Best Encyclopedias for Children
1 National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia: 2,500 Animals with Photos, Maps, and More! (Encyclopaedia)
Featuring 2,500 species and packed with stunning color photographs, amazing animal facts, maps, and more, the new National Geographic Kids Animal Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive on the market today, amazing and entertaining readers, while providing them with authoritative information about the animal kingdom. Special features in each section include ANIMAL PROFILES spreads that focus in-depth on a particular animal and ANIMAL RECORDS spreads that highlight superlatives such as fastest, tallest, smallest, etc. No less than 2,500 animals are included in this oversize encyclopedic reference.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My daughter absolutely loves this book as with most other animal books she brings it with her in the car and will read it for hours."
"A lot of beautiful pictures."
"Birthday gift for my niece and she LOVED it."
"Great detailed pictures!"
"father of the year for this one."
"AMAZING photography and very educational!"
"My daughter loves this book."
"Nice but could have made it more children use."
The third title in National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, this book is for kids 4- to 8-years-old who LOVE dinos! Catherine D. Hughes is the author of several books in the National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, including Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , Little Kids First Big Book of Space , and Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book was clearly designed for younger kids, because it has large print, pronunciation guides for all the dinosaur names, and imagination style questions associated with each dinosaur, like "if you could have a pet dinosaur, what would you name it?" If you are looking for a dinosaur book for older kids, there is also the "National Geographic Kids First Book of Big Dinosaurs", not to be confused with this book for "Little" kids."
"This book reads like an encyclopedia and not a story; however, they have shortened the information to 1 page per dinosaur which keeps a child's interest and a complete page with a picture illustration of the dinosaur."
"Some of the more commonly known dinosaurs are conspicuously absent or the illustrations don't show you how to tell them apart from other similar species."
"Illustrations are on point and love how they break down the names of each dinosaur."
"Good for younger kids and older...I'd say 3 to 8 ish."
"My daughter and nephew both got a copy of this book and they both LOVE IT!"
"Very cool book!"
"Good informative dinosaur book."
• Chapter 2 introduces kids to the other planets in our solar system. CATHERINE D. HUGHES is the author of National Geographic Little Kids First Big. Book of Animals , National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , and is the science editor for the award-winning National Geographic Kids and National. Geographic Little Kids magazines.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this for my five year old daughter, who was asking for a book about space."
"4 year old son loves space, stars, etc and enjoys this book, I like it to, as it teaches things I didn't know or can't remember from school!"
"Very simple, understandable concepts even for young kids and the pictures are phenomenal."
"Sure isn't as well constructed at the same books I ordered as a teacher 15 years ago."
"Very well done books with great photography/art (what else would you expect from NG?). He got them a year ago when he turned 4."
"Pictures are great and easily interpreted and the book "sections" well, meaning you can read about the planets one night then the next learn about the comets or galaxies, etc."
"Great quality!"
"Bought this for our sons third birthday."
Best Teen & Young Adult Encyclopedias
Updates on characters include information from the story arcs of Civil War and Annihilation, and brings fans up to date with the aftermath of Secret Invasion. Daniel Wallace is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Characters as well as a dozen more books that explore the underpinnings of the Star Wars universe, such as Star Wars: The Essential Atlas and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"They may call you a geek but Superman #1 (DC) just sold for $ 100,000.00 and basically same goes for Captain America (Marvel)! They may call you a nerd but you have a fortune sitting your garage which you have been collecting since you were a kid. It is a hardcover, collectible coffee table book for serious collectors and thirsty enthusiasts for information. It is loaded with pictures, colorful images, tons of information, background info, specifics and details about each character and each Superhero or Super Villain group. The format is awesome, the images are colorful, the binding is professional and the paper is classy, thick and shiny! It is a very superb and valuable collector’s item to collect for every Superhero enthusiast and fanatic. This book will review your whole memories of superheroes since childhood and gives you new perspectives and new information on the Marvel Universe. This encyclopedia is essential for your collection and for your never ending thirst for knowledge of the Marvel Universe."
"Pros: the book came earlier than expected. very informative. exactly like it looks in the picture. got it cheaper than retail price. Cons: I don't know if the paper cover on the outside was damaged because of the box and shipment or if the seller left it like that, but that was the only downer."
"My wife and I decided to decorate with a comic theme in a bar/game room we were building instead of sports or wine like everyone else we know were doing. After putting up numerous comic cover replica posters aroudn the room, I stumbled upon this Marvel Encyclopedia."
"It was fun to point out the cost of each comic book back then and how as a kid we would scrounge all the money we could find just to buy that 25 cent comic book."
"The MARVEL ENCYCLOPEDIA is indeed the ultimate single volume introduction to the Marvel universe!!."
"Fast service and great item."
Best Children's Zoology Books
The third title in National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, this book is for kids 4- to 8-years-old who LOVE dinos! Catherine D. Hughes is the author of several books in the National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, including Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , Little Kids First Big Book of Space , and Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book was clearly designed for younger kids, because it has large print, pronunciation guides for all the dinosaur names, and imagination style questions associated with each dinosaur, like "if you could have a pet dinosaur, what would you name it?" If you are looking for a dinosaur book for older kids, there is also the "National Geographic Kids First Book of Big Dinosaurs", not to be confused with this book for "Little" kids."
"This book reads like an encyclopedia and not a story; however, they have shortened the information to 1 page per dinosaur which keeps a child's interest and a complete page with a picture illustration of the dinosaur."
"Some of the more commonly known dinosaurs are conspicuously absent or the illustrations don't show you how to tell them apart from other similar species."
"Illustrations are on point and love how they break down the names of each dinosaur."
"Good for younger kids and older...I'd say 3 to 8 ish."
"My daughter and nephew both got a copy of this book and they both LOVE IT!"
"Very cool book!"
"Good informative dinosaur book."
Best Encyclopedias & Subject Guides
New York Times Bestseller. Named one of the Best Books of 2017 by NPR, Buzzfeed, The. Atlantic , The. Washington Post , Chicago Tribune , Rachel Ray Every Day , San Francisco Chronicle , Vice Munchies, Elle.com, Glamour , Eater, Newsday, Minneapolis Star Tribune , The Seattle Times , Tampa Bay Times , Tasting Table, Modern Farmer , Publishers Weekly, and more. Refer to the canon of 100 essential recipes—and dozens of variations—to put the lessons into practice and make bright, balanced vinaigrettes, perfectly caramelized roast vegetables, tender braised meats, and light, flaky pastry doughs. "Just reading Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will make you a better cook, adept at seasoning, balancing, understanding what it really is you’re doing and why... Make room on the bedside table—and the countertop." "My favorite metacookbook...[Nosrat] offers a beautifully simple checklist for ensuring a dish ends up in a good place...This is the book of cooking grammar that so many novices would benefit from... Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is written smoothly and casually, and kept breezy via charming watercolors by the perceptive Bay Area artist Wendy MacNaughton...Nosrat’s book would be of value both to people who don’t consider themselves cooks and to people actively striving to become better ones." "A cookbook that will make you a better cook...with helpful, charming illustrations from artist Wendy MacNaughton." Samin Nosrat just published “Salt Fat Acid Heat — Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking” and I daresay this one is essential...That’s the fabulous thing about this book — it teaches readers about cooking, how to employ various techniques, and how to grasp that any subtle variations in technique can have significant impacts upon our end results. It is possible to learn how to cook great food...This book is bound to become an indispensable addition to cookbook shelves throughout America." "Nosrat’s beautiful, approachable book demonstrates how these four are the only elements necessary to make delicious meals anywhere, any time."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Best text about cooking I've ever read."
"I've always loved the "why" in cooking and baking (like the Cooks Illustrated approach and The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science) - but I love that she narrows it down to four basic elements. But this books and others, like Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking are important because they give you the tools to innovate and recipes become starting points. I wish I had this book 20 years ago when I started seriously cooking."
"I love the fold out on p. 193 "what should I cook" that advises to go back and read the book through before you practice...a brilliant observation that the book is about "the journey, not the destination" as are so many things we pursue and experience."
"This cookbook goes into detail about how the four elements, salt, fat, acid and heat, are used to create great dishes!"
"Not a collection of recipes, though the book does contain recipes, but a clear, thoughtful and good humored explanation of the major elements of cooking -- salt, fat, acid and heat."
"Colorful doodles keep you engaged and having fun while learning, as well as a helpful guide on what to always have stocked in terms of spices and bare necessity kitchen utensils."
Best Children's History
With each of six spreads featuring one spectacular, large pop-up as well as booklets of smaller pop-ups and text, ENCYCLOPEDIA PREHISTORICA: DINOSAURS is a magnificent display of paper engineering and creativity — an astonishing book that will be read, admired, and treasured forever.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I am including a video so you can sort of see the depth and involvement this brings. Types of dinos, Carnivores, Herbivores, Feathered, Armored, Biggest etc. He wants it read as a bedtime story but there is so much info you could prob do 1 page per night and extend it out."
"I have to read the book to my four-year-old. It costs more than most 12-page books. We bought the Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs because we like to give each of our boys a good book for Christmas each year. We give them the book on Christmas Eve so we can sit quietly as a family and read the evening before Krampus comes to destroy us all. Bucky just turned four, and as a helicopter parent, I feel like I still need to hover over him when he’s reading the book so he closes all the pop-ups and doesn’t smash them. Anyway, I strongly recommend this book if you have a youngster in your life who is interested in dinosaurs, pop-up books, and the inevitable decline of man."
"I'd say that the reading level is fairly advanced - maybe 4th grade, but even at such a young age, my son gets a kick out of the animals and tries to rip their tail off or whatever."
"He is so enthralled with the dynamic of this book and encourages him to be inquisitive and learn about things they aren't teaching in daycare."
"Unfortunately he's a weapon of mass destruction so the book stays out of his reach, but I was amazed at the quality and just how many pop-ups there are in this book!"
"The book looks really thick and I expected many pages like 20, but of course the thickness is because of the good paper, and big pop ups."
"This book is crafted with great precision and artistry."
"My young nephew likes dinosaurs so he likes this book."
Best Children's Thesaurus
122,000 synonyms, antonyms and related words Main entries have shared meaning core followed by a list of synonyms, related words and antonyms Alphabetically arranged for easy lookups Value-priced for budget-conscious parents and teachers. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Once again I can say this is a fun book to have."
"bought this for my daughter since it was on her school supply list, this was a great price for a Websters thesaurus and hopefully it will help her out this year."
"Welcome back to when I was in school son(I graduated high school in 2001 not that long ago but yes that long ago!)."
"Great selection of words."
"A must have for children just learning how to be articulte !"
"This is actually a great thesaurus for anyone wanting assistance in mixing up the words in your writing so it isn't a repetition of the same words to the point of redundancy."
"A Thesaurus is a Thesaurus!"
"I bought this for my very dyslexic adult son & he's using it while he's trying to read."
Best Children's Anatomy Books
Karen Katz's adorable babies play peekaboo in this delightful interactive book. Karen Katz has written and illustrated more than fifty picture books and novelty books including the bestselling Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book it very helpful for toddlers to learn body parts."
"My son loves this book, but I wish that the pages were thicker."
"pretty fast read, definitely a page turner."
"My son is 11 months old and he loves flipping the each hidden page."
"This adorable little book also teaches toddlers about their body parts."
"My grandson loves this book."
"My 16 month old loves books with flaps- she often rips them on accident, but these are the sturdiest we've experienced."
"My daughter loves this book!!"
Best Children's Astronomy Books
• Chapter 2 introduces kids to the other planets in our solar system. CATHERINE D. HUGHES is the author of National Geographic Little Kids First Big. Book of Animals , National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , and is the science editor for the award-winning National Geographic Kids and National. Geographic Little Kids magazines.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this for my five year old daughter, who was asking for a book about space."
"4 year old son loves space, stars, etc and enjoys this book, I like it to, as it teaches things I didn't know or can't remember from school!"
"Very simple, understandable concepts even for young kids and the pictures are phenomenal."
"Sure isn't as well constructed at the same books I ordered as a teacher 15 years ago."
"Very well done books with great photography/art (what else would you expect from NG?). He got them a year ago when he turned 4."
"Pictures are great and easily interpreted and the book "sections" well, meaning you can read about the planets one night then the next learn about the comets or galaxies, etc."
"Great quality!"
"Bought this for our sons third birthday."
Best Children's Prehistoric Books
The third title in National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, this book is for kids 4- to 8-years-old who LOVE dinos! Catherine D. Hughes is the author of several books in the National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, including Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , Little Kids First Big Book of Space , and Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book was clearly designed for younger kids, because it has large print, pronunciation guides for all the dinosaur names, and imagination style questions associated with each dinosaur, like "if you could have a pet dinosaur, what would you name it?" If you are looking for a dinosaur book for older kids, there is also the "National Geographic Kids First Book of Big Dinosaurs", not to be confused with this book for "Little" kids."
"Big pictures and large print wording make it great for preschool to the younger school ages like 3-7. It has different sections for the small, big, giant, and gigantic dinosaurs with an appropriate amount of reading for this age group."
"This book reads like an encyclopedia and not a story; however, they have shortened the information to 1 page per dinosaur which keeps a child's interest and a complete page with a picture illustration of the dinosaur."
"My son loved dinosaurs when he was little, so I was pleased to find this as a nod to our fun times together."
"My 2 1/2 year old daughter and I love this book!!"
"Some of the more commonly known dinosaurs are conspicuously absent or the illustrations don't show you how to tell them apart from other similar species."
"Illustrations are on point and love how they break down the names of each dinosaur."
"Before I bought this book on Amazon, I got this book from the library just to check it out."
Best Children's Around the World Books
For 12 months, Barnabas and Anabel traveled around the world, meeting children and talking to them about the celebrations and festivals they enjoy. Grade 2-6?A rich, multicultural look at holidays around the world.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I truly believe this book was part of that early inspiration. Can't wait to see their eyes light up the way my girls did!"
"The pictures an information in this book are amazing."
"My grandson has a birthday coming up and will give him the same book with pages all about him at the end."
"My mom bought me this book when I was young, only 8 or 9 years old - it was FASCINATING, just a wonderful look into the lives of all these children - even though their lives are VASTLY different from each others, the same questions applied and it was just so interesting seeing how they write their name, who their best friends are, their favorite toys, their favorite food."
"Sweet little book from DK with the quality and whimsical fun you'd expect from their fine publication house."
"Ties in nicely with my "UNDERSTANDING ALL KIDZ CULTURES TEACHING UNIT" . .. CREATIVE DISCOVERY LEARNING APPROACHES helping kidz use their MULTI ~ Intelligences and various hands-on senses ."
"LOVE this book!"
"There is a set of "tin children" from the book available that really looks like the childrent in the book."
Best Children's Science Education books
LEGO Chain Reactions is packed full of ideas, instructions, and inspiration for 10 LEGO machines that spin, swing, pivot, roll, lift, and drop. Our team of experts worked with educators and 11-year-olds to invent the machines, then wrote a book that teaches the skills (and some of the physics behind the fun) kids need to create their own amazing chain reaction machines. Includes a 80 page instructional book with Klutz certified crystal-clear instructions.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A lot of thought and effort went into the chain reaction concepts and resulting projects. The chain reaction projects aren't that at all. They are challenging in my view mostly because of the need for precision alignment between the paper parts and the Lego motion actuators the kids assemble to create the Chain the Reaction. The greatest joy my grandson experienced (and it was great joy) was the moment the first project functioned properly for the first time after several complete and partial failures (just as his patience was wearing thin) and then joy again once the chain reaction was rehearsed and easily repeatable so as to show his parents without failure. In summary, it appears that, assuming success along the way, the complicated chain reactions are fun for children to assemble, challenging to make fully, reliably functional and thrilling once they work for that first time."
"The Lego pieces supplied are mainly specialty pieces, to complete the machines. so your choices are - (a) buy the book, if you know the recipient has an extensive supply of excess Lego (b) buy the book, and the additional Lego you need (c) buy the book and get creative around what you can substitute for the additional required pieces - (book stacks are suggested in place of the towers, but I think would be unstable and difficult to get the components to align sufficiently for the machine to work)."
"Wow!"
"The second project requires 4 2x1 bricks, 10 3x1 bricks, 6 4x1 bricks "from your collection"."
Best Children's Astronomy & Space Books
• Chapter 2 introduces kids to the other planets in our solar system. CATHERINE D. HUGHES is the author of National Geographic Little Kids First Big. Book of Animals , National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , and is the science editor for the award-winning National Geographic Kids and National. Geographic Little Kids magazines.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this for my five year old daughter, who was asking for a book about space."
"4 year old son loves space, stars, etc and enjoys this book, I like it to, as it teaches things I didn't know or can't remember from school!"
"Very simple, understandable concepts even for young kids and the pictures are phenomenal."
"Sure isn't as well constructed at the same books I ordered as a teacher 15 years ago."
"Very well done books with great photography/art (what else would you expect from NG?). He got them a year ago when he turned 4."
"Pictures are great and easily interpreted and the book "sections" well, meaning you can read about the planets one night then the next learn about the comets or galaxies, etc."
"Great quality!"
"Bought this for our sons third birthday."
Best Children's Environment & Ecology Books
Targeted to rock-crazy kids, this bold book is more energetic, more visually exciting, and more fun than anything else on the market—and with more information, too! Tomecek has served as the associate director of the Science Museum of Long Island and as the science program supervisor for the New York Hall of Science.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was expecting something completely different, and I have to say, I was a little mislead by the reviews here. Cons: >Book is very thin. >Not set up in a way that would inform your child on a certain rock/gem that they have - I was expecting this book to be sort of a guide. It is more of a collage of information, bursting with images and text boxes scattered through out the pages."
"This is a beautiful book containing plenty of information about different types of rocks and how they are formed over many years."
"My kid was very interested in this."
"It has a lot of pictures for him to compare his rock collection to and it’s easy to read."
"My kids love to look at the pictures of different rocks and minerals."
"great info and pretty pictures."
"This was a great addition to the rock kits that I purchased for my children."
"Grandson loved it."
Best Children's Aeronautics & Space Books
• Chapter 2 introduces kids to the other planets in our solar system. CATHERINE D. HUGHES is the author of National Geographic Little Kids First Big. Book of Animals , National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs , and is the science editor for the award-winning National Geographic Kids and National. Geographic Little Kids magazines.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this for my five year old daughter, who was asking for a book about space."
"4 year old son loves space, stars, etc and enjoys this book, I like it to, as it teaches things I didn't know or can't remember from school!"
"Very simple, understandable concepts even for young kids and the pictures are phenomenal."
"Sure isn't as well constructed at the same books I ordered as a teacher 15 years ago."
"Very well done books with great photography/art (what else would you expect from NG?). He got them a year ago when he turned 4."
"Pictures are great and easily interpreted and the book "sections" well, meaning you can read about the planets one night then the next learn about the comets or galaxies, etc."
"Great quality!"
"Bought this for our sons third birthday."
Best Almanacs & Yearbooks
Praised as a "treasure trove of political, economic, scientific and educational statistics and information" by The Wall Street Journal , The World Almanac and Book of Facts will answer all of your trivia needs—from history and sports to geography, pop culture, and much more. Historical Anniversaries: The World Almanac 's recurring feature expands to incorporate milestone events and cultural touchstones dating to the book's founding year, from the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson to the publication of Little Women . Other New Highlights: A brand-new biography of the 45th president and profile of the Trump administration; official 2016 election results; and statistics on criminal incarceration and sentence lengths, health care, overdose deaths, shootings, terrorism, and much more. 2017—Year in Sports: Hundreds of pages of trivia and statistics that are essential for any sports fan, featuring a preview of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympic Games, complete coverage of the 2017 World Series, new tables of NBA, NHL, and NCAA statistics, and much more. Sarah Janssen is the senior editor of The World Almanac® and Book of Facts .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is absolutely wonderful."
"Purchased as a gift for my grandson."
"Buy this World Almanac every year."
"Additionally, I have purchased more than one copy of the book, to have one handy at every location where I might need a copy of the book."
"Ordered it as a gift for my brother who is into this information and he loves it!!!"
"Lots of information!"
"Love this book and I get it every year!"
"I like getting the World Almanac every year, to keep up latest events."