Posted on: 08/09/2023
Like the ancient Greek god Atlas, geography is a subject which holds many disparate disciples and fields of knowledge on its broad shoulders. From cartography to environmentalism to town planning, the study of geography is vast. It is not just the scientific study of the planet but also the study of the ‘human and physical influences that have shaped it.’ Consequently, a list of non-fiction geographical books such as this one will inevitably overlap with other subjects such as history, language, geology, politics…perhaps every subject orbits geography at one time or another.
We wanted to compile a list of non-fiction geography books as it is vital children, from a young age, become familiar with maps, navigation and have a growing awareness of their physical place in the world and how to take care of it (there is also the potential that a list of fiction books with geographical links could be endless as every story has its footprints in geography).
The geography National Curriculum aims that all children ‘develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places 'both terrestrial and marine', as well as ‘understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world.’ With this in mind, we compiled a rich array of book recommendations that could help schools on their way to achieving this. Books that will illuminate the contours of the globe for children and help them see the interdependence between humanity and this precious, blue planet.
First off, we have included, for both KS1 and KS2, the magnificent text The Big Book of the UK: Facts, folklore and fascinations from around the United Kingdom by Imogen Russell Williams and Louise Lockhart. There is a wealth of information in this book, including facts about British ‘geographical quirks’ and the mysterious sites, like Stonehenge, that are ‘dotted’ around these islands. Another fantastic book which focuses on the UK is Maps of the United Kingdom by Rachel Dixon and Livi Gosling. The exquisitely detailed maps that make up this text zone in on the various regions of the UK and gorgeously illustrate which each is known for, what can be found there and who of note has come from there.
We adore books that are made up of different kinds of maps, filtering the world through different lenses. The book Marvellous Maps: Our changing world in 40 amazing maps by Simon Kuestenmacher and Margarida Esteves has world maps that convey stories such as the travels of Marco Polo, Hannibal and Odysseus. It even has maps that show the cats of the world and the lighthouses of Europe – very niche! The DK book What’s Where on Earth? History Atlas by Fran Baines beautifully illustrates the history of the world through maps. Our particular favourite is the map of Japan which documents the power struggles between the Emperor and the Shogun during the Edo period. We also love the map that tracks the sweeping arc of the Mongul invasion during the 13th century.
We have included books that explore geographical phenomenon and natural disasters. Books like The Explosive History of Volcanoes by Clive Gifford and Earth Shattering Events by Sophie Williams and Robin Jacobs explain these natural disasters in accessible, engaging ways. The Pebble in my Pocket by Meredith Hooper and Chris Coady, uses a seemingly simple pebble to document the history of the world, taking us on a geological journey that spans 480 million years. The curriculum specifies that children need to learn the geography of the marine world also. There are some wonderful books that dive deep below the world’s watery surfaces. The Big Book of Blue by Yuzal Zommer is dripping with gorgeous illustrations (unsurprisingly this book was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2019) that answer many of the questions children may have about marine biology. Deep in the Ocean by Lucie Brunelliére is another one of our favourites and follows a scientific team as they explore the ocean’s depths in the submarine Oceanos – a great start to learning about the oceans for younger children.
Books that tell the story of the precarious future of our planet and those who have made a stand to protect it are crucial in the classroom. Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby tells the heroic true stories of children around the world who have taken climate change actions. This text is full of amazing role models for children and has an inspiring foreword by the leaders of the School Strike for Climate Change – this book is a call to hope and action.
This list is by no mean exhaustive, but we do hope that there is something here for everyone. We hope that these texts help spark a lifetime of curiosity and exploration for your adventurers.
