Nonfiction in Motion ─ Connecting Preschoolers with Nonfiction Books Through Movement

An underutilized source for storytime programs, quality nonfiction books can help bridge the reading gap between preschool boys and girls; boys enjoy facts and “true stuff,” and including these books in storytime helps boys see that reading can be fun. Here, Dietzel-Glair spotlights a multitude of nonfiction titles published since 2005 that will engage young children’s curiosity while activating learning through movement-based activities. A huge time-saver for storytime planners and presenters, and a useful collection development tool, this guide identifies 200 quality nonfiction books suitable for preschoolers, all in print or easy to find, covering fun topics like animals, construction, and science; includes recommended art, movement, music, and prop ideas for each book that will fire up children’s imaginations; shows how to incorporate the five practices for early literacy and offers other helpful storytime tips; provides several outlines for art projects; and features multiple indexes to aid in finding just the right title, author, or subject.Using this book as a springboard for programming will ensure that storytime is a delightful, educational experience for children and adults alike.

Julie Dietzel-Glair is a freelance writer and library consultant. She is the author of Books in Motion: Connecting Preschoolers with Books through Art, Games, Movement, Music, Playacting, and Props and the co-author of Get Real with Storytime: 52 Weeks of Early Literacy Programming with Nonfiction and Poetry. She uses her years of experience as a children’s librarian and assistant children’s services coordinator to provide training sessions for librarians and other early literacy providers. She is active in the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC).