Today's non-fiction books are being shaped by our high-speed visually-oriented world. Subjects and titles are catchier, the writing works harder to grab readers from the get-go. But what really pulls children into good stories are the vivid pictures. Non-fictions with photographs are on the rise. Maybe television's very real images are impacting artists' decisions, perhaps it's the immediacy photos encourage, or it could be the way more teachers are incorporating these trade books in their classrooms. Whatever the reason, the number or bright, colorful photographic non-fictions grows yearly. Five new titles show how photography speaks volumes about engaging young readers.
Photography is a perfect choice for young children who need to see themselves reflected in their books. In My Big Brother (Atheneum, $14.95, ages 2-5), Valerie Fisher blends her expertise as a photographer with her sensitivity as a mother as she captures her young sons at home. The younger child is the book's speaker and the older one is the visual focus. The combination of these two viewpoints create a lively definition of a big brother. "This is my big brother," begins the book and through pictures we see the baby's big brother entertain him by blows bubbles and putting on a mask. Fisher also shows situations where the frollicking big brother cares, gets frustrated, and loves his younger brother.
Recognizable settings, relationship situations, and actions are mirrored with thoughtful visual perspectives that reveal much about the two boys who star in this book and Fisher's life. Bright colors and hints of action mostly describe the character of the elder brother who wears a belt jammed with plastic tools, peeks out from a block wall he has constructed, and howls when his young brother slings baby food. Composition, vivid colors, and other artistic choices attract readers and give the book an emotional quality. We understand from the pictures that though a sibling relationship has its difficult moments, there's lots of love and fun, too. The few words and evocative photographs leave lots of room for discussion and laughter.
Two thousand years ago, Quin Shihuang, the first emperor of China, ordered that his tomb be filled with 7,500 sculpted warriors. Jane O'Connor, struck by the sight, was inspired to translate her amazement into the picture book, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient Cities (Viking, $17.99, ages 7-10). Endless rows of ghostly gray warriors made the author want to discover more. O'Connor includes photos of engravings, silken robes and bronze figures that show the life and times of Quin Shihuang. But the strongest images are her photographs of the huge uncovered pit of clay troops.
Her perspective accents the enormity; her lighting gives a sense of the mystery and close-ups demonstrate the detailing and individuality of each sculpture. Photographs are a jumping off point for O'Connor to share her discoveries about status, costumes, customs and an eccentric emperor who wanted to live forever, took 30 years to construct a tomb,and built a terracotta army to protect him for all eternity.
Pictures reveal the truth behind a mysterious practice in Ann Whitehead Nagda's Snake Charmer (Henry Holt, $16.95, ages 6-10). The book begins with a visual hook ÷ a magnificent full-page close-up of a cobra with spread hood. Its patterning is almost hypnotic, the hood alarming, and its small black eyes are trained on something that makes readers want to turn the page. Page two reveals a more complete picture. We are introduced to She Singh who is charming the snake out of its basket and also his oldest son, Vishnu, who wants to follow the family tradition.
While snake-charming is the centerpiece of this book, setting is also important. Nagda's pictures take us into Vishnu's small town life in Mania, India. We see his play, family, and habits while the text points out differences in Indian and American cultures. Setting established, the author zooms in on snakes, Vishnu is pictured showing how snakes are caught, raised, and the text reveals secrets most people don't know. The snakesâ poison glands are removed so they canât hurt anyone and it is the movement of the flute which "charms" the snake which moves in response to what it perceives as an enemy.
Older readers will pick up truths buried in the pictures and text. They will see the poverty of Vishnu's life and how he misses his father. They will understand that Vishnu's education gives him opportunities neither of his illiterate parents had, and how he is torn between advancement and snake charming, a profession "he will always dream about."
Two popular subjects, mummies and poop, make non-fiction appearances with photographs that bring these books to life. A crumbling Chilean mummy grins on the cover of Christopher Solan and Dr. Bruno Frohlich's Bury the Dead: Tombs, Corpses, Mummies, Skeletons and Ritual (National Geographic, $18.95, ages 9-12).
The subject has instant appeal and the wealth of information is based on Frolich's extensive anthropological knowledge of burial practices all over the world. But it's the pictures that captures interest; from skeletons that are thousands of years old to golden burial masks.
Dr. Wayne Lynch, photographer and science writer, reveals The Scoop on Poop! (Fitzhenry and Whitside, $8. 95; ages 7-10). Who wouldn't be captivated with the first photo which shows his wife dwarfed by a towering termite mound, "the tallest structure made of poop". Okay, how about a dung beetle pushes a gigantic ball of fresh poop made to "transport its new wife on a honeymoon"? There's even a poop quiz where you match the animal to its scat.
The author is wise about adopting a playful tone, pictures that are animals and not poop- portrayals, and the clever way he links defecation, an easy-reading text, and trivia to animal behaviors.
These photographers used the medium of photography well. They bring far away places closer, further understanding, or bring about an emotional sense. All five have engaged young learners and stimulated their curiosity.