Non-fiction books for kids
68 hand-picked books from the Bookbear catalogue tagged “non-fiction”, with Indian authors first. Each one has an age range, a short description, a heads-up on any sensitive topics and a link to buy in India.
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Dig Dig Dinosaur
by Prof. Anjali Goswami
Ages 4–5Indian author
Three children set off on an expedition to discover dinosaurs in a faraway land.
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You and Your Body
by Dr Punam Krishan
Ages 5–9Indian author
Learn how your heart, lungs, and brain work with this fun and informative lift-the-flap book.
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Chakmak: Science Readers (Selection)
Ages 11–14Indian author
Eklavya's flagship children's science magazine — published since 1985 from Bhopal — now sold as yearly bound volumes. Playful experiments, nature observations, and curiosity-first science in Hindi and other Indian languages.
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How Did the Harappans Say Hello? And 16 Other Mysteries of History
by Anu Kumar
Ages 9–13Indian author
Sixteen playful mysteries from Indian history, answered in short, curious chapters.
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What if the Earth Stopped Spinning? And 24 Other Mysteries of Science
by Roopa Pai
Ages 9–13Indian author
Twenty-five curious science questions answered in short, accessible chapters for young readers.
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Devi: Mythology Made Simple For Kids
by Subhadra Sen Gupta, Tapas Guha
Ages 7–11Indian author
An accessible introduction to Hindu goddesses and their stories, told simply for young readers.
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Alphabet Soup For The Young Environmentalist
by Meena Raghunathan
Ages 5–9Indian author
An A-to-Z of environmental ideas and eco-habits, introduced playfully for young readers just starting to think green.
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Ila, My Wild Mongoose Friend
by Abhisheka Krishnagopal
Ages 8–10Indian author
A college volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation centre near Bengaluru bonds with an orphaned Indian grey mongoose — and learns the bittersweet lesson of letting her go wild again.
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Why Are You So Colourful?
by Shruti Hemani
Ages 8–10Indian author
Why is a red munia red? How does a painted stork get its pink colour? A lively illustrated look at coloration across birds, mammals, and mushrooms.
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The Spring of Life: How Moirangthem Loiya Saved a Forest
Ages 6–8Indian author
The true story of Moirangthem Loiya, who single-handedly grew a forest back to life in Manipur, told in lyrical text and vivid illustration.
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Delhi Thaatha: A Great Grand Story
by Chitra Viraraghavan
Ages 7–11Indian author
Narrated by a seven-year-old great-granddaughter, this is the true story of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's journey from a poor small-town boyhood to the presidency of India.
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Menstrupedia Comic: The Friendly Guide to Periods for Girls
by Aditi Gupta, Tuhin Paul & Rajat Mittal
Ages 9–14Indian author
A friendly Indian comic in which a doctor 'didi' explains periods, puberty and hygiene to three girls — clear, unembarrassed and myth-busting. Used in thousands of schools.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Gulu: The Essential Guide to Puberty for Boys
by Aditi Gupta & Tuhin Paul
Ages 9–14Indian author
The Menstrupedia team's comic guide for boys: body changes, feelings, hygiene — and understanding periods so boys grow up respectful and informed.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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What's Up with Me? Puberty, Periods, Pimples, People, Problems and More
by Tisca Chopra
Ages 10–14Indian author
Actor Tisca Chopra answers the questions Indian tweens are too shy to ask — bodies, periods, skin, crushes, friendships and feelings — in a warm, funny voice.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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We Are the Champions: 40 Iconic Moments in Indian Sports
by Akshay Lokapally & Vijay Lokapally
Ages 9–14Indian author
Forty great moments from Indian sport — cricket, hockey, athletics, badminton, wrestling and more — and the players and teams behind them.
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And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance
Ages 6–12Indian author
The story of the Kohinoor, one of the world's most famous diamonds — its journey from South Asia to the British crown jewels, told as a story of history and resilience.
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Squiggle Takes a Walk: All about Punctuation
Ages 7–11Indian author
Squiggle doesn't know what she is — a comma? a colon? — so she sets off through a notebook to find out, learning punctuation along the way.
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Bird Business
Ages 8–14Indian author
Illustrated, funny glimpses into the daily lives of about 100 Indian birds: how they hunt, court, feed, fly and raise their young. Residents, migrants, endemics and endangered species, drawn with Green Humour's mix of art, science and jokes.
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Lightning Kid: 64 Winning Lessons from the Boy Who Became Five-Time World Chess Champion
by Viswanathan Anand
Ages 10–16Indian author
Vishy Anand tells his story, from a chess-mad boy in Chennai to India's first Grandmaster and five-time World Champion, with 64 short lessons on staying calm, losing well and bouncing back.
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Women in Blue: Sixteen Warriors, One World Cup Dream
by Suprita Das
Ages 9–14Indian author
Illustrated profiles of sixteen cricketers, including Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, who rose from small towns to win the 2025 Women's World Cup for India.
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It Takes a Tribe: True Stories of 25 Tribal Heroes Who Changed India
by Ramendra Kumar
Ages 9–14Indian author
Twenty-five true stories of tribal freedom fighters, forest guardians, athletes and leaders, from Birsa Munda and Rani Gaidinliu to Mary Kom and Poorna Malavath.
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Travelling Treasures 2.0: 75 Incredible Tales of Things India Gave to the World
by Mala Kumar
Ages 8–12Indian author
From pepper and chess to pyjamas, shampoo and kathak, 75 short tales of everyday things and ideas that travelled from India to the rest of the world.
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Consent (for Kids!)
by Rachel Brian
Ages 6–10
A funny, comic-style guide to boundaries, respect and being in charge of your own body, from the creator of the 'Tea Consent' video.
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Slug Life
by Moesha Kellaway
Ages 5–9
Join Stevie the World's grumpiest slug as he learns what makes slugs special. Hilarious mix of narrative and non-fiction.
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Don't Trust Fish!
by Neil Sharpson
Ages 4–5
An absolute must-read for fans of humorous picture books. A hoot on every page while also giving genuinely interesting fish facts.
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Usborne Lift-the-flap: Why Do We Need Worms?
by Katie Daynes
Ages 4–7
A fascinating guide to worms, their habitats and helpful habits in nature, with lift-the-flap features.
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A Little Blue Dot: Meet the Planets
by Maren Hasenjäger
Ages 5–9
Introduces the planets of the Solar System through the eyes of Earth, with a message about what makes our planet unique.
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Open Wide! Jaw-Dropping Mouths
by Dr Letizia Diamante
Ages 5–9
A fascinating, original take on the animal non-fiction book — all about teeth, mouths, and animal habits.
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The Great Pollination Investigation
by Deborah Hocking
Ages 5–9
What's the link between flowers and the food we eat? Lift flaps to learn more. Stunning and packed with facts.
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Respect the Insect
by Jules Howard
Ages 7–9
A wide-ranging guide to all the ways insects help regulate our environment and the vital roles they play in the natural world.
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Astrophysics for Supervillains
by Dr Matthew Bothwell
Ages 7–9
A fun and jokey guide to astrophysics focused on the more sensational elements of space — for aspiring supervillains.
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Become a Genius in a Year
by Mike Rampton
Ages 7–9
Supercharge your brain with an incredible fact for every day of the year. Fun illustrations and fascinating information.
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A Long Walk to Water
Ages 10–12
Based on the true story of Salva Dut — a Sudanese Lost Boy who walked hundreds of miles to survive — alongside Nya, a girl who walks eight hours a day to fetch water. Unforgettable.
Heads-up: War & battle violence, Violence, Death & grief
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Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
by Vashti Harrison
Ages 7–10
Forty Black women — from Harriet Tubman to Misty Copeland — in illustrated short biographies that celebrate ambition, courage, and quiet genius.
Heads-up: Racism & discrimination
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She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
by Chelsea Clinton
Ages 5–8
Harriet Tubman, Clara Lemlich, Sonia Sotomayor, and ten more — each woman who refused to be told no. A joyful, affirming collective biography.
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The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
by Julia Finley Mosca
Ages 6–10
Temple Grandin was told to be quiet and sit still. She became one of the world's most important animal scientists. A rhyming biography about the power of thinking differently.
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See Inside Your Body
Ages 5–9
Lift over 100 flaps to discover how your heart pumps blood, how your lungs work, and what happens when you eat. One of Usborne's all-time bestsellers for curious young readers.
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100 Things to Know About Science
Ages 8–12
One hundred fascinating science facts — from quantum physics to the human brain to deep ocean creatures — packed into one beautifully illustrated book. Perfect for children who want to know everything.
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See Inside How Things Work
Ages 5–9
Lift the flaps to find out how aeroplanes stay in the air, how computers think, and how bridges hold up. Usborne's tactile approach to engineering and physics for young minds.
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My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things
by DK
Ages 5–9
A vibrant first encyclopedia for curious young readers, covering animals, people, places, planets, and more with fun facts and colourful illustrations.
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The Way Things Work Now
by David Macaulay
Ages 8–12✈️ Import only (pricey)
David Macaulay's classic illustrated guide to how machines and technology work, updated with touchscreens, smartphones, and other modern tech.
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Children's Illustrated Atlas
by DK
Ages 7–9
A colourful world atlas for young readers, mapping countries, cultures, wildlife, and landmarks across every continent.
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Timelines of Everything
by DK
Ages 9–12
More than 120 illustrated timelines tracing world history from the Big Bang to the modern day, covering dinosaurs, Vikings, robots, and more.
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DKfindout! Dinosaurs
by DK
Ages 6–9
A photo-packed guide to the dinosaur age, from fossil formation to the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and modern birds, with quizzes and quirky facts.
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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition)
by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer
Ages 10–14
The true story of a Malawian teenager who built a windmill from scrap to save his family's farm during a famine, becoming a self-taught engineer.
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And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
Ages 4–8
Based on a true story at New York's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins named Roy and Silo hatch and raise a chick of their own. A gentle, true tale about different kinds of families.
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Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
by Sonia Sotomayor
Ages 4–8
A garden of children with diabetes, autism, Down syndrome, ADHD and other differences work together to build something beautiful — narrated by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who has type 1 diabetes herself.
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This Is Me
by George Webster & Claire Taylor
Ages 3–7
CBeebies presenter George Webster, who has Down syndrome, celebrates everything that makes each of us unique — our bodies, families, feelings and dreams.
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Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
Ages 11–15
The real wartime diary of a Jewish teenager hiding from the Nazis in a secret annex in Amsterdam — funny, hopeful, and devastating, and one of the most important books of the twentieth century.
Heads-up: Holocaust & genocide, War & battle violence, Puberty & sexuality
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Roald Dahl's Whoppsy-Whiffling Joke Book
by Roald Dahl
Ages 6–10
A gloriumptious collection of jokes, riddles and silly wordplay pulled straight from Roald Dahl's beloved stories — perfect for fans of the BFG's own topsy-turvy language.
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The Treehouse Joke Book
by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Ages 6–10
Hundreds of jokes, riddles and knock-knocks handpicked from the wildly popular Treehouse book series, illustrated with the same silly cartoon energy.
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Laugh Attack!: The Biggest, Best Joke Book Ever
by Highlights
Ages 6–9
A jam-packed collection of kid-tested, kid-approved jokes, riddles and puns curated by the team behind Highlights magazine.
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Knock-Knock Jokes and Silly Stories for Kids
by May B. Gigglin
Ages 5–9
An entire book of knock-knock jokes paired with short, giggly stories — perfect for beginning readers who love a good pun.
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Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums
Ages 8–12
A tie-in puzzle book from the world of The Mysterious Benedict Society, packed with logic puzzles, riddles and brain teasers for young codebreakers.
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Murdle Jr.: Curious Crimes for Curious Minds
by G. T. Karber
Ages 8–12
Kid-friendly logic-deduction mysteries in the hit Murdle style — readers gather clues and use logic grids to solve each silly, low-stakes 'crime.'
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The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls
by Valorie Schaefer
Ages 8–12
The bestselling illustrated guide to growing up for girls, from hair and skin care to first periods, updated with input from a paediatrician.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls
Ages 10–14✈️ Import only (pricey)
The follow-up for older girls: periods in detail, bras, body changes and emotions, by a paediatrician.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!)
by Sonya Renee Taylor
Ages 8–12✈️ Import only (pricey)
A body-positive puberty guide for girls that pairs the facts about changes with lessons on self-love and body acceptance.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys
Ages 8–12✈️ Import only (pricey)
A paediatrician's straightforward guide for boys to the changes of puberty, hygiene and feelings.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Welcome to Your Period
by Yumi Stynes & Dr Melissa Kang
Ages 9–13
A funny, frank and reassuring guide to first periods, pads, cramps and feelings, with real questions from young people.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Football School Season 1: Where Football Explains the World
by Alex Bellos & Ben Lyttleton
Ages 8–12
A funny, fact-packed 'school' where every lesson — maths, science, history, geography — is taught through football.
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You Are a Champion
by Marcus Rashford & Carl Anka
Ages 9–13
The England footballer shares what he learned on and off the pitch about confidence, resilience, teamwork and finding your voice.
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Rebel Girls Champions: 25 Tales of Unstoppable Athletes
by Rebel Girls (foreword by Ibtihaj Muhammad)
Ages 7–12
Twenty-five true stories of women athletes from around the world, from Serena Williams to Simone Biles, each with a full-page portrait.
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Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
by John Coy
Ages 5–9✈️ Import only (pricey)
The true story of how teacher James Naismith invented basketball to turn an unruly gym class into a team.
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Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
by Rachel Ignotofsky
Ages 9–13
Illustrated profiles of fifty women scientists, from Hypatia and Marie Curie to Janaki Ammal and Katherine Johnson.
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Hidden Figures Young Readers' Edition
Ages 9–13
The true story of the Black women mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped put astronauts into space.
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Economics for Beginners
by Andy Prentice & Lara Bryan (illus. Federico Mariani)
Ages 10–16✈️ Import only (pricey)
An illustrated, infographic-style guide to how markets, businesses, governments and money work, and why economics affects everyday choices.
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Managing Your Money
by Holly Bathie & Jane Bingham (illus. Nancy Leschnikoff)
Ages 11–15
A practical guide for older kids on budgeting, saving, bank accounts, borrowing and making smart money choices.
