A good book about facts will keep kids busy for hours! Kids are fascinated about the world around them and readily ingest all kinds of juicy facts and details, especially if they can impress others with their knowledge about their newfound knowledge. Sometimes it seems the weirder and grosser those facts are, the better!
Check out these fascinating fact books on all kinds of subjects. You're sure to find just the right book to mesmerize your little knowledge-seeker. And don't forget, you can find even more topics in the index of all our kids book lists.
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Table of contents
Fact Books for Pre-K and Lower Elementary Kids
These first fact books are excellent choices to spark the curiosity of 4-7 year olds, but the information will astound even the oldest among us!
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why by Amy Shields. What kid doesn't ask a ton of why questions! I adore this series from National Geographic. The large hardcover books are easy to hold in a lap and full of gorgeous photos. The why answers in this book cover everything from the human body to space. Plus! My favorite part is that the book encourages kids to apply the knowledge with easy to do activity suggestions.
National Geographic Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes. I could make a separate entry for all the "First Big Books of..." series. It is truly an outstanding series of non-fiction books for kids. The books all grow with the child. Each double page spread includes both basic and in-detail facts, perfect for 3-7 year olds. In addition, questions like, "If you could send a spacecraft somewhere in space to take photographs, where would you send it?" encourage kids to apply their new knowledge. Other books in the series include the following:
- First Big Book of Animals
- First Big Book of the Ocean
- First Big Book of Bugs
- Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs
MORE: Nonfiction poems are a great way to introduce fact-loving kids to poetry
Jet Plane: How It Works by David Macaulay. This set of early readers gives young kids the opportunity to enjoy Macaulay's explanations of how machines work and architectural feats are constructed. Shall I tell you that my kids enjoyed the one about the toilet, most of all? See all of them:
MORE: For kids who love biology check out these books about the human body
Fact Books for Upper Elementary and Middle School
The complexity and subject matter of these fact books are great for kids ages 8 through middle school, although even high schoolers may enjoy the secrets that hide between the covers!
FACTopia (series) by Kate Hale. The outstanding FACTopia series includes several themed volumes. The short and fascinating details of outrageous facts peak in these books peak kids' curiosity. What I love about FACTopia! is that it takes readers on a journey rather like a game, in which the readers is led down a trail of information which is all somehow connected, but still distinct. Think of it as "400 degrees of Kevin Bacon."
MORE: Nonfiction Audiobooks for Kids
5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) from National Geographic Kids. I believe we had this book checked out of the library for six months! My kids could not get enough of it. My older son, especially, LOVED it and seemed remembered every detail!
MORE: These nonfiction books about the ocean will enchant sea-loving kids
Ultimate Weird but True: 1,000 Wild & Wacky Facts and Photos from National Geographic Kids. Who doesn't like random and totally bizarre facts? There are several compact versions of Weird but True books, perfect for traveling, with 300 facts each, including my favorite one focusing on history: Ye Olde Weird but True: 300 Outrageous Facts from History.
Quiz Whiz: 1,000 Super Fun, Mind-bending, Totally Awesome Trivia Questions. At the risk of sounding like a National Geographic advertisement, I will recommend yet ANOTHER book series from them. What can I say, the NG people really know their stuff. Be prepared, however, to be the recipient of many quizzes after you put this book in the hands of your child.
The Way Science Works by Robin Kerrod. DK Publishing has loads of these large, illustrated, encyclopedia type books. The format includes copious photographs and explanations that kids can delve into.
How to Be a Genius: Your Brain and How to Train It from DK Publishers. Wouldn't we all love to know the answer to that question!!! My older son also loves the companion book, How to Be a Math Genius. The book explains the facts behind how the human brain processes and stores information, as well as including a plethora of puzzles, brain teasers and activities to keep growing minds busy (and learning).
MORE: Lots more math facts in these fun math reference books for upper elementary kids
G Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book and Q Is for Quark: A Science Alphabet Book, by David M. Schwartz. Don't be fooled by the "alphabet book" style of these books. They are not books for preschoolers! From A is for Algebra to Z is for Zzzzzz (I'm not giving that one away!), there are some intensive, yet approachable explanations for kids who love their S.T.E.M subjects.
MORE: 55 Science picture books for kids
National Geographic Kids World Atlas. If your kids love geography and maps be sure to have a good atlas! I like this one because not only does it include loads of facts, but there are games and puzzles to help kids learn and retain the information. Be sure to check you are getting the most recent edition!
Ann says
We like Weird but True. Great list, I will have to pick some of these up for my husband (who hosts trivia) and my daughter who likes it too!
Erica MomandKiddo says
That's so cool that your husband hosts trivia events!
Ambika S says
Your entire list would fit my kids' taste. We have already read the national geographic book series and DK books. The 'Q is for Quark' , and 'G is for Googol' looks interesting and I am going to place holds for them right now. My kids really love to know and use complex vocabulary. They would sure love the book.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Enjoy!