SALT LAKE CITY — If the kids on your holiday gift list love to explore, wonder and discover, then these are the books to wrap up this season. From notable publishers such as National Geographic Kids and Sports Illustrated Kids, there is something to satisfy every kind of curious.

1. "Brain Games: The Mind-Blowing Science of Your Amazing Brain" by Jennifer Swanson (ages 8+)

The brain controls everything that happens in the body, from what you think and do to digestion, sleep and muscle movement. Discover just how amazing the human brain is with this fascinating and interactive book from National Geographic Kids. The book includes fun challenges from the popular National Geographic Channel show "Brain Games."

2. "My First Book of Football" by Sports Illustrated Kids (ages 3-8)

Got a little football fan running around the house? This book is a must-give. Colorful photos of NFL players and illustrations outline all the basics of how the game is played.

3. "How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous" by Georgia Bragg, illustrated by Kevin O'Malley (ages 5+)

King Tut, Henry VIII, Edgar Allan Poe, and Albert Einstein: these are a few of the people listed in this book who changed the world — but how did they leave it? A quirky and fascinating book about how some of the most famous people in history died.

4. "Animals: A Visual Encyclopedia" by Animal Planet (ages 5+)

Little animal lovers need this book in their library. From the experts at Animal Planet comes a fun, comprehensive, kid-friendly reference guide with more than 2,500 incredible animals. Big pages, beautiful photography, great facts, and even a giant pullout poster make this book a winner.

5. "Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet" by Buzz Aldrin with Marianne J. Dyson (ages 8+)

What better person to help kids explore the possibilities of space than Buzz Aldrin, one of the crew of the Apollo 11 mission and one of the first men to walk on the moon? Aldrin, space pioneer and rocket scientist, is an advocate for exploring and inhabiting Mars. In this book, he details how it could be done and what it would be like to live on the Red Planet. The book also includes fun science activities.

6. "Treasury of Norse Mythology: Stories of Intrigue, Trickery, Love and Revenge" by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Christina Balit (ages 5+)

Some of the most dramatic and enduring mythological stories come from the cold, windswept lands of Scandinavia. The legends of the Norse gods, such as Thor, Loki, and Freyja, are the perfect read-aloud tales. Paired with gorgeous illustrations, this book is a fabulous addition to the family bookshelves.

7. "Book of Nature Poetry" by National Geographic, edited by J. Patrick Lewis (ages 5+)

In partner with J. Patrick Lewis, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, National Geographic has put together a stunning book of poetry and photography. Through more than 200 poems from favorites like Langston Hughes, Noami Shihab, and Billy Collins, kids get a taste of the beautiful world through thoughtful words and captivating images.

Teri Harman, author and book enthusiast, writes a monthly column for KSL.com and contributes book-related segments to "Studio 5." Her novels, "Blood Moon," "Black Moon" and "Storm Moon" are now available. Join in the magic and chaos at teriharman.com.

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