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  At its best — which means when it’s accurate — Wikipedia is a supplement to learning. It’s the dessert, not the meal. Unfortunately kids will skip to dessert every time…unless you give them a reason not to.Mikaya Press was co-founded by a public school teacher who was concerned that there was not enough quality nonfiction available to her students. Mikaya Press began publishing books that met high standards of literary and visual excellence, as well as the scrutiny of some very discerning 5th and 6th graders. What does great nonfiction look like?  Nonfiction writing, it goes without saying, should be clear, vivid, and exciting. And great nonfiction, like the best fiction, should also tell a good story, one that captures the reader’s attention and keeps the pages turning. A conglomeration of factoids—random facts without a meaningful context can be found anywhere, especially Wikipedia. A great nonfiction book is so much more.A great nonfiction book conveys information clearly in a coherent and compelling narrative framework. At Mikaya Press we take pride in the accuracy of our books, and we’re even prouder that the facts are presented in a context that enhances understanding, piques curiosity, and frees the imagination. For example, the books in our Wonders of the World series, tell how great structures were built and also tell the story of who built them, and why, and what was happening in the world at the time they were built, and our Great Explorers series goes beyond the individual explorers to reveal the historical forces that shaped the world in which they did their exploring  Great nonfiction takes the reader to faraway places and different times. Fine illustrations can make the journey an even richer experience.Mikaya Press books don’t stop with illustrations. Diagrams, maps, archival images, and timelines flow naturally from the text, giving the reader an increasingly solid grasp of the content. And then there’s design. A well-designed nonfiction book seamlessly integrates all the elements—text, visuals, captions, diagrams, maps, etc.—making it both useful and beautiful. Or as the critic said about Rescued Images, "Although there are many Holocaust memoirs available for young adult audiences, this one stands out for its moving marriage of art and text."  Mikaya Press books have become classics. Not one has ever gone out of print. In fact, they keep going back to press. So how can you keep young Googlers learning? By giving them a dinner that they’ll want to sink their teeth into: Great nonfiction!
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