Start with the child’s question
They may wonder whether an animal behaves as shown, whether a place exists, or whether an invention in the story could work. Ask which detail they mean and read the surrounding passage together. Avoid responding with a broad claim that everything in fiction is false or everything in nonfiction is settled. The distinction becomes more useful when tied to an actual sentence or picture. You can say that the story imagines something while still exploring the real subject that inspired it.
Look for the book’s own explanation
Check the introduction, author note, captions, or references for information about what was invented and what was researched. Some works explain their approach clearly; others do not. If you cannot tell, say that and choose an appropriate follow-up source. For changing information, consider the publication date. Do not invent an explanation of the author’s research process because the book looks authoritative. Keep the question narrow enough that the family can investigate it without turning the whole reading session into a fact-checking exercise.
Return to enjoying the work
After answering the question as well as you can, ask whether the child wants to continue the story or explore the real topic further. Either choice can fit. You do not need to interrupt every imaginative detail with a correction. When accuracy is important for an assignment or a practical activity, use the relevant source and guidance for that purpose. The family can appreciate an invented world while learning to ask careful questions about claims that extend beyond it.