Books to Introduce Reading Workshop

Reading Workshop is at the heart of your language program. However, less than two weeks into school you hear the dreaded words, “I can’t find a book,” or even more discouraging “I don’t like reading.” The picture books mentioned below can be used for inspirational lessons that will help your students develop good reading habits for workshop and, even more importantly, for a lifetime.

Super Simple but Powerful Book: Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates

Dog opens a book store, but no one comes to buy his books. He gets tired of waiting for customers, so he starts reading the books. One book adventure leads to another and Dog forgets he’s waiting – UNTIL – the customers finally come. When people finally show up and want to buy his books, he knows exactly which books to recommend. And he LOVES to share the perfect book for each person.

Lesson for Reading Workshop: After reading the book, discuss why dog is a real “reader.” Possible discussion points might be: 1. Good readers read all kinds of books and can always find one more book to enjoy. 2. Good readers enjoy sharing books. 3. Good readers can be mentors to other readers and recommend books to other students.

It Takes a Zoo Book: Wild about Books by Judy Sierra

While stirring the imagination, Judy Sierrra cleverly and humorously shares the magic of books. Molly McGrew, the Springfield librarian, accidentally drives her bookmobile into the zoo. While there, she introduces the animals to the joys of reading – By reading aloud from the good Dr. Seuss, she quickly attracted a mink and a moose. She also found each animal a perfect “fit’ book – She even found waterproof books for the otter, who never went swimming without Harry Potter.

Lesson for Reading/Writing Workshop: 1. Introduce what makes a perfect fit book for children. Have student practice picking perfect fit books. 2. Students can also make a list of types of books they might enjoy.

Judy Sierra also wrote Born to Read which would be good for introducing all the different reasons people read and how reading improves our lives.

A Mo Willem Never Disappoints Book: We are in a Book by Mo Willems

Mo Willems does it again. In this Piggie and Elephant book, Piggie and Elephant realize that THEY are in a book and that readers are reading their words. They love being read and are horrified that their book will end. After bemoaning the last pages of their book, they realize that they can plead with the reader to read their book again.

Lesson: Discussion about why we reread books: enjoyment, to learn more, to improve reading skills. Challenge students to reread favorite books during reading workshop.

Because That’s What Books are for: The Wonderful Book by Leonid Gore

In this delightful story, different animals in the forest find a book but aren’t sure what to do with it. A rabbit uses it as a house, a bear uses it as a pillow, and a family of mice use it as a table. Finally, a curious boy picks up the book and starts to read it aloud. The mice, the worm the fox, the bear and the rabbit gather around to listen and realize that books are meant for reading.

Lesson: Before reading have students discuss what books are used for. Then have them pretend they’ve never seen a book before and ask what they might think a book was for. After reading the book reiterate the main idea of the story that books are for reading and enjoying.

A Creating Empathy Book: Thank You Mr. Faulkner by Patricia Polacco

Patricia Polacco tells the story of a child who is dyslexic and who struggles while learning to read. With the help of an amazing and caring teacher along with a reading specialist, the little girl learns to read. The incredible thing about the story is that the little girl is really Patricia Polacco who eventually becomes a remarkable writer.

Lesson: Discussion of how we are different readers and will be reading different books. Our job in reading workshop is to encourage each other and be respectful of other students’ choices.