Nonfiction in Motion: Connecting Preschoolers with Nonfiction Books through Movement. By Julie Dietzel-Glair. Chicago: ALA, 2016. 136 p. Paper $57 (ISBN 0-8389-1468-7).

Nonfiction in Motion: Connecting Preschoolers with Nonfiction Books through Movement by Julie Dietzel-Glair is the author’s companion volume to Books in Motion: Connecting Preschoolers with Books through Art, Games, Movement, Music, Playacting, and Props (ALA 2013). Dietzel-Glair has given librarians everywhere a unique and important storytime resource. With the increase of the use of nonfiction or information reading in the Common Core and other curriculum standards, it is important that librarians develop storytime customers’ love for this type of material as well as for literature. Michael Sullivan has been reminding us for more than a decade that boys approach reading differently from girls, and this includes reading for information. Now it is time for us to use this knowledge to serve all the children in our storytimes. Nonfiction in Motion is the tool to get you started.

In a brief introduction, the author presents basic information about how to use the resource, including a short but invaluable section on how to incorporate the best practices of early literacy into storytime. Next are annotations for two hundred high-quality recent nonfiction titles that make up the rest of the book, divided into chapters by theme: animals, concepts, construction and “things that go,” science, and “the world around us.” Dietzel-Glair has provided a brief summary of each title as well as one or two movement, music, or art activities to enhance learning. For many books, three or four activities are listed, as if the author couldn’t choose just one! The appendix, “Art Outlines,” provides basic outline drawings of objects, such as trees and animals, that the author suggests using either as props or for extending the story activities. Also included is an index of books cited by title. The best tool is the Index of Storytime Subjects, which enables the librarian to open the book, look up a storytime theme, find a nonfiction book, and select one of the activities to plug into the storytime—all within a few minutes.

This is a must-purchase resource for any public or school library that hosts preschool storytimes. It is an invaluable resource for including nonfiction materials in storytime. This reviewer plans to showcase this book in her next storytime staff training.—Jenny Foster Stenis, Coordinator, Readers Services, Pioneer Library System, Norman, Oklahoma