New & Coming Soon Nonfiction Books for Kids of All Ages

Ever wondered where the crew sleeps on a jumbo jet or how beasts were unleashed at the Colosseum? Peel away the blocks to venture below deck on a massive galleon, peek inside the Empire State Building, dig deep into an underground city, and much more. Zoom in on curious details, discover fascinating real-world facts, and master Minecraft building tricks to recreate the intricate details in your own awesome creations.

"Are you brave enough?" That's what anthropologist Keneiloe Molopyane texted one of her graduate students, inviting her to join a dangerous underground search for a mysterious new human ancestor, Homo naledi. Would she dare to slide through the tight spaces and sheer drops of the Rising Star cave in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, to help unlock the secrets of a tiny chamber filled with literally hundreds of fossilized bones? Join us as we follow the exciting explorations of Dr. Molopyane, along with six female excavators known as the Underground Astronauts, the dynamic, controversial leader Dr. Lee Berger, and others as they puzzle over the remains of this strange new species with much smaller brains than ours who may have buried their dead, made tools, used fire, and left markings on rocks. 

A beautifully illustrated collection of more than 25 Japanese myths retold for kids ages 7-9.

From boogers to bruises, real-life pediatrician Betty Choi answers curious kids' questions about the weird and amazing ways our bodies work. What do the colors of my boogers mean when I have a cold? If I hold my pee too long, could my bladder explode? Why do bruises change color? Kids have so many pressing questions about the stuff their bodies do and what happens when they're sick. Pediatrician Betty Choi gives honest answers to 60 curious questions in this kid-friendly Q&A, with easy-to-follow, fun comics by illustrator Jannie Ho. 

From Newbery Honor author Lesa Cline-Ransome and ALA Children's Literature Legacy Award recipient James Ransome, this "important picture book biography" (School Library Journal, starred review) tells the story of Mary Peake, a courageous teacher who started a secret school for Black children.

Created in collaboration with Race2Dinner, here's the harrowing true story of America's history with boarding schools, and the forced assimilation of Indigenous kids and families. This painful history and the resilience of Indigenous communities who persist despite this widespread attempt at their erasure show us what the U.S. Government was willing to do to gain total power, and only by learning the true history of boarding schools can we truly understand the history of our country.

This rhyming romp of a picture book introduces kids to the concept of skip counting with piles and piles of crocodiles, crews and crews of kangaroos, and more. How do you count lots and lots of ocelots? Or pile and piles of crocodiles? By 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s, that's how! Children ages 5-7 learn the magic of skip counting--a key math skill in elementary curriculum--via silly rhymes and memorable groupings of animals. Engaging full color art encourages little fingers to count along, rhyming text encourages little voices to read along, and animal facts on every spread add an additional layer for rereading. 

A chilling collection of terrifying creatures from around the world, perfect for readers who want to know what lurks in the shadows

What are you afraid of? Maybe it's heights, public speaking, spiders, or the things that go bump in the night. Whatever makes your stomach flip, have you ever wondered why it affects you so much? Boo! answers that question and many more. 

Why do your feet age more slowly than your head? Is time travel possible? How did spies use clocks to complete secret missions? What caused the year of confusion? Why don't naked mole rats age? Find the fascinating answers to these questions and many more in this book full of mind-boggling facts about time.

Stone by Stone invites readers to consider how geology, engineering, and human history connect. The book opens with a striking and dramatic description of the rock cycle before delving into the many ways humans have used stones across history to rebuild, reconnect, and reimagine our place on Earth. Melissa Koch's lyrical language takes readers on a journey through the world's stone structures, highlighting the human side of science. Victoria Tentler-Krylov's art vibrates with energy, capturing the fire of the earth and the spirit of invention that lives inside all of us.

This collection of previously unpublished poems by masterful children's book author Karla Kuskin (1932-2009) will delight readers ages 4-8 who love animals and their distinct personalities. A Gray Cat Wanders is a charming collection of never-before-seen poems from the late Karla Kuskin, beloved author of The Philharmonic Gets Dressed and many other picture books. Here, Kuskin's unique, witty voice weaves through each poem, creating an exquisite menagerie of verses about animals both mighty and small. Meanwhile, in the art, a gray cat wanders from page to page and can be seen, sometimes hidden, throughout the book. Here is a treasury of animal poems that, coupled with acclaimed artist Marcellus Hall's playful illustrations, will instill in young readers a sense of wonder for the critters around us.

Warning: Criminals from different times and places lurk within these pages. An interactive adventure through time, finding misdeeds and learning about historical punishments. Spot criminals in Ancient Greece's marketplace, lawbreakers in rough-and-tumble Sacramento, and wrongdoers in medieval Canterbury in this interactive history adventure. This time-traveling adventure introduces the laws of the land from Ancient Egypt to the California Gold Rush. After a briefing packed with clues, young would-be detectives are thrust into a busy city scene. Which characters are breaking the law? And what (sometimes grisly) fate awaits them? Devious red herrings and shocking-but-true facts add to this fascinating overview of crime and punishment across history.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Is there a monstrous being that can shapeshift into a wolf during a full moon? Find out all we know about werewolves, wild transformations, silver bullets, and other facts that help us separate reality from legend in this exciting book! 

An illustrated guide to the history and mythology of witchcraft and sorcery from expert Dr. Angela Puca

This accessible illustrated nonfiction guide for children ages eight to twelve details the who, why, and how of borders, including how geographical boundary lines can both unite and separate us.

Death is a natural and necessary part of the cycle of life. When any living creature is born, it is destined to die. But death is not the end. Organisms decompose into nutrients that other living things use to survive. Dead trees serve as new habitats for fungi, insects and small animals. Even stars, once they've consumed all their hydrogen, die and can transform into red giants, white dwarfs or supernovas. Discover funeral traditions of various religions, cultures and animals. Learn how animals have found ways to survive for longer through evolution, and for humans, through medicine and healthcare. Read about gods, goddesses and symbols of death. And find out what happens once were gone. With a blend of science, psychology and culture, The Mystery of Death introduces young readers to the big questions surrounding death. By learning more about death, we can begin to see it not as something frightening or unknown, but as a natural part of life.

Discover a world of myths and magic in How the Rivermaid Grew Her Tail, a stunning anthology that celebrates the storytelling traditions of West Africa and the Caribbean.