I would like to start off by saying that while I have some experience with recommending and recognizing good nonfiction for children and young adults, I have very little with actually reading it. I am very excited to have the opportunity to explore new genres and delve into the world of history, facts, and fun!
Since this blog is all about introducing me (and any readers) to the world of juvenile non-fiction, I started with a classic. National Geographic's 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) has long been a favorite in my house, ever since its publication in 2012. My copy is well-worn and still pulled off the shelf by my younger siblings (and myself) when the need to accumulate more awesome facts arises.
The book itself is a beautifully designed and easy to read text, which two-page layouts each featuring a variety of topics, like 100 Far-Out Facts About the Universe and 75 Cool Fats About Coral Reefs. The layouts include the topic heading in large colorful font, accompanied by visually appealing photographs or drawings. The table of contents allows you to easily find a topic, though it is admittedly more fun to open at random. There is not rhyme or reason to the order of topics, making the organization of the book easy and appealing for readers to follow sequentially or skim at random. The index is also helpful; for example, if you're looking for a fact about the Hungry Ghost Festival, you can find it on page 159, under 15 Facts About Paranormal Activity to Make Your Skin Prickle.
This book will always have a place in my collection, though I would update it as newer editions are published. There are a few topics that will change as time goes on, like 100 Facts About Megacities or 35 Wild Facts About Wacky Hotels. This book, and ones like it, are popular with both young and young adult readers (and adults as well!). With the same publisher making the Weird But True! series and dozens of other popular books on topics ranging from animals to space to inventions, there is always a place for this kind of easy to follow explanatory book on the shelf.
To wrap things up, I'll throw out a couple awesome facts!
Sugar isn't what rots your teeth. The streptococcus bacteria in your mouth like to eat sugar on your teeth and excrete acids that can give you a cavity!
Earth is the only planet in our solar system with plate tectonics.
In 1893, New Zealand became the first nation where women could vote.
Since this blog is all about introducing me (and any readers) to the world of juvenile non-fiction, I started with a classic. National Geographic's 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) has long been a favorite in my house, ever since its publication in 2012. My copy is well-worn and still pulled off the shelf by my younger siblings (and myself) when the need to accumulate more awesome facts arises.
The book itself is a beautifully designed and easy to read text, which two-page layouts each featuring a variety of topics, like 100 Far-Out Facts About the Universe and 75 Cool Fats About Coral Reefs. The layouts include the topic heading in large colorful font, accompanied by visually appealing photographs or drawings. The table of contents allows you to easily find a topic, though it is admittedly more fun to open at random. There is not rhyme or reason to the order of topics, making the organization of the book easy and appealing for readers to follow sequentially or skim at random. The index is also helpful; for example, if you're looking for a fact about the Hungry Ghost Festival, you can find it on page 159, under 15 Facts About Paranormal Activity to Make Your Skin Prickle.This book will always have a place in my collection, though I would update it as newer editions are published. There are a few topics that will change as time goes on, like 100 Facts About Megacities or 35 Wild Facts About Wacky Hotels. This book, and ones like it, are popular with both young and young adult readers (and adults as well!). With the same publisher making the Weird But True! series and dozens of other popular books on topics ranging from animals to space to inventions, there is always a place for this kind of easy to follow explanatory book on the shelf.
To wrap things up, I'll throw out a couple awesome facts!
Earth is the only planet in our solar system with plate tectonics.
In 1893, New Zealand became the first nation where women could vote.
Fact books in and of themselves are a favorite of mine, but National Geographic hands down have some of the best series! This and the "Weird but True" are great for road trips with the family or rainy days to pass the time! I often mentally compare this and Ripley's, when in reality they are so different.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the title, I was thinking the book could potentially be information overload with so many facts, but with all the picture and personal examples you included, I don't think it would be a detriment to youth wanting to read this book (or others like it). Although with it being so big, I could definitely see this best as a book that's kept for a long period (or purchased) in order to get the most out of it as possible. Not sure if I could read it from front to back within a few weeks. Great analysis of the book!
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