Teach Reading and Writing Issue 19

24 | www.teachwire.net In so many instances, factual books can create readers. And there is a solid base of research produced by BookTrust showing that reading for pleasure can transform a child’s life chances, countering disadvantages caused by inequalities and nurturing wellbeing, self-esteem, creativity and empathy. We know that fictional stories can do this, but so can true stories. Something for everyone In this golden age of children’s non-fiction, you’ll find a factual book on every topic under the sun. There’s something for every reader, on any theme you might want to explore in the classroom. They’re available in every format too, from picture books, poetry, and comics to handbooks for older readers. And if you can’t find the perfect book just yet, you can bet there’s a writer out there furiously working away at one right this moment. It’s what we do as authors and illustrators. We respond to children’s curiosity. We answer their wildest questions about the world. We take big ideas and turn them into books. Critical thinking At a time when fake news can whizz across the world faster G rowing up is a tough old business, isn’t it? I mean it’s an exciting time, but it’s also full of challenges. As they move up through primary school, children will find themselves having to get to grips with all kinds of tricky topics, from understanding their own feelings and navigating relationships to wider issues such as climate change, politics and fake news. It’s a LOT. I know. But well-researched high-quality factual books can help. They’re a powerful form of storytelling using words and pictures, and they can keep things interesting. They can help children break down big ideas and spark thoughtful conversations as well as inspiring all kinds of creative work in the classroom. Curiosity Children are naturally curious. They want to learn more about the world around them and how things work. And when they discover something that WOWs them, they hold onto it. They share it. They’re hungry for more. That’s why, when I was asked to be writer- in-residence at BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, I knew exactly what my theme would be: using factual books to fascinate young readers . As an author, I’ve seen how these books can engage children, making reading accessible and irresistible . page as educators. We’re all about encouraging critical thinking; a skill needed now more than ever in this age of disinformation and spin, and one that sets children up for life. An invitation As well as engaging children and nurturing curiosity and critical thinking, factual books are also an invitation to the reader. A summons to reflect, to think, to build their own understanding of the world – yes, of course, all of these things. But also to do something. To discuss big ideas. To ask questions and wonder at things. To create . You can employ factual books as a starting point for exploring all kinds of themes in the classroom. You might use them to inspire art or The facts OF LIFE Rashmi Sirdeshpande explains how factual books can help children navigate the world “There’s something for every reader, on any theme you might want to explore” than you can say “Bob’s your uncle”, children need resources they can trust. Enter factual books. They take an absolute age to put together because of the enormous amount of painstaking research and fact-checking behind them. For example, my book with Jason Lyon, Amazing Asia: An Encyclopaedia of an Epic Continent , out in October 2024, took over a year and a half of intensive research, writing and illustrating with a board of experts involved at every stage. We’ve dealt with some difficult themes, such as colonialism, war, and conflict, but in sensitive way. And we’ve taken great care to balance these issues with plenty of beautiful, celebratory cultural representation from across the continent. Children’s bookmakers have a huge responsibility towards our readers so we work our socks off to ensure that our books are exciting and interesting, but also accurate, age-appropriate, and (increasingly) as inclusive as possible. And we have a rule – we don’t tell children what to think. We set out the facts and offer them to the reader who can then turn them over in their minds, consider them, pull them apart, and form their own opinions. That’s where the magic is. Here, we’re entirely on the same