Cover to Cover, Part II ~By Suzy Leopold

During the month of April, I shared a post, Cover to Cover, Part I. I began identifying the parts of a book beginning with the cover. The book jacket, followed by interesting endpapers were identified along with front matter elements. 

Let's proceed with Part II and continue identifying the parts of a published book. The featured book is: 

THE GIRL WHO DREW BUTTERFLIES: 

HOW MARIA MERIAN'S ART CHANGED 

SCIENCE 

by Joyce Sidman.

THE GIRL WHO DREW BUTTERFLIES

Book Jacket and End Papers

First, I'll begin with these thoughts . . . 

• Writers understand the importance of reading and studying picture books in the genre one writes. It is a sound idea. 
• Writers request stacks of books from the library to read and study. 
• Picture book writers visit local indie bookstore and inspect picture books from cover to cover. Writers examine recently published picture books. 
• Writers read to hone their craft . . . The craft of writing for children.

From cover to cover, there are various parts of a picture book. Picture book terminology various from book to book. As previously stated, not all picture books include all elements described in the previous post and today's post. Every book does not include the same parts. These variants are based on the topic or theme, the genre, and the audience the book is intended for. Writers choose elements that support the story being told, offering the reader additional information.

As an educator, a writer of children’s picture books, and a Story Teller Extraordinaire, I feel text features are essential parts of a nonfiction book. These story elements can even be included in the genre of fiction. Including various text features and back matter that’s done well are useful components that can support the main text of a well written story. 

I enjoy sharing books during story time at Afterwords Book Store on Tuesdays. Not only do I read books with the littles, I take time to include various book elements. The names of the author and illustrator are read. The front and back covers or book jacket are shown. Interesting end papers are featured. After the story is read, I may point out several components of the Back Matter based on the age group of the audience.

In Part I of Cover to Cover, many elements of Front matter. I left off with the gutter of a book.

Let's continue with another part of a picture book found on the verso [left hand page] and recto [right hand page] pages of a book.

Sidebars or Inset Boxes

Sidebars step away from the story to share additional facts throughout the main story. These could include quotes, definitions, and additional information to enhance the story. These informative inset boxes [sometimes called breakout boxes or fact boxes] are written on the same pages as the book's main text. This element provides a way to grab the reader's attention by presenting interesting ideas and concepts related to the main text. Sidebars are set off in a different font to stand apart. 

Nancy Sanders, author, explains the format of sidebars further on her blog Blogzone: Practical Tips to Help Your Writing Come True . . . 

Fellow GROGger, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, author wrote an excellent post about inset boxes with a catchy title, Sidebars: Not for Skipping.

Moving beyond the story . . . What can a reader discover in Back matter?

As an educator and a writer of children’s picture books, I feel back matter can be an essential part of a nonfiction book. It can be an excellent tool for the genre of fiction, too. Back matter that’s done well is a useful component that supports the story. 

Outstanding back matter not only supports the story, it improves the quality of the book. When back matter is included in a picture book, its like two stories in one.

Back matter supports literacy skills defined in Common Core Standards and the STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics] movement. It encourages critical thinking.

Back matter may include several or some of the following elements:

Index 

An index is a useful tool. An alphabetical list to help the reader find a page number with specific information. 

Index

Glossary

A glossary or key words is a list of important words to know. Students can read the definitions to understand an unknown word. The glossary or mini-dictionary may include specific history, science, or math related words to tie in Common Core Standards.

Glossary

Author's Note

Author's Note

Author & illustrator notes

These notes are often seen in nonfiction picture books. The purpose is to add a few facts that do not fit into the main text of the main text. These notes are compared to "footnotes" and are often personalized about the subject of the book.

Diagrams, Graphs, Maps, and Timeline

A great way to visually display facts and information about the story and topic. Using a timeline helps students connect the events of history and see the "big picture".

Timeline

Bibliography

A page with references and sources used.

Bibliography

Activities

This section may include crafts, experiments, recipes, and building ideas for the reader. Teachers and parents always appreciate these extended activities to build critical thinkers.

Epilogue
When considering an epilogue, ask this question: 
1. Is there anything else left to be said?
For additional information read this blog post by Hannah Gordon for more questions and information.

Afterword or Note from the Author

Additional facts and information.

Many picture books include Resources for further learning. Listed are my additional suggestions for more information.

Melissa Stewart Celebrate Science, Behind the Books: Three Melissas and Nonfiction Text Features.

Michelle J. Kelley and Nicki Clausen-Grace Reading Rockets, Guiding Students Through Expository Text with Text Feature Walks.

Valerie Peterson asks "What are the parts of a printed book?" Read her thoughts on this blog: The Parts of a Book.

From front matter to back matter, a writer chooses the parts of a book to best convey the message of the story and the facts of the main text. These elements are some of the basic parts of a published book. While you won't include every single element described, you may want to consider including those that enhance your story.