This book offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the world of children’s nonfiction, as well as practical tips on teaching these texts. Looking at the first ten years of NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award for excellence in children's nonfiction, the book features current and former members of the award committee discussing the issues that keep them engaged as they select each year’s winner, honor books, and recommended titles. Their work reflects the questions teachers ask themselves as they hunt for quality nonfiction for the classroom.

Readers get to meet outstanding writers—and Orbis Pictus Award winners or honorees—as they reflect on their work during the 1990s. Authors Rhoda Blumberg, Jennifer Owings Dewey, Jean Fritz, James Cross Giblin, Patricia Lauber, Jim Murphy, Mary Pope Osborne, Laurence Pringle, and Diane Swanson share a personal look at the decisions they make as they create nonfiction literature—insights students can model in their own writing.

The book concludes with an annotated list of Orbis Pictus winners and honor books from 1989 to 1999, including teaching suggestions for classroom use.
144 pp. 2001. Grades K–8. ISBN 0-8141-0489-4.
No. 04894