Literacy and Making Children's Books

Parents and teachers improve literacy by helping children self-publish stories. 1. Use free directions for making a novelty book like the ones created in school visits by Betsy B. Lee. 2. Help your student make his or her own alphabet book. 3. Help develop literacy including reading readiness skills. 4. Teach colors. 5. See other lessons to help with spelling, memory, vocabulary, Dolch sight words, etc.      Below are some books which help you self-publish children's books. You might also want to publish your own books for family and friends. Books which are made this way are usually not sold for profit.      Are you interested selling your self-published book? On the Writing for Children page of the Breezy Bits site, there is helpful information about selling and promoting self-published books for profit.

Resources for Adult Literacy, ESL, Regular and Special Education See excerpts from the Dolch books and other books which encourage children to write about their own experiences.

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From Pictures to Words: A Book About Making a Book
Janet Stevens
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Stevens has written and illustrated many successful picture books. She uses the fictional genre to show rather than tell her young readers about writing and illustrating a book. Vivid animal characters want her to write a book about them. Children see the process of creating the setting, plot, characters, and having tension in the story. The book ends with the suggestion for the reader to write a story.

25 Mini-Lessons for Teaching Writing: Quick Lessons That Help Students Become Effective Writers (Teaching Strategies)
Adele Fiderer
Ages 9-12
These mini-lessons are designed to be used in ten minute sessions. They help children overcome writer's block and jump right into the writing activities. Creative examples help children show effective details and move plots to interesting conclusions. The author even has a chart to simplify the process.

If You're Trying to Teach Kids How to Write, You've Gotta Have This Book
Marjorie Frank
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Geared for young readers, this book has many effective tips and samples to help students, parents, and teachers. You will probably mention this book to others and tell them, "You've gotta have this book."

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Making Books that Fly, Fold, Wrap, Hide, Pop Up, Twist, and Turn
Gwen Diehn
Grades 4-8
Kids and adults delight in the author's artistic creativity and captivating style of writing. Her clear diagrams and directions enhance creativity. Work habits are even explained such as setting up the work area and getting the materials which are needed for the job. Within the text, unfamiliar words are explained and there is a glossary.

Cover to Cover: Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals & Albums
Shereen Laplantz
This book helps you self-publish children's books or your own books for family and friends. Its step-by-step instructions take you easily from making simple pamphlets to simple or complex books. The author helps you create your supply list and gives you references including online resources.

Learn the Alphabet Arts and Crafts
Roberta Willenken
The publisher, Scholastic, gives permission for copying activity sheets for classroom or home use. However, they state that no other parts may be copied in an effort to avoid purchasing the boxed curriculum. This is an excellent, creative resource for helping children learn their letters and make their own books.

25 Read and Write Mini books that Teach Word Families by Nancy I. Sanders
Children love to make and color their own little books for 25 of the word families. The illustrations add to the humor. The text has instructions for making the books, additional activities, and word family cards.

70 Wonderful Word Family Poems: A Delightful Collection of Fun-To-Read Rhyming Poems With an Easy-To-Use Lesson Plan for Teaching the Top 35 Word Families by Jennifer Wilen and Beth Handa
As is stated on the book's cover: "Every poem gives kids plenty of opportunities to see a word family in action." See the excerpts at Amazon. The book has details about how to get the most out of using it. This is not for independent reading as much as it is for an entertaining way to teach word families. An adult should read the poem. Stop at each word family word (which is conveniently in red) and ask the child to read the word. This is great for individual or group work. It is refreshing, entertaining, and creative.

25 Emergent Reader Mini-Books (Grades K-1) by Maria Fleming
Topics include simple stories about family, friends, animals, the five senses, seasons, and food. In the excerpt from Amazon, view the surprise me option to see actual samples. Children love to color, cut, and read their own books. They are a convenient size for little hands.

15 Reproducible Write-And-Read Books: Instant Patterns for Easy Predictable Books Your Students Help Write!
Veronica E. Robillard
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Emerging literacy skills are improved by letting children participate in the writing of these little books. These guided activities build confidence as well as reading and writing skills.

26 Interactive Alphabet Mini-Books: Easy-To-Make Reproducible Books That Promote Literacy
Mary Beth Spann
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Kids have so much fun that this doesn't seem like school work. Children, parents, teachers, school volunteers, and others enjoy this little book which delivers all that the title suggests.

Hand Bookbinding: A Manual of Instruction
Aldren A. Watson
Book repair! That is something we often do with our children's tattered and greatly loved favorites. This book has clear suggestions for repair and creation. There is also some interesting history of book binding. The author even shows you tips about building your own equipment to save some money.

The Daily Five: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades
Gail Boushey and Joan Moser
This book has easy to follow steps for creating reading independence and the enjoyment of reading and writing. It offers assessment and references. It offers guidance to parents who can reinforce classroom activities at home. Read the many enthusiastic reviews at Amazon.com.

Evan-Moor Educational Publishers provides highly popular "hanger pocket centers" which can be easily stored on a hook or a rod.
Literacy Centers : Take It to Your Seat (used in grades 1-3)
Take It to Your Seat Grades 2-3 (Take It to Your Seat Literacy Centers)
Take It to Your Seat Grade 3-4 (Take It to Your Seat Literacy Centers)
Take It to Your Seat Grades 4-5 (Take It to Your Seat Literacy Centers)

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