| Summary: | The aim of this research review is to map research about how children relate to nonfiction, and how adults, represented by parents, librarians and teachers, relate to children’s nonfiction and its possible purposes, and also the similarities and differences between them, according to current research.A theory of three different ways to look at reading is applied to the material concerning adults’ views of children’s nonfiction. To show children’s views, themes are extracted from the research material, using an analysis model of four different ways to read.Studies show that most children as well as adults perceive children’s nonfiction in a traditional way as a means to gain knowledge and facts, and primarily related to school work.Nonfiction can also help children with reading difficulties to practise reading, by stimulating their interests. Many children read nonfiction because they prefer to read ”real stories” about actual people and events. Nonfiction can also help children find and strengthen their identity. Some children simply read nonfiction for fun and pleasure, in the same way others read fiction.Most librarians and teachers see nonfiction as a way for the children to gain knowledge, practise reading skills or source criticism. Some also see future benefits for the child as an individual or a member of the society.There are few research studies about children’s nonfiction, and parents’ views are also poorly represented in these studies. === Program: Bibliotekarie
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