Summer reading: factual book recommendations

I’m back with another book list full of fantastic factual books to give you some summer reading inspiration. Again, I struggled to squeeze in all my favourites but here are a few that I think are absolute gems and I hope you enjoy exploring them too. 

This big and beautiful book looks at ancient civilisations from around the world and highlights their greatest achievements, inventions, and ideas and how their legacy lives on today. 

A hilarious historical series full of fun facts and super funny art. This one gives you a peek into a child’s life in Ancient Rome.

A fresh and empowering set of retellings from the perspective of some bold and brilliant female characters of Greek mythology who often aren’t given enough airtime. 

Written by an archaeologist, this inspiring book dives deep into our lesser-known histories to look at the lessons we can learn about building an inclusive and sustainable society. 

A stunningly illustrated and deeply fascinating book that pulls together key historical events from around the world and puts them in context like never before. A must-read for budding historians. 

Jam-packed with fascinating facts and Thiago de Moraes’s incredible illustrations of heroes, villains, royals, explorers, inventors, artists and more, this wondrous book is a whistle-stop tour of global history and will keep young readers busy for a long, long time.

The creation of an indigenous author-artist team, this beautiful, lyrical book is inspired by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline and explores the fight to protect our waters and our planet. It’s a powerful call to action and a reminder of how precious nature is. 

Part of a charming series, this is a truly lovely book that looks at the wondrous, wordless ways in which animals communicate. 

Written by a real-life polar explorer, this delightful book is beautifully illustrated and will take readers all over the world from Argentina to Antarctica and from the Galápagos Islands to Namibia and South Africa. Perfect for penguin-lovers! 

Beautifully told and brightly illustrated, this adaptation of Sir David Attenborough’s acclaimed documentary is a wonderful collection of uplifting, comforting and hopeful stories about life on our planet. 

This one is joy in book form! A gorgeous exploration of flowers in all their grace and magnificence and one that is sure to inspire little conservationists, gardeners and artists. 

This book is pure delight. Stunningly illustrated, it takes the reader on 40 fascinating slow journeys around the world by bicycle, boat, train, and on foot. A beautiful book that will fill young hearts with wonder. 

A fantastic whirlwind tour of our solar system told in Caryl Hart’s bouncy rhyme with striking art from Bethan Woollvin. Part of a brilliant series. 

Told in the form of comics, this is a fabulous first introduction to the world of scientists, who they are, what they do, and the difference they make. Filled with an inclusive collection of real-life role models throughout, this book is perfect for budding scientists. 

This wondrous book explains the science of machines in such an accessible and exciting way. It’s an invitation to make and discover and it’s packed with activities to keep little ones busy over the holidays. 

Wonderfully written and illustrated, this is a fascinating bedtime read for curious little minds that are absolutely fizzing with questions. 

This stunning, giftable, keepable collection of poems by a wide range of incredible poets captures all the joy and wonder of science. One to return to over and over again. 

Insightful and informative, this is a truly hilarious read that children will love. Funny books are a powerful thing and when funny meets facts–well, that’s something special! 

An absolutely stunning book and a comforting and uplifting introduction to life and the world we live in. I come back to this one often and it’s a go-to gift for little ones. 

A clever and creative picture book that follows a child’s train of thought as they examine their feelings and how they experience the world. Shinsuke Yoshitake’s books are masterful and always incredible at exploring what it means to be human but in a way that is beautifully child-centric. 

Beautiful in its simplicity and accessibility, this is a powerful little comic about consent and personal boundaries. An important conversation-starter and a guide to navigating life. 

An inspiring anthology of thought-provoking stories sharing the experience of growing up Black in Britain. A book that is bold, honest, and ultimately so hopeful. 

Brightly coloured and vividly illustrated, this little book is a powerful introduction to racism, what it is, and how to stand against it. A beautiful empathy-boosting book that will open up meaningful conversations and inspire young activists and allies. 

An eye-opening exploration of Black British history structured around a playlist of 28 songs. The writing is sharp, fresh and entertaining and the book is heart breaking in places but still so incredibly joyous and hopeful. This one needs to be in every home, classroom and library.