Welcome back to The Read Aloud Classroom. I’m Sara, and I am so glad you’re here today.
Can I just say – November is flying by, isn’t it? I feel like we blinked and suddenly we’re halfway through the month, juggling parent-teacher conferences, holiday prep, and somehow still trying to keep our students engaged in actual learning. So today, I wanted to bring you something fun and practical that you can weave right into what you’re already doing in your classroom.
We’re calling it KNOW-vember – yes, K-N-O-W-vember – a simple way to add a little extra reading magic to November by celebrating nonfiction books. And let me tell you, this is one of my favorite ways to get kids excited about learning new facts and exploring the world around them through reading.
Here’s the thing about nonfiction – it’s not just about building reading skills. When we share nonfiction picture books with our students, we’re helping them build background knowledge that supports learning across ALL subjects. We’re strengthening their information literacy skills, which, let’s be honest, is so critical in our world today. And we’re giving them permission to explore their personal interests – whether that’s science, history, nature, sports, or anything in between.
Plus, and this is a big one, nonfiction can be a total game-changer for those students who just aren’t connecting with fiction. Some kids light up when they’re reading about real things, real people, real animals. So celebrating nonfiction this month? It’s a win all around.
Today I’m sharing ten incredible nonfiction picture books that are perfect for KNOW-vember. These titles span science and social studies topics, and here’s the best part – every single one of these books has a corresponding lesson plan waiting for you in the Colorful Apple Book Club membership. So if you hear a book that sounds perfect for your class, you can grab the lesson and have it ready to go. No extra planning required.
Alright, let’s dive in!
First up is I Am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges herself.
This one is so powerful, you guys. Ruby Bridges tells her own story – the story of that momentous day in 1960 when, as a six-year-old little girl, she became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana.
What I love about this book is that it’s told from Ruby’s point of view as a child. It’s personal and intimate, and it gives us this poetic reflection on an experience that changed the face of history and the trajectory of the Civil Rights movement. The illustrations by Nikkolas Smith are absolutely stunning and breath-taking – they really bring Ruby’s courage to life.
This is such an important story for our students to know, and Ruby’s message of hope and confidence shines through every page. In the Book Club, the lesson plan for this one focuses on asking questions, which is perfect for helping students engage deeply with this landmark moment in history.
Next is Recess at 20 Below by Cindy Lou Aillaud.
Okay, this one is SO fun, especially if you have kids who are fascinated by weather and what life is like in different parts of the world. This book takes you through what it’s actually like to play at recess when it’s 20 degrees below zero in Alaska.
Think about it – how does the world sound when it’s that cold? How does it taste? How does it look and smell? The author walks you through the layers upon layers of clothing you need to put on to avoid frostbite before you can even step outside. You learn about the tiny ice crystals floating in the air and the loud crunch, crunch, crunch your boots make in the snow.
It features photographs of real kids, and students everywhere are fascinated by this because they want to know what happens at 20 below! The revised edition even includes answers to real questions the author has received from kids about what life and school are like in Alaska. The Book Club lesson plan uses this book for compare and contrast, which is perfect for helping students think about their own recess experience versus life in the far north.
Our third book is Nature’s Patchwork Quilt: Understanding Habitats by Mary Miche.
This book has such a beautiful concept. It compares the habitats of the world to a patchwork quilt – all these different squares joining together to form something beautiful, just like the habitats of the world combine to create our beautiful planet.
The artwork is gorgeous, and there’s an abundance of important information packed into this book. It spreads Earth’s major habitats before you, ready to be examined – mountains, prairies, oceans, and more. It’s a wonderful way to introduce key concepts in natural science while helping children learn to appreciate the world around us.
The Book Club lesson plan for this one focuses on animal habitats, so it’s perfect if you’re doing any kind of science unit on ecosystems or if you just want your students to understand how different animals live in different parts of our world.
Next up is One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul.
This is the inspiring true story of Isatou Ceesay, an African woman who started a recycling movement in her community in Gambia. For years, plastic bags were cheap and convenient for carrying goods in her village, but when they broke or weren’t needed anymore, they were just tossed aside. They piled up along roads, created breeding grounds for mosquitoes and disease, strangled gardens, killed livestock, and polluted the environment.
Isatou decided to take action. She began collecting the plastic bags and recycling them into something new. Her efforts didn’t just clean up the environment – they also provided income for women in her community who had been struggling to make ends meet.
This book is powerful and moving. It showcases what one person’s determination and ingenuity can do to create positive change. It’s perfect for talking about environmental responsibility and encouraging our students to think about how they can make a difference in their own communities. The Book Club lesson plan focuses on recycling, which ties in beautifully with this message.
Our fifth book is Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton.
This one is for anyone who doesn’t quite appreciate just how extra special and important bees are to our world! The narrator has this hilarious, interactive style with cartoon-style illustrations, and the whole book is packed with facts and fun.
Kids learn that besides making yummy honey, bees help plants grow fruits and vegetables. They learn that most bees wouldn’t hurt a fly unless it was in self-defense. And here’s the important part – bees are officially on the endangered animals list now, so it’s more critical than ever for our students to understand why we need to protect them.
The Book Club lesson plan for this book focuses on pollination, so it’s a great choice if you’re doing any plant science or if you just want to help your students understand this crucial process that literally helps feed the world.
Next is Be a King by Carole Boston Weatherford, with illustrations by James E. Ransome.
This book uses key moments from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life to inspire future generations to stand up for what’s right and make the world a better place. What makes this one unique is that it features a dual narrative – we see key moments from Dr. King’s life alongside a modern classroom where students are learning about him.
The message is so empowering: You can be a King. Stamp out hatred. Beat the drum for justice. March to your own conscience. It shows students that Dr. King’s example remains relevant today, encouraging them to take charge and change the world in their own ways.
The Book Club lesson plan centers on MLK Jr., and this book is perfect for helping students understand not just who Dr. King was, but how they can embody those same principles of justice, courage, and standing up for what’s right.
Our seventh book is The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard.
Can you even imagine learning to read at 116 years old? That’s exactly what Mary Walker did. Born into slavery in 1848, Mary was freed at 15, married at 20, and went on to work countless jobs – cooking, cleaning, babysitting, selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. By 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read.
This story is absolutely inspirational. Mary’s long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and her perseverance and dedication proved that you’re never too old to learn. What a powerful message for our students – if Mary could learn to read at 116, they can tackle any challenge they’re facing!
The Book Club lesson plan uses this book to teach about biographies, which is such an important genre for students to understand and appreciate.
Next up is The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons.
This is such a clear and interesting introduction to our magnificent moon. It shines light – pun intended – on all kinds of fascinating facts. Students learn how the moon affects ocean tides, why the same side of the moon always faces Earth, why we have eclipses, and so much more.
The newly revised edition includes updated information based on recent discoveries and an updated map of the moon’s surface. It’s been thoroughly vetted by an astrophysics expert, so you know the information is solid. Gail Gibbons uses her signature style of colorful, clear illustrations with accessible text, and she reinforces important vocabulary with simple explanations.
The book even includes legends about the moon, trivia, and facts about the moon landing. The Book Club lesson plan focuses on the moon, making this perfect for any space unit or for those students who are just naturally curious about what’s happening in our night sky.
Our ninth book is Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez.
This is such a fun biography of a pioneering female scientist! While other girls played with dolls, young Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere – she even brought a crocodile to school!
When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. Then she went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious Komodo dragons. And just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children’s tea parties at the zoo – with her Komodo dragon as the guest of honor!
The text is lively, the illustrations by Felicita Sala are vibrant, and the whole book brings to life Joan’s inspiring story of passion and determination. The Book Club lesson plan focuses on reptiles, so this is perfect if you’re doing any animal science or if you just want to celebrate a woman who followed her passion, no matter how unusual it seemed to others.
And our final book is Let’s Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World by Kate DePalma.
This book takes students on an immersive journey through 13 holidays from around the world – from the Spring Festival in China to Inti Raymi in Peru to the New Yam Festival in Nigeria. The text is lyrical, the illustrations are vibrant, and it’s perfect for sparking curiosity about diverse traditions and the joy of coming together.
The book features holidays from countries including Japan, China, New Zealand, Peru, Brazil, Sweden, Iran, the United States, Nigeria, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, and India. It includes pronunciation guides, a global festival calendar, and educational endnotes that explain the significance of each celebration.
The Book Club lesson plan focuses on holiday celebrations, which makes this a wonderful addition to your classroom library year-round, not just in November. It helps young readers appreciate diverse traditions and understand that people around the world have their own special ways of celebrating.
Alright, friend, there you have it – ten fantastic nonfiction picture books to help you celebrate KNOW-vember in your classroom. Whether you’re diving into biographies, exploring science concepts, or learning about cultures around the world, these books are ready to spark curiosity and build knowledge.
And remember, if any of these books caught your attention, every single one has a ready-to-go lesson plan waiting for you in the Colorful Apple Book Club membership. No weekend searching, no extra prep time – just grab the lesson and you’re ready to bring these incredible books to life in your classroom.
Before I let you go, I want to remind you that my 2025 Read Aloud Guide is launching on December 1st. If you’re already a Book Club member, it’ll be completely free for you. If not, you’ll be able to grab your own copy. This guide is going to be your go-to resource for planning meaningful read-alouds all year long.
Thank you so much for being here and for all you do for your students every single day.
