Read-Aloud Resources
Non-fiction books for your realist-in-training.
Non-fiction for kids
Is your child bored by beautiful ballrooms? Tired of talking tigers? Ennervated by elephant emirs? Does he just want what's real?
Nothing wrong with that! Nonfiction is often overlooked for younger children, but many of them love it--the idea of just picking up little things to know that they didn't know before, of understanding their worlds better, of having something to tell the big people in their lives.
The books and series below are books that have worked aloud in storytimes, but they're just the tip of the iceberg.
First Step Nonfiction (series) by Call Number: See the link for catalog listing.Very simple, easy to read introductions to a number of topics, from seasons to holidays to senses to animals.If you were a-- (series) by
Call Number: See the link for catalog listing.A friendly way to look at different professions a child might imagine himself or herself being.
Rookie Read About... (series) by Call Number: See the link for catalog listing.Focusing mostly on science and related fields (with a little side trip into holidays), Rookie Read About... books are very basic, and full of great pictures.
See How They Grow (series) by Call Number: See the link for catalog listing.These books show animals growing from birth to adulthood--a great way for a little one to learn about life!
Vote! by Call Number: Easy 324.973 ChristelowUsing a campaign for mayor as an example, shows the steps involved in an election, from the candidate's speeches and rallies, to the voting booth where every vote counts, to the announcement of the winner.
Eats shoots & leaves : why, commas really do make a difference! by Call Number: 428.2 TrussThink grammar's not fun? Adult author Truss walks you and your child through punctuation with hilarious pictures of what happens when commas go astray.
If you hopped like a frog by Call Number: Easy 513.24 SchwartzIntroduces the concept of ratio by comparing what humans would be able to do if they had bodies like different animals.
There's no place like space by Call Number: Easy 520 RabeDr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat introduces Sally and Dick to the planets, stars, and moons in our universe.
Trout are made of trees by Call Number: Easy 577.16 SayreSayre's starts her book on ecology with the statement that "Trout are made of trees," then follows the food chain in a stream, and the life cycles of fish, to show that she's right--trout are made of trees, and so are a lot of other things!
Animal dads by Call Number: Easy 591.56 CollardIllustrations and simple text describe how the males of different species help take care of their young. A fun Father's Day read-aloud!
Actual Size by Call Number: Easy 591.41 JenkinsISBN: 0618375945Illustrations of animals (and animal parts) from around the world, at life size, so you can measure up!
Martin's Big words: the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Call Number: Biography KingA simple biography of the civil rights leader.
