Nonfiction / Informational
Many of our informational books offer a distinctive narrative nonfiction quality, which builds on a child’s familiarity with story while introducing content.
This transition text supports a student without total immersion in the demands of expository prose. The higher level vocabulary and exquisite illustrations and photos make our BYL books very special.
Informational Text: Text designed to convey factual information, rather than tell or advance a narrative. Informational text may employ techniques such as lists, comparing/contrasting, or demonstrating cause/effect, and may be accompanied by graphs or charts.
TEACHER’S REVIEW
Name: Kathy D
State: TN
Teaching Level: Title I
BYL Use: Reading Intervention
What Do You Like: I love the non-fiction. They have great pictures and high interest. Kids are very motivated.
What Do Students Like:
My students love the BYL books! Several of them reach for these books from their reading box first every time! Thanks for producing such great high interest books for our little readers.I
Description:
Though peaceful and quiet, a pond can be a fascinating place.
(Informational)
F/P Level: C
Grade Level: K-1 K-1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 6
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 28 44
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
A girl and her horse enjoy a day at the horse show.
(Informational)
F/P Level: D
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 3
INT Level: 6
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 24 22
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Erin Marie Mauterer
Description:
What do most cats and a tall plant have in common?
(Informational)
F/P Level: D
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 6
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 40 35
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
Chickens enjoy a natural feast.
(Informational)
F/P Level: D
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 8
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 23 24
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Richard Latta
Description:
A car trip is interrupted at the entrance to a bridge so a boat can pass.
(Informational)
F/P Level: E
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level: 12
INT Level: 7
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 29 27
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Nic Bishop
Description:
Katydids are busy little creatures throughout the day and night too.
(Informational)
F/P Level: E
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level: 3
INT Level: 7
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 20 20
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Gary Torrisi
Description:
A saguaro can be many things as it grows in the desert.
(Informational)
F/P Level: E
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level: 6
INT Level: 6
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 44 52
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Nic Bishop
Description:
Deep in a swamp three unsuspecting bugs get caught by three hungry plants.
(Informational)
F/P Level: E
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 5
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 30 30
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Joe Veno
Description:
Animals that eat sunflower seeds help plant a field of sunflowers.
(Informational)
F/P Level: E
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level: 4
INT Level: 4
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 33 42
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Jane Bowers
Description:
A child speaks to the moon.
(Informational)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 15
Page Count: 8
Word Count: 38
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Tim Holmstrom
Description:
Some of the world’s most fascinating urban architecture is in New York City.
(Informational)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 10
INT Level: 12
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 59 64
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Rhonda Cox
Description:
Children express their joy by dancing at a powwow.
(Informational)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 8
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 29
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Dr. Robert Slaughter
Description:
The life cycle of sparrows.
(Informational)
F/P Level: F
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Emergent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 11
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 60 61
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Sherry Shahan
Description:
A caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
(Informational)
F/P Level: G
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 15 7
INT Level:
Page Count: 8 8
Word Count: 51 60
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Neesa Becker
Description:
A playful sea otter instinctively knows that air is the best insulation.
(Informational)
F/P Level: G
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 9
INT Level: 10
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 72 78
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Gary Torrisi
Description:
Dragonflies are interesting insects. They use their special eyes to find their dinner.
(Informational)
F/P Level: G
Grade Level: 1 1
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 11 12
INT Level:
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 53 60
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Rhonda Cox
Description:
A sheep gets a haircut for spring.
(Informational)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 9
INT Level: 14
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 107 132
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Lynda Cohen / Janice Boland
Description:
A brief story about concrete, how it is made, and its many uses.
(Informational)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 17
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 123
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Jule-Ann Lattimer
Description:
A child enjoys a day looking at cars with his dad.
(Informational)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 13
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 79
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Neesa Becker
Description:
How a frightened little fish avoids becoming a tasty snack for a bigger fish.
(Informational)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 14
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 133
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Neesa Becker
Description:
A turtle comes ashore to dig her nest and lay her eggs.
(Informational)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 13 9
INT Level:
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 85 86
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Gary Torrisi
Description:
A hungry sea star searches the ocean floor for food.
(Informational)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 12
INT Level: 14
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 69 62
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Peter Ackerman
Photographer: Rhonda Cox
Description:
There are many ways to have fun, even if you live in a zoo.
(Informational)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 17
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 144
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Rhonda Cox
Photographer: Rhonda Cox
Description:
A watermelon grows from a little seed into a juicy red feast for two.
(Informational)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2 2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 7
INT Level: 15
Page Count: 12 12
Word Count: 62 54
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Amy Allison
Illustrated by Erin McGonigle Brammer
Description:
What are those stone figures that loom high above on some buildings and why are they there?
(Informational)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 23
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 169
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Juliann Darling
Illustrated by Pamela Ross
Description:
On clear nights the starry sky glitters and glows with mythical figures and their adventures and deeds.
(Informational)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 22
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 96
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Lola Schaefer
Illustrated by Neesa Becker
Description:
How trilobites that lived long ago became fossils.
(Informational)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 139
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Janet and George Robinson
Photographer: Janet and George Robinson
Description:
The beauty and importance of coral reefs portrayed in words and photographs.
(Informational)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 557
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: R. Hugh Rice
Illustrated by Shane Reiswig
Description:
An introduction to some fascinating, mysterious creatures that share this planet with us but live in a watery world.
(Informational)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 19
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 130
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Carolyn Ford
Illustrated by: Marnie Webster
Description:
How the tides are created by the position of the moon.
(Informational)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 15
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 277
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Karl Swanson
Description:
A poem to read aloud or perform describing the calls of whippoorwills, which are night birds.
(Informational)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level
Reading Stage
RR / DLL Level
INT Level
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 95
Page 12 – Look Inside
Back Cover Nonfiction Note
Featured in these packages:
Author: John Christopher Fine
Photographer: John Christopher Fine
Description:
The story of how a shipwreck full of treasure was discovered off the Florida coast.
(Informational)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 24
INT Level: 21
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 271 278
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Gay W. Holland
Description:
Loving relatives weave a dream catcher to hang above the bed of a little girl.
(Informational)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 16
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 159
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Aldo P. Biagiotti
Photographer: Aldo P. Biagiotti
Description:
A recounting of how two wild, desert burros found a home.
(Informational)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 22
INT Level: 23
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 419 424
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
Springs can be found in unexpected places, and they can do amazing things.
(Informational)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 24
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 245
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Kathy O’Malley
Description:
Wild parrots enliven the streets and parks of San Francisco, California.
(Informational)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 21
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 570
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: John Christopher Fine
Description:
A marine biologist relates his encounter with a persistent young cormorant.
(Informational)
F/P Level: N
Grade Level: 3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 22
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 846
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
Animals, games, rides, food, and exhibits entertain a family at a country fair.
(Informational)
F/P Level: N
Grade Level: 3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 603
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Chad Wallace
Description:
Pack rats in the southwest United States preserve bits of history and prehistory.
(Informational)
F/P Level: N
Grade Level: 3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 392
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Shaunda Kennedy Wenger
Description:
The author learns about the eating habits of black bears in Vermont.
(Informational)
F/P Level: N
Grade Level: 3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 22
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 677
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Illustrated by Lynda Cohen
Description:
The writing and history of Haiku poetry is examined.
(Informational)
F/P Level: O
Grade Level: 3-4
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 22
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 655
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Charles Perry
Description:
The writing of an original legend about a brave mustang stallion.
(Informational)
F/P Level: Q
Grade Level: 4
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 19
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 900
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Teacher Review
Name: Kathy D
State: TN
Teaching Level: Title I
BYL Use: Reading Intervention
What Do You Like:
I love the non-fiction. They have great pictures and high interest. Kids are very motivated.
What Do Students Like:
My students love the BYL books!
Several of them reach for these books from their reading box first every time! Thanks for producing such great high interest books for our little readers.
Need a custom quote? Contact us directly to get an estimate, place an order, or receive more information.
Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.
800/336-5588
M-F 9:00-5:00 EST
PO Box 585
Katonah, NY 10536
Email: RCOstaff@rcowen.com
Name: Kathy D
State: TN
Teaching Level: Title I
BYL Use: Reading Intervention
What Do You Like:
I love the non-fiction. They have great pictures and high interest. Kids are very motivated.
What Do Students Like:
My students love the BYL books! Several of them reach for these books from their reading box first every time! Thanks for producing such great high interest books for our little readers.
