What are the best books to read with emergent readers during August? Here are some of Bluebird Speech’s favorites to consider as you engage kids in the fun and benefits of storybook time!
the kissing hand
Author: Audrey Penn
Summary: A heartwarming picture story about a raccoon overcoming back-to-school fears with caregiver support.
Themes: Courage, resilience, emotional support, back to school.
Target Audience: Preschool to Kindergarten, and older students with disabilities.
Language Skills Targeted: Categories (birds, forest animals, bugs), feelings.
Sounds Targeted: /l/ (love, ladybug, lonely), /sk/ (school, skunk, scary), /r/ (raccoon, read, rabbit).
Core Vocabulary: I, you, go, want, feel, not, like.
Fringe Vocabulary: Friends, school, goodbye, heart.
Resources: The Kissing Hand Companion
hello ocean
Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Summary: Hello Ocean is a poetic picture book that follows a young girl and her family on a visit to the beach, exploring the five senses as she experiences the ocean.
Themes: Five senses, nature, beach, sensory, summer outing.
Target Audience: Preschool to Kindergarten, bilingual or ESL, and older students with disabilities.
Language Skills Targeted: Describing using adjectives, comparing and contrasting, sequencing.
Sounds Targeted: /s/ (sand, sea, sunglasses), /l/ (lick, lotion), /w/ (water, whale, wave).
Core Vocabulary: See, feel, hear, like, go, play.
Fringe Vocabulary: Ocean, waves, sand, sun, water.
Resources: Hello Ocean Book Companion