ReFoReMo Day 15: Author Keila V. Dawson Goes Beyond the Book

By Keila V. Dawson

Informational books are fiction but also include scientific, historical, or cultural facts. They can be funny, witty, zany, and have heart. They cover topics and provide information. These five titles are examples of how to extend a reader's interest in a topic beyond the book. 

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble
Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal (illustrator), is a book about food, but Maillaird ads layers that make it more than about baking. He captures the importance of passing along family history and traditions from generation to generation.  Readers gain knowledge about the history and politics that have affected Native American nations for generations.

Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship by Susanna Hill, and Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing in this sweet story about the moon who wants friends. She watches as changes on the earth bring her closer to her wish - visitors.

Give Me Back My Bones by Kim Norman, Bob Kolar (illustrated) has rollicking rhyme teaching kids all about bones using a dead pirate whose bones have been scattered and are put back together. A rollicking read aloud.

The Very Impatient Caterpillar written and illustrated by Ross Burach is another laugh out loud story about patience told through the life cycle of an impatient caterpillar. Through the voice of the exuberant caterpillar readers learn about metamorphosis.

Love, Agnes: Postcards from an Octopus by Irene Latham and Thea Baker (Illustrator) is an endearing story about an octopus who finds a postcard underwater that uses the word monster that she believes is addressing her. This sets off a series of correspondences that tell the true story of the life cycle of an octopus. Besides teaching interesting facts about sea creatures, it also shows readers the importance of empathy and understanding. The author includes back matter for additional reading about octopuses.

Have you found examples go beyond the book? If so, how?

Keila is giving away a copy of KING CAKE BABY to one lucky winner! To be eligible for prizes throughout the challenge, you must be registered by March 2, comment on each post, consistently read mentor texts, and enter the Rafflecopter drawing at the conclusion of ReFoReMo.

Before becoming a children’s book author, Keila Dawson worked as a teacher, school administrator, and educational consultant in the U.S., the Philippines, Japan, and Egypt. A native of New Orleans, her debut picture book THE KINGCAKE BABY (Pelican Publishing Co. 2015), celebrates one of the unique cultural traditions in her hometown - eating King Cake during the Mardi Gras season. Her second book, NO VOICE TOO SMALL: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, co-edited with Jeanette Bradley and Lindsay H. Metcalf (Charlesbridge) will release in September 2020. A third nonfiction book is under contract has not been announced yet.

Keila is a member of SCBWI, writes monthly author studies for the Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) blog, and reviews books for Multicultural Children’s Book Day. When Keila isn’t reading, writing, and visiting schools, she’s traveling, playing tennis, or digging in genealogical archives.