Books by Aina Bestard
How Our Solar System Began
by Aina Bestard & translated by Matthew Clarke
By the same author who wrote and illustrated How Life on Earth Began, this is a beautifully produced book about our solar system, its planetary orbits and the unique and fascinating worlds of each planet and their moons. The large illustrations pay tribute to the graphic style of prints from a time before sophisticated equipment for studying space was available. A gorgeous nonfiction book with scientific contributions by ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array) and Dr. Antonio Hales at the ALMA Observatory.
Ages 8-12
How Life on Earth Began
by Aina Bestard & translated by Matthew Clarke
An exquisitely produced nonfiction book that gives an overview of the evolution of life on earth through fossils and dinosaurs to the first humans. Each time period is given its due, without going into much detail. It is good to see a comprehensive book for children about prehistory which is not limited to dinosaurs. The illustration style, depicting many lost landscapes and fascinating extinct creatures, pays homage to 19th century scientific engravings.
Ages 7-12
Interviews where books by Aina Bestard were recommended
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1
Birds: Explore Their Extraordinary World
Miranda Krestovnikoff, Angela Harding (illustrator) -
2
Glow: The Wild Wonders of Bioluminescence
Jennifer N. R. Smith, Dr. Edith Widder (consultant) -
3
Mountain of Fire: Into the Heart of Volcanoes
Julie Roberge, Aless MC (illustrator), translated by Charles Simard -
4
Ben Rothery's Deadly and Dangerous Animals
by Ben Rothery -
5
Botanicum
by Kathy Willis & Katie Scott (illustrator)
Beautiful Science Books for 9-12 Year Olds, recommended by Our Children's Editor
Beautiful Science Books for 9-12 Year Olds, recommended by Our Children's Editor
Nonfiction books for 9-12 year olds can be just as fun for adults as for kids, especially when they are beautifully illustrated. Here, our Children’s Editor picks science books for 9-12 year olds that are not only informative, but also beautiful works of art.
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1
The False Rose
Jakob Wegelius, translated by Peter Graves -
2
The Secret Detectives
by Ella Risbridger -
3
Above and Below: Sea and Shore
Harriet Evans & Hannah Bailey (illustrator) -
4
The Shark Caller
by Zillah Bethell -
5
A Wish in the Dark
by Christina Soontornvat -
6
Circus Maximus: Race to the Death
by Annelise Gray
Best Children’s Books of 2021
Best Children’s Books of 2021
A lot of excellent books for kids have come out in 2021. It’s turned out to be a very strong year for middle grade fiction (novels for children age 8-12), especially fiction in a historical setting. We made sure to include plenty of picture books and nonfiction as well.
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1
What’s Hiding Under There?
by Daniela Drescher -
2
Safiyyah's War
by Hiba Noor Khan -
3
Sky High! A Soaring History of Aviation
by Jacek Ambrożewski & translated by Zosia Krasodomska-Jones -
4
One Chance Dance
by Efua Traoré -
5
Girls
by Annet Schaap & translated by Laura Watkinson -
6
The Red Fruit
by Lee Gee Eun
Best Kids’ Books of 2023
Best Kids’ Books of 2023
2023 has been a particularly strong year for eye-catching and engaging children’s nonfiction, but as usual our list is dominated by novels for middle grade readers (8-12 year olds). We have also made sure to include plenty of excellent picture books for younger readers, as well as some graphic novels.
