The School Library Association have whittled down their longlist to reveal their top ten information books for children over three age categories: Under 7; 7-12; 12+. The topics covered in the shortlisted books include art, theatre, Shakespeare, reptiles, amphibians, trees, emotions, space travel, numbers and big ideas, and what’s like to be a girl. A fantastically diverse range of subjects and all come highly recommended by children’s librarians, so if you’re looking for a new non-fiction book to introduce to your class – look no further! The winners will be announced in November and look out for the ‘Children’s Choice’ winners where children have their say in which title should win in their age category.

Under 7

   

The Usborne Big Book of Colours by Felicity Brooks et al, illustrated by
Sophia Touliatou (Usborne)

I (Don’t) Like Snakes  by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Luciano Lozano
(Walker)

Fabulous Frogs by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Tim Hopgood (Walker)

A Book of Feelings by Amanda McCardie, illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino (Walker)

 

Ages 7-12

   

I Love This Tree by Anna Claybourne, illustrated by Andy Elkerton (Franklin
Watts)

If… by David J Smith, Illustrated by Steve Adams (Wayland)

The Usborne Official Astronaut’s Handbook by Louie Stowell, illustrated
by Roger Simo et al. (Usborne)

 

Ages 12+

     

 

Oxford Illustrated Shakespeare Dictionary by David and Ben Crystal,
illustrated by Kate Bellamy (OUP)

Being a Girl by Hayley Long, illustrated by Gemma Correll (Hot Key Books)

The National Theatre: All About Theatre by Marina McIntyre et al. (Walker)

 

New titles coming soon

Malorie Blackman has a new YA book called Chasing the Stars coming out which combines two of her passions, Shakespeare’s Othello and science fiction.

Although it won’t come out until September, it’s exciting to know that Oliver Jeffers has a new picture book on the way called A Child of Books, which, as you might have guessed, is about reading.

Lane Smith (author of the hilariously droll It’s a Book) has a new picture book coming out next month called There is a Tribe of Kids which is about childhood and the animal kingdom.

I’m also looking forward to reading a book called The Bubble Boy from debut author Stewart Foster, which is about an eleven year old boy who, for as long as he can remember, has lived in a sterile environment in a hospital.