Fiction is great, but there’s nothing like a good nonfiction book. In this article, we have compiled a list of the 25 best nonfiction books for kindergarten.
We hope it will be helpful in your search for the best books to read with your kids!
You may also like: 20 Best World War 2 Books for Middle School Students
Best Nonfiction Books for Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a major transition year for kids. They are learning to read, write and do math, but they aren’t expected to be able to sit still for long periods of time.
This can make picking reading material difficult, especially if you want your child to engage with the text on multiple levels.
Luckily there are some great nonfiction books out there that will help your kindergartener learn while also providing them with some entertainment!
Table of Contents
Power Up by Seth Fishman and Isabel Greenberg
Power Up is a book that was written by Seth Fishman and Isabel Greenberg.
Power Up is an interesting book about how to transform your life into something you love.
It will help you to get rid of all the things that are holding you back in life, and it will help you to become more confident in yourself.
The book has some amazing tips on how to improve your health, relationships, finances, career, and so much more.
You can use this information for absolutely anything in your life! This book will change the way you think about everything!
Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Troy Andrews is a New Orleans-born musician who has been playing the trombone since he was four years old.
He grew up in the Ninth Ward, where he learned to play with his father’s band at St. Augustine Church and at neighborhood block parties.
Troy began touring with Trombone Shorty when he was only fourteen years old, and by sixteen, he had released his first album.
Since then, Troy has gone on to record five more albums as part of Trombone Shorty; toured with The Rolling Stones; played for President Obama; won two Grammy Awards, and appeared on “The Tonight Show” twice!
Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis
The award-winning author of Chime and The Underneath, Antoinette Portis, is back with a new book about learning to love the world around us.
In Hey, Water! we meet a young girl who loves water so much she can’t stop talking about it.
She’s so excited that she even makes up her own language for water: “Hey, Water!” Soon everyone in town is saying it too.
But when the townspeople start using this phrase in place of hello or goodbye, they forget how to talk normally. Can our heroine help them remember?
No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves And His Kingdom In Kansas
Junius G. Groves was a man of many talents and interests, but his passion was farming.
He had an uncanny ability to grow potatoes, which he did with great success on Kansas soil.
This book explores Junius’ life from his early years as a young boy on the family farm in Ohio through his death at the age of ninety-one.
It is written by one of his grandsons who knew him well during those later years when Junius lived with him and helped around the farm.
Charlotte the Scientist Finds A Cure by Camille Andros and Brianne Farley
“Charlotte the Scientist Finds A Cure” is a book about a girl named Charlotte who is very smart and loves science.
She has an idea to find a cure for her best friend, Annie, who has cancer. Annie’s mom helps her with her experiment and they make a medicine that can help Annie feel better.
The tone of voice should be friendly and warm. It should sound like someone talking to their child or grandchild, not a teacher lecturing them.
The Airport Book by Lisa Brown
The Airport Book is a book that provides the reader with an amazing experience.
It will take you on a journey of self-discovery and help you to understand yourself better.
The Airport Book is the first book in the series “The Traveler’s Collection”.
It is written by Lisa Brown, who has traveled all around the world and who has learned many valuable lessons during her journeys.
She wrote this book so that others can learn from her experiences and avoid making some of the mistakes she made herself.
Earth! My first 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy Mcanulty and David Litchfield
Earth! My first 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy Mcanulty and David Litchfield is an amazing book that takes you on a journey through the history of our planet.
It’s written in a way that makes it easy to understand, yet incredibly detailed, so you know exactly what happened when, where, how, etc…
I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who has ever wondered about the origins of our planet or universe.
It’s also great for kids interested in science or geography because it covers both topics thoroughly without being too technical or boring.
This is one of my favorite books of all time!
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
The book “Grand Canyon” is a collection of short stories by Jason Chin. The book was published in 2015 by Simon & Schuster.
In this collection of short stories, Chin writes about the American experience through the eyes of characters who are struggling to find their place in life.
Many of these characters are immigrants or first-generation Americans whose parents have come to America for a better life but also want to preserve some aspects of their culture and heritage.
Others are second or third-generation Americans who feel like they don’t quite fit into their own communities.
Through these characters, the reader is able to see how America’s immigrant past and diverse present have shaped our history.
Hello, Hollo by Brendan Wenzel
Hello, Hollo is a children’s book that teaches kids the importance of being kind to others.
It’s a fun and whimsical tale of two kids who meet, and the adventures they embark on together.
Brendan Wenzel’s debut picture book features his signature bold and colorful illustrations.
Hello, Hollo is an excellent gift for any child! It is currently available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and many other fine retail establishments.
I Want To Be A Doctor by Laura Driscoll
I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR is a delightful story about a little girl who dreams of being a doctor.
Laura Driscoll uses beautiful, vibrant illustrations to tell the story of how her daughter’s love for doctor play grew into an interest in becoming a doctor herself.
If you are looking for books that inspire girls to pursue careers in STEM fields, this book is perfect!
It teaches children that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR will make you smile and it will open up conversations about career aspirations between parents and their children.
Can An Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart and Steve Jenkins
This is a picture book about an aardvark named Arthur. He wants to be able to bark like his dog friend, but he can’t figure out how.
The other animals in the jungle are happy to help him, but they don’t know how either.
They try all sorts of things: blowing bubbles, playing drums, and making loud noises.
But nothing works until Arthur gets some help from his friends…and discovers that the answer was right in front of him all along!
Baby Animals Moving by Suzi Eszterhas
Baby Animals Moving by Suzi Eszterhas is a children’s book that teaches basic concepts in an entertaining way.
It features colorful illustrations of baby animals moving around, playing, and interacting with their environment.
The book can be used to teach young children about the world they live in and how things work.
It can also be used for teaching simple math skills such as counting or comparing numbers.
Dreamers by Yuki Morales
“Dreamers” is a story of three women who are all in different stages of life.
The book starts with the main character, Andrea, who has just graduated college and is about to start her first job.
She’s also engaged to be married to her high school sweetheart, Ryan.
Then there’s Andrea’s mother, Laura, who is still single after divorcing Andrea’s father years ago.
She has never found love again but she does have an amazing career as a travel agent that allows her to travel the world on someone else’s dime!
Lastly, there’s Andrea’s grandmother, Dora. Dora was born in Cuba and came over to America when she was young with her parents and siblings during the Cuban revolution.
She is a widow and still has all of the same housekeepers that her husband had when he was alive.
Imagine by Herrera, Juan Felipe
Imagine is a book that will take you on an adventure of self-discovery.
It’s about the power of imagination and how it can be used to improve your life.
Imagine is a book for anyone who wants to make their dreams come true, but doesn’t know where to start.
It’s for those who want more out of life, but don’t know what they’re missing.
Imagine is a book that will show you how to live in the moment and enjoy every second of your life!
Langston’s Train Ride by Robert Burleigh and Leonard Jenkins
Langston’s Train Ride is a children’s book about a young boy who boards a train to visit his grandmother.
The boy enjoys the sights from the window of his compartment, but when he tries to get off at his stop, he realizes that he has boarded the wrong train.
He must find another way to get home.
This book is part of the Langston Series for young readers by Robert Burleigh and Leonard Jenkins.
It was first published in 1999 by Holiday House Publishing Company in New York City.
Stinkiest!: 20 Smelly Animals by Steve Jenkins
What do skunks, polecats, and stink bugs smell like? Find out in this hilarious nonfiction picture book by Steve Jenkins.
Did you know that the skunk is the only mammal that can shoot its smelly spray?
Or that a male polecat’s scent glands are so strong they will even make female cats run away?
This book is packed with facts about 20 different smelly animals.
It includes information on where they live and what they eat, as well as how to avoid their stinky secretions.
And if you want to find out more about these animals’ super-smellers, there are also some great experiments at the back of the book!
Someday is Now: Clara Luper and The 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-Ins
The first book to tell the story of Clara Luper, a pioneering civil rights leader whose work helped bring about an end to segregation in Oklahoma City.
A compelling portrait of a woman who overcame personal tragedy and discrimination to become one of the most influential figures in Oklahoma history.
The 1958 sit-in at Oklahoma City’s Katz Drug Store was the first demonstration against segregation by African Americans in the South.
It led to an unprecedented alliance between blacks and whites that brought about change throughout Oklahoma City and beyond.
What Do They Do With All That Poo? by Jane Kurtz
Do you ever wonder what happens to all the poo?
In this book, Jane Kurtz gives an insight into the world of animal waste.
She explores how it is used by humans and animals alike. The author looks at why we need to recycle animal waste, as well as how it can be used in a variety of different ways.
This includes using it for energy and fertilizer. It also covers some of the environmental issues surrounding animal waste and how they are being addressed by scientists around the world.
This book is aimed at young children aged between 8 – 11 years old who are interested in science or biology.
It is written in an informative way that will keep kids engaged throughout reading time!
How Big Were The Dinosaurs? by Lita Judge
Dinosaurs are a favorite of children and adults alike. The book, How Big Were the Dinosaurs? by Lita Judge is a great introduction to dinosaurs for kids.
It’s a fun way to learn about these fascinating creatures.
This book is an excellent resource for teachers and parents who want to teach children about dinosaurs in a fun way.
It teaches kids how to use their imagination, as well as facts about the different types of dinosaurs that roamed the earth millions of years ago.
A Beetle is Shy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long
A Beetle is Shy is a story of a beetle who lives in a small town. He has always been shy, but one day he decides to make friends with the other animals of the town.
This book teaches children that it’s okay to be different from others and that they shouldn’t be afraid to show their true selves.
The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring by Gilbert Ford
The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring by Gilbert Ford is a children’s book that was written in the year of 1868.
In this book, there are many stories about people who were living in the past and their lives.
These stories are very interesting to read because they tell how people used to live in the past. Some of these stories are about different kinds of animals and plants that were discovered for the first time.
This book has many pictures which make it more interesting to kids.
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet
This book is a celebration of the life and work of Peter Mark Roget (1779–1869), creator of the most famous thesaurus in history, as well as his son John Lewis Roget (1808–1878), who added to it after his father’s death.
It tells how they created their masterpiece, what it was like to live with them, and why their creation has endured for more than 150 years.
Written by award-winning children’s author Jen Bryant and illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet, this beautiful picture book brings alive an extraordinary family story that spans two generations.
Hippos Are Huge! by Jonathan London
“Hippos are huge!” is the first book in a new series of books for kids.
The story follows a young boy as he goes to school, plays with his friends, and discovers that hippos really are huge!
This book has been written and illustrated by Jonathan London, who is an award-winning author and illustrator.
He has published over 30 books for children including the best-selling ‘The Bear Snores On” series.
His work has been translated into many languages and adapted for television.
Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison
Megan Madison is a writer, artist, and activist who lives in Baltimore. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon, and other publications.
She holds an MFA from the University of Maryland and teaches writing at Johns Hopkins University.
In this book of poems for children ages 9 to 12 years old, Madison explores what it means to be black in America today through her own experiences as well as those of her family members and friends.
She writes about everything from hair to skin color to white privilege to police brutality—and how all these things are connected.
Snails Are Just My Speed! by Kevin McCloskey
The book “Snails Are Just My Speed!” by Kevin McCloskey is a fictional tale about a snail named Steve who goes on an adventure to find love.
The main character, Steve, is a young snail who lives in the forest with his parents and siblings.
He has always been told that snails are slow and boring, but he knows there must be more to life than just sitting around all day.
One day while watching butterflies fly by he decides that he wants to experience life as they do: fast and exciting! After talking it over with his family, they agree to let him go on an adventure.
He leaves for the big city where he meets many new friends along the way. When one of them gets sick, he decides it is his turn to step up and help out. Will he be able to save the day?
I hope these 25 Best Nonfiction Books for Kindergarten will give you and your child a chance to learn about different cultures, history, science topics, the human body, or other subjects in an accessible way that is both fun and educational.
The pictures themselves are colorful and inviting so your little one will be eager to dive into each of these stories.
We hope that our list helps get the imaginations running wild! Which book on our list would interest you?