Once upon a time, all
nonfiction books for children were survey (all about) books that provide a
general introduction of a broad topic, such as gorillas or galaxies or weather.
These books, which are often published in large series, feature concise,
straightforward language. They have a description text structure and an expository
writing style.
Because
covering a huge amount of information in a limited number of words constrains a
nonfiction writer’s ability to craft rich text, these traditional nonfiction
titles may seem less engaging than the other kinds of nonfiction books that have become
increasingly popular in recent years.
covering a huge amount of information in a limited number of words constrains a
nonfiction writer’s ability to craft rich text, these traditional nonfiction
titles may seem less engaging than the other kinds of nonfiction books that have become
increasingly popular in recent years.
Some young readers
enjoy narrative nonfiction because it reads like a story. Narrative
nonfiction is ideal for biographies and books about historical events because
it has a chronological sequence structure.
Other
children are especially fond of expository literature, which takes an in-depth
look at a specific idea or concept. Because the topic is tightly focused, writers
can be more playful and innovative. They can select a format and text structure
that reflects their unique approach to the content, and they can experiment
with voice and language devices.
children are especially fond of expository literature, which takes an in-depth
look at a specific idea or concept. Because the topic is tightly focused, writers
can be more playful and innovative. They can select a format and text structure
that reflects their unique approach to the content, and they can experiment
with voice and language devices.
And
yet, many curious kids are hungry for books that provide broad overviews of
their favorite subjects. In an effort to create books that satisfy young
readers and seem more fun, some authors have begun employing techniques that
blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. The result is informational
fiction survey books.
yet, many curious kids are hungry for books that provide broad overviews of
their favorite subjects. In an effort to create books that satisfy young
readers and seem more fun, some authors have begun employing techniques that
blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. The result is informational
fiction survey books.
For
example, I, Fly: The Buzz about Flies and
How Awesome They Are by Bridget Heos features a talking fly who tells a
classroom of students all about flies.
example, I, Fly: The Buzz about Flies and
How Awesome They Are by Bridget Heos features a talking fly who tells a
classroom of students all about flies.
In
Sun: One in a Billion by Stacey
McAnulty, a sun character (with eyes, a nose and mouth, and arms), talks
directly to readers, sharing a plethora of fascinating facts.
Sun: One in a Billion by Stacey
McAnulty, a sun character (with eyes, a nose and mouth, and arms), talks
directly to readers, sharing a plethora of fascinating facts.
Truth About Bears:
Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals by Maxwell Eaton III combines
a simple, straightforward main text with information about bears and dialog
bubbles in which talking bears add humor. Many pages also include factoid
boxes.
Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals by Maxwell Eaton III combines
a simple, straightforward main text with information about bears and dialog
bubbles in which talking bears add humor. Many pages also include factoid
boxes.
Beavers: The
Superpower Field Guide by Rachel Poliquin, which is 96 pages long and intended
for a middle grade audience, is narrated by a girl who presents information to
readers in an enthusiastic, conversational voice.
Superpower Field Guide by Rachel Poliquin, which is 96 pages long and intended
for a middle grade audience, is narrated by a girl who presents information to
readers in an enthusiastic, conversational voice.
Some
educators worry that young children may be confused by this new way of presenting
true information. They wonder:
·
Will
kids mistakenly believe that an animal or inanimate object can talk and/or
experience the world in the same way as humans do?
Will
kids mistakenly believe that an animal or inanimate object can talk and/or
experience the world in the same way as humans do?
· If
children recognize that the first-person narrators are made up, will they
realize that the ideas and information are factual?
children recognize that the first-person narrators are made up, will they
realize that the ideas and information are factual?
While
understanding how kids at various age levels respond to these books may take
time, the growing interest in informational fiction survey books suggests that
we’re likely to see more of them in the future.
This article was originally published by PLOS Scicomm on April 9, 2019, but I thought it was worth publishing again here because informational fiction seems to be getting more and more popular all the time .
understanding how kids at various age levels respond to these books may take
time, the growing interest in informational fiction survey books suggests that
we’re likely to see more of them in the future.
This article was originally published by PLOS Scicomm on April 9, 2019, but I thought it was worth publishing again here because informational fiction seems to be getting more and more popular all the time .
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2 Responses
I really enjoy reading these kinds of books–they're a lot of fun. I think kids are smart enough to realize that animals don't communicate and talk the same way that humans do, and it's an interesting and engaging way to impart the information. I, Fly is one of my favorite books! It's hilarious.
I am a big fan of informational fiction, so I'm glad their popularity is on the rise. Yay!