Hello Bria – While everyone has their own styles and preferences, I’ll share some techniques I’ve used for the nonfiction picture books I’ve had published.

SOME BASICS

• Research begins by reading published books on this topic to get an idea of what’s already out there.
• Read beyond your category. For example, in addition to reading other picture books, find other books on your topic that are in middle grade, YA, or adult. Dig deep.
• Print books are helpful, especially for picture books, while e-books can give you instant access. You may even find read-alouds on YouTube.
• Online research is as easy as googling your topic(s) to find articles or videos.
• However, stick to legit sources such as encyclopedias, .net or .org sites, and so forth.
• Once you find useful sources, log them. I start a reference sheet in Word and will include notes so I know what I found on that site. I may even copy and paste a paragraph that I can refer to later. It’s much easier to log data as you go than to try recalling it later.
• The publishers of my books wanted my list of resources. I provided this information in MLA format. See MLA, “Works Cited: A Quick Guide.” From this list, they fact-checked me and compiled the list of resources included in the book.
• In some cases, interviews may be useful. Be sure to let the person know you’re recording it and explain how you plan to use their testimony. Interviews can be transcribed manually, or electronically via a service or app.

HANDLING CONFLICTING INFORMATION

Facts can be in sync. Or not. I’ve found quite a few contradictions. A rule of thumb is to find three legit sources for each fact. When there are contradictions, I include notes about them in my reference list; this allows the publisher the opportunity to review and determine if they agree with the choices I’ve made.

FACTS CHANGE

Even though we understand that a book is a glimpse at what’s happening at that time, consider acknowledging this in the text. This can be done with lines like “This is the earliest known fossil of an XYZ at this time” or “The ABC species was declared endangered by LMNOP on DATE.”

Since publication is a relatively slow process, it’s possible to catch a fact and update it before the book goes to print.

If the book has been published, the publisher can update information on its online blurbs.

Future printings can be changed if deemed necessary.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

There are many places to get more information. At the SCBWI 2024 Summer Conference, Los Angeles-based, Sibert and Golden Kite award-winning author Colleen Paeff’s presentation, “Beyond Scrivener: Using Tech to Tame Your Nonfiction Research,” offered helpful resources she’s used over the years to conduct research electronically. If you missed her presentation or you’d like more information, you can sign up for her mailing list here.

A tip from Colleen that I love is Library Extension, the “#1 Browser Extension that lets you instantly see book and e-book availability from your local library.” For example, if you’re viewing a book on Amazon, once you have the Library Extension app added, it will show up while you’re in Amazon, providing the book’s availability, and will link you directly to that library so you can put the book on hold. Cool, right? And it’s free!

CLOSING

Keep in mind that there are countless ways to conduct and track your research. You’re on the right track by asking for advice. Keep searching them out to determine which methods work for you. And, when you find something really great, tell a friend. Kidlit is one big community and we’re here for each other.

—Christine

HAVE QUESTIONS?

To ask a question that may be answered in an upcoming Kite Tales, please follow this link and fill in the form. Answers by Christine Van Zandt, children’s book author and owner of Write for Success Editing & Book Coaching Services.

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Photos by Laura Stanley, Rachel Claire, and Michael Burrows, on pexels.com.