This lively and informative text examines children's first experience of non-fiction during the pre-school and foundation years. Its careful consideration of different kinds of quality non-fiction, including books, posters, charts and computer software will provide a helpful framework from which early years teachers can work.

Annotated lists, notes, and suggestions for further reading make this is an ideal source of inspiration and stimulation placing literacy teaching in a fresh, modern context.

This book offers a rich resource of information, with illustrated case studies and many examples of children's responses to non-fiction providing:

• coverage of pre-school and foundation years for children up to six years of age
• references to research findings on the place of non-fiction in early years
• references to the National Literacy Strategy, Early Learning Goals and the National Curriculum for English
• a substantial glossary of terms relevant to non-fiction reading and writing.

The author's zest and expertise helps to give this book an infectious enthusiasm that will permeate the classroom, providing the nursery and primary school teacher, student teacher, or classroom assistant with an invaluable guide and resource tool.

Margaret Mallett is currently Visiting Tutor in Primary English at Goldsmiths College, London. Her previous book with RoutledgeFalmer, Young Researchers: Informational Reading and Writing in the Early and Primary Years, won her the UKRA author award in 2001.

1. Language and learning in the early years: some guiding principles to inform non-fiction reading and writing 2. Early experience of pictures and print: environmental print; board, bath and cloth books; word books and books functioning as toys 3. Alphabet books: enjoying letters, words and illustrations 4. Counting and concept books: books to enjoy and learn from 5. Reading and writing non-fiction at home: Orla's books and writing Moving forward 6. Early informational writing 3-6 years: making a start with informational genre 7. Non-fiction texts and resources 3-6 years: choosing and using quality texts 8. Early reference books: dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopaedias 9. Learning from television and film: making viewing an active experience 10. Information and communication technology: computers and learning 11. The role of fiction in informational learning: securing a personal foothold