Extraordinary Informational Picture Book Power (Part 5)

Read to Child 11 11 2014

“I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”― Albert Einstein

This is the final blog on the eight factors for evaluating informational picture books. These factors include:

  1. Both the text and the illustrations should explain the information clearly. They should be interesting, stimulating and entertaining.
  2. It should be clear from the beginning what topic the book covers.
  3. The author should inform the reader exactly what the book facts include. Stereotypes must not be presented.
  4. The book’s facts or concepts should be accurate.
  5. The author should give a clear overview of the subject material.
  6. The informational book’s content should appeal to a wide age range.
  7. Books about special interest to a small percentage of the student population, along with those of interest to a large percentage of students should also be included.
  8. The format (layout) of the book should be both attractive and readable.

Today I want to talk about the final two factors above. Factor seven and factor eight …

Factor Seven – Books about special interest to a small part of the student population, along with books of interest to a large part of the student population should also be included …

As children grow, they will likely choose informational picture books for recreational reading. They will each cultivate their own interests, habits and focus. Moreover, they will begin to favor their own authors, illustrators and genres.

It is the teacher and librarian who do an excellent job providing examples of books satisfying a student’s special interest and also providing examples of books that are popular with a large percentage of students.

Factor Eight – The informational book’s content should appeal to a wide age range …

Author Patricia J. Cianciolo, explains that,” in most cases a child’s ‘reading achievement level’ (determined by reading achievement scores or grade placement) or even the ‘readability level’ of a specific book (determined by a readability formula or recommendation by the publisher, a curriculum specialist, or a book reviewer) has little or no bearing on whether or not a particular book will be interesting or appealing to children.” Cianciolo continues and states, “It is well to keep in mind that children are quite capable of comprehending expository and narrative and poetic writing at a higher level when they listen to it read aloud to them than when they read it independently.” So don’t be afraid to introduce and use books for your students at a higher readability level than what they are currently reading!

Related Posts

Extraordinary Informational Picture Book Power (Part 4) (November 6, 2014)https://www.kobeemanatee.com/extraordinary-informational-picture-book-power-part-4/

Extraordinary Informational Picture Book Power (Part 3) (November 3, 2014)https://www.kobeemanatee.com/extraordinary-informational-picture-book-power-part-3/

Extraordinary Informational Picture Book Power (Part 2) (October 30, 2014)https://www.kobeemanatee.com/extraordinary-informational-picture-book-power-part-2/

Extraordinary Informational Picture Book Power (Part 1) (October 16, 2014)https://www.kobeemanatee.com/extraordinary-informational-picture-book-power-part-1/

How Children Benefit from Informational Picture Books (July 25, 2014)https://www.kobeemanatee.com/how-children-benefit-from-informational-picture-books/

~ Robert Scott Thayer