Top Ten Tuesday: Fun, Browsable Nonfiction for Kids

I was excited to see a “Freebie” week for Top Ten Tuesday because I’ve got a host of really great books to share with my readers and I don’t have enough time to write up additional blog posts! This week, I’m sharing Fun, Browsable Nonfiction for Kids. Think about those books that don’t require you to read them from cover to cover, the ones you can open to any page and dive right in. The books that I loved as a kid and that are even better designed now.

These are the coffee table books for kids, the ones that you can leave in the car, by their bedside, and yes on the coffee table, that they can pick up while they are heading to their extracurriculars, waiting for dinner, or getting ready for bed. And they make great gifts too because these books are oversized and a lot of them have a little gold leaf, that make them feel extra special. And, what’s great is that these are all titles that have been published in 2025, so the likelihood that young readers have seen them is slim.

I’d like to take a moment to thank some of the publishers that I work with who shared all of these great titles with me – Workman Publishing and Quarto Books. If you’re looking for more great suggestions, check out the Literacious Instagram account for new videos about lots of great books!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Fun, Browsable Nonfiction for Kids

Astrologica: An Encyclopedia of Myths and Legends From the Planets, Stars and Skies by Suki Ferguson, illustrated by Camelia Pham

How did the moon influence mighty emperors in Ancient China? Why are star signs so popular around the world? How did constellations help early seafarers sail safely across the vast Pacific? Blending science and storytelling, Astrologica introduces you to the marvels of our cosmos like you’ve never seen them before.

This gorgeously illustrated book is designed to introduce young stargazers to the celestial. Across the magical chapters, you’ll learn about the antics of ancient gods, indigenous traditions, and scientific breakthroughs. You’ll delve into zodiac lore as you journey around the globe, from Mali to Hawai’i, Norway, and Australia. You’ll also travel through time, visiting early civilisations and empires to learn about the dawn of storytelling itself—and that’s just the start.

Astrologica includes:

• The history of astronomy and astrology, including ancient rites and customs
• The global star-lore behind famous constellations
• The lore behind the Tropical and Chinese zodiac systems, plus their dates, traits, and quirks
• Stories of the gods and goddesses associated with the planets
• How stars have served as maps, clocks, and calendars for millennia

The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide to Inventing the World by Dylan Thuras and Jennifer Swanson, illustrated by Ruby Fresson

Following up on the New York Times bestselling Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid, with more than 200,000 copies in print, here is a globe-spanning history of invention like no other. This illustrated and STEM-oriented exploration of the planet’s 50 most interesting inventions and scientific discoveries sends middle-grade readers on an unforgettable trip around the planet and across time.

Each spread focuses on a world-changing technology and how it led to or influenced the tech or discovery on the next page. Starting with the very first invention, fire, readers will spelunk the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa for evidence of humankind’s earliest control of flames, then learn how fire is necessary to create another essential tech: glass, including the modern-day glass bridge in Zhangjiajie, China, that offers a crystal-clear (and terrifying!) view of the chasm 1,300 feet below.

As you gaze at comets through telescopes, create unbreakable codes, zap space garbage with lasers, and break supersonic records in the world’s fastest car, gorgeously illustrated scenes will transport readers across continents and centuries into a world of wonder and discovery.

The Atlas of Mythological Journeys: Discover Heroic Quests, Daring Voyages and Epic Adventures adapted by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by Iryna Dobrovetska

For thousands of years, humans have been telling stories of great and perilous journeys and the heroic adventurers who made them. Relive more than 30 of these legendary voyages with An Atlas of Mythical Journeys, and uncover the secret histories behind them.

From the fateful homecoming of Odysseus to Mulan’s mission to free her homeland, these tales plot a course from myth to folklore to history. Marvel at epic scenes for every journey, featuring battles between gods and monsters, treacherous seas, and long-lost lairs filled with treasure. Along the way, you’ll not only discover myths and legends you’ve never heard before, but also learn all about the peoples and cultures who told them, what they mean, and where they come from.

Arranged by continent, featured stories include:

• Jason and the Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece
• Loki’s mischievous search for the apples of immortality
• San Zang’s famed journey to the West
• The exploits at sea of Sinbad the Sailor
• The Wabanaki legend of Glooscap
• Anansi the Spider and the Box of Stories
• How Māui created the islands called New Zealand
• Many, many more…

The Fantastical Safari: Wander Through 5 of the Most Remote Habitats to Meet More Than 80 Amazing Animals by Lucy Brownridge, illustrated by Kristjana S Williams

This book uncovers the science and stories behind some of the world’s most fascinating animals – from the tree kangaroo in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to the vampire ground finch in the Galapagos Islands. Alongside breath-taking illustrations, readers will explore different destinations where every day consists of endurance, perseverance and survival for the animals and plants that live there.

With its stunning design, engaging storytelling and fascinating facts, this book encourages young readers to see the world in a whole new way. Whether exploring solo or sharing the adventure with family, this book is a gateway to curiosity, discovery and endless imagination.

Farting Fish and 49 Other Weird and Wonderful Scientific Discoveries by Alice Harman, illustrated by Sam Wedelich

I’m sure you’ve heard of the Nobel Prize, but have you heard of the Ig Nobel Prize? Every year, this prize celebrates unusual areas of research that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The founder of the awards says: “The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honour the imaginative, and spur people’s interest in science, medicine and technology”. In this brilliantly funny, fully illustrated non-fiction book, we celebrate 50 of the funniest, silliest and most interesting winners of the Ig Nobel Prize, including:

• the discovery that herrings communicate by farting (and why that almost caused a world war!)
• research into the chemical compounds responsible for smelly feet
• a rigorous analysis of soggy breakfast cereal
• an automatic dog-to-human language translation device
• the invention of fart-proof underwear
• a method of collecting whale snot using remote-control helicopters.

The Hidden Wisdom of Animals by Kate Siber, illustrated by Kaitlynn Copithorne

Animals have a lot to teach us, if only we open our eyes. From the slow-moving sloth to the playful dolphin, every living creature has unique skills, strengths, and qualities that we can learn from. The Hidden Wisdom of Animals invites kids ages 8 and up to explore and celebrate over 40 animals from around the world through warm, lyrical 100–500-word reflections, each focusing on a single animal and the outstanding trait it embodies.

The book’s stirring lessons are enhanced by its stunning design, featuring a foil-accented cover and captivating illustrations by Kaitlynn Copithorne. Within its colorful pages, explore how:

• Owls listen deeply
• Jellyfish go with the flow
• Ants create great communities
• Squirrels plan ahead
• Fireflies shine from within
• And much more

Blending eye-popping facts, brilliant science, anecdotes, and, where appropriate, myths and legends from cultures across the globe, from American Indigenous traditions to African lore to European folk beliefs, The Hidden Wisdom of Animals inspires a more reflective, personal relationship with wildlife and shows how animals can teach, inspire, and encourage us in our own lives.

Mythology Land: 12 Classic Legends Reimagined by Claire Cock-Starkey and Pham Quang Phuc

Mythology Land opens the gates to the magical lands of all the characters and creatures of myth.

These expertly retold stories are perfect for bedtime, and each tale is followed by an exquisitely illustrated map of its world. You can drop into Midgard and explore the land of the giants with Thor, run from Baba Yaga in the Deep Dark Forest, and follow the Yangtze river to see which animal will win the great race. What wonderful things will you find along the way?

Beautiful, stylish, and vibrant illustrations adorn each page, as the text transports readers to faraway lands of mystery, fantasy, and magic—and the level of detail in the maps of these lands means this title will be lovingly pored over time and time again.

The stories include:

• Rama & Sita (Hindu)
• The Great Race (Chinese)
• The Trojan Horse (Greek)
• Quetzalcoatl Brings Food to the World (Aztec)
• The Great Maui (Polynesian)
• Thor and the Land of the Giants (Norse)
• The Tale of Blodeuwedd (Welsh)
• Baby Yaga (Slavic)
• Anansi and the Sky God (Ghanaian)
• The Story of Isis and Osiris (Egyptian)
• The Grateful Crane (Japanese)
• The Legend of Sedna (Inuit)

Spin to Survive: The Pharaoh’s Curse by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by Ruby Fresson

The year is 1160 BCE. Pharaoh Rameses is dead, his tomb and treasures safely hidden in the majestic Valley of the Kings. Or so you thought…

In this chance-filled choose-your-own-adventure gamebook, you’ll crack hieroglyphic codes, encounter ravenous crocodiles in the Nile, and dodge deadly traps as you attempt to solve the mystery and protect the pharaoh’s treasures. It’s your story, your way: make your choice and spin your trusty Survival Spinner (included) to survive. Every decision you make could lead to success… or disaster.

Flip back and forth through the book as you play through a new adventure with every read, where each scenario might lead to certain death, or any number of unexpected surprises. Along the way, uncover facts about ancient Egypt, from the lifestyles of the common folk to the mysterious rites of the dead, all the way up to the nature of the gods themselves. With your fate in the hands of chance, no two journeys through Spin to Survive: The Pharaoh’s Curse are ever the same, and there are always more secrets to discover.

There Are No Silly Questions: More than 200 Weird and Wacky Questions, Expertly Answered! by Mike Rampton, illustrated by Guilherme Karsten

Have you ever wondered . . .

• If dinosaurs sneezed?
• How long would it take to run around the world?
• If moths like light so much, why do they only come out at night?

Find out in this hilarious collection of more than 200 wacky and wide-ranging questions, cleverly answered by author Mike Rampton with help from world-leading experts from the University of Cambridge. Covering everything from science, math, and zoology to history, art, and sports, There Are No Silly Questions answers all the questions you’ve always wondered about—and some you’ve never even thought to ask. Rampton’s answers are brought to life with delightfully zany, full-color illustrations from award-winning illustrator Guilherme Karsten. The perfect gift for curious readers of any age, this treasure trove of knowledge proves that there are truly no silly questions, only ones still waiting to be asked. . . .

365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed by Edward Brooke-Hitching, illustrated by Oksana Drachkovska

365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed includes a true fact, anecdote, story, or question for every day of the year. Perfect for unwinding at bedtime, this indispensable companion will encourage thought and reflection and ensure some wonderfully colourful dreaming. It is the perfect bedtime read for fact-hungry readers looking to find answers to their weirdest and wackiest questions.

For example . . .

• Where does it rain diamonds?
• What does a comet smell like?
• Why would you keep a dog up your sleeve?
• Where can you find fish that live in trees?
• And who exactly was William Johnson Hippopotamus?

With this book you’ll learn how to mow lawns with a camel, paint like a chimpanzee, and put trousers on frogs. Read about trees turning to glass and why you’d need a crossbow to climb the world’s tallest Christmas tree. But above all, remember the most amazing thing about this book: everything you’ll read is absolutely true . . .

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.