NON-FICTION: It's a Wild and Wonderful Category!

 Anchoring in Covid 19 and Black Lives Matter time:

Claims proliferate that a vaccine is right around the corner, despite the reality of science indicating that will not be possible/safe for many more months. Even then, it will have minimal and restricted distribution for many more months. As protests against systemic racism and in pursuit of social justice continue throughout the country, including in my part of Wisconsin, the intensity of a "battleground" mentality by outside forces (for and against) have resulted in further deaths. Leadership is needed to reveal actual FACTUAL information, including better vetting of links, headlines, and contextualizing news coverage. Sadly, all of that that seems to be less available than ever. 

*Sigh*   Onward...

In the world of children's literature, otherwise known by many as KIDLIT, the category of nonfiction is wide-ranging and provides welcome choices. I'm happy to say that traditionally published books classified as nonfiction are deeply vetted by reliable sources to assure that FACTS ARE FACTS. Even with ever-changing topics, copyright dates provide accurate timestamps and resources about what is reported in the  subject matter. Ongoing research, science, and exploration will shift the details discussed in factual books, so it is ALWAYS wise to frame the facts with this: "From what we know SO FAR...". Given that iunderstanding, nonfiction picture books generally provide a safe space for learning FACTS and separating out OPINIONS. 

The exciting part of nonfiction picture books is that they present their facts in such an amazing array of approaches that there are winners among them for every possible reader. This post will compare two vastly different books, and (did you guess?) I will sing the praises of both. 

Kids Can Press, 2020

The first is BRINGING BACK THE WOLVES: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem, written by Jude Isabella and illustrated by Kim Smith. Throughout our covid-altered lives in 2020, the National Parks were first closed, then re-opened with cautionary practices. Recent reports indicate that patrons are thrilled to be able to once again visit those gorgeous open spaces. 

This amazing and informative oversized book is about the long term impact on Yellowstone Park that resulted from returning wolves to the nature-scape. One source the author cited is from the National park System, linked here where you can find impressive photography and further details.

I've followed the regulation and fate of wolves in the wild for more than half a century, including their removal from and eventual return to Yellowstone. I first became aware of the impact of their restoration on the actual geology/geography of the park in an NPR report several years ago. When I learned that this Canadian science author had written a book published by Kids Can Press, a favorite KIDLIT creator of mine, I was thrilled. This is story every young person should know. After all, this planet belongs to them. 

This recent release uses traditional nonfiction format and techniques to share the story with younger readers: Introduction, topic labels clearly designated with font patterns, with helpful side bars, diagrams, charts, scientific drawings and labels, Boxed pull-out text  explains topics related to the main text. Bibliography and references, an excellent glossary, and useful index make it even more helpful to return to or to use as a reference  source The generous trim size allows for illustrations in which insertions of these various text features so not diminish a sense of the panorama and grandeur of the park scenes. Animals are presented in abstract interpretation or realistic detail depending on the overall intent of the content on each spread. 

As you may have assumed from my comments above, I'm a fan and advocate for wolves. This remarkably complex but clear description of how the returning wolves changed (and improved) the actual landscape and biome of the park shows that Earth, too, is a fan of wolves. It is confirmation of their place in the order of things. The final full text page is labeled MENDING THE WEB. This refers to the ability of a balanced food chain to provide a self-regulating environment that serves our planet and our people. 

Orchard Books. May, 2020

Next. you'll have a hard time resisting the latest release from prolific science writer, JESS KEATING, who is paired with illustrator PETE OSWALD. Both are multiple award-winners and best sellers, and both take a lively and colorful approach to turning facts into funny romps. In this case, the success is undeniable. EAT YOUR ROCKS, CROC: Dr. Glider's Advice for Troubled Animals will have a waiting list among young nonfiction readers.

Dr. Glider, a sugar glider who treats animals in distress (and sometimes plants), introduces him/herself on the opening endpapers. Decked out in white lab coat and stethoscope, holding a clipboard, Dr. Glider is surrounded by a whole world of fun and information on the opening end pages. For kids who inhale visual detail (and most do) that introduction includes his license to practice, an x-ray of a dog with keys in its stomach, a turtle with a cracked shell, a bear/porcupine pair linked via quills, and a lobster with a cracked claw!

Taking it from there, we join Dr. Glider making rounds, from client to client and continent to continent. Oswald blends humorous animal depictions within colorful habits, but returns to accurate animal portrayals in fact-packed sidebars. Dr. Glider's conversations with ailing patients is presented in speech bubbles, using species-typical concerns to reveal basic animal science facts (including species variety names and locations). Expansive details about the main page concept in accessible lines appears on those side bars. It is all informative, appealing, and readily digestible for young audiences. (Speaking of digestion, Croc and some other animals that do not chew food routinely consume small rocks to aid in digestion of larger bites of food.) Each patient gets to make a curtain call on the closing end pages. Each looks healthy and happy, and Keating  labels each with both scientific and common names. 

Both books fit firmly in the nonfiction classification, despite their distinctly different approaches. Both serve their own purposes with beauty and a bounty of information. Both are excellent examples of specific topic study, but also provide templates and foundational learning for the ways that nonfiction materials may be presented. Both raise more questions, but not questions about credibility or sources. Although both convey positivity about the subject matter, both are firmly anchored in science realities.

By the way, I'll soon be sharing a book about how our brains process input through filters that stereotype. So, just to do a bit to challenge a stereotype many of us have, even kids.