non-fiction – Book Craic

*Written by Moira Butterfield*
*Illustrated by Cindy Wume*
*Published by Walker Books*

National Non-Fiction November is an entire month dedicated to celebrating the wonderful range of non-fiction books which are published each year. This is co-ordinated by the brilliant Federation of Children’s Book Groups. I am delighted to have been invited to join the 2024 Bloggers’ Tour and today I am sharing my review of My Big Book of Questions About the World. Thank you to the FCBG for organising a copy for me, provided by the Publisher, Walker Books.

My Big Book of Questions About the World is a brilliant book for curious young minds as it answers a wide range of questions about the world around us in a fun and engaging way. Guaranteed to fascinate young readers – and have them generating further questions of their own! What a wonderful way to introduce some big ideas to children and to engage their natural curiosity when learning about the world around them.

This beautifully illustrated book opens with question prompts and images of a diverse range of young characters who lead readers through the book, making them feel like they’ve joined a group of friends to explore questions about the world … and they’ll know many answers to big questions which they can then share with their real-life friends by the end.

The book is divided into seven sections: Our World, The Land Around Us, The Sea, Plants, Animals, People, The Weather and Out in Space. Have you ever wondered … what is the world made of? Why is the sea salty? Do animals play games? Why is the sky blue? Or even, can we go on holiday to space? There is such a wide range of questions about our world that I have no doubt will fascinate young readers as they read the answers and pore over the illustrations. I can also imagine many of these questions being a catalyst into further engaging children’s interest in finding out more about the world around them. A brilliant way into STEM learning!

Each section of this book includes a series of between 5 and 8 questions with answers given in a clear, engaging manner all of which are easily accessible for younger readers. I really liked the way comparisons were made with things young readers will understand and have knowledge of such as the layers of the world being compared to a chocolate-covered lolly with ice-cream and toffee in the middle. I also really liked the friendly, chatty style of the writing that talks directly to the reader. As well as this, there are labelled diagrams and gorgeous, vivid illustrations which reinforce answers in a clear and fun way on every page.

This is a perfect book to share with younger readers of 5+ or for newly independent readers to enjoy on their own. Either way, there is lots for curious young minds to delight in and engage with as they learn more about the world around them.

Do check out the other stops on the #FCGB #NNFN2024 Bloggers’ Tour and enjoy learning about a wide range of non-fiction books this November – and beyond!

Who wouldn’t be intrigued by a book entitled: How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? and this one is an absolute feast of fun and facts where the scientists who study animals share what they have learned about a brilliant selection of animals.

The book starts with some favourite animal facts and asks where these facts come from. I can see children quickly becoming immersed in sharing their favourite animal facts, before learning that these facts often come from scientists. And the interjections by the animals will bring immediate giggles!

It then introduces a series of scientists and the animals which they study with an illustration of the scientist and animal. There are gorgeous illustrations of the animals, lots of fascinating facts and colourful graphic novel style illustrations with hilarious callouts which are guaranteed to bring giggles.

Learn about how meerkats communicate, find out about the discovery of a new ocean species, and learn whether or not primates get grossed out. Did you know that crows remember human faces? Or that gars look the same today as they did when the Tyrannosaurus rex was live? Have you ever wondered how roosters know it is morning? Or that jaguars love the smell of perfume? Every animal chosen makes utterly fascinating reading, and I can absolutely see children wanting to find out more, not just about the animal, but about the scientists who study them. Perfect for STEM education.

What a fantastic way to make learning fun, memorable and engaging, and to introduce the world of animal scientists to children. I think this book is a wonderful introduction not only to some amazing animals, but also to some brilliant scientists and the lengths they will go to in order to learn more about the animals they study. Anyone for peeing in a bottle? How about getting stuck in deep mud? Or making fake poo? And have you ever tried to suck up an insect through a pooter? I love that children will get to see these scientists as real people who loved animals as children and who followed their dreams of studying animals as their career.

And, How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? Read this fascinating, hilarious book to discover the answer to this, and many other intriguing questions about the incredible animals we share this wonderful planet with. This is a book that should be in every school library, and is a teacher’s dream for engaging children in purposeful, fun learning!

Thank you to Faber Children’s Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.