NOW for our top 5 Historical Non-Fiction Picture Books for Kids. Jenny Catalano has chosen her favourite, not an easy task to do. Hope you can enjoy finding and reading them. Be inspired.. Be open. Be present in the past.

1. Waltzing Matilda (Banjo Paterson) Illustrations Freya Blackwood – Family favourite, Australiana, engaging images with relevant news clipping overlays.

2. The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey – Classic Indigenous dreamtime picture book, creation of the land, people, animals.

3. Rónán and the Mermaid by Marianne McShane – Mystical Irish folklore, medieval themes and landscapes.

4. The Dragon Stoorworm retold by Theresa Breslin – Scottish lochs, legends and lovely illustrations portray the legend of how Scotland was created.

5. We’re All Australians Now (Banjo Paterson) Illustrated by Mark Wilson – The variety of techniques/mediums used in the illustrations, showcases Banjo’s poem effectively.

Marg Gibb’s list.

I have selected mine based on some current reading and browsing in the library. Narrative non-fiction can include informational with facts, historical characters, with quotes, no made up parts and descriptions. The story can be powerful in time or place.

I would like to use this quote, taken from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. ” History can be dulled by lists – dates, places, famous people. We move these cold statistics to one side and find stories of real people doing real things, with all the hopes, fears and clumsiness that makes us human.”

Throughout the ages, fashion has changed and brought about transformation. Fantastic colourful illustrations to dress up in Oriental silks, flapper costumes, Renaissance and the French Riviera. With 25 adventures to discover from around the world, each page features lots of things to spot and facts to learn on every page.

Love the title of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! It peeks into the intriguing history of Australia and is the newest edition to M is for Mutiny ( see above) and William Bligh, and the Startling Story of Lachlan Macquarie.

A fascinating insight into the brave women pilots who showed their passion and love of flying in war times. SKYWARD.

Using extracts from Alice’s actual diaries kept in the Australian War Memorial, this true story captures the danger, the heartache and the history of the young nurse who would one day become the most decorated woman in Australia.

Anzac Girl – The War Diaries of Alice Ross-King is a winner. Love the illustrations by Jess Racklyeft.

Here is a last extra surprise. One beautiful book written by Jackie French and Virginia Hooker, illustrated by the talented Mark Wilson.. Check out All of Us – a History of South east Asia.

Do you have some favourite historical children’s picture books? Please share them, too.