Non fiction can be boring and difficult to read for younger children. We need to find texts which will engage the imagination. A couple of examples that combine graphic novel style with breakthrough narration and humor are below.
Two resources for finding more are :
Outstanding Science Tradebooks for Students
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction
Deadly! The truth about the most dangerous creatures on earth
A-Nicola Davies I- Neal Layton
2012, elementary grades
Illustrations are graphic with speech bubbles, labels, and colorful pictures. The very first page begins with words young readers love - stabbing, strangling, poisoning, drowning...... what a great way to catch attention. The text has technical vocabulary sprinkled in between some household words making this a read aloud for young elementary but a fourth grader should be comfortable with this text. A great resource for science classes or as a read aloud to start a unit on predators and adaptations for protection.
A-Nicola Davies I- Neal Layton
2012, elementary grades
Illustrations are graphic with speech bubbles, labels, and colorful pictures. The very first page begins with words young readers love - stabbing, strangling, poisoning, drowning...... what a great way to catch attention. The text has technical vocabulary sprinkled in between some household words making this a read aloud for young elementary but a fourth grader should be comfortable with this text. A great resource for science classes or as a read aloud to start a unit on predators and adaptations for protection.
Junior Genius Guides
A- Ken Jennings I- Mike Lowery
2014, older elementary to middle school
A combination of graphic novel illustrations mixed with expository text but sprinkled in is some narration.
Along with factual information about presidencies there are true but humorous trivia items. This text is one of a series of four non fiction titles. All of the presidents are included along with a black and white illustration of each. Written with spoken language forms and literary language, the fourth grade student will enjoy reading this book as the spoken language forms help to make the wordy text readable. They will laugh outloud at some of the trivia presented. In an election year or as a regular Social Studies resource, this book is much more accessible for this age then the typical government reads available. The concept of branches of government is very abstract, the memebrs of our government, and trying to understand the process of making laws is very cumbersome for our 9-12 year olds. This book makes the presidents of our country transparent for students and may support them in becoming more critical in considering who makes a worthy president. Reading this book can be used as a tool to evaluate great presidents and their qualifications therefore giving these readers the ability to become more active in the electoral process. What we know we fear less and we are more active participants. In the present condition of our government this is very important.
A- Ken Jennings I- Mike Lowery
2014, older elementary to middle school
A combination of graphic novel illustrations mixed with expository text but sprinkled in is some narration.
Along with factual information about presidencies there are true but humorous trivia items. This text is one of a series of four non fiction titles. All of the presidents are included along with a black and white illustration of each. Written with spoken language forms and literary language, the fourth grade student will enjoy reading this book as the spoken language forms help to make the wordy text readable. They will laugh outloud at some of the trivia presented. In an election year or as a regular Social Studies resource, this book is much more accessible for this age then the typical government reads available. The concept of branches of government is very abstract, the memebrs of our government, and trying to understand the process of making laws is very cumbersome for our 9-12 year olds. This book makes the presidents of our country transparent for students and may support them in becoming more critical in considering who makes a worthy president. Reading this book can be used as a tool to evaluate great presidents and their qualifications therefore giving these readers the ability to become more active in the electoral process. What we know we fear less and we are more active participants. In the present condition of our government this is very important.