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RE: Google is the new nonfiction
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From: Santangelo, Michael <M.Santangelo_at_BrooklynPublicLibrary.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:23:12 -0400
I wonder if this relates to the ever decreasing interest of American students in careers in mathematics and science. If nonfiction, particularly scientific non-fiction, is just information for a report or a project, then where does this leave science writing for young people? I think about all the famous scientists who were partly attracted to science because of their early reading. From the sketches of Audubon to anatomy books to descriptions of the moon landing to the biographies of great scientists to The Origin of the Species, could it be that good narrative and non-narrative science writing has probably had a greater impact on the developing interest of budding young scientists than anything else? I fear that there is a growing collective default to thinking of nonfiction as a collection of facts, and I am not certain that it is just facts that create progressive and dynamic thinkers in our science and our social sciences.
That being said, I think Jan Greenberg's Ballet for Martha is wonderful. We are having a show here at the Brooklyn Public Library, Drawn in Brooklyn, and some of Brian Floca's art from the book is on display. To me, sometimes picture book nonfiction is the best, as it has wonderful simple writing and beautiful complimentary artwork. And as a librarian, I am excited about the research undertaken by both writer and illustrator in putting together such a book.
To learn more about our exhibit, click here:
Santangelo Brooklyn, NY
Message-----
From: gholch_at_nyc.rr.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 3:22 PM To: ccbc-net Subject:
Google is the new nonfiction
To all, When I worked as a children's book editor, I kept a shelf in my office where I collected all the wonderful new nonfiction books that my infant children would need when they were older. Beautifully illustrated books from Dorling Kindersley, from Usborne, from Scholastic. Plus, Lincoln: A Photobiography, Ben Franklin's Almanac, a million science fair project books, and more. When my children were old enough to need these books, I finally brought them home. And guess what? They never looked at or used a single one. They only wanted information that they could find easily online. And currently they only read nonfiction if a teacher assigns them a book. As a children's book author, editor, and library school student, I am disappointed. I'm glad that teachers and librarians still buy these books, but I don't see the kids flocking to them. Best wishes -- Greg Holch (Library School Student -- Palmer School/LIU)
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:23:12 -0400
I wonder if this relates to the ever decreasing interest of American students in careers in mathematics and science. If nonfiction, particularly scientific non-fiction, is just information for a report or a project, then where does this leave science writing for young people? I think about all the famous scientists who were partly attracted to science because of their early reading. From the sketches of Audubon to anatomy books to descriptions of the moon landing to the biographies of great scientists to The Origin of the Species, could it be that good narrative and non-narrative science writing has probably had a greater impact on the developing interest of budding young scientists than anything else? I fear that there is a growing collective default to thinking of nonfiction as a collection of facts, and I am not certain that it is just facts that create progressive and dynamic thinkers in our science and our social sciences.
That being said, I think Jan Greenberg's Ballet for Martha is wonderful. We are having a show here at the Brooklyn Public Library, Drawn in Brooklyn, and some of Brian Floca's art from the book is on display. To me, sometimes picture book nonfiction is the best, as it has wonderful simple writing and beautiful complimentary artwork. And as a librarian, I am excited about the research undertaken by both writer and illustrator in putting together such a book.
To learn more about our exhibit, click here:
Santangelo Brooklyn, NY
Message-----
From: gholch_at_nyc.rr.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 3:22 PM To: ccbc-net Subject:
Google is the new nonfiction
To all, When I worked as a children's book editor, I kept a shelf in my office where I collected all the wonderful new nonfiction books that my infant children would need when they were older. Beautifully illustrated books from Dorling Kindersley, from Usborne, from Scholastic. Plus, Lincoln: A Photobiography, Ben Franklin's Almanac, a million science fair project books, and more. When my children were old enough to need these books, I finally brought them home. And guess what? They never looked at or used a single one. They only wanted information that they could find easily online. And currently they only read nonfiction if a teacher assigns them a book. As a children's book author, editor, and library school student, I am disappointed. I'm glad that teachers and librarians still buy these books, but I don't see the kids flocking to them. Best wishes -- Greg Holch (Library School Student -- Palmer School/LIU)
---Received on Tue 12 Oct 2010 05:23:12 PM CDT
