Seymour Simon

ages 5- 12+
The nonfiction books in my classroom library were always the first ones to fall apart and need frequent repair. My students never let them sit on the shelf unnoticed for very long, especially the boys. Kids are fascinated by the content and pictures in nonfiction books, and so many nonfiction picture books are forgotten and under-used by parents and teachers. Seymour Simon has had an amazingly long and successful career as a nonfiction children's author. He has written 250 books for kids on a wide range of science topics. Some of his books are illustrated, but my favorites are the photography books. He uses pictures that are large, colorful, descriptive, and breath-takingly beautiful. All of his books are thorough, accurate, and well-written for kids. He writes about everything from animals to the human brain. I would especially recommend these books for a reluctant boy reader. However, be aware that these are not simple books to expect them to read on their own. The vocabulary is sophisticated, and nonfiction books are written in different styles and formats than fiction. These books are a great motivational tool to help their interest in reading stay high. Be sure to read to or with your beginning or reluctant reader so they don't get lost or frustrated. Go check out a stack of these books from the library and enjoy being fascinated along with your kids.

My Favorites From Seymour Simon:
Any topic your child is interested in learning about is a good one to pick up and read!

Check Out His Website:
www.seymourscience.com

Gail Gibbons

ages 3-10+
I am a huge fan of Gail Gibbons because she makes nonfiction accessible to the very young. Children of all ages love hearing about how the world works but it can often be difficult to find a book to read to a 3-year-old that they can understand and still uses sophisticated vocabulary. Gail has mastered this area. She has published over 130 picture books on almost every nonfiction topic imaginable. She explains plants, animals, ecosystems, weather, inventions, space, holidays, seasons, occupations, locations, and the list goes on. Her books are illustrated by her clear, colorful and child-friendly artwork.
Hearing and reading nonfiction books helps kids get used to the unique features of this genre. It is crucial that children start being exposed to these types of books at a young age. Point out some of these differences as you read with your child. For example, discuss why some of the words are in bold type, some of the pictures are labeled with words and that some of the pictures have captions explaining what is being shown. Your child will quickly internalize the elements of nonfiction and begin to use them in their own reading experiences.

My Favorites By Gail Gibbons:
Apples
Christmas Is...
Frogs
From Seed to Plant
Halloween
Monarch Butterfly
Penguins
Polar Bears
Pumpkins
Sea Turtles
Stargazers
The Moon Book
The Honey Makers
(But really I highly recommend them all!)

Check Out Her Website:
www.gailgibbons.com