Working out how to get reviews for a children’s book is hard. Getting them for a children’s nonfiction book is harder still. Your readers are 9 years old, they don’t have Amazon accounts, and the adults who buy the book often give it away as a present and never think about it again.
I’m Jenny. I’ve published over 50 nonfiction books since 2012, most of them nonfiction books about animals for kids aged 9 to 12, so I’ve been working on this problem for a long time. This guide covers what actually works for children’s nonfiction, what to avoid, and how to do it all within Amazon’s rules. I also run AuthorWing ARC Readers, a free ARC service for nonfiction, which I’ll mention where it fits. Most of this guide works whether you ever use it or not.
Why children’s nonfiction reviews are different
With adult books, the reader and the reviewer are the same person. With children’s books, they’re not. The child reads the book; an adult buys it and (maybe) reviews it. That changes everything:
- Your reviewers are parents, grandparents, teachers, homeschoolers and librarians. They care about age fit, accuracy and whether the child actually enjoyed it.
- Lots of copies are gifts. The buyer may never see the child read it, so they have nothing to review.
- Kids can’t review themselves. Amazon accounts are for adults, and reviewers must have spent at least $50 on Amazon in the last 12 months (The Children’s Book Review).
The good news: the adults who do review children’s nonfiction tend to write really useful reviews. “My 10-year-old has read this three times and now corrects me about octopuses” sells more books than any blurb I could write.
First, the rules
Before you start, the quick version of Amazon’s review rules for authors: you can give free or discounted copies, but you can’t require a review, ask for a positive one, or offer anything else in return. Reviews from family, close friends and people in your household aren’t allowed. Review swaps are best avoided. I’ve covered it all in detail in Amazon review rules for authors, and everything below stays within them.
10 ways to get reviews for a children’s nonfiction book
1. Send ARCs to readers who chose children’s nonfiction
Advance reader copies (ARCs) are free copies sent out before or around launch, so reviews are ready when people start looking. The trick for children’s nonfiction is getting them to the right adults: parents and teachers who actually read nonfiction with kids, not fiction fans scrolling for their next fantasy book.
That’s exactly why I built AuthorWing ARC Readers. Readers tick the topics they want, including children’s nonfiction, and I approve every one personally. If you want to compare it with other ARC sites, see the best ARC sites for nonfiction books.
2. Reach out to teachers and homeschoolers
Teachers and homeschooling parents are the best reviewers a children’s nonfiction author can have. They know reading levels, they use books in lessons, and other parents trust them. Offer a free copy to school librarians, reading specialists and homeschool bloggers, with no pressure to review (The Children’s Book Review). A short personal email works far better than a mass mailout. I’ve also written a guide aimed at them, free nonfiction books for teachers and homeschoolers, which you’re welcome to share.
3. Add a review page to the back of your book
This is the easiest win, and lots of authors forget it. Add a short, child-friendly page at the end of the book. Something like: “Did you enjoy this book? Ask a grown-up to help you tell other readers what you thought. Your opinion helps other kids find books they’ll love.” It’s honest, it doesn’t ask for stars, and it catches the moment when the child has just finished.
4. Use your mailing list
If you have an email list of parents and teachers, they’re your warmest audience. Offer them a free copy of the new book before launch, with a gentle note that honest reviews help. Even a list of a few hundred people can get a new book off to a good start. If you don’t have a list yet, a free mini fact book or printable activity sheet on your website is a great way to start one.
5. Time your requests
Children’s books take a while to be read, often several times. The Children’s Book Review suggests asking for reviews about 3 to 4 weeks after delivery for chapter books, and sooner for picture books (source). Two seasons matter most for children’s nonfiction: back-to-school, when teachers are planning, and the run-up to Christmas, when gift shoppers are reading reviews.
Want parents and teachers to read your book?
On AuthorWing ARC Readers, readers choose their topics, including children’s nonfiction, so your book goes to adults who actually read it with kids. Free for authors during the beta.
6. Get one or two editorial reviews
Editorial reviews are short professional reviews you can quote in the “Editorial Reviews” section of your Amazon listing. They aren’t customer reviews and don’t count towards your star rating, but a quote from a known reviewer adds a lot of trust for parents and librarians. Some options:
| Service | Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkus Indie | $450 to $599 | Well known to librarians; about 7 to 9 weeks (source) |
| Midwest Book Review | Free for print (send 2 copies), $50 for ebooks | Prioritises small presses and self-published authors; not guaranteed for print (source) |
| Readers’ Favorite | Free option, paid express option | Free reviews aren’t guaranteed (guide) |
For most indie children’s nonfiction, I’d start with the free options and only consider Kirkus if libraries and schools are a big part of your plan.
7. Do readings, visits and story times
School visits, library talks and online story times build real relationships with families. Follow up with the families who took part, thank them, and let them know where to leave a review if they’d like to. For nonfiction, a short talk with real facts, photos or objects goes down really well.
8. Make your Amazon page set the right expectations
Plenty of children’s books get disappointing reviews simply because the buyer expected something different: a younger reading level, more pictures, a bigger book. If you’re enrolled in Amazon’s Brand Registry, A+ Content lets you show inside pages, age guidance and what children will learn, which helps the right parents buy and stops the wrong ones from being disappointed (The Children’s Book Review). If you can’t use A+ Content, put the age range and page count clearly in your description.
9. Consider Amazon Vine for print books
Amazon Vine sends free copies to trusted Amazon reviewers. It isn’t available for every book: you need Brand Registry, the book needs to be sold through Amazon’s own fulfilment, it should have fewer than 30 reviews, and there’s an enrolment fee (around $200 per product, according to The Children’s Book Review). It’s worth knowing about if you sell print copies through Seller Central, but most KDP authors won’t be able to use it.
10. Thank your reviewers and build a team
When someone reviews your book, thank them personally if you can, and let them know when your next book is out. Children’s nonfiction often comes in series, and a parent whose child loved your shark book is very likely to want the next one. Over time, these readers become your review team, which is how a series starts with reviews from day one.
What not to do
- Don’t ask family, friends or your child’s teacher to review on Amazon.
- Don’t offer prizes, gift cards or free extras in return for reviews.
- Don’t ask for five stars, even jokingly.
- Don’t swap reviews with other children’s authors.
- Don’t post the same request in lots of parenting groups at once. It’s spammy, and it rarely works.
How many reviews does a children’s nonfiction book need?
Fewer than you’d think to get started. Research from Northwestern University’s Spiegel Research Center found that products with five reviews were 270% more likely to be bought than products with none (cited by The Children’s Book Review). So your first goal is simple: get to five honest reviews as quickly as you can, then keep them coming steadily. Ten real reviews from parents and teachers will do far more for you than fifty vague ones.
Questions children’s authors ask
Can children leave reviews on Amazon?
No, reviews need to come from an adult’s account. But a parent can include what their child said, which often makes the best reviews.
Can my child’s teacher review my book?
If you know them personally, it’s safest not to ask for an Amazon review. Teachers who don’t know you are perfect.
When should I send ARCs for a children’s nonfiction book?
About four to six weeks before launch, so readers have time to read it with their kids. If your launch is close to back-to-school or Christmas, a little earlier is even better.
Are ARCs worth it for picture books?
Yes, though ebooks don’t show off picture books as well as print. A good-quality PDF is usually the best option for illustrated books.
Ready to find readers for your children’s nonfiction book?
Tell me about your book and I’ll get back to you personally. You only need an ebook file or a delivery link, and every copy is personally stamped.
Are you a teacher, homeschooler or parent?
Join as an ARC reader and get new children’s nonfiction free, before it’s published. No obligation to claim anything.
