What are the best educational books aimed at junior school kids?

[OnlyParentsAreReal]

I'm looking for some Christmas present idea but I'm not sure what books would be a good idea. I've looked at a few file of facts type things but they seem a bit busy/confusing so I'm not sure about them. And I don't want to end up getting something too basic and boring. What are the best educational books aimed at junior school kids?

In my experience of the books my kids at school choose at a 'read whatever you like' time:

Guinness Book of Records
Horrible Histories (the annual sized books)
Usborne 'Look Inside' books
How Things Work
Robert Winston's science books
A Street Through Time

They are all boys BTW. A subscription to First News or The Week Junior might be good.

Steve Backshall's Deadly 60 books are popular
Maths quest series
Disney Wonderful World of Knowledge series
Junior encyclopaedia

The Marcia Williams ones on various subjects in strip cartoon format are very well done and got ds and dn into reading for pleasure.

My son lover the Basher Science series. Small format, carton style pictures and loads of useful facts!

My son loves the picturepedia by doring kindersley

Any of the Animal Science series by Nicola Davies and Neal Layton. We're especially fond of 'Just the right size' and the one about parasites.

And A Street Through Time is excellent.

The Usborne Junior Illustrated Science Dictionary is great. Also agree with the Usborne "Look Inside" series and A Street Through Time.

Trouble is there are so many awesome books on so many subjects. Are there specific topics you have in mind, as this may make it easier to recommend. My so loves London and we have several really good history of London type books, and a fabulous pop up London one. If travel is a thing then Lonely Planet have some great kids books out now. Ii'll have more suggestions if you have subjects in mind!

Thanks guys! Definitely take a look at all of those

I was going to say Usborne Look Inside books too.

My ds loves Basher Books too. Not just science, they have literacy, maths, music etc.

DD loved her sub to The Week Junior, best present ever from her uncle.