This list of must have picture books for your classroom library includes a wide range of titles from seasonal to teaching points. Free activities too!
Have an idea for picture book that's ready for publishing? Here's the complete breakdown for how to publish a picture book when you're ready!
Use these free printable Parts of a Book Poster & Worksheet to teach your pre-readers about book awareness and concepts of print.
Reinforce text connections using picture books and oral questioning (questions
These eight art picture books with craft ideas for kids are sure to keep your toddlers and preschoolers busy having fun (and learning, of course)! Each book includes an artistic element of its own - colors, drawing, painting, etc.
Kindergarten is a most delightful ages for read alouds–kids are full of wonder and silliness, and the selection of excellent picture books is enormous. Here are 50 of the best books for kindergarten.
"It was like herding cats!" That was my answer to my husband the other day when he asked how my day had gone. Seriously, the days I have first and second graders are just hard - fun, but exhausting. That is until I found the SECRET to STEM and the littles! Are you ready for
Do you want to learn how to write a children's picture book? Read this ultimate guide to help you know how to start before you even have an idea in mind!
Strengthen math instruction with good literature. These math picture books for kids make math interesting and approachable.
Want to teach rules and expectations in an engaging way? Use picture books! These 15 picture books are some of the best to start your year.
Wild Thing Book Activities! This unit is fantastic for Maurice Sendak's book Where the Wild Things Are. Writing worksheet and craft included. Perfect for kindergarten or first grade!
I’m sharing our top favorite Charlotte Mason inspired picture books. Living books that are beautiful and are free of twaddle.
Picture Books in Middle School | Using picture books in your classroom can engage reluctant readers, help introduce a lesson, and build community. Check out tips & resources for using picture books in middle school from The Hanson Hallway at The Secondary English Coffee Shop.
Be an adventurous armchair traveler and read around the world with more than 50 these diverse children's books to teach them about different countries.
Unleash your child's inner artist with this fun Don't Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus craft idea! Let their creativity soar and make something special for
These math books for kids are perfect for teaching math in a fun and engaging way! Discover the benefits of using children's math books in your homeschool.
Children's books about perseverance and determination that encourage growth mindset, grit and working towards goals and meeting challenges.
Looking for some new fall mentor texts to add to your classroom library? Here are some of my favorites that I think you might enjoy!
Ready for one of my favorite ways to teach students about writing, reading, creativity, and even kindness? It’s something that elementary teachers have known all along…it’s the picture book! The picture book is a powerful instructional tool that can work in any classroom…and I thought I’d share some examples of my favorites with you today. I’ve put the collection of books in a simple (and free) PDF with links that you can download by clicking this LINK. I’ve also paired each book with a ready-made unit that you can easily teach in your classroom too. Feel free to download the PDF at any time. In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of my favorite picture books for any classroom. First, I’m sharing a book that is great for the beginning of the year as you’re building a positive classroom community. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts taps into a child’s innate need to have what everyone else has. In this case, the main character longs for the “cool” shoes even though they are too expensive for his grandmother to purchase. After finding a pair that is much too small, the main character makes the ultimate sacrifice for a classmate. It’s a touching story that celebrates kindness and classmates…perfect for any time of year. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Picture books are also wonderful examples of creativity. Since learning to be creative has shown to be one of the most powerful skills for helping students thrive in life, it’s important to celebrate creativity in the classroom. These two books do just that… Not a Box by Antoinette Portis is fairly simple at first glance. A box shape is turned into everything expect a box – a robot, a hot air balloon, even a rocket ship. It’s a fun example of “thinking outside of the box,” just imagine all the creative lessons you could do as an extension to this story. (Click HERE to check out the book.) The Three Pigs by David Wiesner is another example of creativity. This time students see how a traditional story can be flipped on its head and come to life with a little imagination. This book is the perfect springboard for lessons about thinking in new and creative ways. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Picture books are wonderful for adding a little humor and whimsy into the classroom. You can keep these two books on your shelf for a rainy day and pull them out when students can use a laugh. And…as a major bonus, humor produces psychological and physiological benefits that help students learn. One of my favorite funny books is The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak. While there are no pictures in the book, there are plenty of silly words and crazy sentences that you, the reader, must read out loud. Students love how “powerless” you become against the words Novak makes you say. You’ll all be laughing together with this book! (Click HERE to check out the book.) Another funny book filled with voice (and a sweet message) is Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea. Not only is the book funny as the goat laments about the new Unicorn in town, it’s also cleverly written. There’s a lesson in this book along with a few laughs. (Click HERE to check out the book.) What about using picture books to teach critical ELA skills? That’s a genius idea. For instance, if you’d like to teach theme, try The EmptyPot by Demi. It’s one of my favorite stories because the reader learns its themes of honesty and integrity along with the main character that shows up to a gardening challenge with an empty pot. Not only is it a great way to teach theme, it’s a lovely way to showcase important character traits too. (Click HERE to check out the book.) The next time you’re putting together a writing unit, have students begin by reading mentor texts in the form of pictures books. It’s a super engaging and quick way for students to learn about the critical elements of the genre. I always started my memoir writing unit with a review of several picture books like The Baby Sister by Tomie dePaola. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Want to each about figurative language? It’s easy with picture books. Send students on a figurative language hunt in a book like WhiteSnow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt. The story has a poetic quality as it tells about the first snowfall of the year. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Alright, I could go on for days…but I better stop right here. I just love how picture books are a powerful way to help students learn about critical ELA topics and build character. Remember, you can check out a list of all my favorites in this FREE download. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope some picture books make an appearance in your classroom! See you soon! Mary Beth *This post contains affiliate links.
Introducing your students to figurative language can be fun with picture books. Use these figurative language activities to help your students practice.
Want to teach rules and expectations in an engaging way? Use picture books! These 15 picture books are some of the best to start your year.
Use this picture book list to increase literacy skills and comprehension of science concepts in your grade 4 5 6 classroom.
This post shares 15 read alouds for teaching story elements with brief summaries and the specific story element skills each read aloud addresses.
You can teach anything with children's picture books: Science. History. Writing. Math. Cooking. And Art. Especially art. Because picture books are an artform. I'll be writing a Five Day Series this week about connecting children's literature to art. Monday through Thursday I will be sharing four art project ideas inspired by children's picture books. On Friday I have …
Yes, there are plenty of picture books for middle school students! This giant list includes books with rich language and content perfect for older kids.
Looking for some fabulous Christian picture books for your children? Be sure to check out the picture books on this list!
FREE Classic Picture Books Unit Studies {25+!}
Explore the BEST picture books that teach about Art or Inspire Art Making for kids to use for art infused lessons in your classroom, to teach art history and about making art and the creative process to your art students, or to use for creating an art-themed section in your home library. This comprehensive list explores famous artists, artworks, and the art making process through fun and creative, easy-to read picture books. It will provide you with ideas and inspiration for creating art lessons and projects that you can pair with these amazing books to help you teach about art making in depth in your classroom.
STEM books can spark interest in any child. This list of great STEM books aren't just for reading, they also have fun activities.
Students will enjoy making a Halloween book as they learn new vocabulary.
These apple books for kids are a great way to add some language and literacy learning to the autumn/fall season.
Are you teaching goal setting to elementary students? These goal setting picture book stories and activities will help you set goals with your students this back to school season. Freebies included!
This giant list of art projects based on children's books will help your students connect art to literature and make some fantastic artwork in the process.
Looking for the best Halloween read alouds for kindergarten & 1st grade? This list of 20 books has everything you need for spooky fun in October.
Check out this list of picture books for upper elementary! Use them for interactive read alouds and as mentor texts! Such great picture books for older kids in third, fourth, and fifth grade. #readalouds
Over 150 of the best read aloud picture books as voted by over 500 parents! Perfect for reading aloud at home or school.
There's nothing quite as amazing as cooking with kids. Frustrating, yes. But amazing, too. I've always (mostly) enjoyed showing my kids how to cook decent food and take ownership of their own nutrition. But that's not always easy when they're first learning to read recipes. Especially for young kids still learning to read. Long recipes
