Information texts are a core part of any book collection. There is evidence that some children, especially boys, are more drawn to information texts than to storybooks.
Young boys often prefer to gather facts and information from books as part of their own quest to make sense of the world around them. They seek to find out 'why things happen' and 'how things work'. The knowledge that they gather helps them to feel safe and offers the sense of security that girls often find in storybooks.
So, when selecting books to support any theme, practitioners should ensure that high-quality information texts feature prominently.
The local environment - people and buildings
As all practitioners know, young children are generally most interested in things which are important to them - themselves, their families, their friends and familiar objects and people. Children often talk about their home experiences, making connections between home and their play as they begin to make sense of the world around them.
Practitioners can support children's interest in the people and buildings in their local environment through the use of information texts.
Books that contain lots of photographs are particularly attractive to many children as they notice similarities and differences between the photographs and things or people that they know. Therefore it is essential that the texts selected reflect the children's surroundings.
Of course, children need access to information about things and places they are unfamiliar with, but there is little point in studying a text called 'homes' which only features detached houses, thatched cottages, homes on stilts or even castles, when most homes in the vicinity are high-or low-rise flats and apartments.
The role of the practitioner
As with fictional books, information texts should be of a high quality.
Children need the support of interested, informed practitioners who support their search for facts. The adults do not need to know all the answers, but they do need to know which sort of books contain the information that will support children's current interests and learning needs.
It is important to have a selection of books readily available for adults and children to explore together. These books may have been written with older children or even adults in mind, as information texts are designed to be dipped into, not read from cover to cover.
Knowledge and understanding of the world - a sense of place
A theme about the local environment lends itself to supporting a sense of place, which is one aspect of knowledge and understanding of the world.
Wherever possible, practitioners should plan a series of short visits around the local area to support the theme. These trips are best planned for small groups, such as four children with two adults, and should include the use of a digital camera.
Each journey could include a visit to a specific local building for a real purpose - the post office, library or specific shop. Digital images obtained on the trips can then be turned into really useful homemade books, which include children's comments about the images and their local area.
Judith Stevens is early years adviser at Lewisham Education
RECOMMENDED CORE TITLES
Look out for other books by these authors
A day in the life of a doctor by C.Watson (Franklin Watts 5.99)*
At the shops by Paul Humphrey (Franklin Watts 8.99)*
Sam the Chef - jobs people do by Felicity Books (Usbourne 6.99)*
Anna the nurse - a day in the life of by Monica Hughes (Heinemann Pounds 4.99)*
Police officerby Rebecca Hunter and Chris Fairclough (Cherrytree Books Pounds 9.99)*
A busy day at the airport by Philippe Dupasquier (Walker 4.99)*
The hospital by Debbie Bailey and Susan Hurzar (Annick Press 2.99)*
I am a doctor by Cynthia Benjamin (Barrons Educational Service Pounds 4.99)
Visiting a synagogue by Ruth Nason (Evans 10.99)*
Here comes our bride by Ifeoma Onyefulu (Frances Lincoln 10.99)
OTHER TITLES TO CONSIDER
* The first day of school by Toby Forward ( Picture Corgi 10.99)
* Homes - around the world by Margaret Hall (Heinemann 6.50)
* Supermarket! by Charlotte Doyle (Walker 5.99)
* The village of round and square houses by Ann Grifalconi (Macmillan Pounds 4.99)
* Homes and houses by A.Smith (Usbourne 4.99)*
* To the pool with mama by Sue Farrell and Robin Baird Lewis (Annick Press 4.50)
* At the pet shop by Cathy Beylon (Dover Publications 2.95)
* Bakers by Tami Deedrick (Bridgestone Books 6.99)
* Railway station by Carol Watson (Franklin Watts 4.99)*
* Topsy and Tim go to the dentist by Jean and Gareth Adamson (Ladybird Pounds 2.99)*
* denotes part of a series