10+ Best Nonfiction Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect nonfiction books for 6-year-olds to spark curiosity and foster learning? You've come to the right place! Whether you're looking to dive into the world of animals, explore distant planets, or discover historical figures, we've got you covered. Keep reading to explore our handpicked selections of engaging and educational nonfiction books that are just right for your young reader.

Fun Nonfiction Books for 6-Year-Olds

• National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why by Amy Shields
  • Illustrator: Not applicable
  • Genre(s): Science, Education
  • Synopsis: This book answers many common questions young children have, ranging from simple mechanics of everyday life to explaining complex concepts in a kid-friendly way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks curiosity and encourages inquiry, making learning fun and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who love to ask "Why?"

• The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
  • Illustrator: George Ford
  • Genre(s): Biography, History, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: This book tells the true story of Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about courage, resilience, and the impact one child can have on history.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and inspirational stories of courage.

• Fly Guy Presents: Sharks by Tedd Arnold
  • Illustrator: Tedd Arnold
  • Genre(s): Animals, Science
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of sharks through the eyes of the beloved character, Fly Guy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun illustrations and facts that keep children engaged and eager to learn more about marine life.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are fans of Fly Guy and have a keen interest in animals and nature.

• The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body by Joanna Cole
  • Illustrator: Bruce Degen
  • Genre(s): Science, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Join Ms. Frizzle and her class as they take a thrilling educational journey inside the human body aboard the Magic School Bus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique blend of adventure and education, making complex biological concepts accessible and entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous young readers who enjoy science and exploration.

• What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
  • Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
  • Genre(s): Animals, Science
  • Synopsis: This book explores the fascinating ways different animals use their ears, eyes, mouths, tails, and more.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages observation and critical thinking by asking and answering intriguing questions about animal adaptations.
  • Perfect for: Young animal lovers and budding naturalists eager to learn about the animal kingdom.

Educational Nonfiction Books for 6-Year-Olds

• One World, Many Colors by Ben Lerwill
  • Illustrator: Alette Straathof
  • Genre(s): Culture, Geography
  • Synopsis: This book explores the rich diversity of our world through colors, showcasing how they appear in various cultures and countries.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, geography, color recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually stunning journey that introduces children to the beauty of diversity and the concept of global citizenship.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers eager to learn about different cultures and the significance of colors in our world.

• The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain
  • Illustrator: Yuval Zommer
  • Genre(s): Science, Environment
  • Synopsis: This book offers a unique vertical journey to explore what lies beneath the city streets, from sewers to subway lines to natural geological formations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Earth science, environmental awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fascinating perspective on the unseen parts of urban environments, encouraging curiosity about the natural and built world.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who love to learn about how things work behind the scenes.

• From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
  • Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
  • Genre(s): Nature, Science
  • Synopsis: This book details the life cycle of plants, explaining how seeds grow into plants and the roles that flowers, fruits, and roots play in this process.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Botany, life cycles
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clear and informative guide that helps children understand the basics of plant science with engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young nature enthusiasts and budding gardeners interested in how plants grow and thrive.

• Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski
  • Illustrator: Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski
  • Genre(s): Geography, Culture
  • Synopsis: This book features detailed maps of various countries and regions around the world, filled with illustrations of landmarks, animals, and cultural icons.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Map reading, cultural literacy
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging visual feast that encourages exploration and a deeper understanding of the world's diversity.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and travelers at heart who enjoy discovering new places and cultures.

• An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston
  • Illustrator: Sylvia Long
  • Genre(s): Nature, Science
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book introduces children to the fascinating world of eggs, detailing their colors, shapes, and the creatures that come from them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Natural science, observational skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines elegant illustrations with educational content to captivate and educate young readers about the wonders of nature.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any child with a curiosity about how life begins in its simplest form.

Challenging Nonfiction Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
  • Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
  • Genre(s): Biography, Science, Technology
  • Synopsis: This book tells the inspiring true story of a young boy from Malawi who builds a windmill from scraps to save his village from drought and famine.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes of engineering, resilience, and sustainability, paired with a real-world application that goes beyond typical children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an empowering story that showcases how creativity, determination, and science can change communities.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and future engineers interested in science and humanitarian stories.

• The Mysteries of the Universe by Will Gater
  • Illustrator: Not applicable
  • Genre(s): Science, Astronomy
  • Synopsis: Discover the wonders of the universe, from black holes to the big bang, illustrated with stunning visuals that bring space closer to home.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles the vast and complex subject of space science, which requires understanding abstract and advanced concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fuels curiosity about the cosmos and encourages a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring astronomers and children who marvel at the stars and space.

• Animalium by Jenny Broom
  • Illustrator: Katie Scott
  • Genre(s): Animals, Science
  • Synopsis: Presented as a virtual museum with a series of beautifully detailed exhibits on different species, this book explores the fascinating diversity of animal life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It offers a detailed and scientific look at zoology, which is typically covered in more depth at higher educational levels.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a thorough exploration of animal biology and evolution in a visually appealing format.
  • Perfect for: Young zoologists and any child with a deep interest in animals and nature.

• Atlas of Adventures by Rachel Williams
  • Illustrator: Lucy Letherland
  • Genre(s): Geography, Culture, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book takes readers on a journey around the world, exploring continents and introducing cultures through engaging activities and vibrant illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of cultural and geographical information, presenting it in a detailed and interactive format that goes beyond simple facts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages global awareness and curiosity about different cultures and places, making geography fun and adventurous.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who dream of traveling the world and learning about different cultures.

• Gravity by Jason Chin
  • Illustrator: Jason Chin
  • Genre(s): Science, Physics
  • Synopsis: This book explains the complex concept of gravity in a simple and engaging way, using clear illustrations to show how it affects everything around us.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces fundamental physics concepts that are usually not explored in depth at this age level.
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies a fundamental scientific concept with visual storytelling that makes learning accessible and fun.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists eager to understand the forces that shape our world.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 6-year-old to the wonderful world of nonfiction books, you're on the right track! Nonfiction can be just as engaging and magical as fiction and is a fantastic way to feed their curiosity about the world around them. To make the most out of their reading experience, here are some fun and educational exercises that can help develop good reading habits early on:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Preview the book by looking at pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what they think will happen in the book based on the pictures.

• Question and Answer Game
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child questions about the content.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and retention of information.
  • Tips: Keep the questions simple and directly related to what was read.

• Match the Fact
  • What it is: Create a matching game with facts from the book and their corresponding images or explanations.
  • How it helps: Helps with memory and understanding of the material.
  • Tips: Use colorful cards to make the game more engaging.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: Encourage your child to retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and recall abilities.
  • Tips: Prompt them with questions if they get stuck.

• Create a Fact Book
  • What it is: Have your child create their own book based on the facts they found most interesting.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps with information processing.
  • Tips: Provide them with drawing materials and help them write down their thoughts.

These exercises aren't just educational; they're a great way to bond with your child and foster a love for learning. By making reading a fun and interactive experience, you're setting up your little one for a lifetime of curiosity and knowledge. Happy reading!