Consider non-fiction books for your child

When choosing books to share with young children we generally gravitate to picture books, but non-fiction books are a great alternative for young children that just aren’t interested in stories or picture books.  Non-fiction books engage younger children because you can choose books that focus on topics like dinosaurs, dancing or trucks that you know your child is interested in. This instantly adds to the appeal and readability of the book. You can even check out the magazine section at your local library for publications about motorbikes, camping or cooking.   

For the second year in a row  the Children’s Book Council of Australia has shortlisted a non-fiction book by Sami Bayly: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals. This book sums up all the best things about junior non-fiction and is sure to get even the most reluctant reader poring over the pages and exclaiming over the illustrations and fun facts about dangerous animals, like the Irukandji jellyfish or the wolverine.  

For parents and care givers one of the best things about non-fiction is that you can engage with it in different ways depending on the age of your child. For young children you might just talk about the pictures and for older children you can help them read some fun facts or ask them to find out more information.  

Visit your local library to check out “The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals” or other interesting and amazing non-fiction books and magazines and share the love of reading with your little one today. Here are some other options for fact finding reading that could spark an interest to read further: 

• Ocean Atlas, Tom Jackson, Ana Djordjevic
• The Body Book, Nosy Crow, Hannah Alice
• The Big Book of Bugs, Yuval Zommer
• National Geographic Magazines 
• Guinness World Records (any year – it doesn’t worry young children) 
• My Big Dinosaur Book, Roger Priddy
• Secret World of Butterflies, Courtney Sina Meredith, Giselle Clarkson