We can model for our kids how good writers use all their senses in their writing to show not tell. Use mentor texts in your writing workshop to teach growing writers descriptive writing using sensory images, vivid verbs, precise adjectives, and rich figurative language. Certainly, many poetry books capture this kind of vivid description in […]
picture books
15 Fun Children’s Books About Shapes
These board books and picture books will help your preschool child learn about shapes including circles, squares, triangles, and other geometric figures. Plus, these math children’s books are tons of fun to read. Sometimes are even hilarious or heartwarming. Understanding shapes is a foundational math skill as well as an important visual identification skill. As […]
The Scientific Method in Picture & Chapter Books
Get your kids excited about the scientific method with engaging picture books and chapter books like these. This science inquiry process is beneficial because it teaches kids to think: to make observations, ask questions, form hypotheses, experiment, analyze, fail, try again, and draw conclusions. Children’s books like these make this process fun & exciting using […]
Picture Books to Teach Sequencing & Beginning, Middle, and End
It’s important to teach sequencing to kids. Use picture books as mentor texts to teach sequence including beginning, middle, and end. Sequencing is part of the Common Core Reading Standards. Understanding a story’s sequence helps kids when they need to retell the events in the story. It also helps kids predict what happens next because […]
8 New Emotionally Resonant Friendship Picture Books
I love picture books that tell children stories of navigating friendship but especially books that help kids learn how to be better friends. To that end, you’ll want to read A Friend for Henry and When Charley Met Emma — they both should be required reading for empathy building. And Sweety is like my life story — it’s such […]
Helpful Children’s Books About Manners
When we teach manners to young children, I think we have to be both explicit as well as demonstrative, meaning we also must give examples that show what we mean about manners. These children’s picture books are both. Some books are close to being a bit preachy. But I think these books actually serve a […]
What’s New in Biographical Picture Books, Winter 2019
Are you looking for new picture book biographies? Here’s what’s been published recently. My two favorites are Along Came Coco and Planting Stories. What’s New in Biographical Picture Books, Winter 2019 Along Came Coco by Eva Byrne Coco grew up in an orphanage run by nuns where she learned to sew but didn’t much […]