The Best Children’s Encyclopedia Books for Reference
Published:
June 15, 2023
Contributor:
Sonlight
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Children’s encyclopedia books are reference books designed specifically for children. When you’re homeschooling, these engaging books are perfect for providing a wide range of information on various subjects.
Encyclopedia books for children usually include helpful illustrations, photographs, and diagrams to enhance understanding and keep children’s interest. These books are some of the best to include in your homeschool library.
Children’s Encyclopedia Books
Children’s encyclopedia books cover a wide range of topics and with their engaging style, children of all ages are sure to use them frequently for an age-appropriate learning experience. From science to history and literature to arts and culture, children’s encyclopedia books are perfect as a comprehensive visual encyclopedia for young readers.
But with so many options on the market, how to you choose the best ones? Here’s what you need to know about this ultimate knowledge book that is a must-have in your family library.
Choosing An Encyclopedia Children
As a homeschool mom, there are a few key factors to consider when selecting the best children’s encyclopedia books for reference purposes.
Here are some important things to keep in mind:
- age appropriateness – look for encyclopedia that are suitable for your child’s age and comprehension level
- content coverage – the best encyclopedias provide a wide range of subjects
- accuracy and reliability – accuracy is crucial in reference materials so look for ones where experts combine their knowledge and provide up to date information
- clarity – find encyclopedias that are well-organized with indexed entries
- visual appeal – choose first reference books that have high-quality images and illustrations
- interactive features – internet links and QR codes are great features
Best Encyclopedias For Children
Children’s encyclopedia books can be a helpful tool to support your child’s learning journey. I love how you can use them alongside a living books curriculum like Sonlight.
Here are some of the best encyclopedias for children.
First Encyclopedia Of Seas And Oceans
The First Encyclopedia of Seas And Oceans will give your children a glimpse of the fascinating world under the sea. They’ll learn about interesting creatures along with how humans interact with oceans.
Recommended Ages: 9-12
Recommended Grades: 4-7
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 3rd Grade Curriculum
- 3rd Grade Curriculum – 4-Day
- 3rd Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- Science C – 4-Day
- Science C – 5-Day
Usborne Science Encyclopedia
Usborne books are some of the best-known children’s encyclopedias. The Usborne Science Encyclopedia is arranged by themes, including energy, gravity, friction, light, molecules, electricity, magnetism and more!
Recommended Ages: 9-12
Recommended Grades: 4-7
World History From Ancient to Modern Times
The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History from Ancient to Modern Times provides a fascinating overview of 12,000 years of world history through illustrated time charts, maps, and photos.
Recommended Ages: 12-14
Recommended Grades: 7-9
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 7th Grade Curriculum
- 7th Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- History & Geography G – 5 Day
- History & Geography W
- Required Resources – for History / Bible / Literature H
- World History (One Year Condensed)
- World History, Year 1 of 2 – 5-Day
Encyclopedia Of Planet Earth
Encyclopedia of Planet Earth provides a great introduction to physical geography through its internet linked sections. Learn about volcanoes to earthquakes and the interdependence of plants and animals.
Recommended Ages: 8-14
Recommended Grades: 7-9
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 4th Grade Curriculum – 4-Day
- 4th Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- 7th Grade Curriculum – 4-Day
- 7th Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- Science D – 4-Day
- Science D – 5-Day
- Science G – 4-Day
- Science G – 5-Day
American History: A Visual Encyclopedia by Smithsonian
American History: A Visual Encyclopedia by Smithsonian explains the events, trends, and people who shaped American history. This reference book also includes a state-by-state overview along with the complete texts of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Recommended Ages: 9-12
Recommended Grades: 4-7
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 4th Grade Curriculum – 4-Day
- 4th Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- 5th Grade Curriculum
- History & Geography D – 4 Day
- History & Geography D – 5 Day
- History D+E
- Intro to American History (One Year Condensed)
- Intro to American History, Year 1 of 2
- Required Resources – for History / Bible / Literature E
Usborne Internet-Linked Children’s Encyclopedia
Usborne Internet-Linked Children’s Encyclopedia introduces your child to a wide range of topics including world geography, geology, cultures, weather and more.
Recommended Ages: 6-8
Recommended Grades: 1-3
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 1st Grade Curriculum—Intro to the World: Cultures, 4-Day
- 1st Grade Curriculum—Intro to the World: Cultures, 5-Day
- History & Geography A, 2022 Version, 4 Day
- History & Geography A, 2022 Version, 5 Day
- History & Geography K – 4 Day
- History & Geography K – 5 Day
- Intro to World Cultures – 2022 Version
- Intro to the World: Cultures
- Kindergarten Curriculum – 4-Day
- Kindergarten Curriculum – 5-Day
Other Great Reference Books
Children’s encyclopedia books vary in their depth and target age range. Some are designed for younger children with simplified explanations and colorful illustrations, while others cater to older children and cover more complex topics in greater detail. Here are a few more to consider.
The Usborne Book of World History
The Usborne Book of World History covers the history of the world to 1914. Learn about world religions, discoveries, political and military history.
Recommended Ages: 8-10
Recommended Grades: 3-5
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 2nd Grade Curriculum – 4-Day
- 2nd Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- 3rd Grade Curriculum
- History & Geography B – 4 Day
- History & Geography B – 5 Day
- History & Geography B+C
- Intro to World History (One Year Condensed)
- Intro to World History, Year 1 of 2
- Required Resources – for History / Bible / Literature C
The World Wars
The World Wars includes photographs and detailed maps to immerse your children into the harrowing experiences of those who fought in these wars.
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Recommended Grades: 5-8
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 5th Grade Curriculum – 4-Day
- 5th Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- History & Geography E – 4 Day
- History & Geography E – 5 Day
- Intro to American History, Year 2 of 2 – 4-Day
- Intro to American History, Year 2 of 2 – 5-Day
The Usborne Time Traveler
The Usborne Time Traveler takes your kids on a fun travel back to Ancient Egypt, Rome, medieval Europe and Viking days as they learn about family life and culture.
Recommended Ages: 7-9
Recommended Grades: 2-4
Included in Sonlight Packages:
- 2nd Grade Curriculum – 4-Day
- 2nd Grade Curriculum – 5-Day
- 3rd Grade Curriculum
- History & Geography B – 4 Day
- History & Geography B – 5 Day
- History & Geography B+C
- Intro to World History (One Year Condensed)
- Intro to World History, Year 1 of 2
- Required Resources – for History / Bible / Literature C
Ways to Use Encyclopedias & Reference Books for School
Sonlight uses many of these encyclopedias as engaging reference books in their programs. But you don’t have to worry about when and how to use these interesting resources – the Instructor’s Guide has everything paced out for you.
Supplement Curriculum
Children’s encyclopedias are a wonderful curriculum supplement because it gives curious minds the fun facts that they want to be able to relate to the topics. You can use these reference books to take deep dives into people, places, and cultures that are touched on in your main curriculum.
Use as Curriculum Spine
Another great use for children’s encyclopedias is to use them as your main curriculum spine. That means the topics presented in these books provide the structure and important points to learn with your kids.
Then using the QR codes and other internet links, you can explore topics further that engage your kids.
Notebooking & Lapbooks
Use these children’s encyclopedias to ignite your child’s curiosity through notebooking and lap books. While working through the topics in the reference book, take some time for your child to record the most interesting points.
They can include drawings, timelines, and diagrams along with explanations about what they learned. Notebooking and lapbooking provide wonderful ways for your child to be an active learner.
Enhance Living Books
With breathtaking images and thematic chapters, children’s encyclopedias enhance living books. As your child encounters an important event or pivotal person in the encyclopedia, you can seek out a living book to dive deeper.
Biographies and historical fiction take on new life when your kids can place them in the big overview provided by many of these children’s encyclopedias.
Final Thoughts
Children’s encyclopedia books are valuable educational resources that provide a wide range of information in an accessible and engaging manner. They serve as a foundation for a child’s learning journey, offering a comprehensive overview of various subjects in a format that is easy to understand and explore.
In short, they’re an essential addition to your homeschool library and will provide invaluable input for years to come.
Sonlight
Sonlight is a complete, literature-based, Christian homeschool curriculum with every subject for students from Preschool through high school. Our curriculum uses a variety of materials to deliver an engaging and complete education that extends beyond textbooks and memorization: literary fiction and nonfiction, biographies, illustrations, and hands-on experiments. These resources come with thorough lesson plans and notes, so that you can enjoy successful homeschooling. Customers who buy from Sonlight enjoy a liberal arts education that produces critical thinkers who are ambassadors for Christ with a heart for the world. Visit us online and request a FREE catalog today!
