Why Use Fiction Books to Learn About a Topic?
- Lisa Boeglin
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
Can you use fiction books to teach facts? Of course, you can. In fact, I highly recommend it! When I introduce a new topic or unit of study, I almost always launch with a fiction book. It immediately engages the students with a captivating story leaving them curious to find out more.
Using fiction picture books to teach a topic has so many benefits, especially with young learners. First, fiction helps children build an emotional connection to the subject. When they meet a character they care about—like a lonely bat or a curious robot—they're more likely to remember what they’ve learned and want to know more. Fiction also sparks imagination and curiosity. A whimsical story about a bat looking for a friend might naturally lead into questions like “Where do bats live?” or “What do bats eat?”—and suddenly you’ve got kids diving into nonfiction texts and science exploration.
Another big benefit is that fiction boosts comprehension and critical thinking. As kids follow the plot, they make predictions, wonder about the characters’ choices, and ask thoughtful “what if” questions. Fiction stories also make tough or abstract topics more accessible. A story about a character facing a drought can gently introduce kids to ideas like weather, climate, and conservation in a way they can understand.
Fiction encourages language development, too. Stories get kids talking—about feelings, events, and ideas—which builds vocabulary and supports social-emotional learning. And because fiction blends easily with other subjects like science, art, and writing, you can stretch one story into a full cross-curricular experience. Plus, children love rereading stories. That repetition helps lock in knowledge and builds deeper understanding over time.
In my book, Mama Bat and Baby Bat: Screech, Chirp, Chatter, readers follow Baby Bat through the excitement and challenges on the day he is born. As the story unfolds, young readers naturally learn about bat behaviors—how they fly, communicate, find food, and stay close to Mama. Each spread includes a fun fact sidebar that ties directly to the action, helping kids connect the story to real-life bat science. For those curious to learn more, the book includes back matter filled with additional facts and resources to explore even further.
Here’s a list of additional engaging fiction and nonfiction picture books about bats—perfect for sparking curiosity, dispelling myths, and supporting learning across subject areas:
Fiction Picture Books About Bats
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
A classic! A young fruit bat is separated from her mother and raised by birds. Beautifully illustrated, this story explores identity, difference, and belonging.
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
A whimsical, rhyming story about bats who sneak into a library for a nighttime adventure. There are also sequels:
Bats at the Beach
Bats at the Ballgame
Bats in the Band
Nightsong by Ari Berk, illustrated by Loren Long
A lyrical story about a young bat named Chiro who learns to navigate the dark using echolocation. Poetic and emotionally rich with stunning illustrations.
Little Red Bat by Carole Gerber
A red bat must decide whether to migrate or hibernate. This book weaves facts into a gentle narrative, with added nonfiction back matter.
Bat Loves the Night by Nicola Davies
Combines poetic storytelling with informational content. A pipistrelle bat’s nighttime journey is a gentle introduction to bat biology.
I’m Not Scary by Raahat Kaduji This gentle, funny story is full of warmth, friendship, and baking. The beautiful illustrations paint the bat as an adorable creature, not to be afraid of.
Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story by Anna Forrester Bats have always been a welcome presence during the summers in Jojo’s family barn. On a summer evening, the family quietly makes their way to the lawn to watch the sky and count the visitors to their barn.
The Bat in the Boot by Annie Cannon Inspired by a real incident, children discover a bat in their house. The story includes descriptive bat behaviors to allow readers to better understand bats.
The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat by Laurence Pringle
This gorgeous and lyrical picture book follows a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis as he learns to be a hunter, escape predators. and find a mate. Realistic illustrations celebrate bats as readers learn important facts through an engaging story.
Non-Fiction Picture Books About Bats
Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats by Ann Earle
A great beginner nonfiction book with fun facts and clear language. Perfect for early elementary.
The Bat Book by Charlotte Milner
A visually stunning and informative book exploring bat species, habitats, and conservation.
Bats: Strange and Wonderful by Laurence Pringle
A detailed and engaging nonfiction title for slightly older elementary readers.
A Place for Bats by Melissa Stewart
Teaches kids about habitats and conservation, highlighting how people can help bats thrive.
National Geographic Readers: Bats by Elizabeth Carney
Easy-to-read, photo-filled nonfiction that kids love—part of the Nat Geo leveled readers series.
Download these resources for use in your classroom.
