#NF10for10 is a most wonderful time of the year! Thanks to Cathy Mere, Mandy Robek and Julie Balen, book-loving friends are sharing the joy of nonfiction picture books!
I am thrilled to participate once again and for 2016's #nf10for10, I have selected titles that I believe inspire curious minds, allow for playing with words and information. A what if...of mentor texts for "creative nonfiction". Happy Reading!
The Bear Report by Thyra Heder
This picture book is layered with information about polar bears. What I love is that it starts off with a young student, Sophie, struggling to come up with three facts for her "assignment" on polar bears. But, what if instead of assigning reports, students got to research and immerse themselves in a topic of interest? Wondering about ways to add voice into research reports? Sophie's fantasy day with a polar bear could surely inspire others.
In Sophie Scott Goes South, Alison Lester's fictional character, Sophie travels to the Antarctica. The result is another favorite model for research. This book has everything! "See the wonder of Antarctica through a child's eyes." What if... our students could use this as a model to inspire different ways to share information? Sophie includes: diary format, real photographs, illustrations, diagrams, labels, charts, info graphics, and much more.
Sandra Markle has over 200 titles for readers of all ages. Her What If You Had series is a particular favorite with younger readers. These texts are filled with interesting facts and photographs. Each two page spread explores a particular feature of an animal. One side includes the fun facts and the real animal, the other depicts what if a child had that same feature and ability. Kids laugh out loud while learning tons of new information. Great for comparing and contrasting info. Happy to add these new titles to my collection. If you want more NF joy, check out other titles by Sandra Markle.
Henry's Heart: A Boy, His Heart, and a New Best Friend by Charise Mericle Harper
Henry's Heart is an interesting hybrid text blending fiction and nonfiction. With Henry's heart personified, readers can learn about how the heart functions, experience emotion and find a book that really does touch hearts and minds.
Nicola Davies is another nonfiction mentor author who has a unique way of blending story and nonfiction. This is a great mentor text to get kids talking and questioning a subject. Davies' book also allows students to understand how one must not just find information, but rather must support ideas give reasons and and explain the whats, the whys and the wows!
I'm Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton
This is a laugh out loud picture book filled with fun facts. I used to read How to Talk to Girls as a mentor text for adding voice to How To's. I would add this title to my "stranded-on-a-desert-island -teaching-voice-in-NF text.
What if... playing with information, we added poetry to the mix? Researching a topic and writing poetry about that topic is another wonderful way for students to share what they are learning about. For that reason, I have included the following titles in this list of "creative" nonfiction.
UnBeelievables by Douglas Florian - a book of connected information and poetry.
Amazing Places is a book of poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins that explores our country's landscapes, historical, cultural and environmental landmarks. (Check out its companion, Amazing Faces.)
When the Sun Shines on Antarctica by Irene Latham is a new must-have title that will be a great mentor text to inspire poetry on any topic. Love the poetry paired with facts and illustrations to support the text.
Now You See Them, Now You Don't by Harrison and Laroche
This mixes science, the arts and poetry. Filled with extra information in the end pages this will have researchers looking for their own 'hidden' treasures.
This mixes science, the arts and poetry. Filled with extra information in the end pages this will have researchers looking for their own 'hidden' treasures.
Happy reading, researching and playing with words!
