Read-a-Loud Books

'What Do You Do With An Idea?' is a children's picture book written by Kobi Yamada and recommended by Kath Murdoch. The book tells the story of a young boy who has an idea, but he's not sure what to do with it. As he wonders what to do, he learns that ideas are like seeds that need to be nurtured and cared for in order to grow.

One way to use this book in an inquiry-based instructional setting is to have students think about their own ideas and discuss what they might do with them. This could be a great way to spark creativity and encourage students to think outside the box. You could also use the book as a starting point for discussions about the creative process and how ideas can be developed and refined.

Another way to use the book in an instructional setting is to have students create their own ideas and then write or draw about what they would do with them. This activity could be done individually or in small groups, and it could be a great way to encourage students to think critically and creatively.

Overall, "What Should I Do with an Idea?" is a delightful and inspiring book that could be used in a variety of instructional settings to encourage creativity and critical thinking. It's a great resource for teachers and educators looking to encourage their students to think outside the box and pursue their ideas.

Also see the video: Where Do Ideas Come From.

‘The Idea Jar’ by Adam Lehrhaupt is where students keep their ideas—anything from a Viking to a space robot to a giant dragon. These ideas can be combined to make new exciting stories. But watch out when the ideas escape the jar—they might get a little rowdy! Adam Lehrhaupt’s newest picture book is sure to inspire creativity, imagination, and adventure. 

Kath Murdoch says, "The book appeals on so many levels but it is its joyous recognition of the power of choice and the nature of creativity." It is he perfect companion to Kobi Yamada’s book 'What do you do with an Idea?' (See above)

"Molly & Mae" is a children's picture book written by Danny Parker and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. The book tells the story of two little girls who are best friends and do everything together.

As a children's picture book, "Molly and Mae" could be used in an inquiry-based instructional setting to encourage social and emotional learning in young learners. Here are a few ways that the book could be used in an inquiry-based lesson:

As a starting point for a discussion about friendship: After reading the book, you could ask students to talk about the qualities that make a good friend, and how Molly and Mae demonstrate those qualities in their relationship.

As a writing prompt: Students could be asked to write their own story about a friendship between two characters. This could be a good way to encourage students to think about the importance of friendship and the different ways that friends can support each other.

As a springboard for an inquiry-based project: Students could be asked to research different types of friendships and create a presentation or project about what they learn. This could be a good way to encourage students to explore the topic of friendship in more depth and think critically about the different ways that friends can support and help each other.

Overall, "Molly and Mae" is a charming and heartwarming children's picture book that could be used in an inquiry-based instructional setting to encourage social and emotional learning in young learners.

The book is recommended by Kath Murdoch who writes,  " ...it is one of those picture books with layers and layers of meaning deftly achieved through both the texts and the illustrations. At its heart, this book is about friendship, communication, conflict resolution, building bridges and giving ground. It is particularly poignant within the current climate of what feels like a decreasing capacity for people to disagree respectfully and find ways to resolve differences. A must have."

"The Old Woman Who Named Things" is a children's book written by Cynthia Rylant. It tells the story of an old woman who lives alone in a small town and takes in stray animals. She names each animal and cares for them, finding joy and purpose in her simple life.

Here are some ideas for inquiry-based instructional uses for this book:

Research the author: Have students research the background of the author, Cynthia Rylant, and consider how her personal experiences or beliefs may have influenced the themes and characters in the book.

Explore the setting: The Old Woman Who Named Things takes place in a small town. Have students research the history and culture of small towns and how they compare to urban or suburban areas.

Analyze the characters: Have students examine the characters in the book and consider their motivations, actions, and relationships with each other. How do the characters change throughout the story?

Analyze the themes: The book explores themes of companionship, caring for others, and finding purpose in life. Have students consider how these themes are developed throughout the story and how they relate to their own experiences or beliefs.

Compare and contrast: Have students compare and contrast the old woman's life with the lives of other characters in the book, such as the animals she cares for or the people in her town. How do these characters' lives differ and what can we learn from their experiences?

Creative writing: Have students use the book as inspiration for creative writing projects. They could write a letter from the perspective of one of the animals, create a diary entry for the old woman, or write a story about another animal that the old woman might have taken in.

You will find that many of the books from this list are useful for more than one learner profile attribute. They’re also helpful while dealing with some of the concepts that are addressed in units of inquiry in the early years programme.

How to Make Your Read-aloud Sessions Engaging:

• When reading books aloud, think of this almost as a “performance”. Use different voices for different characters, add changes in your narration pace, volume, pitch, and tone.

• Pause frequently and ask students questions to check for understanding.

• Engage your class by asking them to predict what happens next, or ask them to comment about what they’re hearing. This will develop their listening and speaking skills, as well as help them connect what they’re hearing to their prior knowledge.

You will find that many of the books from this list are useful for more than one learner profile attribute. They’re also helpful while dealing with some of the concepts that are addressed in units of inquiry in the early years programme.

Even as students at this age are growing in confidence by reading to themselves, studies have shown that reading aloud is the single most important activity that adults can do to ensure students’ literacy and reading success. This is because children in the lower primary years often have a “listening level” that is much greater than their reading level and therefore when we read aloud to them, we are able to engage them with vocabulary and concepts that they would find hard to read themselves.

The attributes of the learner profile are often quite challenging for lower primary students to understand. Therefore, when we read stories aloud, complex ideas become more accessible to them as opposed to students reading them independently. Discussions and questions about the book will promote comprehension and high-level thinking.

Many of you across the world are likely teaching remotely at the moment. The good news is that the joy of reading does not need to stop in this medium of learning. Stay tuned till the end of the blog for some tips on keeping reading going in the remote learning environment.

You will find that many of the books from this list are useful for more than one learner profile attribute. They’re also helpful while dealing with some of the concepts that are addressed in units of inquiry in the early years programme.

The Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report indicates that 83% of students aged 6 – 17 love being read to, and yet less than 1 in 5 parents of children aged 9 – 11 read to them.

Even though upper primary students are often confident and competent readers,  it’s still important for teachers to read aloud to them frequently. This is a great time to choose books that will provide thought-provoking discussions around learner profile attributes, while also focussing on international-mindedness.

Students in Upper Primary question their values as they mature. Books provide a safe and inclusive space to have discussions about larger issues while maintaining an air of comfort for the students.

Recommended by Kath Murdoch

The Girl Who Noticed Everything by Jane Porter is a captivating and heartwarming novel about a young girl named Amelia who has a unique ability to notice the smallest details around her. Amelia's keen observation skills lead her on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates through challenges and adventures in her everyday life.

The story is beautifully written, with rich descriptions that bring the world of Amelia to life. Amelia's character is relatable and endearing, as she uses her powers of observation to understand the world and people around her, and to make a positive impact on those she encounters.

Teachers can use The Girl Who Noticed Everything to inspire a love of reading and agency in several ways. First, the book highlights the power of observation and encourages readers to be curious and attentive to the world around them. Teachers can prompt students to reflect on their own observations and share their insights, fostering critical thinking and mindfulness.

Second, the book promotes empathy and understanding, as Amelia uses her observations to better understand others and make meaningful connections. Teachers can use this theme to encourage students to develop empathy and compassion towards others in their own lives, and to reflect on the impact of their actions on others.

Finally, the book celebrates individuality and agency, as Amelia embraces her unique abilities and uses them to make a difference. Teachers can use this aspect of the story to inspire students to recognize their own strengths and talents, and to empower them to take action in their own lives.

Recommended by Kath Murdoch

You Might Find Yourself by Tai Snaith is a delightful and whimsical picture book that encourages readers to embark on an imaginative journey of self-discovery. The book follows a young child as they navigate through a world filled with unexpected and magical encounters, from talking animals to enchanted forests to cosmic adventures.

The story is beautifully illustrated with colorful and intricate artwork that sparks the imagination and draws readers into a world of wonder. The text is poetic and rhythmic, creating a sense of enchantment and curiosity that will captivate young readers.

Teachers can use You Might Find Yourself to inspire a love of reading and agency in several ways. First, the book encourages imagination and creativity, inviting readers to use their own imaginations to interpret the story and make it their own. Teachers can prompt students to discuss and share their own interpretations of the book, fostering critical thinking and creativity.

Second, the book promotes a sense of agency and empowerment. The young child in the story takes charge of their own adventure, making choices and decisions along the way. Teachers can use this aspect of the story to inspire students to take ownership of their reading experiences and make choices about what they want to read and how they want to interpret the text.

Finally, the book celebrates curiosity, exploration, and self-discovery. Teachers can use this theme to encourage students to embrace their own unique interests and passions, and to explore a diverse range of books and genres to find what resonates with them personally.

"Just Because" by Matthew McConaughey is a captivating picture book tailor-made for primary school read-aloud sessions. 

Join a curious young boy on a magical journey of endless "whys" and "hows" with his imaginative father. 

This engaging story, coupled with rhythmic language and enchanting illustrations, not only fosters curiosity but also sparks student agency by encouraging them to question and explore.

As the young protagonist delves into his inquiries, the book subtly empowers students to embrace their own inquisitive nature and creative thinking. The interactive nature of the narrative invites students to actively participate in discussions, promoting a sense of ownership over their learning journey.

With its positive message celebrating curiosity, creativity, and the unique parent-child connection, "Just Because" serves as a valuable tool to inspire student agency in the primary school setting. 

Matthew McConaughey's debut picture book is a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and the special bond between parent and child, making it a must-have for primary school libraries and classrooms.

Recommended by Kath Murdoch

From birth, our world is minuscule, limited to our caretakers. Yet, through forming bonds, our circle expands - first family, then friends, neighbours, and community. Each connection widens our sphere beyond prior imaginings. 

"The Circles All Around Us" originated as Brad Montague's Instagram video voiced by his kids. Now a picture book, it invites conversations about growing our worlds through compassion and inclusivity, however daunting initially. 

The metaphor inspires reaching out with open hearts at milestones like births, school transitions, and graduations when our circles evolve. This uplifting read prompts reflection on continuously forming meaningful ties.

Ideas For Using the Book:

• Spark discussion: Read the book aloud, pausing at key moments to have students discuss the meaning behind the metaphor of circles representing our social circles and connections.

• Personal reflection: Students could be prompted to reflect on their own "circles" - who is currently part of their inner circle, and how their circles have grown or changed over time. This could lead to sharing personal stories and experiences.

• Mapping connections: As a hands-on activity, students could create visual representations (drawings, diagrams, etc.) of their current circles, identifying different groups or individuals they are connected to.

• Investigating kindness: The book's central message about expanding circles through kindness could lead to inquiries about what kindness means, why it's important, and how small acts of kindness can ripple outward.

• Exploring inclusivity: Students could research and discuss barriers that may prevent people from feeling included in social circles, as well as strategies for creating more inclusive communities.

• Role-playing: Through role-playing scenarios, students could practice applying the book's lessons about reaching out, making new connections, and responding to others with kindness and empathy.

• Community engagement: The class could brainstorm ways to put the book's message into action by planning inclusive activities, service projects, or outreach efforts that help expand their collective circle.

By using this children's book as a starting point for inquiry, discussion, and hands-on activities, a teacher could help students develop important social-emotional skills, empathy, and an understanding of how individual actions can create a more connected and inclusive world.