High+Interest

=High Interest Topics=

High interest topics as an accessibility feature cuts across all the previous sections in that within each of the ways that nonfiction texts provide access, high interest topics that motivate reading exists. Young readers gravitate towards topics that ignite their imaginations and this provides greater access to comprehension. “Remembering, understanding, learning, and thinking are easy as long as the brain is pursuing a course determined by its own imagination. They are bound to occur if an imagination is active” (Smith, 1990). (Continue with reviews of examples of high interest books.)

Books
//**The Butt Book**// **by Artie Bennett**
 * The third title I have Volcano Wakes Up! by Lisa Westberg Peters could either be another book under Motivating Formats (because it is a poetry book) or the High Interest category with the explosive art done by Steve Jenkins

Often, the books that children find most interesting, adults find unorthodox. These high-interest books cover topics, such as body parts and bodily functions, that are taboo yet, by their very nature, are on the minds of youngsters. Artie Bennett successfully delivers //The Butt Book,// which is a picture book dedicated to the “butt” of many jokes. Using verse to convey the many kinds and uses of derrieres, Bennett has created what is sure to be a favorite with younger children. Bottoms up to a book that makes the reading act accessible to even the most resistant reader.


 * Sylver, A. (2010). //Hot diggity dog: the history of the hot dog//** **. (E.H. Smith Ill). New York: Dutton Children’s Books.**

Sylver and Smith take young readers on a visually appealing journey of the hot dog. The controversial roots of where the hot dog was born are explained. Then the beginning of the hot dog in America as well as why hot dogs have buns is detailed before appropriately describing the process of making a hot dog. Whether readers believe the origins of the hot dog are credited to the Germans or the Austrians, they will certainly agree that they are ready for lunch after reading! Facts about hot dogs and other fun foods such as donuts and peanut butter are displayed in the side margins of each page along with zany trivia like the top cities where the most hot dogs are consumed. This book is a fun read with interesting facts and bright retro illustrations.