Entertaining and Inspiring Education: 10 Non-Fiction Books for Home Learning

Our hearts go out to all the families caught up in the Australian lockdowns. It’s a tough time as everyone in the family readjusts to disrupted routines and new ways of doing things. We remember the previous lockdowns and the impact on family life. The impacts weren’t all negative, though the initial adjustments certainly were challenging.  Once we found our groove we rejoiced in the positives—the chance to slow our lives down, take time with each other, notice the little things that give us joyful moments in our day.

Juggling WFH (work from home) with LFH ( learning from home) can definitely test the multi-tasking skills of parents! So we’ve put together a list of book suggestions to keep your kids learning and inspired in an entertaining way from home—it’s a win-win!

Puffin Little Scientist: The Solar System by Puffin

Introducing Puffin Little—beautifully designed, simple and engaging non-fiction books for young readers! Just because we’re LITTLE doesn’t mean we can’t learn BIG facts. Have you ever wondered how long it takes Neptune to orbit the Sun? If you have a Little Scientist who is curious about the solar system, then this is the perfect opportunity to take them on a super space adventure with Puffin Little, from home!

Ages 6+

Bee Detectives by Vanessa Ryan-Rendall

Join these budding Bee Detectives as they explore the wonders of Australia’s native bees. rom Blue-banded and Teddy Bear to Carpenter and Leaf-cutter bees, our two budding Bee Detectives discover how our native bees live, what they like to eat and the important work they do to pollinate plants. Explore the wonders of Australia’s native bees – and be inspired to become a Bee Detective, too. It’s a real buzz!

Ages 5+

I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast by Michael Holland and Phillip Giordano

Enter the incredible world of plants to learn about the green machines of the natural world. Using just the rays of the sun, trees and flowers help create everything from rubber to honey. From expert ecologist and educator Michael Holland, this illustrated compendium celebrates the plants in your life, from minty toothpaste to the floral names in your classroom. This comprehensive guide covers everything from the parts of a plant through to conservation, and also features DIY projects for young gardeners.

Ages 5+

The Australia Survival Guide and The Human Body Survival Guide by George Ivanoff

George Ivanoff’s survival guides – The Australia Survival Guide and The Human Body Survival Guide – are packed full of facts and advice to ensure YOU can stay alive in a dire situation, no matter how gross or scary the circumstances. But, have you really been paying attention? These nifty books cover some pretty interesting topics, including ‘Tiny Flying Vampiric Death’, ‘How Not to Be a Floppy Bag of Meat’ and ‘Sci-fi Bionic Cyber People’ (yes, these are actual chapter titles). You can also test your knowledge with this quiz.

Ages 8+

The Story of Australia by Don Watson

weaves together the many strands of our nation’s past – ancient and indigenous, colonial and contemporary – to create a fascinating history for all readers, young and old in clear, succinct language that both children and adults will appreciate. Each chapter ends with a profile of a person, from the oldest Australian ever discovered, Mungo Woman, to pop icon Kylie Minogue.

Ages 8+

Terry Denton’s Really Truly Amazing Guide to Everything by Terry Denton

A mini book of facts packed with maximum humour! Sure to engage anyone from the ages of 8 to 80 (and beyond), this is a funny, fascinating whistle-stop tour of the history and science of the universe, life on Earth, the ins and outs of biology, geography, geology and the weather, how life evolved and how it works, and how people use chemistry and the forces of nature to create amazing things.

Ages 8+

Bots and Bods by John Andrews

Bots and Bods explores the differences and the similarities between humans and robots. You’ll see the basic features of human bodies and how they are copied in bots. You’ll learn how movement happens, how the world is seen and sensed, and how humans and robots think it all through. And you’ll look to a future where bots will be helping bods more than ever.

Ages 9+

You Can Change the World by Lucy Bell

Every day, we see a problem we would like to fix. A piece of rubbish in a green, grassy park. Plastic water bottles buried in the sand at the beach. A garbage bin overflowing onto the street. A skinny, stray dog. A homeless person on a cold day. These problems seem impossible for one person to change. But we can fix them if we each do our part – one step at a time. This practical guide is designed to empower kids to make changes in their lives to help make a difference in the world.

Ages 6+

Take Heart, Take Action by Beci Orpin

A reminder for everyone, young and old, that you can make a positive impact on today’s world. We don’t know what the future holds, but there are things we can do to make a positive impact on the world today. From saving water and protecting nature to having gratitude, here are twenty conversation starters to remind us we have the power to make our Earth a better place.

Ages 5+

Dr Karl’s Random Road Trip Through Science by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

Take a technikolour trip through science with the intrepid Dr Karl, Australia’s favourite science guru. Dr Karl is on a mission to track down Awe and Wonder in the Universe. Why do wombats poo cubes? What nearly destroyed humanity on Halloween 2015? How do you use an incinerating toilet? Find out why we’ve sent a spacecraft with Dr Karl’s name on it to kiss the Sun, whether cannibalism is nutritious, and the answer to the Biggest Question of All – why does spaghetti always break into three pieces? Plus a whole lot more.

Ages 6+

Vivienne Westwood: Little People, Big Dreams by Isabel Sanchez Vergara

Part of the bestselling Little People, Big Dreams series, Vivienne Westwood tells the inspiring story of this flame-haired fashion designer and businesswoman. Little People, Big Dreams is a bestselling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, Big Dreams!

Ages 4+