Nonfiction picture books have changed a LOT in recent years, and we love it! From humorous books about spiders to structured narrative stories to intentional text mixed with beautiful illustrations– there are all kinds of ways to tell a nonfiction story! We’ve collected ten of our favorites– take a look to learn all about bubble gum history, planets, water, and even poop!
Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy
Walter Diemer’s job at the Fleer factory was all about budgets, not bubble gum. But when coworkers use the neighboring office in an attempt to create gum that bubbles, Walter is intrigued. Before long, he tinkers with the concoctions himself, and he ultimately cracks the code for making bubble gum! The end pages include even more information about Walter, gum, and a bibliography of quotes used in the book. Such a fun, informative read!
Pluto Gets the Call by Adam Rex, illustrated by Laurie Keller
Pluto Gets the Call takes place on the dreadful day when Pluto learns he isn’t a “real” planet after all. Full of fun illustrations and a clever story, the book also manages to include gobs of space-related content and information. It’s especially great for reluctant nonfiction readers, as the story includes all sorts of hilarious antics and entertainment mixed with learning.
Pink is for Blobfish by Jess Keating, illustrated by David DeGrand
Whether readers love or hate pink, this book is sure to make everyone rethink all they know about color! Starting with the blobfish, an animal made of gelatinous goo, the book includes nearly 20 animals in some shade of pink! From tarantulas to armadillos and naked mole rats, each page includes a full-page photograph of the featured animal, while the opposing page includes a brief description, interesting facts, and a breakdown of name, species name, size, diet, habitat, and predators/threats. The final pages include a world map showcasing where the animals live, a glossary of useful words, resources for learning more, and even a list of various kinds of scientists and what they study.
How to Survive as a Firefly by Kristin Foote, illustrated by Erica Salcendo
This fun story follows an experienced firefly teaching new larvae how to survive. From metamorphosis, including the 4 life cycles of a firefly, to bioluminescence, finding a mate, and the formula for their light, readers will be both entertained and informed! Mixing funny illustrations with lots of learning, this story also includes diagrams, expert tips, frequently asked questions, a list of more resources, and a glossary. Overall, this is a cleverly written book, and we highly recommend checking it out!
The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Yuval Zommer
Take a journey deep, deep into the many layers that separate our feet from the Earth’s core– and then back out the other side! In this story, rather than flipping pages right to left, each page folds out– until every page connects in a ribbon illustrating the many intricate layers of our planet.
Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis
This brilliant, simple celebration of water is filled with colorful illustrations and well-crafted sentences. In it, the narrator thanks Water for all it does– it gurgles, it refreshes, it lies still, and it pours. With minimal text and a vocabulary word linked to a different form of water on each page, this book is perfect for even the earliest readers. Thank you, Water!
Moth: An Evolution Story by Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel Egneus
“This is a story of light and dark. Of change and adaptation of survival and hope. It starts with a little moth.” With simple, lyrical text, readers learn how these tiny creatures have adapted and evolved over time. The text also encourages readers to be silent and still as they study the small but mighty creatures. Moth: An Evolution Story not only teaches readers about evolution and adaptation, but inspires greater appreciation for these resilient creatures.
What Do They Do With All That Poo? by Jane Kurtz, illustrated by Allison Black
Perfect for parents in the throes of potty talk battles, this book features an animal and its feces on each page. Readers will learn all about that poo: size and shape, smell factor, digestion and diet, and more! Colorful illustrations are paired with the text, which comes in two formats: readers can choose to read simplified bolded text and/or additional text below the illustrations for even more poop content!
Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
In Give Bees a Chance, Edgar loves all the same things as the narrator (except bees!). Throughout the story, the narrator shares fascinating bee facts in an attempt to lure Edgar into sharing a passion for bees. With illustrations including various types of bees, the anatomy of a bee, and how honey is made, combined with a hive of awesome facts, this book is great for bee-lovers and bee-haters alike (thanks to Edgar’s hilarious anti-bee comments!). After reading this book, even the most avid bee-hater might be willing to Give Bees a Chance.
Home Builders by Varsha Bajaj, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani
With simple text and vibrant illustrations, The Home Builders inspires reader curiosity through a series of simple questions inviting readers to take a closer look at various woodland creatures' work, homes, babies, and families. All kinds of readers will love this colorful tribute to forest creatures.