Need books for launching reader’s workshop? Don’t worry- I have you covered! Reader’s Workshop is one of my favorite times of the day and teaching it with mentor texts is even better!
Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians
I love using Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians to teach about just right books. It is very similar to the original Goldilocks, except the house she finds is made of books (what a dream, right?)! I use this book to introduce finding the just right book and the perfect reading spot. Similar to the traditional story of Goldilocks, Goldie Socks is trying to find a book that is just right for her, as well as a reading spot that is just right for her.
Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind
This is another great book for teaching students to find a just right book. Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind is about a reluctant reader having a hard time finding the just right book.
The Best Book To Read
I love using this book, The Best Book To Read, to teach students how to find a variety of books in our classroom library. In this book, the little boy who loves to read visits the library with his classmates.
The Best Place To Read
When teaching your students about the different places they can read around the classroom, The Best Place To Read is a great book to use as a mentor text. When reading this book, make sure to discuss what makes a good spot to read versus what makes a spot not so good to read in.
How To Read A Story
I love using How To Read A Story as the first book to launch Reader’s Workshop. This book gives ten steps on how to read a story and the steps match what we teach in reader’s workshop perfectly. Steps include: finding a just right spot to read, finding a reading buddy, picking a book, telling stories in voices to match the characters, etc.
How Rocket Learned To Read
How Rocket Learned To Read is a fun book to read when introducing reader’s workshop. Rocket learns to read in this book and the story takes you on his adventure of learning how!
Pete The Cat Checks Out The Library
Everyone loves Pete The Cat, right?! He’s always a hit in my class! In Pete The Cat Checks Out The Library, he learns about different books he can find at the library. This is a great book to read when introducing your classroom library to your class. It’s a fun way to introduce all the different books there are, like fantasy, ocean, fairy tale, etc. Pete even imagines himself in the books, which makes it even more fun to read with your students and teach them how to picture themselves in books as well!
Read It, Don’t Eat It!
This book is great lesson for how to take care of books! Read It, Don’t Eat It has one sentence on each page of things you shouldn’t do with a book! I always love a quick lesson on the right ways to treat a book and this book is silly, but also perfect for that.
Reading Makes You Feel Good
I love this book for an introductory lesson for reader’s workshop because reading does make us feel good! In Reading Makes You Feel Good, Todd Parr gives many reasons throughout his book why reading makes us feel good. He tells why we should read, like it makes someone feel better when they are sick, you can pretend you’re a dinosaur, etc. Plus, students always love his bright, colorful illustrations in his books.
A Ball For Daisy
A Ball For Daisy is a perfect book for introducing the three ways to read a book. One of the ways is to read the pictures. Well, when there are no words in the book, reading the pictures is the only option! Primary students love this book. It’s a simple book to tell from the pictures.
Plan Your Entire Reader’s Workshop Launch!
You can plan your reader’s workshop launch with this resource! There are 10 lesson plans included, as well as a craftivity, reading interest surveys, and more!
I hope you enjoyed these ten books for launching reader’s workshop! If you’re looking for more ideas for reader’s workshop, make sure to check out this blog post about setting up your reading centers!
