Although most picture books are written for younger kids, my 13 year old happily listens to any picture book I read to him. Recently we’ve been reading a lot of picture books. We’re in the middle of Reading for Research Month and I’m reading at least 5 picture books a day. Since I’m homeschooling, I read the books to my 7th, 6th and 3rd graders and use them for learning. Miranda Paul’s book, One Plastic Bag, generated an intriguing discussion about how one person can make a powerful impact for good. One Plastic Bag highlights the efforts of Isatou Ceesay in Gambia. She creatively cleans up her village, one plastic bag at a time. Reading this book generated a conversation about the good we can do for our community and how one person can make a difference. The Day the Babies Crawled Away, by Peggy Rathmann is another of our favorites. Recently we used this book as a mentor text for poetry and illustration. The illustrations bring a depth and second story to the text that makes the book fun to study and reread. Here is my 9 year old's poem inspired by this book: Winter is out The frogs jump about My chickens are eating the flies Flowers appear And I think that I hear The screams of a Winter that dies by Sydney Call You Nest Here with Me, by Jane Yolen and Heidi EY Stemple is so lyrically written and beautifully illustrated that we’ve re-read it many times. Not only does it teach us about where different types of birds nests, but there are also mystery birds to find in the illustrations, and back matter with facts about specific birds in the text. What a wonderful way to learn about birds and love! The more I read, the more I realize we can learn from each book. Just today, we read Mustache Baby Meets his Match, by Bridget Heos. Wrestling with competitiveness is something a family of seven can always stand to discuss! What are you learning from the picture books you read? Kirsti Call is a homeschooling mom of five. Her debut picture book, The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall, came out December 2013. Her family band, Calling Out, plays songs written by her children. She contributes to Writer's Rumpus, and Kids are Writers. If you visit her house, you’ll likely find her reading picture books. You can find out more about her at www.kirsticall.com.
14 Comments
3/17/2015 10:10:51 pm
I love books that teach. I feel like I am constantly reading picture books and yet I have never read these three. Excited to read them! Thanks, Kirsti!
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Kirsti Call
3/17/2015 10:24:58 pm
I think you'll enjoy them, Carol :)
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3/17/2015 11:24:32 pm
So glad you're having fun with ReFoReMo. It has been a wonderful place to learn about picture books. I've thoroughly enjoying the lessons and picking up new suggestions too!
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Kirsti Call
3/17/2015 11:45:05 pm
Juliana, I've really enjoyed ReFoReMo...and really, I've decided we can learn something from any book we read!
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Carrie Charley Brown
3/18/2015 02:16:53 am
Thanks for the shout out to ReFoReMo, and thank you for being part of the Admin Team! I am hearing more and more from others who use picture books to teach older kids. My two older kids might say they just don't like picture books much anymore, but they can't deny the sparkle in their eye and creeping smile that comes over them when we read one together. I love One Plastic Bag and cherish my copy of The Day the Babies Crawled Away. I can't wait to check out You Nest Here With Me! Thanks for this post!
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Kirsti Call
3/18/2015 04:54:21 am
I think you'll ADORE You Nest Here With Me! It's a privilege to work with you, Carrie Charley Brown!
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Jilanne Hoffmann
3/18/2015 03:56:37 am
I've been asking my son to read picture books that I think he'll like, although he's now firmly in the tween years. He still enjoys them and comes up with interesting comments. I haven't read any of these three, but that will be changing soon.
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Kirsti Call
3/18/2015 04:55:06 am
I'm glad you're going to check these three books out. They're really wonderful for older and younger kids!
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3/18/2015 04:27:25 am
I love books that stimulate children to think about events, issues, or experiences while engaging them in a fabulous story with gorgeous illustrations. The current favorite in one classroom at the early childhood center where I work when not writing is Donna Earnhardt's BEING FRANK. It handles the issue of the damage negative truth-telling can cause at such a wonderfully appropriate developmental level…the children have asked for it multiple times a day. And there are so many, many more…
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Kirsti Call
3/18/2015 04:56:16 am
Carol, I LOVE Being Frank--it's one of my favorites and I own it so I can read and re-read at will :)
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sally suehler
3/18/2015 05:00:01 am
Kristi, I love books that 'teach' as well. Mixing fiction with facts is wonderful! Sally
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Kirsti Call
3/18/2015 05:49:49 am
Sally! So good to see your name after we've met in person!
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3/28/2015 06:16:27 am
Oh, how I love Sydney's poem - especially that last line! Bravo! Thanks for sharing OPB alongside these remarkable books. And good luck with ReFoReMo!! (And Kudos to the commenter who loves BEING FRANK - I also love that book!)
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Carrie Charley Brown
3/31/2015 06:04:17 am
I can't believe I forgot to mention Syd's poem in my last comment! I love it! She is a natural poet! Please tell her great job! Also, I could tell how much she was hoping for spring- the last line rocked!
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