INFORMATIONAL

BOOKS
By: Kelsey Kennedy, Kelly Baucom, Liza Karras and George Merryman

Definition
An informational text is.
Subgenre of nonfiction
Mostly science/social studies
Factual information that can be verified
Caters to multi-fasted teaching
Applicable for every subject and content area
magic school bus is informational text; because everything in those
pages are all sorts of little sticky notes of different facts; so its a
method to get that concept across

Characteristics
Graphic elements include:
Diagrams
Pictures
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect

Use of timeless verbs and generic nouns

Example: birds eats insects vs. bird is eating an insect

No characters
Topically based: typically feature short titles
Might include components such
Table of contents
Bold or italicized vocabulary words

Purpose of Informational
Texts
To inform the reader about a specific concept
To enhance natural curiosity
Expand vocabulary

Notable Authors
Joanna Cole
-American author of childrens informational
books
-Most famous for her TheMagic School
Busseries
-Has written over 250 books, all classified as
either non-fiction or informational texts
-all books have been named Outstanding
Science Trade Books for Children
-Golden Kite Honor Book Award
-Irma Simonton Black Award for Excellence
-IRA/CBC Childrens Choice Award
-Eva L. Gordon Award
-Washington Post/Childrens Book Guild Award

Some of her most

famous titles include:
The Magic School Bus:
Inside the Human Body
The Magic School Bus:
Lost in the Solar
System
Cockroaches
Giraffes at Home
A Chick Hatches

Annotated Bibliography:
The Magic School Bus Explores the
Senses

Cole, J. (1999).The Magic School Bus Explores the Senses. New York, NY:
Scholastic Inc.
This book, part of The Magic School Bus series, utilizes familiar and
relatable characters to relay information about the five senses: taste,
touch, smell, sight and sound. Throughout this book, many facts are
presented about the five senses in a fun and interesting way. This book is
meant to teach children about the five senses while still capturing their
attention and allowing them to enjoy learning about this topic. Cole uses a
quirky teacher to present this information which allows the reader to
understand the context of the topic and why they should be knowledgeable
about it. There are also little blurbs throughout the book that give the reader
little tidbits of factual information to the reader
without overwhelming the
reader while he or she is reading the main text.

Notable Authors
Seymour Simon
-American author of scientific informational
books
-Has written over 250 books, all classified as
informational books
-Named the dean of childrens science writers
by the New York Times
-American Association for the Advancement of
Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award
-New York State Knickerbocker Award for
Juvenile Literature
-Washington Post/Childrens Book Guild Award
-Jeremiah Ludington Award
-Empire State Award

Some of his most

famous titles include:
Animals Nobody Loves
Out Solar System
Super Storms
Danger! Volcanoes
The Brain

Annotated Bibliography: Horses

Simon, S. (2006).Horses. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
This book is one of Seymour Simons many informational books about
animals. This particular book focuses on horses. Throughout the book, the
habitat, lifecycle and traits of horses are discussed. This book also features
exceptional photography which makes it a good choice for children
because even if the reader is not yet literate, he or she can take
interest
in the book based on its photographs. This book is very informative and
gives a relatively detailed account about horses and how they exist and
interact with each other. This book would be enjoyable for both children
and adults because of the interesting information and aesthetically
pleasing images. This is a good example of
an informational book
because Seymour Simon is able to present
relatively basic information in
an interesting and enjoyable manner.

Notable Authors
Nic Bishop
-English born author of historic and scientific
informational books
-Has written over 60 books for children
-Also a critically acclaimed photographer
-Most famous for his Nic Bishop: Animals series
-Three-time recipient of the American Library
Associations Robert F. Sibert Honor Award
-Orbus Pictus Award
-Two-time recipient of the Orbis Pictus Honor
Award
-Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Some of his most

famous titles include:
Nic Bishop: Frogs
Nic Bishop: Marsupials
Backyard Detective:
Critters Up Close
The Secrets of Animal
Flight
Look Out, Butterfly!

Annotated Bibliography: Lizards

Bishop, N. (2010).Lizards. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
This book, part of the Nic Bishop: Animals series, describes the lifecycle
and lifestyle of lizards in detail. What is interesting about this book is that
Bishop is able to convey very detailed information about the subject
without making the book too difficult for children to digest and enjoy. This
book also features Bishops own photography which makes Bishop all the
more credible as a source. The photographs featured in this book are
exquisite and would absolutely capture the attention of a child. These
images are crucial in an informational childrens book for two
reasons.
First, photographs serve to solidify the information that is being presented
via text and help the reader understand what is being said. Second,
photographs serve to grab the attention of the reader and increase his or
her interest in the topic.

Notable Authors
Gail Gibbons
-American author of childrens non-fiction and
informational books
-Also noted in the field of graphic design
-Writes and illustrates childrens books
-American Institute of Graphic Arts Award
-National Science Teachers
Association/Childrens Book Council Award
-American Library Association Notable Book
Award
-Childrens Book Guild Award
-International Reading Association Childrens
Choice Award

Some of her most

famous titles include:
The Pumpkin Book
The Moon Book
The Vegetables We Eat
How a House is Built
The Reasons for
Seasons

Annotated Bibliography: Apples

Gibbons, G. (2000).Apples. New York, NY: Holiday House.
This book tells the story of apples: how the fruit came to America, the
different types of the fruit and how apples grow. This book is a perfect
example of childrens informational literature because it includes a
simplified, yet thorough description of a factual topic. This book would be a
good option for a young reader because there is not an abundance of text
on each page, therefore the reader would not get overwhelmed. In addition,
this particular book includes accurate yet non-threatening illustrations
which are very appropriate for a childrens
informational book.
Throughout this text, there are labeled diagrams that
demonstrate the
different parts of the apple and what their functions are. One of the most
notable focal points of this text is the inclusion of factual blurbs throughout
the book that define the important words included in the text; these serve
to expand the readers vocabulary.

Notable Authors
Lynn Curlee
-American author of historic and informational
books
-Has written 13 award-winning informational
books for older children
-writes and illustrates childrens books and
adult books
-Also a critically acclaimed artist and painter
-Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Boom
Award

Some of his most

famous titles include:
Brooklyn Bridge
Liberty
Ships of the Air
Capital
Trains

Annotated Bibliography:
Curlee, L. (1999).Rushmore. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
This book is an informational book about Mt. Rushmore that includes how
Mt. Rushmore was built, why it was built and why it is important and
significant to American culture. Although most informational books do not
include a narrative, Curlee uses personal experience to inform his readers
about Mt. Rushmore. This is an interesting informative tactic that
Curlee
utilized very often in his informational publications, Curlee writes
about
subjects, places and things that he is very knowledgeable on
personally in
order to add a level of depth and credibility to his writing. In addition, Curlee
uses his own illustrations in every book that he publishes
which includes
a personal and sincere touch to every book that he writes and proves that
he truly cares about the subject matter that he is writing about. Curlee
considers himself an artist, not just an author which is why his books
resemble works of art.

Notable Authors
Susan Meyers
-American author of childrens informational
books and adult fiction and non-fiction books
-Writes short informational books for young
children as well as longer bools for adults
-Fun fact: she informally goes by the name
Randy
-Currently works as a writer and blogger for the
Huffington Post
-Gavel Awards Certificate of Merit
-National Science Teachers
Association/Children's Book Council Award

Some of her most

famous titles include:
Puppies! Puppies!
Puppies!
Everywhere Babies
Kittens! Kittens! Kittens!
The Truth About Gorillas
Insect Zoo

Annotated Bibliography: Tarantulas

Meyers, S. (2008).Tarantulas!Orlando, FL: Harcourt Achieve.
This book is a very simple example of an informational text. There are
only 16 pages in the book and the information included is very basic.
However, this text is a good example of an informational book that would be
appropriate for very young readers. This book discusses the subject matter
in very simplistic and basic terms, however, these are the
terms that
would be able to be understood by young children
(Preschool and
Kindergarten level readers). This type of informational
text also serves to
introduce children to the idea of a book that exists
with the primary
purpose of teaching the reader about the subject at hand instead of
existing for the purpose of entertainment. This book also
includes a
glossary which is a very common addition that is included in
informational books. This is important to note considering the fact that
informational books are essentially miniature text books.

Criteria for Selecting a Good

Book

Attractive design

Needs to be visually appealing to engage the students attention

This includes cover and content pages

Illustrations
Use of colorful and engaging images and pictures

Detail-Orientated
Little-known facts are details that create images that stir up interest and
provide a starting point for greater understanding

Accuracy
Must contain facts
Credible references

Tarantula KWL Activity

KWL Activity (Know, Want to Know, Learned)
With your group make three columns on your paper labeled K,
W and L
Write what you know about Tarantulas
Write what you want to know about Tarantulas
Read-Aloud about Tarantulas
Write what you learned about Tarantulas
Demonstrates importance of informational books

Works Cited
About Seymour Simon (2015). InSeymourSimon.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015, from
://www.seymoursimon.com/index.php/about_seymour_simon/bio/

http

Biography: Joanna Cole (2015). InScholastic.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015, from http://
www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/joanna-cole-0
Bishop, N. (2015). Nic Bishop: About Me. Innicbishop.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015, from http://
www.nicbishop.com/about-me.html
College of Education and Human Development. (2003). Retrieved November 17, 2015,
from https://umaine.edu/edhd/about-the-college/professionals/mels/correllbook-award/what-is-informational-text/
Duke, N. (2003). Information Books in Early Childhood. Retrieved November 12, 2015,
from https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200303/InformationBooks.pdf
Gail Gibbons in Her Own Words (2012, March 29). Ingailgibbons.com. Retrieved November
2015, from http://www.gailgibbons.com/

17,

Informational Books In Early Childhood. (2003). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from
https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200303/InformationBooks.pdf
Lynn Curlee: Bio (2015). Incurleeart.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015, from
www.curleeart.com/bio.php

http://

Meyers, R. S. (2015). About Randy. Inrandysusanmeyers.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015, from
http://www.randysusanmeyers.com/bio/