Guest Blogger Rachael Walker is the Outreach Consultant for Reading Rockets, a national multimedia initiative which aims to inform and inspire parents, teachers, childcare providers, and others who touch the life of a child by providing comprehensive, accessible information on how to teach kids to read and help those who struggle. Rachael began her career in children’s literacy at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), has also served as a consultant to the NEA’s Read Across America campaign, and was most recently the Executive Director of Reach Out and Read of Metro DC.

At my son’s elementary school, I’m known to some as Princess Rita Alot, to others, the Book Fairy.  While out shopping, I’ve been recognized as “the space alien who came to school.”  I like to dress up! School book fairs and library nights have given me many opportunities to have fun with favorite themes and characters.

I’m realizing now though that I’ve been very limited in my costume choices, neglecting the wondrous world of nonfiction. So Science Fair, here I come—in my late 19^th century dress with a vial of (pretend) radium and Kathleen Krull’s biography of Marie Curie.

How did I lose track of so many great nonfiction opportunities?  As a parent, I don’t think I’m alone.  When my kids were younger, we read a lot about shapes, colors, animals and then trains.  Lots and lots of books about trains.  Which is normal. As children get older, their interest in specialized information grows stronger.  The trick I think is to remember to keep introducing potential new interests so that you don’t wander away from nonfiction all together just because you’ve exhausted (or been exhausted by) one favorite subject.

Reading Rockets has some interesting resources and activities for engaging in nonfiction reading.  The Family Literacy Bags which pair a set of theme-based fiction and nonfiction books and related interactive activities are great to encourage reading at home and support the role of parents as educators.  Sleep is the newest themed bag and wonderful to share during cold winter weather.

The Family Literacy Bags also offer these tips for reading nonfiction books with kids:

• Wonder out loud. As you are reading, or afterward, talk about facts you find interesting or questions you have.
• Show your child how to use the table of contents, section headings, index, and word list (glossary) to find the answer to a specific question.
• Don’t be afraid to jump around, reading pages that especially interest your child. You don’t have to read a nonfiction book straight through.

If you’re unsure of where to start with nonfiction, this Quick Guide to Selecting Great Informational Books for Young Children will give you a very thorough introduction.  But if you have nonfiction fans in your house, they might enjoy learning more about how these kinds of books are made.  These video interviews with Gail Gibbons, Seymour Simon and George Ancona will give curious minds even more to think about.

And make sure those costume baskets have lab coats as well as crowns and wands!