Last week I was reading Shari Frost's article, Whatever Happened To Mrs. Wishy Washy? when I began to think about the Big Books that have been loved in my room over the years. Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm, Greedy Cat, Who's in the Shed? and Oh No! have all been favorites. These texts were staples until I moved to a new school this year. I left behind all of these wonderful and rich resources.
My new school is still accumulating resources. I have been challenged to beg and borrow big books. My colleagues have been very generous sharing their resources, but kids need to have books used in shared reading available to them every day, all year long. Without the big books I am used to, I have been forced to find alternatives.
One way that I have supplemented shared reading resources is by starting a collection of picture books that work well for shared reading. The books have characteristics which include lively language, interesting characters, and illustrations that support text, as well as invite questions and predictions. The repetitive language in these books encourages the students to join in the reading. Though the print isn't as large as I would like it to be, the texts are definitely finding their way into hands and book bins after we read and reread them together.
Here are some picture books we are using for shared reading:
Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett
In this lively and repetitive story, a little girl and her monkey pretend to see many animals. The students' eyes are focused on the little girl as her illustration provides the hint for which animal she and monkey will see next. After reading it, you are bound to have a student ask to move like the animals in the book! I think we walk like penguins and trumpet like elephants weekly.
I Am the King by Leo Timmers
Who is most fit to be king of all animals? Animals find and try on the crown. Each decides that the golden hat suits him best . . . pig, crocodile, and elephant. All declare, "I am the king!" Who really takes the crown?
Where Are You, Little Frog? by Kayleigh Rhatigan
This delightful read has the kids guessing where little frog is on his journey to different parts of the farm. It is a playful, repetitive rhyming book with short text, and fits right into the hands of primary readers.
Hello, Day! by Anita Lobel
What first made this book so wonderful for me is that I have loved Anita Lobel for years. I was thrilled to see her write and illustrate a very simple and elegant pattern book. Second, the pictures are gorgeous and invite the reader to notice patterns in colors and text. Each farm animal starts the day saying good morning. The Goose says, "Honk." The Pig says, "Oink." What they all mean is "Hello, day!" Owl gently ends the day with his "whoo-oo" (good night).
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
I love Dinosaur because he reminds me of the three dinosaur-like kiddos I have at home. Dinosaur is in constant competition over something (a pile of leaves, a big slide, a bowl of spaghetti, talking to grown-ups, bath time, tooth brushing, and finally bedtime). At bedtime, his ROARS soon fade into snores. This book has lots of "ROAR" repetition and simple text. My kids love to hear it, read it, and write about their own bedtime battles.
This Is the Way by Charles Fuge
The pictures in this repetitive and rhyming story are bright and bold. There is much to notice as the little boy moves like the animals in this story. The language is rhythmic and strong. The ending of the story lends itself to discussion based upon the intriguing final illustrations.
Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? by Karen Beaumont
Who doesn't love cookie dough? Kanga asks, "Who is eating all the cookie dough?" She questions lion, zebra, llama, cheetah, hippo, and monkey. The kids will keep guessing "who" throughout the story, and the ending is a sweet surprise! This book helps children notice rhyme and the repetition of many high frequency words.
What Will Fat Cat Sit On? By Jan Thomas
This book just makes you laugh! Fat Cat is ready to sit on somebody! What farm animal will it be? The animals begin pointing fingers until someone suggests a chair. Ahhh. Now, what will fat cat have for LUNCH? This book contains simple text in a question answer format that six- and seven-year-olds love and remember.
The Doghouse by Jan Thomas
The funny farm characters are back for more fun while playing a game of kickball. The fun takes a turn when the ball is kicked in the doghouse! Who will venture in to get the ball? The kids love to join in the short repetitive text and make guesses about the drama that happens in the doghouse.
Where Is the Green Sheep? By Mem Fox
This book is filled with all kinds of sheep. You meet scared sheep and brave sheep and many other sheep opposites. The author continues to wonder . . . where is the green sheep? Don't worry, you find him at the end. Shh! You guessed it. He is fast asleep. This book is full of rhyme and repetition, and I have seen it build confidence in young children as they read it again and again.