Animal non-fiction

Epic Animal Journeys: Navigations and Migrations by Air, Land and Sea

Author: Ed J Brown
Publisher: Cicada Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 6+

Migrating animals are found in all areas of the animal kingdom: birds, fish, reptiles, crustaceans, amphibians, mammals and insects. But why do they do it, and how does it work? There’s so much to learn, from the varying migration routes of different birds (gannets can cross oceans easily as they can take breaks to swim, float and fish for food, and storks r…

Size Wise

Author: Camilla de la Bedoyere Illustrator: Vasilisa Romanenko
Publisher: Buster Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

From the big to the small, size is important and can tell us a lot about the animals and plants that live on planet Earth. This fascinating book zooms in on size to reveal all kinds of interesting facts about why things are the size that they are, and to give young readers a sense of scale.

Hamza’s Wild World

Author: Hamza Yassin Illustrator: Louise Forshaw
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

An incredibly engaging collection of amazing animal facts, from naturalist and cameraman Hamza Yassin. 

Brainy About Bears

Author: Owen Davey
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

This beautifully illustrated, non-fiction picture book is packed full of interesting facts about bears. 

Endangered Animals Atlas

Author: Tom Jackson Illustrator: Sam Caldwell
Publisher: words & pictures
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

This illustrated non-fiction book takes the reader on a journey of discovery around the globe, identifying animals who are under threat from dangers such as habitat loss, climate change and hunting. 

Evolution: Join us on an exhilarating journey from the origins of life to the present day!

Author: Sarah Darwin & Eva-Maria Sadowski Illustrator: Olga Baumert
Publisher: Natural History Museum & What on Earth Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

Evolution can be defined as the way that living things change over time to suit their environment. In this rather stunning and highly informative read, real-life scientists Sarah Darwin and Eva-Maria Sadowski introduce readers to some of the amazing animals, plants and fungi that have lived on our planet, from dinosaurs to early humans, mushrooms and bacteri…

Finding Home

Author: Mike Unwin Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

With a double-page spread devoted to each of 20 animals, readers of all ages will be fascinated by the strange and wonderful places animals call home. A glorious book with stunning illustrations. 

Queens of the Jungle

Author: Dr Carly Anne York Illustrator: Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong
Publisher: Neon Squid
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 6-8

A fantastic book detailing female animals across the spectrum of mammals, insects and sea creatures, and dispelling the myth of male superiority in nature.

Seek and Find Animals

Author: Lydia Halliday Illustrator: Amanda Shufflebotham
Publisher: Imagine That
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+

Using the 'magic torch', readers can discover things like which animal has an unusually long tongue, what a wolf might eat for lunch, and how Emperor penguins keep warm on the ice. Clearly laid-out text, bold, colourful illustrations and sturdy cardboard pages make the book engaging and accessible. 

There Are Birds Everywhere

Author: Britta Teckentrup
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+

A beautiful book that is full of facts about birds and their amazing variety and skills.

Stone Age Beasts

Author: Ben Lerwill Illustrator: Grahame Baker-Smith
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Three million years ago, humans had just started making stone tools. This was the beginning of the Stone Age, which only ended about 4000 years ago – not very long, in the grand scheme of things.

Who Ate All the Bugs? The TRUE and GORY story of the food chain!

Author: Matty Long
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 6-8

This delightful and very funny cartoon-style guide to food chains is a brilliant introduction to the concept, and gives young readers/listeners some simple facts about a range of animals and their eating habits, and the natural cycle of life. 

Mae Snail a Worm allan am dro un diwrnod braf pan mae trychineb yn digwydd: mae rhywun neu rywbeth yn bwyta'r …

Open Wide! Jaw-Dropping Mouths of the Animal World

Author: Dr Letizia Diamante Illustrator: Ed J. Brown
Publisher: What on Earth! Books
Interest age: 6-8

A fascinating guide to all things toothy in this original take on the animal nonfiction book, allowing readers to get an insight into a variety of animals and their habits.

A World of Dogs

Author: Carlie Sorosiak Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

A fascinating non-fiction book that details everything on dogs!  

Weird and Wonderful Nature

Author: Ben Hoare Illustrator: Kaley McKean
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 8+

Discover more about strange and fascinating species and behaviours, with colour photographs and bite-size facts. Perfect for fact-obsessed children who aren’t squeamish.  

Cats: Understanding Your Whiskered Friend

Author: Dr John Bradshaw Illustrator: Clare Elsom
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 7-10

This enjoyable read is a mix of a fictional story about Libby the cat and her life with Miss Lewis, intertwined with facts and information about cats from author Dr John Bradshaw, a biologist with a special interest in cats.

How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?

Author: Brooke Barker
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 8+

This fascinating non-fiction book features a wealth of fun facts about a range of animals, along with information about some of the ingenious methods scientists have devised to study them. Packed full of colourful, amusing illustrations, it is sure to appeal to budding scientists and anyone with an interest in animals.

The Versatile Reptile

Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Abbie Cameron
Publisher: Graffeg
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Reptiles are amazing! Find out more in this simple nature picture book with a rhyming refrain.

Animal Homes: A Lift the Flap Book of Discovery

Author: Libby Walden Illustrator: Clover Robin
Publisher: Caterpillar Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+

When we’re out and about, we probably walk past all manner of animal homes without even knowing it. A cute and charming board book, perfect for young nature fans at home or at school.

Creature Features: Oceans

Author: Natasha Durley
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Interest age: 4-5

Organised into eleven double page spreads of creatures with enormous eyes, snazzy spikes, black and white markings, fantastic fins and many more, this large board book is the perfect introduction to ocean wildlife for young readers. 

One Day on Our Blue Planet... in the Savannah

Author: Ella Bailey
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+

This is a lovely discussion book for children who have an interest in animals and the natural environment.

The Variety of Life

Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Lorna Scobie
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+

Did you know there are 400,000 species of beetle but only eight species of bear? Jam-packed with fun facts and figures, this is a glorious celebration of our world by non-fiction specialist Nicola Davies.

A Tower of Giraffes

Author: Anna Wright
Publisher: Words & Pictures
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+

This exquisite volume of collective nouns will be treasured by children and adults alike, and cannot be recommended highly enough.