Layla doesn’t have a typical kid’s library — we’re not big on fairytales (we don’t care for stock characters or black-white morality), Enid Blyton (could you get any more predictable?), books with talking animals, or books where nothing much actually happens (think Shirley Hughes, although I must say Layla quite likes her books).

What do we like? Books with an element of real life in them, especially ones based on real people. Non-fiction can be pretty magical too, and it’s much more uplifting to read about a real person who overcame a tough situation or someone who lived her dreams even if no-one else thought much of them.

Here’s a peek at some of our favourite non-fiction picture books:

Van Gogh And The Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt

This is part of the “Anholt’s Artists” series, which highlights encounters between famous artists and the children who inspired them in some way. We’ll get to the other books in the series eventually, but the Van Gogh book is a good one to start with because it’s short and doesn’t have complex themes.

The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

It’s hard not to be awed by Philippe Petit’s incredible stunt — walking on a wire across the Twin Towers one morning in 1974. If you’re a practical person you’d probably think, “What a stupid, senseless, and dangerous thing to do!” But if you’re a dreamer you’d understand perfectly. (Gerstein’s What Charlie Heard has similar themes; it’s based on the life on composer Charles Ives.)

John’s Secret Dreams: The Life Of John Lennon by Doreen Rappaport

“You’ll never make a living as a….” I’m sure we’ve all heard this one before! I hope I’ll never end up saying it to Layla and books like these are a great reminder. (Note: We also like Rappaport’s tribute to Martin Luther King.)