The IT factor in Picture Books

By Joyce P. Uglow

It is well known that nonfiction picture books play a big role in supporting students’ development of scientific literacies and cultivates critical reading skills. NF PBs possess the IT Factor! Case in point, “Nonfiction Picturebook Reading in Early and Elementary Education: A PRISMA-P Systematic Review” in ILA’s December 9, 2025 Reading Research Quarterly, points out the importance of NF PBs. Diana Muela-Bermejo and Rosa Tabernero-Sala stated that children who have limited exposure to NF PB tend to exhibit lower reading comprehension skills. Furthermore, it has been said that nonfiction awakens curiosity, fosters a desire to learn, and inspires a sense of wonder. NCTE’s position statement on the role of NF for K-12 students states nonfiction is a “deeply enriching aesthetic experience.”  

The IT Factor in NF PB awakens curiosity and fosters a desire to learn. 

Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Vault by Megan Clendenan, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese, published by Charlesbridge on October 14, 2025, received the 2026 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children.

I love the engaging organization, rich language, and intrigue in Just in Case! This book is a wonderful example of how an author’s curiosity about a relatively unknown topic prompted further research. Megan Clendenan heard about the seed vault, went on to discover more, and found the right words, the IT Factor, to awaken curiosity on the topic for kids. Books like this inspire kids and foster a desire to learn more on their own. In addition to the gorgeous illustrations, I noticed how the ingenious fact box headings drew my attention to the not-to-be-missed information. Equally brilliant is the use of the engaging title in a refrain. 

The IT Factor in NF PB inspires a sense of wonder. 

There is real magic in Julie Winterbottom and Susan Reagan’s Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World About Water Pollution, published by Rocky Pond Books on March 25, 2025. It earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly! 

Julie’s fabulous first line delivers the IT factor right out of the gate. “When Ruth was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum.” What? Pond scum?! I was hooked immediately, engaged from the first to the last line. In Julie Winterbottom’s words on uGROnews Creative Point of View about Magic in a Drop of Water, she said, “I think it helped that I chose a subject that I felt very passionate about so that I could keep going when the research and writing was challenging.” 

 

The IT factor in NF PBs… not everything makes it into the book.  

As nonfiction writers do, I unearthed a plethora of facts during my research for STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits, published by Bushel and Peck Books, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova. I decided it best to focus and stick with a predator–prey fray to tell the origin story of La Brea. The handful of those featured extinct species allowed me to include info about the Ice Age ecosystem and lead kids to dig deeper into the topic. I left other tidbits to uncover in book talks, educational resources, and school visits. (BTW… Adults and kids are intrigued and utterly surprised that no dinosaurs got stuck at La Brea.)

 

Here is my 2026 IT Factor challenge for you and me:

• Focus on a first line that hooks the reader.
• Choose surprising research tidbits that spark imagination and inspire readers to ask questions. 
• Plant curiosity.
• Use intriguing text features.
• Follow up with amazing back matter. 
• Let your passion for the topic seep into the narrative.
• Enjoy finding the IT Factor for your next books!

 

 

About the Author: Joyce P. Uglow writes poetry and lyrical picture books about nature, science, and our planet. She is the NSTA / CBC 2026 Outstanding Science Trade Books award-winning author of STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits (2025 Bushel & Peck Books). Joyce currently serves as the Co-Regional Advisor for SCBWI Wisconsin and a Mighty Kidlit mentor. She loves family gatherings, gardening, and exploring National Parks, the world’s mountains, rocks and water with her husband, Larry. Visit Joyce’s website to learn more.