Information texts are a core part of any book collection. There is clear evidence that some children, who are often boys, are more drawn to information texts than to storybooks. Although it isn't helpful to generalise, it is useful to consider why this may be the case.
Young boys often prefer to gather facts and information from books as part of their own quest to make sense of the world around them. They seek to find out 'why things happen' and 'how things work' and are often drawn to books which support their play themes, such as 'monsters', 'diggers and dumpers' or trains, cars and planes. The knowledge they gather helps them feel safe and offers the security that girls often find in storybooks.
The role of the practitioner
As with fictional books, information texts should be of a high quality.
Children want easy access to books that interest them and help them to find out more about a topic that fascinates them. They need the support of interested, empathetic practitioners who support their search for facts.
The adults do not need to know all the answers, but they do need to know which sort of books contain the information that will support individual children's current interests and learning needs. Children who are keen on specific themes may be satisfied with general information about the topic, but they will often want specialised questions answered. A child who is passionate about ships may become extremely curious about the Titanic and gather facts about the names of ships that came to the rescue. This, in turn, may lead to a desire to find out information which may seem trivial to adults, such as how many funnels each ship had!
It is important to have a selection of books readily available for adults and children to explore together. These books may have been written with older children, or even adults in mind - but information texts are designed to be dipped in to, not read from cover to cover. These books often have more detailed illustrations and photographs which enthral children and give as much information as the text.
Topics
Book collections should include books to support individual children's interests and also a wide range of information texts about topics that commonly appeal to young children. These will include: pets, wild animals, diggers and dumpers, farm animals, sea life, growing, houses, trees and plants, insects, babies, cars, dinosaurs, families, hospitals, emergency services, machines, trains and boats. Information texts may also support practitioners wishing to explore areas such as colours, shapes, opposites, measures, materials or the alphabet.
Information texts shouldn't stay on bookshelves. It is important to encourage children to use books to support their learning throughout the setting. This will encourage children who would not generally choose to spend time in the book area or dip into books independently. Texts about builders and buildings in the construction area, or cars and lorries near to a road mat, will be as well used as ones about fish next to the goldfish tank or about mini-beasts, trees or plants in the outdoor area.
Although some information texts are unique, publishers often produce whole series that are worth investigating, and this is true of many of the recommended books here, which are marked with an asterisk*.
Judith Stevens is early years adviser at Lewisham Education Recommended core titles
Look out for other books by these authors
Touch and Feel Clothes
(Dorling Kindersley 4.99)*
A is for Africa
by Ifeoma Onyefulu
(Frances Lincoln 5.99)*
A Seed in Need
by Sam Godwin
(Hodder Wayland 6.99)*
From Egg to Chicken
by Gerald Legg
(Franklin Watts 4.99)*
Are Eggs Square?
(Dorling Kindersley 4.99)*
Big Yellow Trucks and Diggers
(Caterpillar 4.99)*
Duck
by Barrie Watts
(Dorling Kindersley 5.99)*
Fruit
by P M Valet
(Moonlight Publishing 4.79)*
Safari Animals
by Paul Hess
(Zero to Ten 5.99)*
Are you a Butterfly?
by Judy Allen
(Kingfisher Books 3.99)
Other titles to consider
* Families by Debbie Bailey (Annick Press 9.99)
* Animal Homes by D Martin (Usbourne 7.99)*
* All Kinds of Bodies by Emma Brownjohn (9.99)
* Polar Bears by Timothy Levi Biel (Wildlife Education 1.99)*
* Whales by Ned Seidler (National Geographic Books 10.95)
* Butterfly by Arthur John L'Hommedieu (Child's Play 3.99)*
* Going to the Doctor by A Civardi (Usbourne 3.99)*
* Boats, Planes and Trains (Macmillan 5.99)*
* Shape by Henry Pluckrose (Franklin Watts 4.99)
* More Bugs? Less Bugs? by Don Curry 12.99
