LitLinks: Children love nonfiction. Let’s give them what they want.

BY PATRICIA NEWMAN

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I presented a session on children’s nonfiction at the American Library Association’s annual conference in San Diego, California in June. Together with co-presenters Danielle Sachdeva, an Associate Professor at the University of North Georgia, and Claire Covington, a former librarian and lecturer at Old Dominion University, we shared three unique perspectives on children’s nonfiction books that blended scholarly research, information about the nonfiction book market, and practical solutions for showcasing nonfiction in libraries.

Children’s nonfiction and reading engagement

We summarized the Science of Reading research, especially the positive association between engagement and reading competence (Guthrie and Wigfield, 2000), suggesting engaged readers are stronger readers. Then considered how we increase engagement.

Because research shows that many readers prefer nonfiction books (Pappas, 1993; Mohr, 2006), nonfiction can be used to increase engagement. Nonfiction also helps children build their background knowledge, increase their vocabulary, make connections, and practice reading skills.

Tips for sharing children’s nonfiction

According to Heather Simpson, Chief Program Officer at Room to Read, “Children want their nonfiction books. Adults may be their barriers.”

Perhaps some of the following tips and the activities below will help you look at today’s beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated nonfiction in a different light:

• Read nonfiction aloud. Encourage children to ask questions and wonder as you read.
• Help the children in your life discover the kind of nonfiction they like to read. Did you know there are five kinds? Active. Browseable. Traditional. Expository. Narrative. This article will get you started.
• Ask childen to book talk the recent nonfiction books they’ve read.
• Start a nonfiction book club.
• Try the activitiese below to engage children before/during/after reading a nonfiction title.

Activities for engaging kids with children’s nonfiction

There are many more activities for nonfiction books like the ones above on LitLinks. Please feel free to browse by grade level in the POST CATEGORIES search box to the right.

Happy summer!

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