Non-fiction November
Once upon a time, non-fiction was the poor cousin of fiction and it was a struggle to find a wide range of age-appropriate, engaging books. No longer! Recent years have seen an explosion of fabulous factual books, covering a huge range of subjects. To celebrate Non-Fiction November, the Little Wandle Trainers have put together a selection of some of their favourites.
All through the night by Polly Faber and Harriet Hobday (Nosy Crow, 2021)
Suitable for EYFS
Are you teaching your little ones about people who help us in the community? If so, then this book provides a great place to start conversations about all those essential jobs that happen while we are sleeping. The combination of beautiful, detailed illustrations and simple text make this a great addition to your book corner.
Martha Maps It Out by Leigh Hodgkinson (Oxford University Press, 2022)
Suitable for EYFS and KS1
Lose yourself in a world of fantastic map illustrations that will inspire so many questions. This book is full of lots of fun details and facts – perfect for curious minds. It’s ideal for KS1 children as a general introduction to map work as it looks at towns, cities and geographical scale.
The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain and Yuval Zommer (Quarto Publishing, 2017)
Suitable for EYFS and KS1
A double-sided fold-out book of 2.5 metres that takes you on a fascinating journey deep underground. Mixing urban and rural settings, it covers geology, archaeology and natural history. The first in a series of four great non-fiction books – check out the other three to find out what’s in the sky above us, the sea below us and the world around us!
Meet the Microbes by Dr Emily Grossman and Maggie Li (Hachette Children’s Books, 2022)
Suitable for KS1
Did you know that teeny-tiny organisms are absolutely everywhere? They even live inside our bodies! While some microbes can make us sick, many of them actually keep us healthy. Step into the world of magical microbes to find out more…
Once Upon a Raindrop: The Story of Water by James Carter and Nomoco (Little Tiger Press, 2018)
Suitable for KS1 and KS2
This rhyming and poetical picture book brilliantly introduces the concept of the water cycle and the value of water in our lives. The author uses simple but evocative language that summons the rushing, dripping, ever-changing movement of water and how vital it is in our everyday lives.
Kay’s Anatomy by Adam Kay (Puffin, 2020)
Suitable for KS2
Everything you wanted to know, and plenty you wish you didn’t, about the human body! This highly informative and hilarious book mixes text and cartoons to ensure there is something for every reader in your class.
Lifesize by Sophy Henn (HarperCollins, 2018)
Suitable for all!
A book all about animals! This gorgeous book shows the true size of a variety of animals. Children are encouraged to interact with the beautiful illustrations, which gives them an insight into the actual sizes of animals. Can they high five a polar bear’s paw? Whose is bigger – the paw or their hand? Jam packed with interesting facts, this book will not disappoint!
