15 New Nonfiction Books (+ Activity Books)
This post may contain affiliate links.
Nonfiction is so important for kids to read starting young — but they need good book choices. Here are some new nonfiction books from 2024 to consider when you pick your next nonfiction reading choice.
New Nonfiction Books for Kids, June 2024
Superdads! written by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper, illustrated by Jamie Harper
ANIMAL DADS
Superdads are…incredible incubators like the brown kiwi, hard workers like the baya weaver, feeders like the golden lion tamarin, and fierce protectors like the tiny glass frog. Read about the dad heroes of the animal kingdom and you’ll learn more about each species and read funny narrative dialogue showing the interaction between dad and animal babies. Read how a golden lion tamarin feeds his two babies who, in the cartoon panel, are saying silly things like “I call the front seat” and “No bugs today?”) The art is expressive, exciting, and appealing as is the writing. Back matter shares a few more facts about each animal dad. Just like Supermoms, this is a FANTASTIC combination of nonfiction and fiction with movement-filled, exciting illustrations!
Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube written by Kerry Aradhya, illustrated by Kara Kramer
BIOGRAPHY
Let me rant for a quick second. I am tired of nonfiction biographies that have TONS OF TEXT and are basically birth-to-death, boring as-heck stories. KIDS WON’T READ THEM. I honestly would hope that after a decline in book sales, acquisition editors at publishers would at least test out stories with real children because what is getting published is honestly, mostly terrible.
That said, I’m thrilled to say that this biography works well and will appeal to children! I love the author’s use of questions within the story, keeping readers engaged and showing Erno’s curiosity. I also REALLY loved the bold colors and visual layout of the illustrations and text. Bravo to a biography children will actually want to read!
So. Many. Snail Mail Stickers 2500 Stickers for Decorating Cards, Letters, Packages, and More
STICKER BOOK
I’ve actually been using stickers myself for a motivational chart on my metabolic reset eating plan. It’s mostly helping– I needed something because it’s a hard thing to do. (When I got sick with mold poisoning, I gained 80 lbs despite eating autoimmune paleo. Now that I’m better, I’m working on losing it.) These are small, the PERFECT size to put in my daily planner when I achieve my goals for the day. The designs are primarily mail-related — stamps, mailboxes, delivery trucks, envelopes — but also include designs like squiggles, emojis, words, letters, and numbers.
A Bird Lover’s Sticker Book illustrated by Leana Fischer
STICKER BOOK
It took me a minute to figure this book out because it’s not your typical sticker book where you use the stickers within the book. Instead, these beautiful illustrations of birds are ALL stickers. So you can take out one of the 675 stickers and put them elsewhere — a nature journal or art journal. You’ll find crows, owls, cranes, puffins (MY FAVORITE BIRD EVER!), ducks, hawks, and more.
A Nature Lover’s Sticker Book illustrated by Paola Deskins
STICKER BOOK
Similar to the bird lover’s book where each page is all stickers, the stickers in this collection are nature-themed with things like butterflies, plants, animals, and trees. The designs feel adult-oriented more than kid-oriented because of their color choices and style.
My Sticker Dress-Up Babies illustrated by Louise Anglicas
STICKER BOOK
Although this is a close copy of Usborne’s well-established sticker books, this is adorable with babies you can dress up with stickers. I only with the babies have more than one position (arms spread, legs spread) because it gets a bit boring. But the backgrounds change, and the outfits are cute.
Colossal Words for Kids written by Colette HIller, illustrated by Tor Freeman
VOCABULARY
I’m all for learning vocabulary words so this book appeals to me for that reason. It’s a book of poems, one poem for each big word. Since poetry books are often a hard sell with kids as are vocabulary words, even when they’re trying to create context (words like contrite, gregarious, magnanimous, and penultimate), I suggest you read a poem a day and really dig into each word. (“Gregarious” / Gregory was a gregarious guy: / outgoing, sociable, not at all shy. / He liked a good party and loved a good chat. / Gregarious Greg was a natural at that.”)
The Fifty States in 50 Words written by Heather Alexander and illustrated by Sol Linero
50 STATES
From Alabama to Wyoming, this is a graphic picture book resource about the fifty States. Each state’s one or two-page spread includes facts, illustrations, and colorful blocks. I love the fun facts and the visual appeal.
Almanac 2025 National Geographic Kids
The National Geographic Almanac is a must-own resource for families. Build your knowledge and practice your nonfiction reading comprehension skills while you learn about animals, space, science, history, geography, and much more. Each page is designed to entertain and educate with stunning layouts and eye-popping photographs. Keep your kids reading with this densely-packed, exciting book!
How to Draw Kawaii Manga Characters created by Misako
HOW TO DRAW
This is a book about how to draw manga faces and bodies in a kawaii (cute) style with step-by-step directions. Although I didn’t try it, I looked through it and liked the way the creator taught the steps.
Kids in the Kitchen 70+ Fun Recipes for Young Chefs to Stir Up! by Rossini Perez
COOKBOOK
As an allergy mom, it never ceases to irritate me when cookbooks for kids ignore us. The least they could do would be to label the recipes. Nevertheless and despite their ignorance of allergy needs, this cookbook does a lot that I like. It has large, full-color photographs (not drawings) of the foods, it has clear directions that adults can follow (older kids maybe), and it offers a variety yummy foods that kids will like.
The Good Luck Book A Celebration of Global Traditions, Superstitions, and Folklore written by Heather Alexander
TRADITIONS
The author must have spent thousands of hours researching this informative book–it’s packed with interesting content about superstitions of good and bad luck. Like stepping on dog poop is good luck in France or knocking on wood is a protection charm against something bad happening (you know you do it), or wearing clothes with dogs is said to bring wealth and good fortune in the Phillippines and France. What else will you find in this book? It’s organized by these categories: animals, the natural world, the human body, in, out, and about, friendship, colors, numbers, and other random stuff. You’ll learn how athletes are very superstitious if you didn’t know that, with examples like how LeBron James tosses a handful of chalk into the air before games. Plus, you’ll read about the origins of some superstitions like how the number 13 came to be considered unlucky. Fascinating, right?
Bless the Earth edited by June Cotner and Nancy Tupper Ling, illustrated by Keum Jin Song
EARTH DAY / POETRY
Just in time for Earth Day, these poems are dreams and prayers for the creatures in the earth, sea, and sky. From season to season with vivid, colorful illustrations, read poems that celebrate God’s incredible creation about the stars in the sky to the sea stars in the ocean. Poets like Charles Ghigna, Matt Forrest Esenwine, Padma Venkatraman, Barbara Younger, and Nancy Tupper Ling contributed their lyrical tributes to the Earth. Each poem feels prayerful and reverent and they’re all a just-right length for children to read. Why not read one a day? Or at night before bed?
Some of the poem titles include
“Everyday Wonders”
“For Flying Things”
“When You Plant a Tree”
“Earth’s Voice”
“Mother Earth Is My Home”
Out of the Park! True Stories of the Greatest Players Who Changed the Game written by James Buckley Jr.
BASEBALL
I love the visual design and writing of this book. The stats (including gear, facts, and trivia) and biographies are well-written and organized by skills, hitting, power hitting, fielding, speed, pitching, and relief pitching so you can find these baseball greats in those sections. The big player’s biography is on two-page spreads: one page is a photograph, and the other page is information about the player, the years played, and so forth. Other biographies are in smaller sections with two players per page. This baseball book will be a great addition to your home and school bookshelves!
Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia edited by Christopher Lloyd
ENCYCLOPEDIA FOR KIDS
Hmmm. I’m going to share this with you because we lack home encyclopedias because of the Internet. Now, the Internet cannot be trusted AT ALL due to problematic AI and censorship. So, let’s return to books! The problem I have with this book isn’t the information but the design. The colors are dark, and the design is unappealing. I find it lackluster and unappealing to read. Look at the preview of pages on Amazon and see for yourself. What do you think?
