This article describes how content area readers/informational books can be used in beginning reading programs to support both literacy development and the learning of national standards-based content. Benefits from using content area readers/informational books with young readers include: (1) Certain children, often boys, are far more excited by content such as reptiles, mammals, and faraway people and places found in informational books rather than by narrative tales; (2) Informational books can help youngsters learn basic vocabulary and concepts that will serve as a foundation for subsequent growth in content areas; (3) As research indicates, children need and benefit from instruction in the special features of informational books/content area readers. This is a terrific way to teach students about the table of contents, index, glossary, boldface headings and captions; and (4) Using informational books in a guided reading program for the primary grades may help students overcome the "fourth grade slump" later on. This slump may reflect the shift in instructional focus from storybooks to textbooks. The shift can leave some students with a lack of comfort and skill in dealing with informational text features along with insufficient background knowledge upon which to build.