Kylie Burns
Penguin, Prairie Dog, and Other Colonies
A charming and accessible entry point for kids who love animals but need a bridge between picture books and dense science texts; the focus on 'colonies' makes it perfect for budding naturalists.
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National Geographic Kids: Sharks
by Anne Schreiber
Nonfiction · ages 6–9 · 620L · 2008
Solid, photo-heavy shark encyclopedia that satisfies kids' obsession with the subject without sensationalizing; National Geographic's reliable formula at its best for this age.
Beetles (Minibeasts)
by Claire Llewellyn
Nonfiction · ages 4–8 · 520L · 2002
Solid nonfiction entry point for bug-curious kids — clear photos, simple facts, and enough variety to spark real observation without overwhelming.
Mr. Justice Holmes
by Clara Ingram Judson
Nonfiction · ages 8–12 · 650L
Earnest mid-century biography that introduces a towering legal mind; dry by modern standards and Holmes's actual legal reasoning will sail over most 8–10-year-olds' heads, but solid for history-curious kids who like nonfiction.