Tutorial 2
Choosing a book
Book choice is an important first step when preparing to read aloud. Check whether the book will stimulate conversation, promote language development, broaden understanding of the world and strengthen social skills.
Finding a book
There is a wide variety of books available. Children should have the opportunity to explore this variety.
Don’t just pick out picture book stories; look for non-fiction picture books, seek-and-find books and digital picture books – with or without text. You can find books and advice in bookshops, libraries, and online on these websites:
Finding a book
There is a wide variety of books available. Children should have the opportunity to explore this variety.
Don’t just pick out picture book stories; look for non-fiction picture books, seek-and-find books and digital picture books – with or without text. You can find books and advice in bookshops, libraries, and online on these websites:
Analysing a book: Subject – Language – Illustrations
Subject
Children love subjects that are already familiar, as well as themes that are completely new to them. The kind of stories and factual content they find interesting are those where the characters
are a similar age to themselves,
enjoy the same hobbies,
have similar day-to-day lives,
come from a variety of family situations and countries,
are deaf, or have a hearing loss.
You can find a list of books with characters who are deaf or hard of hearing here >
Analysing a book: Subject – Language – Illustrations
Subject
Children love subjects that are already familiar, as well as themes that are completely new to them. The kind of stories and factual content they find interesting are those where the characters
are a similar age to themselves,
enjoy the same hobbies,
have similar day-to-day lives,
come from a variety of family situations and countries,
are deaf, or have a hearing loss.
You can find a list of books with characters who are deaf or hard of hearing here >
Language
Children with limited language skills benefit from
short blocks of text,
simple language that is supported by illustrations,
clear storylines and factual topics.
Children with better language skills benefit from
longer blocks of text,
more varied and challenging language,
more complex storylines and factual topics.
Sometimes, an interesting book may be too linguistically challenging. If so, you can simplify the text and concentrate more on the illustrations.
You can find a list of picture books in simple language here >
Illustrations
Children with limited language skills benefit from
illustrations which prompt them to speak: pictures they can name and explain, using signs or words.
clear storylines that are easy to talk/sign about.
Children with better language skills benefit from more complex illustrations which challenge them to use more imaginative or precise signs or speech.
Tasks
Tasks
Browse through the ReaDi picture books, then select between one and three picture books that appeal to you and the children. When deciding whether to select a particular book for reading aloud, consider the following questions:
Is the subject interesting to the children?
Can they identify with the main character, or differentiate themselves from them?
How can language be used to customise your use of the book?
In what ways can the artistic style of the illustrations be used for educational purposes?
In what ways do the language and the pictures stimulate conversation about the book?
What are your goals when using this book (e.g. storytelling, vocabulary work)?
Read your chosen book to the children. Then reflect on what went well, and what didn’t, with the individual aspects of your picture book choice. Think about how you could optimise your book selection next time you plan.