Non-fiction ideas

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mystery
Posts: 8927
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:56 pm

Non-fiction ideas

Post by mystery »

I'm trying to encourage some non-fiction reading in the Mystery household. The local library has the most minute children's section, and the school library stuff is mostly a bit too unapproachable. So I've just spent a fortune online on some OUP treetops non-fiction titles.

Can anyone recommend a children's encylopaedia that a nearly 8 year old would enjoy dipping into ------- her independent reading level which she enjoys reading at is things like Enid Blyton Naughtiest Girl in the School series, Roald Dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I want clear illustrations and not too much text - something where you can learn some new facts without having to wade through tonnes of stuff. I don't want something where she just looks at the pictures though!! I thought the Guiness Book of Records would be good but she just goes through it looking for the most startling or revolting photos and the text gets untouched.
DenDe
Posts: 390
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:45 pm

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by DenDe »

I have a nearly 8 year old girl. I bought her a subscription to Kids National Geographic for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. It's full of fascinating facts and great illustrations
scarlett
Posts: 3664
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:22 am

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by scarlett »

We have the Usborne childrens encyclopedia and hundreds of other non fiction books ...I bought most of mine from The Book People. DD is reading a whole set at the moment called " The Danger Zone "...various books about the fire of London , living in Pompeii , a medieval castle , explorations with Captain Cook and so on.

You could always put a big sticker over the pictures. :P
mystery
Posts: 8927
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:56 pm

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by mystery »

Those Danger Zone books look great but they are out of stock for the collection and not likely to get them back in. Any other suggestions pelase?
menagerie
Posts: 577
Joined: Thu May 26, 2011 9:37 pm

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by menagerie »

Agree that Kids NG mag is brilliant. First News is good, if she'd like to be grown up and read a paper.
Dorling Kindersley also do lovely encyclopaedias, lots of pics. Usbornes have a superb range of non fiction books - take your pic of what interests her - nature, space, geography, animals.
DC17C
Posts: 1197
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:34 pm

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by DC17C »

My DD has had the NG kids Infopedia for Christmas the last 2 years - she really likes it - loves the magazine too- has had it since she was 8 and still enjoying it at almost 11. Horrible histories, science and geography are brilliant -dd has had the set since she was 7 (from scholastic books ) but still picks them up and reads them." Stuff that scares your pants off "and other books from the Science Museum.
pheasantchick
Posts: 2439
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:28 pm

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by pheasantchick »

Does Britannia Encyclopedia still exist? I loved it as a kid.
yoyo123
Posts: 8099
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by yoyo123 »

Dorling Kindersley and Usborne do some really good non fiction and encyclopaedias.

Mine loved The Way Things Work by David Macaulay. (which is DK)
TraffordMum
Posts: 593
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:29 pm
Location: Trafford

Re: Non-fiction ideas

Post by TraffordMum »

Whitaker's World of Facts is marvellous.

I also recommend the Usborne True Stories series and Horrible Histories.
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