Theseus and the Minotaur

Yvan Pommaux
Toon Graphics
Recommended for ages 8-12

Part graphic novel and part traditional storybook, this version of the Greek classic is easy for kids (and attention-span-challenged adults) to follow. The characters’ occasionally snarky dialogue bubbles are just a bonus. 

Giant Vehicles

Rod Green (author) and Stephen Biesty (illustrator)
Templar Books
Recommended for ages 5-9

Think lift-the-flap books are only for preschoolers? Think again. With its detailed drawings and surprisingly thorough — though graspable — descriptions, Giant Vehicles is a good choice for non-linear readers who like to jump around a lot. 

Information Graphics: Human Body

Peter Grundy
Big Picture Press
Recommended for ages 6-9

Bold, jazzy backgrounds — from teal to chartreuse to hot pink — and sharp illustrations make this one a real eye-grabber. Facts about the body are laid out in easy-to-understand terms, and tabs along the side make finding a particular organ or system a breeze. 

Pop-Up New York

Jennie Maizels
Candlewick Press
Recommended for ages 5-9

Open up this oversized book and watch the New York skyline spring from the page. Informative factoids and splashy drawings will engage kids of all ages.

Children Growing Up with War

Jenny Matthews
Candlewick Press
Recommended for ages 10 and up

Unflinching and not sensationalized, this photographer’s account of kids in conflict zones — including Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone — brings the reality of those youngsters’ lives home to children in America.