You know what that means....
It's time for our annual #nf10for10.
If you're looking for the place to share your nonfiction picture book selections for our #nf10for10 event, you're in the right spot. I'm excited to be hosting this year's nonfiction picture book celebration! Just scroll to the bottom of the post for more information, but basically you just need to leave your link in the comments below.
This is our 8th year for this nonfiction event. I am looking forward to reading everyone's selections.
And My 2020 Selections Are...
So what does participation in #100daysofnotebooking with Michelle Hasteltine, coupled with the conversations I have been having with colleagues about supporting young writers with informational writing, and the latest blog post from Melissa Stewart about expository nonfiction text structures have me wondering? All this has me thinking about the importance of a notebook in collecting ideas and information for nonfiction writing. So...what are the books that might make a young writer want to grab a notebook for some informational writing?
Maybe these ten will get us started....
10 Books to Inspire Young Writers to Grab Their Notebook
Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate
This book might inspire some quiet observation outside or a bit of research to learn more. The book's illustrations, speech bubbles, and simple collections of information are sure to inspire the information collector. The "Bird Watching Do's and Don't's!" could easily apply to other lists of "do's and don't's." There are several other informational organization ideas presented in the pages that are sure to bring pen to paper.
Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Animal Infographics by Steve Jenkins
Oh, infographics. I love them and this book does not disappoint. Full of interesting collections of animal facts, this book is sure to inspire notebook collections. Want to web information? You'll find examples here. Want to graph findings? Yep, you'll find that too. Want to get creative with collections? Here's the place to start.
Mapping Sam by Joyce Hesselberth
Writers can do so much with mapping. Want to understand a location? Want to share your house, a park you've visited, a city, or the stars? Well, mapping is the perfect way to do that. Mapping Sam has maps to inspire your thinking.
The Presidents: Portraits of History by Leah Tinari
From the author of Limitless: 24 Remarkable American Women of Vision, Grit, and Guts comes this beautifully illustrated book. This book will inspire budding artists, fact collectors, and information enthusiasts to open their notebooks. Grab some paints, markers, or colored pencils and get started!
Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth by Kate Gardner and illustrated by Heidi Smith
For all the word collectors, Lovely Beasts is sure to get them jotting words and interesting ways to express meaning. The author weaves words with interesting facts about these lovely beasts.
Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
The end papers alone should bring out the notebooks. The author has drawn a variety of bees with a quick fact about each. These simple drawings and collections of information are sure to inspire young writers to start researching. Additionally, the book is full of other interesting ways to collect information including drawings with labels, sequence of steps (in this case for how honey is made), and so much more. Packed with possibility this book is sure to get readers to think twice about bees AND to grab their notebook.
Flying Frogs and Walking Fish by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Hmmm. I wonder if I have ever had a nonfiction list that didn't include a Steve Jenkins book. This list has two. He's the master. One of the things I love about his work is the interesting way he sorts and categorizes information. This book is a great read full of the many ways animals move, but its the last pages that I'm sure will bring out the notebooks. Jenkins and Page have quickly collected facts on different animals and the many ways they move.
Who Am I? by Tim Flach
This book is sure to inspire some quick writes in a writing notebook. In this book, Flach shares a dozen animals that are endangered. The book allows a quick peek at part of the animal, tells a bit about it, and then readers find out which animal was being highlighted as they turn the page. Writers are sure to be inspired to start to collect clues for their own "Who Am I" writing. The back of the book includes more information about why each animal is special and the reasons they have become endangered. This one is sure to get pencils flying.
Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writing by Jessica Fries-Gaither
This book highlights different scientists and the way they used their notebooks to collect information. So many possibilities....
The Hike by Alison Farrell
I'm taking a little liberty here. Isn't that what these picture book events are all about? We've all found little ways to finesse the system. This book isn't an informational text...well unless the author has taken some autobiographical liberties. Though it isn't informational, I think it could inspire some observational collecting in a writer's notebook. Mandy shared this book with me as we wandered the rows at NCTE and I fell in love with it immediately. Not only is it a great story about the delight of a hike with friends, but it also has some peeks into Wren's sketchbook at the end that are sure to inspire.
10 Nonfiction Picture Books
So what does participation in #100daysofnotebooking with Michelle Hasteltine, coupled with the conversations I have been having with colleagues about supporting young writers with informational writing, and the latest blog post from Melissa Stewart about expository nonfiction text structures have me wondering? All this has me thinking about the importance of a notebook in collecting ideas and information for nonfiction writing. So...what are the books that might make a young writer want to grab a notebook for some informational writing?
Maybe these ten will get us started....
10 Books to Inspire Young Writers to Grab Their Notebook
This book might inspire some quiet observation outside or a bit of research to learn more. The book's illustrations, speech bubbles, and simple collections of information are sure to inspire the information collector. The "Bird Watching Do's and Don't's!" could easily apply to other lists of "do's and don't's." There are several other informational organization ideas presented in the pages that are sure to bring pen to paper.
Oh, infographics. I love them and this book does not disappoint. Full of interesting collections of animal facts, this book is sure to inspire notebook collections. Want to web information? You'll find examples here. Want to graph findings? Yep, you'll find that too. Want to get creative with collections? Here's the place to start.
Writers can do so much with mapping. Want to understand a location? Want to share your house, a park you've visited, a city, or the stars? Well, mapping is the perfect way to do that. Mapping Sam has maps to inspire your thinking.
From the author of Limitless: 24 Remarkable American Women of Vision, Grit, and Guts comes this beautifully illustrated book. This book will inspire budding artists, fact collectors, and information enthusiasts to open their notebooks. Grab some paints, markers, or colored pencils and get started!
For all the word collectors, Lovely Beasts is sure to get them jotting words and interesting ways to express meaning. The author weaves words with interesting facts about these lovely beasts.
The end papers alone should bring out the notebooks. The author has drawn a variety of bees with a quick fact about each. These simple drawings and collections of information are sure to inspire young writers to start researching. Additionally, the book is full of other interesting ways to collect information including drawings with labels, sequence of steps (in this case for how honey is made), and so much more. Packed with possibility this book is sure to get readers to think twice about bees AND to grab their notebook.
Hmmm. I wonder if I have ever had a nonfiction list that didn't include a Steve Jenkins book. This list has two. He's the master. One of the things I love about his work is the interesting way he sorts and categorizes information. This book is a great read full of the many ways animals move, but its the last pages that I'm sure will bring out the notebooks. Jenkins and Page have quickly collected facts on different animals and the many ways they move.
This book is sure to inspire some quick writes in a writing notebook. In this book, Flach shares a dozen animals that are endangered. The book allows a quick peek at part of the animal, tells a bit about it, and then readers find out which animal was being highlighted as they turn the page. Writers are sure to be inspired to start to collect clues for their own "Who Am I" writing. The back of the book includes more information about why each animal is special and the reasons they have become endangered. This one is sure to get pencils flying.
This book highlights different scientists and the way they used their notebooks to collect information. So many possibilities....
I'm taking a little liberty here. Isn't that what these picture book events are all about? We've all found little ways to finesse the system. This book isn't an informational text...well unless the author has taken some autobiographical liberties. Though it isn't informational, I think it could inspire some observational collecting in a writer's notebook. Mandy shared this book with me as we wandered the rows at NCTE and I fell in love with it immediately. Not only is it a great story about the delight of a hike with friends, but it also has some peeks into Wren's sketchbook at the end that are sure to inspire.
10 Nonfiction Picture Books
In previous nonfiction events, I've shared:
- 2020....
- 2019 Ten Hybrids I Can't Live Without
- 2018 Ten Nonfiction Picture Books to Inspire Informational Writers
- 2017 Ten Nonfiction Picture Books of Promise for Our World
- 2016 Ten Nonfiction Authors I Can't Live Without
- 2015 Nonfiction Read-Aloud Favorites
- 2014 Mentor Texts for Young Nonfiction Writers
- 2013 My Top Ten Nonfiction Picture Book
Join Us
Want to join the conversation? You're in the right place. Just add your link in the comments below.
Want to join the conversation? You're in the right place. Just add your link in the comments below.
- What: 10 nonfiction picture books you can't live without.
- Hashtag: #nf10for10
- Hosts: @mandyrobek (Enjoy and Embrace Learning), @jacbalen (Connecting to Learn), @cathymere (you're here)
- Who: Anyone interested --- educators, media specialists, librarians, parents, and book lovers.
- When: Monday, February 10th (TODAY!)
- Where: All posts for 2020 will be linked right here at Reflect & Refine
