Discover the World Together: Dive into Non-Fiction with Your Child!

Apr 5

Reading Time: 2 mins

Father and son leaning against wall and reading together

Children’s literature is long associated with fictional characters, plots, and settings. In recent years the popularity of nonfiction children’s books has risen. One of the best advantages of reading nonfiction is that parents can read similar books. This can make reading an opportunity for parents and children to connect through meaningful conversations about a shared topic more deeply.

Nonfiction books can also help children learn about the real world and broaden their understanding of various topics, such as science, history, and nature. Additionally, reading nonfiction can enhance a child's critical thinking skills as they learn to analyze and evaluate information presented in the book. So, reading nonfiction with your child can be a fun and educational way to explore the world together!

Nonfiction for elementary-aged children

“Stay Curious! A Brief History of Stephen Hawking”
“Curious Comparisons” shows how the world compares to the size of children’s bodies.
“The Radium Girls” is a true story about girls who glowed!
“Baking Class” is a cookbook for future chefs and bakers.

Nonfiction for the preschooler

“I Am the Storm” teaches children about weather and resilience.
Usborne’s “Look Inside Your Body” will help young children better understand how their bodies work.
Read “Seeds Move” to shed light on how plant seeds travel.
“What Do They Do With All That Poo?” will satisfy the silliest curious minds.

Young history buffs can find a wealth of biographies and historical accounts by indulging in Who HQ books. Who HQ publishes riveting accounts of history, as well as engaging biographies for the upper elementary ages. To strengthen the reading experience and foster mindful conversations, parents can choose to read books on the same topic.

To get started:

Check out the Who HQ website for a list of children’s nonfiction stories that can easily be paired with adult versions.
Let your child take the lead and choose a topic.
Visit your local library to borrow a book about the same subject so you may “read aside” your child.
Explore discussions on your chosen subject matter!

Paired Who HQ book suggestions for reading aside your child:

“What do we know about the Roswell Incident?” + “The Day After Roswell”
“Who is the Man in the Air?” + “Michael Jordan: The Life”
“What is the Supreme Court?” + “The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court”
“Who is Cristiano Ronaldo?” + “Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography”
“Who is Johnny Cash?” + My Life with Johnny”