Informational Text – Informational texts are a type of non-fiction. These types of books are typically written to inform readers about a certain topic, such as the natural or social world. However, these books are different than other types of non-fiction books because they do not include characters. This type of writing is usually found in magazines, science or history books, autobiographies, and instruction manuals. The author will likely include headers about sections, bold important vocabulary, and use visual representations.
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Floca, B. (2012). Moonshot: The flight of Apollo 11. Danbury, CT: Scholastic.
This book describes the journey of Apollo 11 through detailed descriptions and pictures. The readers can feel the roar of rockets and the silence of the moon. This is a great story that teaches children all about the take off and return during the summer of 1969. The pictures are huge and very appealing to all readers, especially children.
I would definitely use this story to teach my students about space and astronauts. Children are very intrigued by spaceships and space travel so I believe that children of all ages would love this book. This book teaches about an important event in the history of space travel and I think the book does a great job at describing the event. (Credit: Katelyn Hill)
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Harris, R. H., & Emberley, M. (Illustrator). (2008). It’s not the stork: A book about girls, boys, babies, bodies, families, and friends. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
This book addresses many different developmental stages of children’s lives, but mostly focuses on physical development and how their bodies work, change, and are different from one another. The illustrations in the book are informational and explain what is being discussed in a new way.
This book is labeled as appropriate for ages four and up, but I think it would be most relevant when kids start going through the early stages of puberty and/or just start recognizing the ways in which they are different from one another. I think this because not only does it address the ways in which your body changes, it also talks about the difference between boys and girls which is important to know once your body matures. I would not use this book in my classroom, however, I would recommend it to parents who are looking for a good reference to use when teaching their kids about sexuality. (Credit: Mallory Waker)
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Harris, R. H., & Emberley, M. (Illustrator). (2014). Its so amazing!: A book about eggs, sperm, birth, babies, and families. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
In her influential non-fiction novel, It’s So Amazing, Robie Harris gives accurate details about birth, eggs, sperm, babies, and families for children ages seven and up. This book features comic book style illustrations that fill the pages along with paragraph style writing to help lighten the subject and make it easily understandable for children. Some of the content in the book teaches children how to stay safe in unsafe situations, learn how babies are really made, the changing parts of the male and female bodies, and the many possible ways there are to become a family.
This book is labeled as appropriate for ages seven and up. Harris has been writing about sexual health for over twenty years and always makes sure to consult with experts in the field to ensure her information is accurate. While the book has faced some criticism because of its adult content, it continues to be a tool used by parents to teach their children all about the birds and the bees. (Credit: Sydney Janes)
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Koontz, R. M., & Takvorian, N. (Illustrator). (2011). Pick a perfect pumpkin: Learning about pumpkin harvests. Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books.
Pick a Perfect Pumpkin teaches the reader how pumpkins grow and how pumpkins are used in North America. It begins with the story of two children going to a pumpkin farm to pick out pumpkins. Once they arrive the farmer teaches them all about pumpkins. He teaches them how they grow, why they are a fruit, and the different ways pumpkins can be eaten.
Some students in the class may not celebrate Halloween, or even know what it is, and this book is a good introduction to teaching all about pumpkins in the United States. This book would keep the class engaged throughout the reading, and it is also good for a student to read by themselves. If some students are confused by some of the words in the book, there is glossary at the end. If students and/or teachers want to read more books similar to this one, there is a “more books to read” section. There is even an activity at the end that a child could do with their parent involving a pumpkin. This book is recommended for ages four to eight years old. (Credit: Sydney Janes)
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McDonald, J. (2016). Hello world! solar system. Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
This book is used to demonstrate the concept of the solar system to young children. It’s told in simple and clear terms and makes learning fun for children. The illustrations throughout are bright and colorful to grab kids’ attention and entertain them.
There are also engagement questions throughout that have kids point to certain planets and things of that nature to keep them interested. This would be good for grades K-2 to start learning the foundations of science and nature. (Credit to: Julia Lemmel)
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McKissack, P., & McKissack, F. (2013). Carter G. Woodson. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Elementary.
This is a children’s book for the grade levels of third to fourth. The book describes Carter G. Woodson’s upbringing, schooling experience, and career accomplishments. Carter valued his education and excelled in school, going on to earn his Ph.D. in history. He served as a principal early in his career and then went on to teach in various setting, inspiring his students to love learning and reading like he did. In 1915, now Dr. Woodson, started the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History to teach others about African American history. Dr. Woodson was passionate about informing others about African American’s accomplishments.
I think this book is inspiring to all students, especially black/African American students, because it emphasizes the value of a strong education. This book also highlights the importance of striving to achieve goals and bettering oneself in the process. There are a handful of pictures to enrich the reader’s experience and a “Words to Know” page in the back, which goes over important vocabulary from the text. This book is beneficial to use in the classroom because Dr. Carter G. Woodson can serve as a role model to students from culturally diverse backgrounds. (Credit to: Michaela Bruno)
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Stewart, M., & Bond, H. (2016). Place for frogs. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.
A Place for Frogs is a children’s nonfiction book that introduces children to all kinds of information about frogs. This includes their ecosystem, diet, mannerisms, and how they are beneficial to the habitats they exist in. In addition to the information and beautifully detailed illustrations of frogs in their habitats, and a call to action to protect wildlife, and the ecosystems of every animal.
This is a good book for an animal project, or a good book to have around during a unit on different animals, ecology, or earth day. It also might benefit an older child doing a research project of amphibians and their habitats. I would recommend this book to 1st-12th grade classrooms. (Credit: Maggie Petroski)
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Tourville, A. D. (2006). Kwanzaa: African American celebration of culture. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.
This book discusses the holiday of Kwanzaa is multiple lights. The author describes how families celebrate the holiday, what it is, how it began, the seven principles, symbols, traditions that take place during the holiday, and common gifts that are given and received. In the back, the book also provides readers with activities to do related to Kwanzaa, definitions, and a list of related books/websites.
This children’s book is appropriate for grade levels of first to third. However, because it is informational, I also think it would be good to have in classrooms for fourth to eighth graders to reference. I chose this book because I think it does a good job of teaching the main points of the holiday in short and simple sentences. I also like the way it is distinctly organized so students can easily find the section they are looking for to answer a question. I would use this book in my classroom during late December, right before the holiday takes place. It’s important for students to be aware and knowledgeable about the holidays a variety of cultures celebrate. This book is unique because it not only provides concise material on the topic, but it also provides readers with additional resources and activities to use. (Credit: Mallory Waker)
Mallory's EDT315 Semester 