Information Book Award Shortlist

This booklist celebrates the 2025 Information Book Award Shortlist, sharing the judges comments for each shortlisted book.

These twelve shortlisted titles cover a diverse range of themes that will spark enjoyment and curiosity in children and young people. From exploring different cultures to managing emotions, how the world works to how others experience it: the 2025 IBA shortlist shows the endless possibilities for engagement with information books, spanning everything from burps to jellyfish and art to physics. 

Reading information books for personal interest and pleasure gives children and young people the opportunity to follow their natural curiosity, explore new areas of knowledge and build on existing interests.

IBA shortlisted packs for each age category are available to order from Peters with 20% off RRP. Find out more and order: peters.co.uk/iba

0 - 7 Years


 

Along Came a...Burp!, by Saskia Gwinn, illustrated by Paula Bowles 9781800785175, Templar Publishing

There’s nothing young children like more than a book about rude or disgusting bodily functions like poo, farts and burps! They also love funny, colourful comics with hilarious illustrations. Put them both together and you get ‘Along Came a Burp’. This ingeniously presented book will allow readers to absorb scientific facts about the human body without even realising they are learning. Each small story connects with the next allowing the book to flow from burps right through to teeth falling out! Content is a balanced mix of speech bubbles, text and engaging illustrations culminating in a large, labelled diagram of the human body. Science can be educational AND fun!




Me and My Hair, by Kimberley Kinloch, illustrated by Jessica Gibson 9781805312703, Usborne

Written in collaboration with the Halo Collective this is a thoughtful combination of a history of Black hairstyles, a showcase of the versatility and beauty of Black hair and, unusually, a celebration of all hair types and hair choices as well (for both boys and girls!). Complete with a useful QR code linking to styling ideas for Black and other hair types, Me and My Hair is a gorgeous exploration of hair and especially Black hair.


What is AI?, by Neal Layton 9781444975581, Hachette Children's Books

An entertaining and informative first look at AI for Key stage 1 pupils. The illustrations and words combine to present the topic in an unexpected and different format to other AI books. The brief explanations of key words and descriptions of practical applications of the information throughout help the book provide an interested child with a good level of entry level AI knowledge.

 

This Book Will Make You an Artist, by Ruth Millington, illustrated by Ellen Surrey 9781839944758, Nosy Crow

Perfectly pitched for this age group, this gorgeous book highlights a diverse range of fascinating and highly appealing artists. It is always on loan in my library which is testament to its impact on my pupils. Magnificent cover and feels wonderful to hold, especially for young hands.


8 - 12 Years

Amazing Asia, by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Jason Lyon 9780711288317, Wide-Eyed Editions

As rich, colourful and vibrant as the continent it celebrates, this is a feast of a book packed with spectacular illustrations that somehow steer just short of being overwhelming. Countries are covered in brief but culture-rich detail, exploring everything from food to landscapes, innovations to famous faces. This is a gorgeous book that strikes a perfect balance between a wealth of information and beautiful aesthetics.



How to Walk on the Moon and Other Incredible Ideas About Physics, by William Potter, illustrated by Richard Watson 9781398833340, Arcturus Publishing

If you have a physics question, this book is the place to find the answer. From how to balance on a seesaw to how to split the atom the information in this book is top notch. Using a mixture of comic strip and written explanations it has undeniable appeal to those in upper primary school. A fantastic book that I learned something from.


Inside Story: How the News Works, by Jane Marlow 9781800782594, Templar Publishing

Written by ITN publicist Jane Marlow, this is a fantastic deep dive into the nuts and bolts of news. The reader is taken behind the scenes at the newsroom and introduced to the different people involved, from the reporter to the vision mixer. The process and the rigour in journalism is explained via a breaking news story that is guaranteed to capture the reader’s imagination: a stranded whale. Packed with information and covering serious ground including a history of the news, citizen journalism and future of news, this book is a powerful tool for information literacy. Excellent!

 




The Jellyfish Garden, by Paolo Vitale, illustrated by Rossana Bossu 9781836270003, Post Wave Children's Books

The beautiful colours and detail of the cover plus the treasure trove of illustrations within draw you into this uniquely magical book. There is no contents table or index. Are they necessary? No! This educational book tells you things about jellyfish that you never thought you needed to know, and can be read from cover to cover or at random. Devour the fascinating text whilst studying the intricately imagined diagrams and illustrations including detailed cross-section drawings of every jellyfish imaginable. The layout is clear and guides the reader through their underwater journey concluding with how we can help our oceans and take part in ‘citizen science’ by contributing to the Jellyfish Forecast Service. 


13 - 16 Years



Black History for Every Day of the Year, by David Olusoga, Yinka Olusoga & Kemi Olusoga 9781529066203, Macmillan Children's Books

Whether you are studying Black History at school or reading for general information, this book is uniquely accessible and readable for ages 13 to adult. Each day of the year is a bite-sized factual story, often illustrated, spanning historical events and biographies up to the present day, making this book relevant and interesting to today’s reader. It can be dipped into, read in a sequence, by using the comprehensive index or the contents at the beginning of each month, or even by using the timeline. Highly recommended! 

 



The History of Information, by Chris Haughton 9780241553916, DK

An essential information book for all school libraries - and everyone else! This is the first non-fiction book that my teenager has ever excited felt about, actively seeking it out for a wide range of school projects. Stunningly illustrated in Chris’s unique style with a bonus pull-out comprehensive timeline. History of Information has given me a better understanding of why the world is the way it is; how our future is being shape by AI; and the changes we ALL need to make for the sake of our collective futures.




Seriously Happy by Ben Aldridge 9780711297791, Holler

A fun book explaining popular philosophy in 10 lessons that teenagers will love. It explains complicated theories from Aristotle to Zen in a simple way with the aim of building confidence in the reader. There are also plenty of suggestions of ways to test yourself in real life situations throughout as well. Tremendous reading.




Queerbook, by Malcolm Mackenzie 9780008637149, HarperCollins

Self-described as ‘a compilation of all the good queer intel that the foghorn of straight culture has drowned out’, Queerbook is a joyful deep dive into gay culture. From top LGBTQ+ TV shows to ‘setting straight’ key terms, this cultural guide can be binged from cover to cover or enjoyed at random. My librarian heart sang to see ‘an LGBTQ+ library for every mood’. Can you guess which title is for ‘when you want a royal page-turner that’s fire emoji’? Queerbook is a breath of fresh air offering a plethora of starting points for further exploration with a compelling playful tone.