Once
upon a time, it was boring and stodgy and matter-of-fact, but today’s
nonfiction books MUST delight as well as inform young readers, and nonfiction
authors have risen to the challenge. The books they’re creating feature
engaging text, often with a strong voice, as well as dynamic art and design.
Just as there are two
distinct kinds of narrative nonfiction, there are two types of expository
nonfiction. Facts-plus books focus on facts as well as overarching ideas.
In other words, they present facts and explain them.
Fast-fact books focus on
sharing cool facts. Period. They inform, and that’s all. These are the concise,
fact-filled books that groups of boys love to read together and discuss.
Some people don’t have a very high opinion of
fast-fact books, and to be sure, they don’t build reading stamina or critical
thinking skills, but they do motivate many reluctant readers to pick up a book,
and IMHO that alone makes them worthwhile.
Why do students need to be exposed to a diverse array of
expository texts? Because it’s the style of nonfiction they’ll be asked to
write most frequently throughout their school careers and in their future jobs.
Whether they’re working on a report, a thesis, a business proposal, or even a
company newsletter, they’ll need to know how to summarize information and
synthesize ideas in a way that is clear, logical, and interesting to their
readers. Today’s expository children’s literature makes ideal mentor texts for
modeling these skills.
Here are some great books in each
expository nonfiction category:
Facts
Plus
A Black Hole Is Not a Hole
by
Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
Born to
Be Giants: How Baby Dinosaurs Grew to Rule the World by Lita Judge
Bugged:
How Insects Changed History by Sarah Albee
Eye to Eye by Steve Jenkins
Feathers: Not Just for Flying by
Melissa Stewart
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes by Nicola Davies
Fast
Facts
Animal Grossapedia by Melissa Stewart
Eyewitness Books
Guinness Book of World Records
Time for Kids Big Book of Why
Posts
Melissa, thanks so much for this post! I have three sons who, fortunately, all love to read. While my younger two do revel in fiction stories, my oldest has always been drawn to these expository books you describe. He will spend hours poring through these fact filled books and I am so grateful. He does read some fiction, but these books will always be welcome in our house!
ReplyDeleteNicely said - This was clear and easy to use with kids to help them understand the two types of expository writing. Thanks
ReplyDeleteSome children really seem to prefer expository writing--fast facts and facts plus. And I agree, Debra, that's great!
ReplyDeleteGlad it worked well for you, Joanne.
ReplyDelete