2025 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Encyclopedia
Kids often love to pick out HUGE tomes that they can barely carry. I’m not sure exactly what the draw is, but encyclopedia are often quite large! And are so engaging with lots of quick facts next to things like charts, graphs, photographs, and illustrations. And while my library continues to purchase a 20+ volume encyclopedia every year, some of these titles focus more specifically on one topic rather than everything in the entire universe (although we have a couple of those too!).
This was one of the last lists I gathered up as I was creating this month’s content because I was able to kind of pick and choose in areas that might not have been covered by other letters of the alphabet. And you’ll begin to see a pattern on publishers within some of these lists – the Smithsonian, DK, National Geographic. These are some of the well-known publishers that just do a really great job with children’s nonfiction. So, if you’re looking for a book on a specific topic for your curious kid at home, check out these publishers who might have exactly what you need!
2025 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Encyclopedia
Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don’t
Earth? Space? Animals? History? STEM? The Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia has them all.
This beautifully illustrated, 424-page compendium of knowledge is a must-have addition to every family bookshelf and library collection!
With more than 100 expert consultants from around the world, and over 1000 images, including specially commissioned illustrations and stunning photography, this single-volume encyclopedia for kids takes Britannica’s reputation for authentic, trustworthy information and brings it to a whole new audience.
Cars, Trains, Ships, and Planes: A Visual Encyclopedia of Every Vehicle
Explore the incredible world of automobiles, aviation and more, from mini motors to modern warships, helicopters to high-speed trains, with this engaging encyclopedia for children aged 9-12 perfect for young transport enthusiasts.
Have you ever wondered what the very first car looked like? Or what weird and wonderful animals people used for transport in the olden days? Ever heard of wing-walking? Or record-breaking racing cars? If you find yourself seeking the answers to these quirky questions and so many more, then Our World In Pictures: Cars, Trains, Ships, and Planes may be the book for you!
The Dog Encyclopedia for Kids by Tammy Gagne
Icelandic Sheepdogs are born with extra toes. Dalmatians are born without spots. Some Siberian Huskies have one blue eye and one brown eye. Learn all about the characteristics of various dog breeds and much more! Packed with amazing photographs and fun facts, dog owners and fans will get an in-depth look at these curious, lovable canines.
Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything: The Ultimate Guide to the World Around You
The world’s greatest record-breakers, most remarkable animals, inspiring history-makers, and cutting-edge technology are all here, in one utterly unputdownable kid’s encyclopedia.
Like the hugely successful Eyewitness series itself, Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything includes all the topics children want to read about. Each page is illustrated with vivid photography and filled with facts ideal for children aged 9+.
How Everything Works: From Brain Cells to Black Holes
Have you ever wondered how an email gets to someone on the other side of the world in just a few seconds or why it’s a bad idea to stand under a tree during a thunderstorm? Discover the answers to all these questions and more with these mind-boggling how things work books for children aged 9 and above!
Each page of this mind-blowingly detailed and ambitious encyclopedia will guide you through the natural world and the technology that surrounds you. Giant, page-filling illustrations take objects apart – or take the roofs and walls off buildings – to show you how they work, explaining both basic principles (such as photosynthesis) as well as broader concepts (like how all the living things in a rainforest interact).
Knowledge Encyclopedia Animal!
DK’s Knowledge Encyclopedia Animal! uncovers the marvels of the animal kingdom in unprecedented detail and with stunning realism, so you can spend quality time exploring the diversity of the animal world with your children, accompanied by impressive visuals to engage their senses. A must-have volume for curious kids with a thirst for knowledge, this enthralling animal encyclopedia is structured in such a way that your child can read a bit at a time, and feel comfortable to pause and ask questions. Doubling up as the perfect gift for young readers, who are always asking questions about our planet!
Knowledge Encyclopedia Science!
DK”s Knowledge Encyclopedia Science! uncovers the marvels of our world in unprecedented detail and with stunning realism. Encompassing incredible computer-generated images to reveal and explain science as never before, you can spend quality time exploring the world of science with your children, whether it’s looking inside a cell, pulling apart a Formula 1 racing car, or examining the forces that hold the Universe together, accompanied by impressive visuals to engage their senses. A must-have volume for curious kids with a thirst for knowledge, this enthralling encyclopedia is structured in such a way that your child can read a bit at a time, and feel comfortable to pause and ask questions. Doubling up as the perfect gift for young readers, who are always asking questions about the inner workings of our planet!
My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things: For Little Learners Who Want to Know Everything
My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things is a vibrant encyclopedia for curious 5-9 year olds, with a fresh approach to the subject that features both places from around the globe as well as focusing on what the world is like from a child’s perspective, covering everyday subjects about their own experiences.
Full of fun facts, colorful illustrations, and games that will keep the kids entertained time again, this children’s encyclopedia is filled with age-appropriate knowledge on a range of terrific topics, from fiery volcanoes and our place in space, to changing seasons, mighty mammals and more.
Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia
Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet!
Picturepedia, Second Edition: An Encyclopedia on Every Page
Did you know that more than half of the human body’s weight is water, and that a koi carp can live for more than 200 years? Or how about there being more than 20,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean, or that Turkey eats the most bread, with each person getting through 104.6 kg of it every year? You can learn all these things and more with Picturepedia, and become an expert in everything from incredible insects and musical instruments, to space-craft, prehistoric life and everything in between, with this engaging encyclopedia for children aged 9-12.
Priddy Learning: My First Encyclopedia by Roger Priddy
Priddy Learning: My First Encyclopedia will provide hours of fun reading for curious children. It is divided into eight subject chapters: Earth, Living World, Animals, History, Science, Things That Go, Human Body and People & Culture.
Approved by subject specialists, every page is packed full of interesting information written in accessible language for children. The specially commissioned illustrations and stunning photographs help children understand each topic.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Very First Encyclopedia
Travel around the world to explore the continents, discover where different animals live, learn all about the people who came before us, and find out how your body works in this colorful and charming first reference book for children aged 3-7.
Young learners can find out all about light and sound, the planets in the Solar System, how plants grow, and much, much more in this one-of-a-kind introduction to common core subjects.
2025 is my tenth year participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year, I chose as my theme: Fact Finders Club: Nonfiction for Curious Kids with a focus on providing book lists focused on all types of nonfiction books for readers from birth to teens. Each letter of the alphabet will focus on different topics and will provide twelve titles on each list. Nonfiction is having a heyday in children’s literature and if you think it’s dry and boring, then I implore you to take a look at these amazing suggestions! Stop by daily to check out the new books and other posts that I’ll be sharing in April.
