Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

As I worked on the back matter for what hopefully is book number twelve, I thought about all the fabulous kinds of information that awaits teachers in these often overlooked sections. I’ve explored back matter in posts and gatherings for writers, but I’ve never done it from an educator perspective. SO… I decided it was time to remedy that with a BACK TO SCHOOL series focused on the endless potential of back matter contained in illustrated texts (AKA picture books)!

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to be entered for winner’s choice of my titles. ALSO let me know if you share on social media or with teachers for extra entries. AND if you ARE an educator, please note that for 5 extra entries!

Congrats to Jennifer Sniadecki, winner of DISGUSTOLOGY from Teresa Robeson!

Back Matter Bounty for the Classroom

One of the great bounties of nonfiction illustrated texts these days is the back matter which can feature a variety of text types and graphics. And with the narrative text or main text serving as a bridge, the often denser informational text in the back becomes more engaging, relevant, and accessible—for struggling readers as well as those driven to know more. 

For readers, back matter is like a back stage tour. They might get a peek into a story’s evolution from idea to published, a glimpse into the writer’s process, a chance to meet characters, a dive into science, or a journey through time.

By showcasing aspects of story and writing, back matter offers great potential for educators to address a range of learning standards and objectives. As a former educator, now an author, I see loads of opportunities for building student connections and deepening understanding, critical thinking, and writing.  

I’ll share some of these opportunities in this three part series “especially for educators,” but I know it’s only the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure librarians and teachers will see many more! Look for a download of the series at the end of Part 3.

Part 1: Connections

Author’s Notes: 

Author’s Notes can be minimal or go into many topics related to the book. Most author’s notes share information about an author’s thinking and writing that supports readers as they consider author’s purpose and author’s point of view. 

These notes also often share an author’s connection to a story. Understanding how authors connect can help students connect in meaningful ways with their own writing projects, and, by doing so, strengthen their writing and engagement.

Illustrator’s Notes:

Illustrator’s Notes offer a range of topics, such as details about the art process, research, and the person’s connection to the story,  

Integrate curricular areas by using these notes as a springboard for art activities. 

Use illustrator notes when discussing how art and text work together. How does art convey meaning and enhance character, setting, conflict, mood, and themes?

Making Connections: 

Back matter notes often connect the text to today and present opportunities to cross curricular areas with social studies or science. 

Great discussion and writing prompts can be found in these sections.

Suggestions for further reading are opportunities for text to text connections and to compare and contrast story elements, point of view, and more.

Deeper Look at Character and Story:

Additional background information invites students to think critically. How does additional background information and larger context about a person, event, or setting change or deepen their understanding? 

Consequences and Aftermath:
This information is valuable when coming back to a K-W-L chart to check predictions and answer the questions that have arisen during and after reading.

One of the great opportunities that comes with true stories is that we can extend the exploration of real world cause and effect relationships before and beyond the story’s time frame, letting us see a bigger picture and how change happens over time. You’ll also find text structures such as problem/solution, sequence, and more.

Back matter offers many and varied ways for readers to MAKE CONNECTIONS to self and the world, as well as their ongoing learning and other texts.

Stay tuned for Part 2: Images and Graphics – next week!

Don’t forget to leave a comment below to be entered for winner’s choice of my titles. ALSO let me know if you share on social media or with teachers for extra entries. AND if you ARE an active educator, please note that for 5 extra entries! (US addresses only, please. 3 winners – one drawn from each post in the series – announced 8/22/25)