Information and Media Literacy Picture Books
Information is all around us on the TV, the radio, ads, websites, etc. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what is the truth and what is Snake Oil (aka "Fake News"). If you as an adult are having trouble, imagine children trying to navigate media messaging. It takes an understanding and practice of Information and Media Literacy to crack through the codes. But what are the literacies of information?
- Information Literacy: The ability to find (tracking down sources), evaluate (assessing through critical thinking), and use (through ethically sharing) information.
- Media Literacy: The ability to look at media messages through the lens of Information Literacy, by also asking the reasoning behind the messaging.
- Digital Literacy: Applying Information and Media Literacy to digital platforms.
Want to teach your child how to spot "Fake News"? I've got you covered.
The Nantucket Sea Monster: A Fake News Story by Darcy Pattison, illustrated by Peter Willis
"Not a whale!"
Synopsis
It's a fish ... It's a whale ... It's a sea monster? Off of Nantucket Island in August of 1937, a sea monster was spotted and eyewitness accounts started popping up. It got the attention of the newspapers and spread across the nation. But were the newspapers correct, was it really a sea monster?
Awards
- A Junior Library Guild Selection (2017)
- Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award, 1997-2025 (2018)
- Delaware Diamonds Award, 2018-2019, Grades 3-5
Spotlight
The Nantucket Sea Monster shares the true story of a sea monster balloon created by Tony Sarg, the puppeteer and designer of the balloons of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as a publicity stunt to promote his Curiosity Shop. It created a nation-wide fascination of a sea monster lurking in the Nantucket waters as newspapers picked up the story. The picture book explains through story how this sensation became widespread with the help of Freedom of the Press. After the story it breaks down the events into a timeline and goes onto explain the history of Free Press and the start of Fake News reporting. It also includes a vocabulary list and a list of sources used to create the book. In the end it asks a fantastic open-ended question for students, "Was the publicity stunt right or wrong?", that will get students discussing their opinions and why. It's a great way to discuss how disinformation can spread and how media can help spread that disinformation.
Additional Information
Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories by Elise Gravel
"First let me explain what news is."
Synopsis
Through examples, humor, and fun illustrations, Killer Underwear Invasion!, teaches children (and adults) how to pick out fake news, disinformation, and conspiracy theories in media today. It emphasizes the importance of completing your own research to fact check before sharing, commenting, or forming your own opinion.
Awards
- Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025 (2023)
- Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List, 2021-2024 (2023)
- Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices (2023)
- Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025 (2023)
Spotlight
While this is not a book to be read in one sitting, the book breaks down Fake News into six digestible chapters with "What is Fake News?", "Why do people make up 'news'?", "Why is disinformation such a bad thing?", "What happens when Fake News blows up?", "Why do we believe Fake News?", and "How to tell real news from Fake News". Through simple but effective illustrations and explanations, the graphic novels shows how easily it is to fall for Fake News and how easy it is to spread it. It teaches children (and adults) how to step back from the information, figure out what the news is trying to do or say, and decide how that information relates to you with confirmation bias. It stresses the importance, without lecturing, on how to conduct your own research on the information, author, and publisher before considering sharing the information with others. It is a great addition to any Information Literacy lesson.
Additional Information
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