A living book makes the subject come alive and is key to engaged learning through literature.

It has four characteristics.

1. It is usually written by one author who has a passion for the subject. It is usually written in narrative form, it reads like the author is telling you a story, or it may be conversational in tone like the author is sitting across the table from you and having a chat.

2. It is well-written; it presents stories well told, not short, choppy, twaddly sentences.

3. It touches your emotions and fires your imagination; you can picture what the author is saying in your mind’s eye.

4. A living book contains ideas, not just dry facts. There are ideas in it that will feed your mind and heart, shape who you are as a person, and often spark other ideas of your own.