National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books Series: A Mom’s Review

Exploring the World with National Geographic: A Mom’s Take

There are two things I can count on in my house: 1) My kids will ask me approximately 500 questions before lunch, and 2) I will only have decent answers for about five of them. Enter: The National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books Series—a lifesaver for when “Mom, why is the sky blue?” turns into “Mom, how do volcanoes work?” and I’m fresh out of clever responses.

What’s the Deal with These Books?

Designed for kids ages 4 to 8, the Little Kids First Big Books collection takes all the things kids are naturally curious about—dinosaurs, space, animals, rocks, even why things happen—and turns them into bite-sized, engaging nonfiction books. They’re packed with real photographs (because let’s be honest, kids see right through cutesy cartoon versions of the world) and easy-to-digest facts that spark curiosity without feeling like schoolwork. Plus, they work for both independent reading and snuggle-up storytime, which means they pull double duty in our home.

Why Nonfiction Books Matter for Kids

Fiction is wonderful, but nonfiction brings a different kind of magic. These books aren’t just fun to flip through—they’re building blocks for big thinking. Here’s why I love having them on our shelves:

1. They build knowledge – Kids get real, tangible facts about the world. No fluff, just solid, age-appropriate info.
2. They expand vocabulary – Ever had a 3-year-old correctly use the word “bioluminescence” in a sentence? You will.
3. They encourage critical thinking – The books don’t just hand kids the answers; they prompt them to wonder, question, and explore further.
4. They foster curiosity – The real-life photos and jaw-dropping facts keep kids flipping pages, sparking an endless cycle of “tell me more!”
5. They prep kids for school – Understanding how to read and learn from nonfiction is a skill that pays off big time in elementary school and beyond.
6. They connect to real life – My kids now spot birds outside and say, “That’s a cedar waxwing!” instead of “Look, a birdie!” which honestly makes me feel like I’m crushing this whole parenting thing.

The National Geographic Seal of Approval

National Geographic has been doing this whole “teaching the world cool things” thing forever. So when they put out a book series for little kids, you know it’s going to be solid—engaging, well-researched, and actually worth a spot on your already overflowing bookshelves.

Our Favorites from the Series

With so many books in the collection, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are the ones my kids reach for over and over again:

• First Big Book of Birds & Bugs – Because who doesn’t love a book that makes your child obsessed with spotting ladybugs and cardinals?
• First Big Book of Dinosaurs – A must-have for dino lovers. Be prepared to learn more about the Jurassic period than you ever thought possible.
• First Big Book of Why – Answers so many of those random kid questions in a way that makes sense (and saves you a frantic Google search).
• First Big Book of Space – Helps explain why my kids now insist on staying up late to “see if the moon looks different.”
• First Big Book of the Ocean – Basically an underwater adventure in book form. My kids now dream of being marine biologists.
• First Big Book of Rocks, Minerals & Shells – Suddenly, every walk turns into a rock-collecting expedition. I’m not mad about it.
• First Big Book of Things That Go – Trains, planes, fire trucks—this one is a winner for vehicle-loving kids.

Where to Find Them

You can grab these books from my Amazon storefront and start stocking your shelves with engaging, curiosity-sparking nonfiction that will make your kids feel like little explorers.

Raising Curious Kids One Book at a Time

At the end of the day, kids are naturally wired to explore. These books make it easy to nurture that curiosity without feeling like you need to have a degree in astronomy, paleontology, or marine biology. They give kids real answers, inspire more questions, and make learning feel like an adventure. And if they help you dodge a few “I don’t know, ask your dad” moments? Even better.

First Big Book of Birds and Bugs

First Big Book of Animals, Dinosaurs, Why?

First Big Book of Rocks, Minerals & Shells

First Big Book of Pets

First Big Book of Things That Go

First Big Book of Where

First Big Book of Who

First Big Book of the World

First Big Book of Science

First Big Book of Animals

First Big Book of Space

First Big Book of Ocean