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This story is a non-fiction account of the author's dog Bear's life in a scrapbook-style format. There are photos of the dog and the author's family with comments related to the photos.

Do children like this type of book with photos of a real dog and true experiences or do they prefer a fictional dog story with colorful illustrations?

My children have enjoyed both types of books you describe. As far as photographs of real people, animals and things, the bigger and more detailed, the better. Illustrated books are also really enjoyable for them. When the topic of the book is something they are familiar with, like tying shoes, eating meals, going to the park, etc., photographs capture their attention. More abstract ideas, or things they are not familiar with seem to be better accepted if illustrated.

My son enjoys both, depends on the subject matter. He loved to read non-fiction about science, the world, and so on. When the subject matter is dogs, I think he would prefer fiction.

gali wrote:My son enjoys both, depends on the subject matter. He loved to read non-fiction about science, the world, and so on. When the subject matter is dogs, I think he would prefer fiction.

I agree that it depends on the topic. My boys always liked to read non-fiction books about dinosaurs. As for pets, they seemed to like a fictional character unless it was a non-fiction book that discussed different types of dogs.

bookowlie wrote:

gali wrote:My son enjoys both, depends on the subject matter. He loved to read non-fiction about science, the world, and so on. When the subject matter is dogs, I think he would prefer fiction.

I agree that it depends on the topic. My boys always liked to read non-fiction books about dinosaurs. As for pets, they seemed to like a fictional character unless it was a non-fiction book that discussed different types of dogs.

My son loves to read about dinosaurs too! We have several books featuring them.

bookowlie wrote:This story is a non-fiction account of the author's dog Bear's life in a scrapbook-style format. There are photos of the dog and the author's family with comments related to the photos.

Do children like this type of book with photos of a real dog and true experiences or do they prefer a fictional dog story with colorful illustrations?

Do "second childhood" readers apply to this question? After reading three Dostoyevsky novels in a row I am quite ready for a doggie story, and it is vitally important that the doggie not be subjected to an inquisition, get sent to a labor camp in Siberia, or have an unrequited love affair with a female doggie who both loves him and despises him.

It's so true that sometimes it's nice to read a lighter, less dense book.

Either - till the book is light and entertaining. Books based on true experiences might be saddening and a bit too 'heavy' for children. Depressing events in books still have a psychological impact on me.. so you can imagine the case with children

My son loves non fiction and would almost always choose it over fiction. My daughter, however, loves fictional stories. My experience tells me it depends on the child!

I don't think it matters if the pictures are actual photographs or drawings, just if the story and the pictures are able to hold the child's attention.

I really think it depends on the child. When I was little, I loved seeing real pictures in books. This was especially true before I could read. I remember taking books that were too difficult for me and just looking at the real pictures that were in them. My sister, however, preferred fiction books with illustrations. She wasn't as interested in the actual pictures like I was.

DATo wrote:

bookowlie wrote:This story is a non-fiction account of the author's dog Bear's life in a scrapbook-style format. There are photos of the dog and the author's family with comments related to the photos.

Do children like this type of book with photos of a real dog and true experiences or do they prefer a fictional dog story with colorful illustrations?

Do "second childhood" readers apply to this question? After reading three Dostoyevsky novels in a row I am quite ready for a doggie story, and it is vitally important that the doggie not be subjected to an inquisition, get sent to a labor camp in Siberia, or have an unrequited love affair with a female doggie who both loves him and despises him.

If you found a story like this would his name be Dogstoyevsky? I couldn't resist, I'm sorry!

Elaine5 wrote:My son loves non fiction and would almost always choose it over fiction. My daughter, however, loves fictional stories. My experience tells me it depends on the child!

True. Generally, do you think Non-fiction is darker than fiction?

It would depend on the non-fiction you are talking about. This tale about Bear may be considered darker than books about Clifford, Lassie or Benji (although I wouldn't use the word "dark" to describe this book).

But there are other examples where fiction is far darker. Nat Geo books for kids are non-fiction, biographies of famous people written for children are non-fiction, how-to books on arts and crafts (or doing cool tricks), etc. Meanwhile, fiction from Edgar Allen Poe and dystopian fiction are surely darker than any of those non-fiction examples. The non-fiction topic would determine if it is darker than any given fictitious work. Both umbrella genres are so huge it would be hard to make a general statement that one is darker than the other. You know what I mean?

My Daughter is too little (18 months) to give me her real opinion on fiction vs non-fiction. But she did love the pictures of the 'doggie' and pointed. She doesn't really know the difference between a real picture and a drawing. To her a doggie is a doggie and that is a good thing.