Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - a hybrid series 4.26.17


Every Wednesday I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other
kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.
The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 
with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.

I really like hybrid books - fiction books that are infused with nonfiction facts.  While not true nonfiction - and be careful to not label them that in your library - it can be a way to get students who have a nonfiction aversion to dip their toes in.  I would recommend giving students background on these books.  Teach them how to read them.  Teach them how to figure out fact from fiction.  Teach them not to take everything as fact.  And expose them to other great nonfiction :)

This series is in the graphic novel section at my library, but I like how facts are added into the story.  I can see them being a hit with young readers.

Mad Scientist Academy:  The Dinosaur Disaster
Mad Scientist Academy: The Dinosaur Disaster
by Matthew McElligott
"Students" go to their new school - the Mad Scientist Academy - and end up having an unexpected real encounter with dinosaurs!  They have to use what they know about dinosaurs to stay safe.

Mad Scientist Academy by Matthew McElligott
Mad Scientist Academy: The Weather Disaster
by Matthew McElligott
Nothing like having a real world problem solving task in front of you - this time the kids need to control a weather machine using what they know and the weather instruments their teacher left them.  And they need to figure it out before the crazy weather they are experiencing - a snowstorm in one area and a tropical rainstorm in the other - collide!

Happy reading!

3 comments:

  1. They both sound good, but the second one will give a great start to a weather unit, won't it? Thanks, Michele!

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  2. Thanks for all your fantastic recommendations!

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  3. Oh wow, I can see these being so popular! I love the blend of humour, action and science, so engaging for young readers.

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