In this deep dive episode, Chrissie answers the question: why does reading nonfiction matter for kids?

We explore 2 big reasons:

• # 1: Reading depends heavily on prior knowledge, and one of the best ways to build prior knowledge is by reading nonfiction.
• #2: Kids love it, and encouraging kids to read what they love makes them lifelong readers.

Articles and resources referenced in this episode:

• Daniel Willingham's blog: "School time, knowledge, and reading comprehension"
• "How Knowledge Helps" by Daniel Willingham
• Raising Kids Who Read by Daniel Willingham
• The Reading Mind by Daniel Willingham
• "Background Knowledge: A Key to Reading Comprehension" by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates
• "Hey, Grownups! Kids Really Do Like Nonfiction" by Cynthia Levinson, Melissa Stewart, and Jennifer Swanson
• Melissa Stewart's website: "Nonfiction Reading Resources"

Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. You can follow the show on Instagram @bookdelightpod, follow Chrissie on Instagram @librarychrissie, and subscribe to Chrissie's monthly kidlit newsletter at librarychrissie.substack.com.