presents a collection of stories from nations and cultures across our two continents, the Sea-Ringed World, as the Aztecs called it, from the edge of Argentina all the way up to Alaska.
A Day in the Life of a Poo, a Gnu, and You
by Mike Barfield

Packed with comics, diagrams and “secret diaries,” this book is a wondrous, encyclopedic glance at a dizzying host of different things—from hearts to farts to coconuts—and makes a hilarious and informative guide for curious young readers.
Mars! Earthlings Welcome
by Stacy McAnulty

Meet Mars! Planet Marvelous. Favorite sibling of Earth (or so he claims). Sometimes they're close (just 34.5 million miles apart). Sometimes they need space (250 million miles apart)! Earth and Mars have a lot in common--clouds, mountains, polar icecaps. And while Earth has Earthlings, Mars makes a persuasive case for why people should make the journey to spend time with him. He's, well, marvelous...
The Ups and Downs of Gravity
by David A. Adler

From density to inertia to free fall, David A. Adler skillfully explains how this invisible, but all too real force operates and what it means for our daily lives. Notable science experiments by Sir Isaac Newton and astronaut David R. Scott are covered. Also included are activities for kids to test at home and in the classroom. Anna Raff's bright and humorous artwork helps breakdown the concepts in a kid-friendly way. A glossary concludes the work.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements: the Powers, Uses, and Histories of Every Atom in the Universe
by Lisa Congdon

Takes readers on a rollicking ride through the world of all 118 known elements where they will discover their uses and special properties.
The Dinosaur Awards
by Barbara Taylor

The Dinosaur Awards are about to begin - and you're invited! Who will win the Terrifying Toes Award? Who will be crowned the Lizard King? And who will take home the Loudest Trumpeter Award?Celebrate fifty of the most dynamic dinosaurs with this incredible compendium, illustrated by Stephen Collins. In the Dinosaur Awards, prehistoric creatures big and small are awarded prizes to celebrate their most dazzling talents and unusual skills.
Fly Guy Presents: Weird Animals
by Tedd Arnold

Featuring holographic foil cover accents and lighthearted mixed-media illustrations, a latest entry in the popular series finds Buzz and Fly Guy encountering less-familiar animals during a field trip to the zoo.
The Magic School Bus Explores Human Evolution
by Joanna Cole

When Arnold expresses a wish for more information about his family tree, Ms. Frizzle takes the class aboard the Magic School Bus for a visit back to prehistoric times, where simple cells become early life forms that evolve over billions of years into modern humans.
The How and Wow of the Human Body: From Your Tongue to Your Toes and All the Guts In Between
by Mindy Thomas

The hosts of the Wow in the World podcast present a laugh-out-loud, fact-filled journey through the human body that complements engaging text with jokes, quizzes and science experiments that explain basic functions and what makes the body go.
The Brain Book
by Liam Drew

This fun book begins by looking at the anatomy of the human brain, its different regions, and what they do. It also covers the rest of the nervous system and how nerve cells communicate. The wealth of other topics includes the senses, how we learn, memories, thinking, emotions, evolution and development of the brain, how our brain sets us apart from other animals, dreaming, and things scientists still don't fully understand--such as consciousness.
The No-Cook Cookbook
by Rebecca Woollard

Designed to promote kitchen independence, a lavishly photographed collection of cooking-free recipes teaches children the basic skills of grating, peeling and zesting ingredients as well as growing and preparing vegetables at home.
LEGO Ninjago Character Encyclopedia
by Simon Hugo

Character profiles for more than 200 minifigures from the LEGO Ninjago world feature heroes and villains from the past decade and include unusual versions of such legendary heroes as Ghost Cole and Teen Wu. 
How To Be An artist
by S. Natalie Abadzis

A fun-filled art activity book that will encourage kids to express themselves while teaching them about key artistic styles and a selection of pioneering artists from history.
Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers
by Juliet Menéndez

A celebration of Latinas and Latin American women who followed their dreams, with portraits and short bios.
 
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