Update June 24, 2024: My thinking about nonfiction classification has evolved considerably since I wrote this post, but I’ve decided not to delete it because there’s value in looking back at my past ideas. For my current thinking, please see the book 5 Kinds of Nonfiction as well as information on my website.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you
know that I think most (if not all) nonfiction for children can be divided into
four broad categories—survey books, specialized nonfiction, concept books, and
life stories. For more information about the first three categories, go to the
List of Topics in the gray column to the right, scroll down to Nonfiction Categories,
and read some of my past posts.
know that I think most (if not all) nonfiction for children can be divided into
four broad categories—survey books, specialized nonfiction, concept books, and
life stories. For more information about the first three categories, go to the
List of Topics in the gray column to the right, scroll down to Nonfiction Categories,
and read some of my past posts.
Today I’m rethinking
the fourth category—life stories.
the fourth category—life stories.
In the past, I’ve
defined life story as a book about a
person’s life. I’ve included “cradle to grave”
biographies, partial or episodic biographies that focus on a pivotal event
or period in a person’s life, autobiographies/ memoirs, and collective
biographies that feature many different people.
defined life story as a book about a
person’s life. I’ve included “cradle to grave”
biographies, partial or episodic biographies that focus on a pivotal event
or period in a person’s life, autobiographies/ memoirs, and collective
biographies that feature many different people.
But recently, I read an
advance copy of a wonderful picture book that made me revise my definition to “an
account of a life.” Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari (due out July 16, 2016) is as much a life story
as any picture book biography I’ve ever read. And it made me realize
that books like Hip-pocket Papa and A Mother’s Journey by Sandra Markle, Bat Loves the Night and One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies, and
The Bumblebee Queen by April Pulley Sayre are too.
advance copy of a wonderful picture book that made me revise my definition to “an
account of a life.” Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari (due out July 16, 2016) is as much a life story
as any picture book biography I’ve ever read. And it made me realize
that books like Hip-pocket Papa and A Mother’s Journey by Sandra Markle, Bat Loves the Night and One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies, and
The Bumblebee Queen by April Pulley Sayre are too.
Coyote Moon describes
the nighttime adventures of a caring mother coyote in search of food for her
family. As such, I consider it an episodic life story, similar to Ballet for Martha by Jan Greenberg and
Sandra Jordan, Brave Girl by Michelle Markel, and When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan.
the nighttime adventures of a caring mother coyote in search of food for her
family. As such, I consider it an episodic life story, similar to Ballet for Martha by Jan Greenberg and
Sandra Jordan, Brave Girl by Michelle Markel, and When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan.
It’s amazing to me that even
though I’ve been thinking and blogging about nonfiction classification for more
than 5 years now, I’m still having new insights. I think it’s because this is
such an exciting time for nonfiction. Authors are constantly innovating and
enriching the genre. I’m excited to see what they come up with next.
though I’ve been thinking and blogging about nonfiction classification for more
than 5 years now, I’m still having new insights. I think it’s because this is
such an exciting time for nonfiction. Authors are constantly innovating and
enriching the genre. I’m excited to see what they come up with next.
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2 Responses
First of all, thank you so much for featuring Coyote Moon on your blog–it means so much to me to be mentioned, especially in the company of these amazing nature writers. Bat Loves the Night is one of my all-time favorite books!
I wholeheartedly agree–I feel like even though the focus is on nature, and a creature in the natural world, I am above all telling a story, and the creature is the main character, in this case the coyote mother. And all of these writers have served as mentors for me through their varied works.
I also agree–it's a very exciting time for writing, and reading nonfiction!
Thank you again, Melissa 🙂
Fantastic post! I love, love, LOVE the cover of COYOTE MOON and I have been fortunate to see an advanced copy as well and I agree, COYOTE MOON is a fantastic book. The text is poetic and the artwork is amazing. It is a great addition to the nonfiction genre! I'll have to check out the other books you mention!