Comments on: Non-Fiction for Early Readers – What’s a Parent to Do?

By: Kayla

Kayla — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:57:07 +0000

Great ideas! I am a storyteller at my local library and often the best read-aloud books are found in the non-fiction section. The kids always enjoy the books that are “real” and frequently request them at the end of story time.
Non-fiction is also a great way to encourage kids who have a hard time reading. Just like you said, let them roam and find something that interests them… even if it’s snakes, mummies, or dung beetles!
Also, a frequently overlooked fact is that most story anthologies that contain fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and fables are found in the non-fiction section.

By: Tif

Tif — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:54:23 +0000

Thanks for the great ideas!! You just made me realize that I do more with the nonfiction genre than I thought I did!! And, I love that you mentioned to let your kids roam free in the library!! Sometimes, I am surprised to see what my son in particular ends up with, but it is usually worth it!!

By: Terry Doherty

Terry Doherty — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:00:13 +0000

These are great, easy-to-remember ideas, Natasha. Misa’s point about wrapping nonfiction in story is so valuable, too.

And don’t forget, the books that teach letters, colors, buttons and snaps, texture, and identify objects are all nonfiction, too!

By: Jenn's Bookshelves

Jenn's Bookshelves — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:00:25 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly about all your suggestions. Now that my oldest is reading independently, I let him pick his own books. He is drawn more to nonfiction than to fiction, as many boys are. I definitely see him leaning more toward the DK books (who wouldn’t! I love them myself!) and to NF graphic novels.

My youngest is prereading, so I pick out his books. I’m apt to pick up books around a particular holiday or event to build upon what he’s learning in school.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Great post! Our little girl loves stories about animals and Daddy even snuck in a book about race cars. Great idea to start looking for additional non-fiction books about current interests or activities.

By: school yearbook publishers

school yearbook publishers — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:50:16 +0000

thank you for making a blog like this!

I’ve been feeling the same way as yours,for my little cousins..

keep it up! thanks again!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:42:55 +0000

My boys love the DK Eyewitness books. We own several and they are easy to find at the library because all the spines look alike. They are WAY over my boys heads, but they love to sit and examine the pictures on their own (yes, even the Bug). Sometimes I get called in to read a caption or explain something, but not often.

By: Share A Story-Shape a Future: The Nonfiction Book Hook! « The Reading Zone

Share A Story-Shape a Future: The Nonfiction Book Hook! « The Reading Zone — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:38:00 +0000

[...] Nonfiction for Early Readers- What’s a Parent to Do? at Maw Books Blog- [...]

By: Misa

Misa — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:52:33 +0000

No particular ideas ( I like what you wrote), but a book recommendation. We love Snowflake Bentley. It’s a sort of hybrid… written as fiction, but nonfiction, and dotted with lots of interesting information to talk about. We read it every winter!

By: Alison

Alison — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:54:42 +0000

I agree with all of your hints for introducing non-fiction books to my boys.

I would suggest mixing your non-fiction with your picture books. We are taking our boys to the Museum of Natural history in a few weeks. Not only did I check out some books about dinosaurs and museums, there are some wonderful story books (How To Bring Your Grandma to the Museum) that blend actual photos with illustrations in a story that the kids really love.

Remember Dr. Seuss: The more you read, the more you know…