My kids (currently 6 and 9) have become voracious readers. We have a large and varied collection of excellent fiction for them, but the non-fiction collection is more haphazard. They love learning new facts as they read (the type of thing that makes them look up from the book and say, "Did you know...?"). I want to make sure that the collection of books gives them a good introduction to fields where I myself may not have enough knowledge to judge the quality/accuracy of the book. So what's the kid's book in your field that makes you say, "If only every kid got to read this book, people would understand [topic] better."?
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posted by winston
on May 18, 2013 -
19 answers
My kids (a boy and a girl) are now five years old, and my wife or I read to them every night before bed. I'd like to start reading larger books to them which we can stretch out throughout a week or more, by reading them a chapter a night. Please help me put together a great reading list of age-appropriate books that will capture their imaginations and inspire happy dreams.
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posted by zarq
on Apr 2, 2013 -
61 answers
What audio ebook should I download for this long car ride with my bookish 10 year old, me, and my literate adult friend?
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posted by latkes
on Mar 25, 2013 -
28 answers
Name that young adult fantasy novel: Two boys who are enemies at school are transported to some magical scenario where they have to work together.
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posted by latkes
on Feb 13, 2013 -
4 answers
Help me find a decent set of books for an 8-yr old niece who is heavily into reading (touch wood). Harry Potter, The Hobbit and some other books are not for her at this point.
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posted by theobserver
on Jan 24, 2013 -
68 answers
My five-year-old son and I just finished reading
Bone, and we need a new comic to read together. I'd prefer something with an ongoing story, but good non-serial comics are also welcome.
posted by mokin
on Jan 21, 2013 -
19 answers
My 8 year old loves to draw, but she wants to "draw better." I just bought her
one of these. What's the best book out there to help her improve her abilities? This would be a book that she could largely read/use herself with occasional help from me.
posted by gwint
on Dec 14, 2012 -
18 answers
I'm looking for comic books that are age-appropriate for a 9-year-old boy...
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posted by dfm500
on Nov 13, 2012 -
23 answers
What are your favourite books for children with activities that they can do with minimal supervision? So far on the list, I have The Silver Spoon for Children (cooking), the Ed Emberley books (drawing), maybe Wreck This Journal or How to Be an Explorer of the World (random creative activities)?
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posted by AnnaRat
on Nov 8, 2012 -
11 answers
Is there a good book for an older kid about the history of China? Or, related questions, other great world history books for kids?
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posted by latkes
on Nov 2, 2012 -
3 answers
Can you recommend an excellent board game (preferably involving some skill and thinking, and not an e-game) and an excellent illustrated book with a girls' sports theme (preferably soccer but not necessarily) as gifts for a 4 year-old girl?
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posted by Dansaman
on Oct 19, 2012 -
8 answers
Great non-fiction books for a smart 9 year old search: my kindle owning niece is embarking on summer vacation. I'd like to gift her some good books to fill up her summer days... she reads a huge amount, and I'd really like to encourage this. She's nine but has a roughly 9th grade reading level, so she's definitely capable of handling somewhat advanced books, and she's curious about a wide range of things. Really I'm looking for pretty much anything non-fiction & interesting.
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posted by lyra4
on Jun 24, 2012 -
27 answers
I'm looking for great children's books that combine photography with illustration...
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posted by tpl1212
on Feb 1, 2012 -
7 answers
What are the best books for young kids? I have two nephews and a niece (two 1 year olds and a 5 1/2 year old), and I've resolved to get them books for their birthdays and other gifting holidays. I realize that makes me the lame aunt, but I think it's important to surround them with as many books as they can get their hands on!
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posted by two lights above the sea
on Jan 18, 2012 -
48 answers
I have a little niece, just over a year old. Recommend some storybooks with feminist themes, or just generally strong female characters!
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posted by torisaur
on Oct 10, 2011 -
24 answers
I'm reading (and really enjoying)
The Glass Castle, and my wife and are about to have our first kid. What other memoirs or non-fiction books should I read that focus on parenting, raising kids in unorthodox ways, or just plain unique families?
posted by nitsuj
on Jul 14, 2011 -
20 answers
Is there a book (or books) that explains Christianity that's suitable for an atheist 10 year old?
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posted by vespabelle
on Apr 26, 2011 -
26 answers
Can you recommend any good books (and other resources) about moving that would be appropriate for a 2 year old?
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posted by stefnet
on Mar 1, 2011 -
5 answers
Need a book recommendation for my middle schooler. She just finished reading
The Gadget by Paul Zindel, and is interested in other books or movies, for that matter, that involve betrayal by a friend.
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posted by kbar1
on Feb 6, 2011 -
10 answers
What New York City Preschools teach children reading before they get to kindergarten? I'm looking for names. Thank you!
posted by SarahWriter
on Jan 10, 2011 -
2 answers
What's wrong with this picture? Looking for silly children's books featuring things that don't belong.
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posted by streetdreams
on Dec 9, 2010 -
16 answers
My niece is turning 9 this week and will be visiting Manhattan with her parents over Thanksgiving. I'd like to get her a gift like a coloring book, bingo game, or map where she can track where she's been while she's there.
Something that requires a little research on her part beforehand would be great; YA historical stuff or mysteries is sort of what I'm looking for. (She's reading at a 5th grade level).
I'd like to steer clear of electronic stuff if possible; paper and crayons/pencils type of thing.
posted by dolface
on Oct 16, 2010 -
11 answers
What movies and books should I introduce to my kids as they move towards adulthood? I would like to give my kids a solid foundation in books and movies outside of what will be thrown at them by the media and their friends. I turn to Mefi to give me a list of the literary and cinematic signposts that would broaden and round out a toddler, tween, or teenager.
posted by jasondigitized
on Sep 14, 2010 -
36 answers
I work with kids in an afterschool program ranging in age from 3-10. I'm contemplating having themes for a week where we do a lot of creative activities revolving around the theme. So, one week the theme might be "jungle animals" and we could make animal masks from paper plates, draw animals, make jungle animal puppets and do a puppet show, play a game outside involving jungle animals, read a picture book about jungle animals, etc.
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posted by booksherpa
on Sep 3, 2010 -
11 answers
Are there any good story books for toddlers that might help explain the arrival of a sibling?
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posted by pb
on Jul 22, 2010 -
18 answers
I'm buying books for a little girl and post-dating them for her third, fourth [...] twelfth birthdays. I need book recommendations for each year of her life!
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posted by zoomorphic
on Jul 6, 2010 -
59 answers
MindVirusVaccineFilter: Looking for elementary-school aged books about comparative religion for very bright kids...
posted by TigerMoth
on Mar 15, 2010 -
5 answers
Frabjous day! My eight-year-old cousin likes biographies. What are good biography resources that are age appropriate?
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posted by ocherdraco
on Dec 30, 2009 -
22 answers
A friend's father passed away suddenly and he is having difficulty formulating a way to tell his daughter. What books would you recommend?
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posted by spec80
on Dec 16, 2009 -
11 answers
Help me find the title of this children's book about a boy building a cage/trap for a monster.
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posted by Kabanos
on Sep 16, 2009 -
2 answers
I've taken responsibility for a very small children's library and I'd love your ideas for making it awesome.
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posted by serazin
on Sep 3, 2009 -
14 answers
Help me put this series of "The Spy Five" books in the appropriate reading order for my niece.
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posted by JaredSeth
on Aug 15, 2009 -
3 answers
What are the cleverest, wittiest picture books you know? I'm looking for something you might recommend to a very smart kid who is still young enough to prefer picture books to chapter books. Another way of putting is, I'm looking for the picture book equivalent of McSweeney's.
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posted by yankeefog
on Apr 21, 2009 -
57 answers
I'm thinking of reading a couple books onto tape for some young (<1 to <3) distant-relatives. What makes it worth it, and how can I not feel weird?
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posted by gensubuser
on Dec 12, 2008 -
10 answers
This post reminded me of something I needed to ask. -> What are some good books to read to kids, for those of us who are not very good at (or comfortable with) being characters or using different voices? Surely there are some librarians on Ask Mefi that have experience with storytime?
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posted by nomnomnom
on Oct 19, 2008 -
12 answers
Are there any online services that will allow me to print custom books that can withstand the awesome destructive force of a small child?
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posted by larsks
on Sep 21, 2008 -
3 answers
Kids' book filter: Two sisters, possibly twins, one a brunette named Natalie but known as Tilly, English, involves going to stay in the country and horses, most likely published in the early-mid 80s (when I read it), possibly a trilogy or a series. Any help with the title or author would much appreciated!
posted by goo
on Jul 14, 2008 -
6 answers
What are your recommendations for good baby and toddler books in English?
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posted by k8t
on May 17, 2008 -
22 answers
I'm looking for recommendations for books, movies and even music that might be relevant for a group of middle school (7th & 8th grade, ages 12-14) kids who are going to Rome over spring break.
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posted by bjennings
on Feb 3, 2008 -
8 answers
I am looking for some good subtly pagan/world religion themed children's books, toys, movies etc for my 6 year old niece in Arkansas. It doesn't have to be specifically pagan, just something that fits the themes and values of most any earth-based or mystical religion.
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posted by evilcupcakes
on Dec 12, 2007 -
15 answers
