Most of these are children’s nonfiction series are picture books, and I used to have them listed on the picture books series page, but I decided that it was better to give them their own page. They are now listed by main topic. Some of these are “creative non-fiction,” which means that factual information is presented in the form of a story. The events of the story may not be literally true, but the story provides the opportunity to explain something about real events.
These are series of nonfiction books. For individual nonfiction books that aren’t part of any series, see the complete listing of books on this site under Books by Decade.
History
This series of picture books presents life in different historical periods from the point of view of children living in those periods. By Richard Platt.
Children’s nonfiction series on a variety of topics, from world history to science and technology, illustrated with photographs.
Famous Biographies for Young People
This mid-20th century non-fiction series offers books containing short biographies of famous people. c. 1939-1977.
A collection of related biography book series for children with different themes. 1988-2010.
This is a non-fiction series of picture books about aspects of daily life in America during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Vintage children’s book series about life in different countries around the world during different time periods. May also be known as “What Was Their Life?” 1945-1965.
This non-fiction series describes to children what it would be like to live in certain periods of history or to take part in certain historical events.
Kate Waters is the author of a series focusing on historical reenactors, showing them acting out the lives of real children who lived in Colonial America.
This vintage children’s nonfiction book series covers various aspects of American history. There are related series that cover events and people in world history. 1950-1974, reprinted in later decades.
These nonfiction books explain life in different time periods by explaining different types of people who lived in those times periods and things that happened in places where people spent their time. By Sarah Howarth. 1991-1997.
Children’s historical biography series from the 1960s. 1964-1969, reprinted 1990s and 2000s.
A series of nonfiction picture books on a variety of topics, published by Childrens Press.
Nonfiction books on a variety of topics for beginning readers, including history, science, and animals and nature.
Usborne Starting Point History
Children’s nonfiction book series that answers questions about life during various times in the past.
Nonfiction picture book series that takes readers back in time to show how different types of people lived in the past.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be Series
Children’s non-fiction picture book series that teaches history with humor, focusing on gruesome and dangerous parts of world history. 1999-2016.
Culture
Children’s nonfiction series on a variety of topics, from world history to science and technology, illustrated with photographs.
About games and sports played in countries around the world.
North American Indian Culture Series
Not sure if this is the official title of the series, but it’s series of children’s nonfiction books about Native American culture. 1990-1992.
A series of nonfiction picture books on a variety of topics, published by Childrens Press.
This is a non-fiction children’s book series about various types of cultural traditions from around the world. Covers different topics, like clothing, food, and games.
Science
A series of nonfiction books for children about educational topics like history, technology, and science with projects for them to do themselves. 2005-2019.
Children’s nonfiction series on a variety of topics, from world history to science and technology, illustrated with photographs.
An educational series. Ms. Frizzle takes her students on impossible field trips in a magic school bus to teach them science lessons. The stories are fictional, but the information in them is factual.
Nonfiction books on a variety of topics for beginning readers, including history, science, and animals and nature.
Vintage children’s nonfiction book series about where different types of products come from. c. 1952-1954.
Crafts and Activities
A series of instructional art books for children.
A series of how-to hobby books for children also called the KnowHow Books.
The classic children’s hobby and activity book series from Klutz Press. Each book comes with materials needed for the hobbies and activities. 1977-Present.
This is a series of craft and cook books, mostly themed on holidays. The Little Witch and her friend the Goblin and other friends give readers tips for making crafts and recipes and sometimes throwing holiday-themed parties and playing games. By Linda Glovach. 1972-1989.
A series of nonfiction children’s books meant as beginning guides to introduce children to new hobbies and areas of interest.
Jestress's Forgotten Books and Stories 