My kids started school in early September and they have all seemed to have adjusted, more or less, to their new schedule and routine, new teachers and new friends. Now that we have a new fall schedule with activities it’s a good time to give them some enrichment in the form of books. I’ve put together a list of books from Lonely Planet Kids that’s specifically aimed for elementary-school-aged kids and that that can open up their world and allow them to expand their horizons. New Books for the New School Year fro
m Lonely Planet Kids
Lonely Planet Kids World’s Strangest Series
This series has four books which are jam-packed with fascinating facts and photos: World’s Strangest Places, Predators, Ocean Beasts and Creepy-Crawleys. My fourth grader devoured these books and my six-year-old, pictured above, is also enjoying them. Each book begins with an introduction that tells you what the book is about and also includes a strangeometer that grades each subject based on certain factors such as uniqueness, surreal factor and wow factor. The rest of the book is in the form of a top-40 countdown and goes from strange to stranger to strangest. It’s filled with tons of facts and tidbits and, of course, dazzling photos. There are several fun quizzes throughout the book and also a glossary in the end.
In “World’s Strangest Places” kids can learn about Rainbow Mountain in Peru, Danakil Desert in Ethiopia and Mudhdhoo Island in the Maldives that has a glow-in-the-dark beach. “World’s Strangest Predators” includes the Spider-Tailed Horned Viper, the Amazonian Giant Centipede and the Margay (a small wild cat). “World’s Strangest Ocean Beasts” features the Horseshoe Crab, the Red Lionfish and the Striped Pajama Squid. “World’s Strangest Creepy-Crawleys” includes the Goliath Birdeater, the Thorn Bug and the Glasswing Butterlfy (with gorgeous, transparent wings). You can purchase the books here. Recommended for kids ages 5-8 although they were perfect for my nine-year-old.
After reading “World’s Strangest Places” your kids might get very interested in geography. The book Ancient Wonders: Then & Now is not only great for geography lovers but also as in introduction to world history. It’s a lift-the-flap book that shows a different famous architectural structure on each page. When you lift the flap it shows you how this place looked years ago. For example, Machu Picchu is presented as it looks today, and when you lift the flap you can see what it probably looked like during the times of the Incas. The book includes lots of facts and information about what life was like back then and it’s kind of like going back in time so your kids are learning history without realizing it. You can purchase the book here. It’s recommended for kids ages 9-12.
Looking through this book reminded me how many more places I need to put on my travel bucket list. My kids also got the travel bug! How Airports Work is a really fun book that’s also lift-the-flap and gives kids a behind-the-scenes look at an airport. My kindergartner loved seeing where the suitcase goes after we check it in. It also shows the inside of an airplane and where the crew sleeps, as well as the control tower and how a plane gets prepared for takeoff. I myself learned so many things reading this to my son! You can purchase the book here. Recommended for kids ages 6-8.
Visit Lonely Planet Kids to learn more.
I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.
Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.
Interesting book that kids will surely love to read on.