Announcer> This program is dedicated to John Amos Comenius, a 17th century Moravian bishop whose educational reforms influenced teaching the world over.

His concern for infants was revolutionary.

In 1658, he published a Latin grammar titled Orbis Sensualium Pictus , the first textbook with pictures for children.

Often called Orbis Pictus or Visible World in English, it became the most widely used school book in Europe for almost 200 years.

♪ Oh I can believe ♪ ♪ in everything I read ♪ ♪ A little boy blue ♪ ♪ a lady with a shoe ♪ ♪ and a dish run off with a spoon ♪ ♪ Well Hickory Dickory Dock ♪ ♪ a scholar he's late to school ♪ ♪ And I like a cow ♪ ♪ I jump over the moon ♪ ♪ Rick> Children don't know much about anything when they're born, but fortunately they're curious and eager to learn.

And although experience may be their best teacher, books can also provide children with information that may be interesting or important if indeed not essential.

Books filled with all sorts of information are published for children of all ages.

Kids may discover that books can help them understand and appreciate all that's happening in this not always logical or familiar world.

We're going to look at information books today.

Nonfiction for nonreaders.

There are so many factual books for kids that we obviously can't consider them all.

We've collected a sampling of various types of informative picture books, including biographies for young kids, whose curiosity may send them to the bookshelf in search of more information.

The simplest information books, those intended for very young readers, are usually called concept books.

Light by Donald Crews is one of those simple illustrations and minimal text explain basic concepts.

Crews introduces the concept of light in many of its aspects, from the sun to the tail lights on a car.

He also distinguishes between a city scene and a country scene, and shows how both are affected by the presence of light.

Concept books may be used as a reinforcement of the knowledge that a child is gained in the course of everyday life.

In Seasons , The British artist John Burningham depicts the cycle of the seasons.

His stylized drawings show a variety of activities associated with different times of the year.

The subject is simple.

The book doesn't try to introduce unfamiliar information so much as illuminate some of the qualities which make the seasons distinct.

Some other very simple information books are known as "naming" books or "identification" books.

Helen Oxenbury created a set of naming books for very little children.

They're marketed as "Baby Board Books."

Oxenbury's simple drawings are printed on thick, board-like pages that are designed to survive harsh treatment.

In the book titled Family, a bald baby is shown with a different close relative on each two page spread, and the relatives are each given a name.

Oxenbury makes no attempt to show how fathers or sisters, or any family member can come in various sizes, shapes and colors.

So the book may appeal to a limited number of readers.

Harlow Rockwell has also put together several naming books, including My Kitchen and My Doctor.

In the Kitchen book, simple paintings show various items that one might find in a kitchen.

The illustrations are concise and clear.

Most everything will be familiar to readers of the book, whether they can decipher the words or not.

In My Doctor , Rockwell again presents a very simple set of pictures that show and explain the instruments and procedures that a child might encounter on a visit to the doctor's office for a checkup.

The doctor in the book is a woman.

An interesting and praiseworthy break from the stereotypical male doctor that one might expect to find in such a book.

Identification books aren't necessarily just for infants and very young children.

Peter Spier wrote and illustrated this set of books, which he calls his "Village Books."

Although they're also printed on board-like pages cut in the shapes of the various buildings, these books may appeal to a slightly older audience.

Each book includes an easy story about people who work in the village, but there are also identification pages, like this page of tools found in Bill's service station.

Or this page of tropical fish that are available in the pet store.

Peter Spier also created this large informational picture book titled People.

In a series of drawings, he shows some of the incredible diversity that exists in the world of human beings.

Among other things, Spier points out that noses come in every shape imaginable.

He illustrates how different people do different things in various parts of the world.

Obviously, this is a more complex informational book.

It can appeal to people on different levels.

While children may enjoy considering some of the strange things that are eaten in some cultures.

Adults may also appreciate some of the historical trivia, which Spier includes.

Like the fact that the trampoline was named for a medieval French acrobat named Monsieur du Trampolin.

Not all information books for children are merely identification books.

Some provide detailed information about very specific topics.

Some experts in the study of children's literature call these "specialized books."

Look at Mummies Made In Egypt by Aliki.

In a straightforward manner, she explains how the ancient Egyptians preserved the bodies of the dead.

She tells why so much care was given to the bodies, and she details much of the unusual 70 day process which resulted in mummification.

Aliki illustrates her explanation, with these drawings that resemble ancient Egyptian art.

Mummies Made In Egypt is a specialized book which may be able to answer a lot of questions about the people who built the Pyramids.

Like all good informational books, it may likewise stimulate more curiosity about the subject.

Some books present information in a storybook form, with lots of pictures.

This is Charlie Needs A Cloak , written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.

It shows how a shepherd sheers his sheep and then goes through the many steps which transform the wool into a red cloak.

Books like this one are often referred to as "informational picture books."

Tomie dePaola also created The Quicksand Book .

It's a serious explanation of what makes quicksand, but all the information is presented by a little boy wearing glasses, a t-shirt, and a tiger skin.

He callously explains the science of quicksand to an unfortunate jungle girl who is slowly sinking in some nearby.

The book ends with instructions on how to make your own quicksand in a bucket.

DePaola has become a sort of master of the informational picture book.

Look at The Kids Cat Book , published originally in 1979.

It's the story of a boy named Patrick who stops by Granny Twinkle's house to get a free kitten, and in the process, he learns all about the history of cats and the many varieties which exist, as well as how to care for them.

In the end, Patrick has become a cat expert and he himself is giving away kittens along with information.

Books about animals are popular with children, who seem to enjoy learning about rare and strange creatures, as well as familiar ones.

The Mother Chimpanzee was written by Edith Thacher Hurd and illustrated by Clement Hurd.

They have dedicated the book to the scientist Jane Goodall, who researched and studied the behavior of chimpanzees.

The Hurds present what might be construed as the typical upbringing of a baby chimp, from birth to about age five.

The animal's activities are stated simply, presented clearly, and illustrated in a block printed style.

Harriett Springer illustrated this book, A First Look At Dogs , written by Millicent E. Selsam and Joyce Hunt.

It's an information book with pictures, but it presents its facts in a straightforward style.

The information is presented directly and simply by the authors, rather than by a character in a story.

For the first few pages, dogs are compared to cats.

Then the authors and the illustrator present other animals in the dog family.

There are also several pages of various breeds of dogs, and a quick review of several important points on the last page.

Creatures With Pockets is a picture book about animals who raise their young in pouches on their bodies.

Kangaroos are obviously the most famous pouched animals, but author Susan Harris and illustrator Frankie Coventry include many strange and unexpected species, as well.

The prose is clear and direct.

Harris introduces some unfamiliar words like "marsupial," which she explains means having a pouch.

When selecting informational picture books.

You will want to make sure that the pictures correspond to the text and ideally add to it.

A few of the illustrations in this Creatures With Pocket book, don't relate exactly to the text.

This pouched mouse, for example, is shown busily chewing on a grasshopper, but the text on that page is explaining how her extra children often must hold on outside the pouch.

Nonetheless, Creatures With Pockets is a colorful and interesting introduction to marsupials.

It also includes a table of contents at the front and an index at the back.

These conventions teach young children to find information quickly and easily.

Some information books, like Sarah R. Riedman's volume titled Spiders use photographs to illuminate and extend the text.

When dealing with as naturally visual a subject as these arachnids.

And Riedman also introduces that word.

The photographs provide valuable information about the creatures being explained.

Riedman also uses diagrams when appropriate.

These drawings illustrate how a spider can be distinguished from a true insect.

Photographs can be used to supply information in a number of ways.

Roger Bester uses a variety of black and white photos in this book of questions titled Guess What?

He starts each question with two close ups, like this.

What has a snout, a curly tail, and lives in a sty?

He then shows a double page picture with the animal in question somewhere in the photo.

Followed on the next page by an uncomplicated shot of the answer.

Some photographic books try to involve the reader by showing a series of pictures, which impart information in a personal and powerful way.

Often, the photographs are used to give specific examples of generalizations in the text.

And the reader can in effect, observe for himself the truth of the situation.

Such books are often called photographic essays.

A Foal is Born , written by Hans-Heinrich Isenbart with pictures by Hanns-Jorg Anders, is a photographic essay about the birth of a baby horse.

The text explains how long it takes the foal to develop and how it emerges from its mother.

The pictures graphically portray how the mare gives birth to and cares for her offspring.

Photographs can also allow readers to see and experience in close up some rare and beautiful objects.

In The Violin Close Up , Peter Schaaf introduces this musical instrument from a musician's point of view.

Highly detailed black and white pictures show various parts of the violin, while the text explains their function on the instrument.

Ron and Nancy Goor put together this book called Shadows Here, There and Everywhere .

Their technique is first to alert their readers to the variety and complexity of shadows, almost like a concept book.

But then the Goors suggests some simple experiments for kids to try.

Experiments that may help children understand the nature of shadows.

The Goors also show some playful activities that make the new information, and all the experiments seem like fun.

Sue Castle wrote this book called Face Talk, Hand Talk, Body Talk which uses photographs by Frances McLaughlin-Gil.

It's a kids book about nonverbal communication.

It should increase a child's awareness of the power and effect of facial expressions, hand signals, gestures, and basic postures.

Then the awareness and information are used to play a body talk game, in which the reader is invited to interpret the meanings of certain examples of this kind of talking.

Many information books are full of suggestions of things to do and objects to make.

Like the popular "do it yourself" type books for adults.

These books of helpful and entertaining instructions are often called "craft and activity" books.

Taking Pictures by Nina Leen is a good example.

She presents her philosophy directly in a note to adults at the start.

She contends that it's not too early to introduce a child to the art of photography at age five.

She writes, it teaches them to look around and discover their surroundings, and to observe and tell with pictures more than they can describe with words.

Her text is simple and easily understood.

She points out common mistakes and suggests ways that a young photographer can get better snapshots.

She never underestimates the intelligence of her readers.

And her book is an inspiring introduction to photography.

Rebecca Emberley designed this activity book with young artists in mind.

It's titled Drawing With Numbers And Letters , and it includes many clever suggestions for creating pictures from familiar shapes.

This swirling octopus is shown to be nothing more than an upside down U, with a sideways number eight and two dots for eyes.

Armed with tentacles made of eight S's that are simply stretched a bit.

The drawings get more complicated toward the end of the book, and some letters, especially C, are often pulled out to be nothing more than curved lines.

But the imaginative energy of the book is invigorating, and the variety of samples should lead to some original designs as well.

Some craft and activity books are written for slightly older children, who want to tackle more complex projects.

Beverley Courtney Crook wrote this book, Invite A Bird To Dinner Simple Feeders You Can Make, which was illustrated by Tom Huffman.

Basic information about bird habits and diet is followed by specific instructions on how to construct several kinds of bird feeders.

Aspiring ornithologists can read the book and discover important tips on how to attract certain varieties of feathered friends.

Huffman's drawings are silly and clever when they can be, and are appropriately instructive at other times.

Many kids may be especially attracted to this craft and activity book, titled Make Up Monsters by Marcia Lynn Cox.

Using a sort of recipe format, she explains to her readers how they can transform themselves into a number of gruesome characters, using concoctions of common household items that should wash off easily.

It may be difficult to find a copy of this book in a library at the end of October.

Recipes for kids are plentiful.

There are many cookbooks published with young chefs in mind.

Ann Beebe assembled this collection of simple recipes titled Easy Cooking .

There's no nonsense in her presentations.

Her instructions are short, specific, and clear.

Arnold Dobrin's approach is a bit more loving.

The recipes he's assembled in this volume, titled Peter Rabbit's Natural Foods Cookbook , indicate that he's a man who enjoys literature as well as lunch.

The illustrations are from Beatrix Potter's classic picture books.

Dobrin names his dishes after some of Potter's famous characters.

For instance, here's a recipe for Squirrel Nutkin's Banana-nut Loaf.

Potter's fans may quickly develop a taste for the kinds of simple, nourishing foods that Dobrin has devised.

His instructions often make allowances for a cook's human weaknesses.

For example, when the banana-nut loaf is finished baking, Dobrin instructs, to keep it from crumbling slice it with a thin sharp knife only after it is cooled completely.

Overnight, if you can wait that long.

A similar sort of bookish brunch can be concocted from Carol MacGregor's The Storybook Cookbook , with pictures by Ray Cruz.

The first recipe in this book is for "Pinocchio's Panic and Poached Egg."

MacGregor however, has not only named her recipes in honor of famous characters from children's books, but she has also included passages from the stories, which include the item being cooked.

There's a recipe for the "Queen of Hearts Strawberry Tarts," sweetened with an excerpt from Alice in Wonderland.

And the "Monkey Fruit Cocktail" will undoubtedly taste more delicious after reading the pertinent passage from Hugh Lofting's, The Story of Doctor Doolittle.

An informative book that includes activities dealing with science, is often called an "experiment book."

There are many such volumes designed for young scientists Laurence B.

White, Jr. wrote this one called Science Toys, illustrated by Marc Tolon Brown.

White explains how to make simple toys from pieces of paper and from everyday objects like straws and paper plates and cups.

His basic instructions are easy to follow, and he offers simple reasons for the various effects created when using the toys.

He shows how to fold a piece of paper into a "spooky screamer," and explains that your breath is a little wind.

It will make the paper scream.

Obviously, the very simple explanations are intended for very young readers.

Likewise, the experiments in Harry Milgrom's book Adventures With A Straw , illustrated by Leonard Kessler, are simple scientific activities for young kids.

Some of the information in this book about straws is very elementary, and it may be passed over quickly if the reader already understands it.

When you share or recommend any information book, you'll want to be sure that it isn't condescending or insulting to the reader.

Milgrom avoids confusing young kids by keeping his explanations simple.

If more detailed reasons are desired, there are other books that may be able to help.

These experiment books can prepare children for more complex scientific activities involving careful observations and complex reasoning.

Actually, there are so many information books for children that adults who want to share these books with kids should select carefully and try to find the best ones.

When you consider information books, there are several criteria which you may want to keep in mind.

First of all, the author's qualifications, you may want to find out something about the person who wrote the book.

If you aren't already familiar with the author's work, you can check the dust jacket for information or find out more by reading reviews or checking certain reference works.

Generally speaking, an information book should be prepared either by an expert in the subject being discussed or by a writer who has thoroughly researched the topic and simplified it effectively and accurately for children.

Look at Jean Fritz's book titled And Then What Happened Paul Revere , illustrated by Margot Tomes.

On the last page, there's a brief passage about the author.

She's obviously written many books for children, including some other biographies of famous historical figures.

You may also want to check out the book's introduction if there is one, as well as any notes that may be included in the back.

Often, as in this book the authors of children's biographies will include historical notes and an appendix to differentiate between the actual facts and any scenes which they may have created.

The distinction is often important because many biographers for children use narrative techniques associated with fiction.

Invented dialog, for instance.

Of course, the best way to evaluate a book and its contents is to read it and experience it yourself.

You may discover special qualities which make certain writers effective and popular.

Jean Fritz is known for her ability to turn flat historical figures into memorable human characters who are amusing as well as believable.

She has a great talent for providing fascinating details that describe past times, as well as the men who lived them.

In the Paul Revere book, she mentions that in Boston at that time, once there was a pickled pirate's head on exhibit.

And she includes a rare tale about Paul Revere's dog bringing him his spurs so he could make his famous ride.

At the back, Fritz explains that the dog and spurs story was told by Revere's granddaughter, who claimed he himself told it to her.

Jean Fritz also wrote this biography of King George III of England, titled Can't You Make Them Behave King George?

illustrated by Tomie dePaola.

It's an entertaining history of the troubled monarch whose biggest headache was the American Colonies.

Fritz here again, has found several funny stories to enliven a potentially dry and tedious topic.

When you're selecting information books, you'll also want to make sure the information is current and accurate.

Check the copyright date at the front of the book.

This biography of Stevie Wonder by Beth P Wilson and illustrated by James Calvin, for example, was first published in 1979.

Stevie Wonder's accomplishments since then, will obviously not be included.

It may not matter.

Again, you may want to read the book to determine if the material is dated, or if any recent facts will drastically alter the earlier parts of the story.

Biographies of entertainers and sports stars are popular books for young readers.

You might pick up S.H.

Burchard's book Mean Joe Greene , for starters.

Will the text be appropriate for the reader?

Can you determine what the author's purpose was in writing the book?

Is the style clear and direct?

Are the illustrations pertinent?

Burchard has written several biographies of recent sports stars and Mean Joe Greene is a good, simple presentation of his life up until 1976, when the book was printed.

All of that was before he ever appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial.

The book may now seem incomplete because it doesn't mention those ads.

But a complete life story is not necessary for every biography.

Look at Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, who won the Caldecott Medal in 1940.

It's what is known as a partial biography.

The authors purposefully ended their history of Lincoln with the end of the Civil War, before the tragic assassination.

The book has endured as a favorite with young kids who still appreciate the author's colorful illustrations and lively text filled with funny anecdotes, as well as political facts.

Gwenda Blair wrote this biography titled Laura Ingalls Wilder , about the woman who created the series of books known as the "Little House Books."

It's a complete history of the woman, who didn't start writing her books until she was 63 years old.

Blair recreates several scenes from Wilder's life.

Inventing dialog and details that may not be exactly true, but which increase the impact of the biography.

The pictures in this book were drawn by Thomas B. Allen.

Sometimes several short biographies are published in one volume.

Like this collection titled New Women in Medicine by Kathleen Bowman.

She has written accounts of several successful women scientists who have distinguished themselves in different branches of medicine.

Such a book is often referred to as a collective biography.

There are many of these published especially for young readers.

In addition to telling children about the lives of famous people, information books can also introduce them to activities and careers which they may want to pursue during their own lives.

Gymnastics Is For Me is one of a series of sports books.

It's written from the point of view of a young gymnast named Colleen, who explains various aspects of the difficult sport.

The text was written by Rosemary G. Washington, with photographs by Alan Oddie.

Career books have changed considerably in recent years.

Influenced greatly by the women's movement, as recently as 1972, girls were given books like this I Want to Be a Waitress by Eugene Baker.

Today, ambitions can be fueled by books like What Can She Be?

A Computer Scientist By Gloria and Esther Goldreich, with photographs by Robert Ipcar.

The book is the story of a computer scientist named Linda Wong, who has created a successful career in the computer industry.

Her job is simplified and explained in terms that a child can understand and consider.

Indeed, it's unfortunate that the editors of the "What Can She Be" series weren't able to eliminate all sexist connotations from these books so that they could be used with boys to.

Certainly not all informational picture books are just for young kids.

Some, like David Macaulay's Cathedral, which was a Caldecott Honor book in 1974, seemed to be created for an audience of any age.

Macaulay uses his text and his elaborate pen and ink drawings to show how one of the great Gothic cathedrals might have been built in Europe in the 13th century.

He presents much of the information in a fictional format.

He has invented a town named Chutreaux, and he mentions several imaginary characters who live and die in the course of the construction.

Using specific details about stone cutting and building stained glass windows, as well as frequent wide angle views of the building as it progresses.

Macaulay tells a fascinating story.

No matter how many books you read, there are always more waiting to be perused.

And no matter how old you are, there always seems to be an exhilaration involved in finding a new piece of information.

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