National Non-Fiction November

National Non-Fiction November is the Federation of Children’s Book Groups’ annual event for celebrating factual, informational and non-fiction books. Follow @FCBGNews and search for #NNFN2020 and #ThePlanetWeShare on Twitter throughout November, and find out more about the event here.

 

The theme chosen for this year is ‘The Planet We Share’, reflecting the widespread concern for our beautiful planet which is under serious threat – particularly from climate change and plastic pollution. These are big issues for young minds to understand and engage with, but non-fiction can help to explain the problems and suggest ways to help make a difference. Non-fiction can also provide inspiration for taking action, shine a spotlight on the wonder and beauty of the natural world and promote a real sense of hope for the future.

 

This book list has some brilliant suggestions on this theme, as well as a selection of engaging non-fiction books on a range of topics.

 

The Planet We Share

 

This Book Will Help Cool the Climate

50 ways to empower kids to save our planet from climate change!

Complete with myth-busting boxes and counter arguments to put climate-deniers in their place, this is a one-stop guide to transform eco-worried kids into eco-activists. Funny, engaging, practical and timely, it’s the ideal book to help readers navigate the world in the greenest possible way, and to really make a difference.

 

Find out more

 

 

Zero Waste Kids

Discover 30 practical ways for kids to get involved with the zero-waste challenge!

Zero Waste Kids is full of achievable challenges for children to reduce, reuse and recycle their way to help save planet Earth. This is the fun, kid-friendly guide to taking action and living more sustainably.

 

Download free resources for the book here

Find out more

 

 

17 Ways to Save the World

Everyone can play their part to help the United Nations save the world!

Accessible and practical, 17 Ways to Save the World is packed with engaging graphic illustrations which explain some of the world’s biggest problems to kids and shows them how they can help to solve them.

 

Download free resources for the book here

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This Book is Not Rubbish

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There’s a Rang-Tan in my Bedroom

Teach children about the plight of the orangutan and the dangers of deforestation in, There’s a Rang-tan in My Bedroom, the timely and beautiful picture book by James Sellick and Frann Preston-Gannon, in collaboration with Greenpeace.

 

Download free resources for the book here

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A Planet Full of Plastic

A Planet Full of Plastic is a great entry point for children learning about how plastic pollution impacts on the environment around them.

 

Download free resources for the book here

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A Climate in Chaos

A timely guide for kids about how they can help protect our planet. This non-fiction picture book is perfect for sharing with KS1 and KS2, featuring illustrated, easy-to-digest explanations of what climate change is and ideas big and small to inspire kids to get involved and help save planet Earth.

 

Download free resources for the book here

Find out more

 

 

 

Other recommended non-fiction books

Find out more about these books here

 

Secrets in the Skies delves deep into the life and discoveries of the world’s most famous stargazer, Galileo Galilei, and the star-studded history of astronomy, from our prehistoric ancestors to the work of today’s most brilliant scientists. In this stunningly detailed visual retelling of the birth of science, the solar system is brought to life in glorious full-colour, with breathtaking illustrations by James Weston Lewis.

 

 

 

 

A lyrical and unique non-fiction picture book by award-winning children’s author Nicola Davies. With tenderness and a good deal of heart, Nicola introduces young readers to the universal rights that every child is entitled to under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 

 

 

 

 

A stunning collection of 50 of the boldest and bravest pioneering female artists throughout history, from bestselling author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compare the greatest players of all time and curate your dream team in this interactive activity book by BBC’s Chief Sports Writer and winner of The Telegraph Sports Book of the Year Tom Fordyce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fascinating, witty and razor-sharp illustrated nonfiction book on MONEY: what it is, why it matters, how to make more of it and what to do with it when you do! This fun and accessible financial handbook will help boys and girls build their confidence, develop a positive money mindset and set themselves up for a better future.

 

 

 

 

 

A fascinating look at the history of African and Caribbean communities in Britain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discover the power of diverse thinking in this exciting new book from the bestselling, award-winning author of You Are Awesome, Matthew Syed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A beautifully illustrated anthology of 25 extraordinary stories of space exploration, adventure and human achievement from Britain’s leading expert in human spaceflight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sinead Burke is an advocate, activist, teacher, British vogue cover model and happens to be a little person at three and a half feet tall. Her debut children’s book will encourage readers to be comfortable in their own skin, break the mould and discover their place in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

From the Rock ‘n’ Roll pioneers of the 1950s to the 21st century rockers, this is the first-ever complete and fully illustrated History of Rock music for children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A highly topical look at the role of art and the importance of creativity in our lives and the wider world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvel as you enter the fascinating hidden world of ugly animals in this encyclopaedia of the animal kingdom’s most unusual and and so-called ‘ugly’ species. It’s time to see ugliness in a whole new light!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the amazing Emma Watson: fantastically feminist, incredibly inspiring and astounding actor and activist!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A positive, practical and innovative approach to friendship guides for girls – showing how the first step to building brilliant friendships is to know who YOU are.