One of Pennac’s Rights of the Reader is to be able to dip in to a book! This is certainly true about non fiction titles- they don’t need to be read cover to cover or in one sitting. They can sit there and be dipped into whenever the mood strikes you. I tend to keep a few on my bedside table for those “dippable” moments. Children appreciate the options that a non fiction book offers, and these are among the best!
Factopia, Follow the trail of 400 facts by Kate Hale and Andy Smith, Published by Britannica Books
We all gravitated towards this book when it arrived, loving the colours, the facts and the bold illustrations. Follow the path from fact to fact and learn some new connected facts! The path sometimes breaks off into new branches and you can decide which to follow. The book is full of witty illustrations or photos to accompany the facts and keep children scanning and reading! Presented in such a unique way, this is not your normal book of facts. It covers plenty of subjects including space, bodies, robots and spiders but it finds connections and links them together so as you travel, you are never exactly sure what is coming on the next page. This will be very popular in classrooms around the UK!
The Deep Blue by Charlotte Guillain and Lou Baker Smith, Published by Quarto Publishing
70% of the world is made up of oceans, seas and waterways. As seen from above the Earth is gloriously blue and these oceans are vital for our planet and our survival! While reading this book I was in awe of the illustrations filling the pages. Bright use of colours and featuring plenty of familiar creatures children will be endlessly fascinated to learn more. The text is kept succinct and accessible for young readers, providing plenty of information while the focus remains on the illustrations. Featuring an index, websites and links to further research, this book offers the opportunity to discover more! There are plenty of chances to read about plastic pollution, global warming and protection of animals living in and around these waterways. An excellent book and one to be shared widely.
Ancient World Magnified by David Long and Andy Rolland, Published by Wide Eyed Editions
I love scanning the pages for details and when this book arrived with a magnifying glass, I was impressed and excited. It meant that my kids and I could find those items hidden on each page. With an almost Where’s Wally vibe, this book will keep readers entertained for hours! Using the magnifying glass allows you the chance to delve further into those ancient history details. Spanning thousands of years, this reveals some interesting views on ancient societies and peoples. There are some empires that I was unfamiliar with and was keen to know more about, most particularly, the Kingdom of Kush (800BC- 350AD) and the Xiongnu Empire (209BC-46AD). Fascinating insights and items to spot!
The Encyclopedia of Unbelievable Facts by Jane Wilsher and Louise Lockhart, Published by Quarto
This seems to be a perfect accompaniment to The Dictionary of Difficult Words (same illustrator) moving from vocabulary to facts, this pair of books would be wonderful for classrooms or home libraries. Stunning illustrations fill the pages and create a fantastic reading experience for both children and adults alike. Another different format for finding facts, this one asks a question and features a short answer underneath. Keeping to themes and subjects, it is easy to find facts and questions that peak your interest! I loved the jargon buster at the back, a fantastic new word for the glossary, making it feel very “down with the kids”!
I am a primary school teacher, turned librarian. Now I have the title Reading Advocate for ASSET Education Trust, based in Suffolk.
I read constantly and have more books than bookshelves, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I celebrate reading every day at work and at home with my two children, aged 11 and 9.
I sit on the National Executive Committee for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and run an OU/UKLA Teachers as Readers group!
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