6 Outstanding Nonfiction Books for Young Readers
4 January, 2026 ● Written by STORYVOR Editors
Illustration from Birdlore by Devon Holzwarth
The new year is here, the perfect time for new obsessions, new interests, and new ideas. What better way to kickstart 2026 than diving into some nonfiction tales of wonder, intrigue, and newness that just might inspire a hobby or two in the young readers who pick them up. We’ve collected six standout nonfiction books for young readers (both very recent releases and from a few years’ back) that are sure to ignite plenty of curious questions, research rabbit holes, and quirky new interests.
Birdlore
By Jess Keating, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
Before Florence Merriam Bailey, there was no such thing as "bird-watching". Bright plumes on ladys’ hats were all the rage, but no one was climbing trees or wading through marsh-grass to spot the birds they came from. Even scientists studied birds in labs instead of outside in their natural habitat. Florence changed all that. This vividly illustrated story tells the tale in engaging, science-forward fashion.
How to Survive on the Moon
By Joalda Morancy, illustrated by Aaron Cushley
An illustrated guide to lunar survival for kids from rocket scientist Joalda Morancy in preparation for the upcoming NASA Artemis moon missions. In this practical guide, future astronauts will learn how to build underground cities in lava tubes, shield themselves from razor-sharp moon dust, and grow the food they’ll need to survive life away from our home planet.
A Compendium of Curious Contraptions
By Anna Goldfield, illustrated by Paula Zamudio
Each page contains a mystery item from the past, with a set of clues as to what it was used for. Readers can take a guess before unfolding a giant flap to reveal the answer. Without giving too much away, the book contains Inuit snow goggles, designed to protect eyes from the blinding glare of the ice, an ancient Chinese earthquake detector featuring several metal frogs, and much more.
Rabbitology
By Ilaria Demonti, illustrated by Camilla Pintonato
Did you know rabbits can dig burrows with tunnels over one hundred feet long? Or that they participate in agility and jumping competitions in Europe? Do you know how to spot the differences between a rabbit and a hare? Did you realize that a mother rabbit can give birth to as many as fifty kits (baby bunnies) in a single year? Get this book for your animal-obsessed child or student.
When a Tree Falls
By Kirsten Pendreigh, illustrated by Elke Boschinger
A tree suns and sways in the forest. She is a place to grow, to rest, and to shelter. But what happens when a tree falls? In this lyrical picture book, explore how the extraordinary nurse log provides a nutrient-rich space for new seedlings, shelters small animals, hosts different plant species, and, most profoundly, nurtures a new tree in the process, renewing the cycle of life.
Courage like Kate
By Anna Crowley Redding, illustrated by Emily Sutton
The true story of Kathleen Andre Moore, a lighthouse keeper in the 19th century who saved the lives of twenty-three sailors. This book is chock-full of both arresting, vivid illustrations and information about lighthouse keeping, perfect to loop young readers into this fascinating profession and the life of the courageous young Kate.
