Information books are an essential part of any book collection. There is growing evidence that some children, in particular boys, may be more drawn to information texts than to storybooks. Although it isn't useful to stereotype children, we do need to consider why so many boys choose information texts rather than stories. Many young boys prefer to gather facts and information in their quest to make sense of the world. Finding out about 'how things work' seems to be more satisfying to them. The knowledge makes them feel safe and offers them the security that many girls find in stories.
Personal interest
It is important that information books are of high quality. Children turn to information books that interest them. They want adults to help them find out more about a topic about which they are passionate. A child who is interested in dinosaurs will often know the names of the creatures but may want to have specific questions answered - how long was the dinosaur? What did it eat? Where did it live? Adults won't have all the answers. So, it is important to have a collection of books to dip into together. These books may sometimes have been written with older children in mind, but information texts are designed to be explored, they do not have to be read from start to finish! Often these books contain exciting illustrations which give as much useful information as the text.
Common appeal
Book collections should include a wide range of information texts that commonly appeal to children. In addition, practitioners should seek out books that appeal to individual children. For example, children may have specific interests in Egyptian mummies or the 'Titanic'. I was once asked the names of the ships that had rescued the survivors from the doomed liner and how many funnels they all had! Don't forget that a good selection of story books and information texts, complemented by topic books from the local library will complete any book collection.
Information series
Publishers often produce series of information texts, for example:
* Heinemann produces a series that focuses on questions, What do Wheels and Cranks do? by David Glover (4.99). The books use a combination of colourful photographs and humorous line drawings. They contain 'fact boxes', a clear index and a glossary that could be very supportive to practitioners. Topics include screws, springs and pulleys.
* The 'What is?' series (Heinemann, 4.50) explores the properties of materials. Clear colour photographs and simple explanatory text show the characteristics of different properties and show how they are used in everyday life. Titles include Squashy, Shiny and Sticky.
* The 'Look Inside' series by Catherine Chambers (Heinemann, 4.99) gives children an insight into the interiors of items such as telephones, computers and personal stereos and make fascinating reading.
* Stopwatch books (A&C Black, 4.50) are information texts about a wide range of living things including butterflies, snails and frogs. Ladybird has exceptional photographs and gives lots of detail in a simple format. The series of smaller photographs included at the back of the book invite the child to retell the book.
* The Threads series (A&C Black, 3.99) contain a lot of text and the photographs are very good. Topics include eggs, milk, water and wood.
* Lorenz Books produces a wide selection of books that use high quality colour photographs to good effect. Titles include Diggers, Wild Animals, Colours, Clothes and Toys (2.99 each). Fruit (2.99) shows how fruits are grown and where they come from.
* The First Discovery series (Moonlight, 6.99) are an exciting set of books. Each book uses transparent sheets in imaginative ways, for example to show the reader the inside and outside of an object. The text is simple, but very informative. The illustrations are colourful, bright and accurate. The Elephant offers children far more detail than most books about wild animals. For example there are illustrations of elephants 'saying hello with their trunks'.
* Kingscourt produces several excellent information texts in big book format. Caterpillar Diary (17.95) gives children early opportunities to use a simplified contents list and index. The children can see the development of the caterpillar from a tiny egg to a moth. The close-up photographs clearly illustrate every stage of development.
* Another excellent big book is Special Clothes (Heinemann, 12.99). There is just one simple question on each page, for example, 'what does a firefighter wear?' The excellent photographs are multicultural and challenge stereotypes.
