Non-fiction for Toddlers

Why do we read non-fiction? What are our top 5 non-fiction books?

If we never show our children that books can be marvelled at, then how can we expect them to read and study from textbooks with enthusiasm? If we do not show them that learning can be fun, how can you expect them to enjoy the experience of learning? Learning from books need not be dull and boring, it can be full of wonder and astonishment, provided we introduce the right books at the right age.

There should always a good mix of fiction and non-fiction books in your bookrack every week. While fiction helps children develop empathy, creativity and imagination, non-fiction gives facts and helps children develop knowledge, analytical skills and vocabulary. They broaden the view of the world and teach them (and also us) new concepts. Non-fictions should form an essential part of children's reading diet.

Here are 5 of our favourite non-fiction books:

📖 LITTLE KIDS FIRST BIG BOOK OF ANIMALS

We’ve been reading this since my son was 1 year old. We absolutely love the vibrant pictures and interesting information about animals. It is divided by habitat type (grassland, oceanarium, forest etc). There is a focus on baby animals and animal families which makes this book perfect for children as young as 1 but equally interesting for older children as well.

📖 WHAT DO THEY DO WITH ALL THAT POO?

Who knew poo books could teach so much? Illustrations in this book are pretty nice and cute (yes even when they are showing pooping animals!) and the facts given are fascinating. Such books help children develop scientific temperament and reasoning. My son loves this book and insists that we read it during meal times 🤭😂

📖 THE USBORNE BIG BOOK OF ABC

The illustrations in this book are utterly magnificent. One of our favourite books especially after we started learning phonics. Every letter has a number of sketches of things beginning with that letter - and some have beginning letter adjectives as well. We have a lot of alphabet books but this by far is the most admired one!

📖 THE USBORNE ATLAS OF THE WORLD

The Usborne books have a way with children for sure. The picture maps in this atlas book show animals, places and people from around the world. The maps however do not show countries, but rather concentrate on geography and fun facts. The detailing is breathtaking. There is also a ‘flags of the world’ section in the end.

This book has a lift-the-flaps version too.

📖 FOLLOW ME AROUND THE WORLD

This is a finger tracing book that grabs our little bugger’s attention time and again. The illustrations are catchy and it is almost a pictures-only book. We have ‘played’ with this book in a variety of ways (tracing, searching for characters, I spy etc). I wish the landmarks and characters had names written underneath, but hey what are we for then? (🙄).

This was a difficult list to make and I’m feeling pretty bad for all the lovely books that I did not include. Part II will be coming soon for sure!

⁣Please let us know in the comment section what your favourite non fiction books are.