Reading Nonfiction Prepares Kids for Success

Nonfiction reading is essential in a child’s reading diet. Let me explain by using as an example one of the most popular and most trusted nonfiction reading options available — the National Geographic Kids Almanac.

Disclosure: Article was written in partnership with National Geographic Kids.

But first, why should we encourage kids to read more nonfiction?

WHY READ NONFICTION?

Nonfiction is essential for elementary- and middle school-age readers. 

Most children primarily read fiction, but as they progress in their education, they will be expected to primarily read for information. That means they must be able to comprehend informational/expository texts as they progress through the grades. The only way to equalize a child’s comprehension in nonfiction to their fiction reading level, is to practice, practice, practice reading high-quality nonfiction. Practice makes progress. Not perfection, but progress! That’s the goal.

HOW READING NONFICTION SUPPORTS READING COMPREHENSION

Nonfiction also builds background knowledge and improves vocabulary, which improves reading comprehension in all areas. 

As a child reads facts, they’re learning useful new information. This new information builds background knowledge and teaches them new words about the subject matter.

Knowing more vocabulary words and having a greater depth of background knowledge improves reading comprehension in both fiction and nonfiction. How? By providing context and a connection when kids encounter similar reading material in the future. 

Hands down, the National Geographic Kids Almanac is a top nonfiction reading choice for kids in elementary and middle school. It’s what children’s nonfiction authors Melissa Stewart and Marlene Correia call “browsable” nonfiction because readers can start and stop at ANY page of the book. It’s not a front to back kind of reading experience, and most kids love that.

You can also help kids level up their nonfiction reading by explaining text features and sharing specific nonfiction reading comprehension strategies.

TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO USE TEXT FEATURES

Understanding and using text features is foundational in improving reading comprehension of browsable nonfiction.  

Text features help readers comprehend what they’re reading. How? They organize and prioritize the information so readers can discover what’s important (primary) vs. what’s interesting and supportive (secondary). 

Design is one of many important tools that National Geographic Kids editors use to aid reader comprehension and enjoyment. Here are the essential text features to introduce to your readers when reading the Almanac and other similar nonfiction books.  

• Table of Contents 
• Index
• Title
• Heading
• Subheading
• Illustration
• Infographic, map, diagram
• Photograph 
• Caption
• Bolded words
• Sidebar or fact box

PRACTICE USING TEXT FEATURES IN THE ALMANAC

1. Ask your reader to use the table of contents to pick a topic that looks interesting.
2. Flip to that section. Ask your reader to find: a heading, a subhead, an illustration, a photo, and a caption. Have them point out each one and read the text out loud. 
3. Ask your reader to read the text in this section silently or out loud. 
4. After they read, ask the reader what they learned and if they thought the text features helped organize the information they read. 
5. Ask if they noticed any other text features. 
6. Ask readers to flip to the index and find an animal. What page is it on?
7. Flip to that page.
8. Ask if they can explain the difference between a table of contents and the index. Help them compare the similarities and differences. Ask why they might use one instead of the other.

TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO USE NONFICTION READING STRATEGIES

General reading skills can be strengthened by using specific nonfiction reading strategies. These include determining importance, accessing background knowledge, asking questions, and summarizing information.

DETERMINING IMPORTANCE

The goal of this strategy is differentiating information that is IMPORTANT versus information that is INTERESTING.

Brainstorm with your reader HOW to tell if information is important or just interesting. Ask these questions:

Can you figure out what’s important using the heading or title?

What’s an interesting fact you learned?

What’s the important big idea? How do the text features help you figure it out?

ACCESSING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

Background knowledge builds recognition and helps make new information stick!

What I love about the almanac as a source of background knowledge is that it exposes kids to the wider world in an engaging, accessible way, from spelunking to ice climbing to cave diving and beyond! Here’s an example. A child encounters a question about spelunking. If they’ve never been exposed to the word or concept, it makes comprehension MUCH harder. Right? But, if the reader knows a little bit about spelunking, they’ll be better able to comprehend the text about it. (I know because this happened to my 5th graders one year on a standardized test. It was very disheartening for most of my inner-city students who had no idea what spelunking even was.) 

ASKING QUESTIONS

Good readers naturally ask questions and then read for the answer. 

Reinforce kids’ curiosity by encouraging them to pick something they want to learn about. There will be implied questions. Ask your readers to tell you what they are wondering about the topic. 

SUMMARIZING INFORMATION

Readers should be able to summarize the most important facts about what they read (summarization and synthesis!). A beneficial feature of the almanac is its multitude of short text passages. The more readers explore the content, the more practice they get summarizing short passages. Observing your reader’s ability to tell you about what they read—or if they are struggling to tell you about what they read—can be a diagnostic tool, to a degree. Could it be that they can’t differentiate what’s important? Are you sure they’re comprehending what they are reading? Answering these questions will help you guide them as they continue to read and learn. 

HOW TO HAVE EVEN MORE FUN READING THE NAT GEO KIDS ALMANAC

You might be thinking that employing these lessons could ruin the fun of reading. Let me assure you, keep your prompts short and sweet and they will only add to your child’s reading skills, mastery,—and enjoyment.

As the most popular kids’ almanac on the planet, I know it has all the recommended elements for fun—kid-favorite topics, exciting stories, amazing photos, and engaging activities, plus a bold, bright design. And it’s a trusted resource, published by National Geographic, one of the world’s leading education, science, and research organizations. 

Ideas for Deeper Engagement 

1. If you have two almanacs, conduct a race to see who can find a fun fact or answer a specific question about a subject first. 

2. Make a zine about your favorite subject found in the Almanac. 

3. Ask everyone to select a fun fact to share at dinner. Then, vote on your favorite fact. 

4. Use the Almanac to invent your own “Would You Rather” game. (Would you rather live on Venus or live on Mars? Why?)

5. Do all the quizzes and/or some of the activities.

6. Rank your top 10 favorite photos. Try this in different categories.

7. Read about the explorers and scientists featured throughout the book. Pick your favorite and share it with a friend or family member.

8. Write a book review or make a video about why you like the Almanac. 

9. Check out the reference material at the back of the book. Make your own game from some of the information, such as flags of the world or U.S. presidents.

10. Read about this year’s Almanac Challenge on page 124 and do it just for fun. 

SUMMARY

Building knowledge, expanding vocabulary, encouraging curiosity, asking questions, forming opinions, having conversations, and developing critical thinking skills about the world … these are just some of the outcomes—and tools for success—that nonfiction provides. Plus, research shows that when kids have access, they enjoy both fiction and nonfiction equally. Some readers (we call them “info kids”) actually prefer nonfiction! That’s all the more reason to actively include nonfiction in your reading rotation and home library.

Ready to start reading?

Grab your own National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025 at any bookstore or library!

SOURCES

5 Kinds of Nonfiction by Melissa Stewart & Marlene Correia. July 2021

National Council of Teachers of English Positioning Statement on the Role of Nonfiction Literature (K-12), January 2023

About Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor, M.Ed., is the creator of Imagination Soup, the popular education-based website and blog that was selected as a best blog by PBS Kids, Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, Tech Moms, and Circle of Moms. She’s a former teacher, literacy trainer, and freelance education writer for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House’s Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is also a mom who is passionate about matching kids with books that they’ll love.

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