There's an open secret that most librarians know - children's books can be an enjoyable way to learn a little bit about almost any subject. And sometimes they're a good way to learn a lot, too. So check out the titles below to see just how interesting information can be.
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Aston, Dianna
A Seed Is Sleepy
Illustrated by Sylvia Long
Beautiful pictures decorate this engaging look at the science of seeds.
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Biesty, Stephen
Egypt: In Spectacular Cross-Section
Fascinating details and unusual perspectives offer unusual views of a popular topic.
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Bonner, Hannah
When Fish Got Feet, Sharks Got Teeth, and Bugs Began To Swarm: A Cartoon Prehistory of Life Long Before Dinosaurs
Science facts + comics format = a fun way to learn.
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D'Amico, Joan
The Coming to America Cookbook: Delicious Recipes and Fascinating Stories from America's Many Cultures
Use this cookbook to prepare a meal or to spark a discussion of your own family history.
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DeCristofano, Carolyn Cinami
Big Bang!:The Tongue-Tickling Tale of a Speck that Became Spectacular
Illustrated by Michael Carroll
Scientific theory simplified for young readers, this picture book version of the Big Bang Theory offers insight into the universe.
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Florian, Douglas
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings
For those who prefer a different perspective, Florian's playful poems and paintings offer a different way to see the worlds.
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Gore, Al
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming
Adults who couldn't quite get through the original will appreciate this simplified (but not dumbed down) version - but curious kids will enjoy it too.
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Jenkins, Steve
Dogs and Cats
Cut paper collage illustrations accompany basic information about these two popular pets, packaged in a clever "two books in one" format. For more of Jenkins' educational artistry, check out I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats around the World.
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Long, John
Dinosaurs
An excellent recent entry in the Insiders series, this volume provides plenty of detail on the lives of the dinos.
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Sayre, April Pulley
Stars beneath Your Bed: The Surprising Story of Dust
Illustrated by Ann Jonas
An intriguing look at an unlikely topic, this picture book will appeal to readers of all ages who are curious about the world around them. A recent book by Sayre, Vulture View, includes illustrations by Steve Jenkins.
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Schlitz, Laura
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village
Illustrated by Robert Byrd
Winner of the 2008 Newbery Award, these monologues bring history to life and include a variety of details that will fascinate young listeners.
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Scott, Elaine
When Is a Planet Not a Planet?: The Story of Pluto
Science is not static - and when a change occurs it offers the opportunity to learn more about how the process of inquiry really works.
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Simon, Seymour
Guts: Our Digestive System
Plenty of photos ensure that this book's ick factor is high - but they also offer an amazingly in-depth look at how the human body works.
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Singer, Marilyn
Venom
Snakes aren't the only animals able to use venom to attack and Singer catalogs plenty of little known poisoners in this engrossing study.
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Sis, Peter
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
Known for his intricate illustrations and creative genius, Sis offers a glimpse of the development of his talent in this memoir for older readers.
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