The article presents reference publications about the regions of modern Russia, addressed to children and youth audience. This topic becomes especially relevant in a complex geopolitical situation, when it is necessary to involve the younger generation in studying the history of not only the country as a whole, but also of their small homeland. That is why the article reveals some peculiarities of preparing and publishing such literature. For the first time the term “local history reference books for children and youth” (regional encyclopedias, reference books, guides for children) is proposed, the dynamics of publication by years and regions is traced. The value of such editions in both informational and patriotic aspects is revealed. The problem of low activity of book publishing in this area is raised. The bibliographic list of local history reference books for children and youth, published in the Russian Federation in 1992—2023, identified at the moment of writing, is presented for the first time.