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BOOKS OF THE WEEK
This week, our Junior Librarians, Cassie and Anoushka, have selected books from our non-fiction section.
Mrs Harvey encourages the borrowing of non-fiction books. Non-fiction books are a popular choice by many of our Grimsdell borrowers. I have written previously about the importance of non-fiction in the development a child’s literacy skills. Non-fiction underpins all other learning: comprehending non-fiction is a life skill. The reading and
sharing of non-fiction literature develops reading comprehension, builds background knowledge and develops analytical skills.
How do you encourage your child to read non-fiction if they are a reluctant non-fiction reader? I often encourage children to pair their fiction book with a non-fiction text, as this can make their enjoyment and understanding of the fiction text much richer. Competent readers make meaning from a text not only by knowing what the words mean,
but by bringing what they know of the world to the text. It’s worth noting that children are more likely to engage with a non-fiction text related to a story that they are emotionally invested in. Alternatively, go with your child’s interests. Whether it is dogs or princesses, find non-fiction books to match your child’s passions. Include ‘how to’ books such as Junk Modelling that teach them how create new and exciting items or try a science experiment book for all the budding scientists out there! We have a wide range of non-fiction books – I am sure there is something to tempt everyone!
Firstly, Cassie recommends The Solar System by Emily Bone
Cassie’s reason for her choice:
“I like to learn new things and this book teaches you all about the planets. I learned lots of new information.”
Mrs Harvey would also recommend this book – the Usborne non-fiction series provides a wide array of topics, written in a very accessible way for the age of our Grimsdell children. We have a considerable variety of Usborne non-fiction texts in our library, ranging from Volcanoes to Meerkats to The Greeks!
The Solar System by Emily Bone is an informative non-fiction book about our solar system and all that it encompasses. It is an introduction book written for children who are seven years old and older, therefore providing accessible information. I think the author easily achieves her goal of getting children interested in a world so far away with the use of vivid photographs and descriptions. The pictures and photographs are the best part of this book. They are so big, bright and colourful that any child would want to know more information about what they are
seeing. The background of each page is like the universe itself and every picture is part of the universe. She goes through how it all started and describes all the planets, how they work, our sun and the moon. For a child who is more STEM inclined or a young reader who is just curious about outer space, this is a good book to have in a nonfiction collection.
Anoushka’s choice is My first Heroes: Medicine from the Campbell series of interactive board books.
Anoushka explains her choice:
“I enjoy non-fiction books and I really like the interactive nature of this book.”
Mrs Harvey would endorse Anoushka’s choice. This interactive book encourages you to push, pull and slide the scenes to find out about some amazing doctors and nurses who have changed our world: Li Shizhen, Edward Jenner, Mary Seacole and Gertrude Elion, and to be inspired by their incredible achievements. With scenes to explore, fun
facts to learn and bright, bold illustration by Jayri Gómez, this is the perfect introduction for younger children to these awe-inspiring medical heroes.
Happy Reading!
Mrs Harvey
