Recommended reads: nonfiction for under 8 years

Maisy Goes to Nursery Lucy Cousins (Walker) Intended to be reassuring about new experiences, this is a positive introduction to nursery life. Working through a checklist of quiet time (a little snooze, book time, listening to a story), and play time (outdoors in a garden), Maisy and her friends make every aspect of nursery look fun. Ages 2+ Ten Seeds Ruth Brown (Andersen) Bold, beautiful and simple illustrations show dramatically what can happen between sowing and growing. Counting down from the original 10 seeds that are planted to the one flower that survives and begins the whole process again, Ten Seeds shows how birds, insects, animals and humans all disrupt the life cycle. Ages 3+ Counting Birds Alice Melvin (Tate) From the first crow of one noisy cockerel greeting the sun to 19 rooks returning to roost in the darkening night, this book counts beautifully through handsome peacocks, stately swans, racing pigeons and honking geese. Alice Melvin's boldly coloured screen prints are both visually striking and ornithologically accurate. Ages 4+ How the Weather Works Christiane Dorion, illustrated by Beverley Young (Templar) When will it next snow? This hands-on guide, with opening flaps and pop-ups, gives masses of information about how different weather conditions come about. Where does rain come from? Why does the wind blow? What is a climate? Answers to these and other questions are packed into visually entertaining spreads that are full of information. Ages 5+ The Icky, Sticky Snot and Blood Book Steve Alton and Nick Sharratt (Bodley Head) There's enough of a "yuck" factor in this book to make it appealing to young readers who usually like that kind of thing. While they are enjoying some of the more entertaining and disgusting pop-up features, they can also take in lots of facts about blood and breathing and how they work in our bodies. Ages 6+ My Green Day Melanie Walsh (Walker) Easily followed suggestions for going green in everyday life fill this beautiful picture-book introduction to conservation. There are 10 tips, which take you from breakfast to bedtime. Composting, not wasting food, home cooking and recycling are just some of the simple ideas introduced in Melanie Walsh's lovely, interactive illustrations. Ages 6+ J is for Jamaica Benjamin Zephaniah, illustra ted by Prodeepta Das (Frances Lincoln) With a vivid poem and photograph for each letter of the alphabet, this is a vivid introduction to all aspects of life in Jamaica. Sugar cane, pumpkin and Ugli fruit are just some of the gorgeous food on show; netball and cricket are among the sports. Behind all are Prodeepta Das's atmospheric and vibrant photographs of a beautiful country. Ages 6+ The Usborne Pocket Scientist: The Blue Book (Usborne) In a handy pocket-size and packed full of information given in words and pictures, this is a meaty introduction to the science behind everyday things such as how we communicate, how we stay healthy and how machines work. The book provides good links to internet sites to make it easy for readers to search for further information if they want to. Ages 7+ Henry's House: Knights and Castles Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Mike Gordon (Scholastic) A fun adventure that's full of facts. Unusual things happen in Henry's house – just step inside the wardrobe and you'll be off into another world full of knights and armour, jousting and feasting, lords, ladies and kings, and some very unsavoury domestic arrangements! Like the other books in the series, it's a great adventure as well as a fantastic way to learn about the past. The index is a useful recap of each chapter. Ages 7+