Writing is a big task for kindergarteners! It can take a lot of confidence for them to put their thoughts on paper. I want to share some of my favorite books to motivate students to write.
This post was inspired by a new book that just arrived today {EEK} and got added to my ever-growing collection!
*Amazon Affiliate links are included in this post, but the book selections are ALL MINE
The books I’m sharing in this post can motivate students to write in different ways:
– Stories with amazing storytelling can motivate students to give it a try!
– Picture books with limited text but engaging illustrations can encourage students to add their own details to the story.
– Engaging stories that show the magic of writing can inspire students to become more confident writers.
One of the things that might make kindergarteners a little reluctant to write is that somewhere along the line, they were given the impression that only words make the writer. To help build their author-ness, share some wordless books. You can read my other wordless book picks HERE.
Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie DePaola is perfect!
Look at this picture. Do you have any doubt what is going on in the story? You can also invite your students to use “book language” when reading the pictures. You might want to encourage your students to sound something like this:
“First, she took her yellow bowl and put it on the table. Then she sifted the flour into the bowl. When she took the egg container out of the refrigerator, she realized… SHE WAS OUT OF EGGS! OH! NO!”
This sounds more like book language vs a list (Here she is at the table. Here she has the flour. … you get the idea).
Good Dog Carl by Alexandra Day is another great wordless book that your students will love.
We’ll just pretend that the mother DOESN’T leave her baby in the care of her dog so she can go shopping…m’kay?
Books with minimal text also rely on their illustrations to tell the story. That’s the case with How to How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham.
Can you tell how loved this book is? It was a classroom favorite. I cry just about EVERYTIME I read it!
Hoptoad by Jane Yolen is out of print, so if you can find it… hold on tight!
Teaching your students to draw from various perspectives is a fantastic series of mini-lessons. This book offers a ton of options.
This book also includes opportunities for bonus mini-lessons: Writing conventions! Capital letters! Punctuation!
Because this book is out of print, you might try Red Rubber Boot Day. It is by the same illustrator and it is filled with opportunities to discuss illustrations.
The Best Story by Eileen Spinelli is a great book for narrative writing. It reminds students that the best stories are the ones that come from our own lives.
The pirate, monkey, and turnip! It gets me every time!
This book is a great conversation starter about what writers do. Students will be excited to try their hand at writing a narrative story after listening to this read-aloud!
One Day, The End by Rebecca Kai Dotlich is such a fun book to use in the classroom. Let me show you how I use it!
The book is a series of pages like this. The page says, “One day … I lost my dog.” The next page says, “I found him.” Simple, right? But we want students to expand of their writing. So…
I use this as an opportunity to talk with students about adding details. I created this anchor chart to help students expand upon the topic. We asked questions of the author (a great way to introduce this concept to the class). Then I wrote the student’s questions down.
This book has about eight opportunities to repeat this mini-lesson… so this book is a GEM! As an additional bonus, the topics in this book might also spark writing ideas.
Ish by Peter H. Reynolds is fantastic for reaching students who are a wee bit cautious about writing! This book screams, “GO FOR IT!”
It reminds students that it does not have to be perfect.
Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon shows the power of sharing your story with others! {HINT: Don’t skip student share time.}
This book is a great way to increase student motivation to keep trying even when writing feels hard!
I’m sure many students can relate to Ralph’s challenges in this book.
Now we’ve made it to the new arrival that inspired this post.
When I saw it listed as a new book… I had to have it!
A Squiggly Story by Andrew Larson reminds us of a lot of things.
It reminds us to be fearless in our writing.
And it also reminds us that a little bit of struggle is okay. That’s what helps us grow!
His big sister supports his writing efforts and guides him, but she also lets him struggle a bit.
For example, the text says, “‘Remember, you’re the author,” she says, without looking up. “You can do WHATEVER you WANT.'”
What a motivating message for young writers! This is why I’m such a proponent of student choice when it comes to writing prompts!
Motivating your students to write is just the beginning! Would you like over 180 days of writing instruction planned out FOR you?
These lessons are specifically designed for kindergarten through second grade. They take the guesswork out of writing instruction – just print and teach!
You can find these writing lessons here:
Be sure to grab the free curriculum and resource guide to help you plan your writing instruction!
My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!
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21 Responses
Hi Deedee, Thank you for all your wonderful products. There is so much thought into them! You may not even see this comment, but I have to ask….. If you had to pick between Guiding Readers and Writer’s Workshop, which would you choose? Literally, one has to go in the curriculum. Urgh! Our school district recently changed our school hours and we have lost 30 minutes a day with our kiddos in first! There just isn’t enough time to teach everything! Thanks for your advice!
Hi there!
Honestly! I would pick writing! I think you could work the reading comprehension strategies that you cover in the Guiding Readers in with your read aloud, just perhaps not do the response page…just do the book discussion. Does that make sense?
Yes! Totally! I thought about it today and that’s exactly what I was thinking. I love the Guiding Readers, and used them religiously last year, but think the cute interactive notebooks are going to have to take a backseat to writing (which I also have – your whole year’s worth – and love it!!!). Thanks for the confirmation, Deedee! 🙂
You are welcome! I would love to see how your writing goes! Keep Deanna and me in mind, if you ever feel like sharing student samples! They are so precious!
Hi, I saw your post and wanted to share a strategy of team mate of mine introduced. She will teach reading the whole block 2 days a week and then writing 3 days a week then switch. The following week will be 3 days of reading and 2 days of writing. Another way to maximize use of time and still try to get it all in .
Hope this helps! Time is so precious.
Hi DeeDee, I’ve just discovered your wonderful blog. Thank you for all the work, thought and enthusiasm you put into it. I teach 7-8 year olds in a school which speaks one language in a country which speaks another language and uses a different alphabet. Consequently there is a tremendous resistence to writing, as the children don’t know as much vocabulary as they do in their own language, and they have to learn an entirely different alphabet. Thirdly they are of an age where they really don’t wish to take chances and be exposed ‘making mistakes’. Your direction and suggestions are just the thing for me. I am introducing a reading/writing corner in my class room and would welcome any suggestions on wall displays, or feedback (from the kids) invitations on the books they are reading.
Hi Margit! What a challenge you have, but I am sure you can master it! I would REALLY concentrate on having them tell their stories through pictures. So those wordless books would be a great way to start. We compose books across pages after the first 20 days of school, so they can be very detailed. Over time you can work in the letter/sound association. I hope that helps.
Thanks a lot. Good Suggestion and it’s so great to have some support.
Hey Deedee,
I got my copy of A Squiggly Story today too…..can’t wait to use it with my JK class. Another favorite for my very young writers is Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells. Thanks for all the great tips.
Oh my gosh! YES!!!!
Love your book selections! Ordering some right now!
My list just keeps growing and growing!!!
The idea of story telling without words but with pictures only is a great idea. I like the books you shared. It is something new I have gone through as I have never heard about these kind of books. Thanks for sharing, will try to get some for my kids too.
This article is really fantastic and thanks for sharing the valuable post
Just when I thought I had enough Writer’s Workshop mentor texts, you throw some more at me! I just added “One Day, The End” and “A Squiggly Story” to my Amazon cart! I love “The Best Story” and “Ralph Tells a Story” already. Thanks for your great ideas! I’m going to keep my eyes open for “Hoptoad” at the used bookstores. 😉
Amanda
First Grade Garden
Thank you so much!!!!
Thanks for sharing these ideas… These are really helpful. Thanks a lot
Love these books!! Thank you for sharing! I will definitely buy them all!
You are welcome!
What’s the best book for teachers to read over the summer about how to teach writing to kids?
Here is a blog post that shows my favorite books! The ones by Matt Glover and Katie Wood Ray are my favorite.
https://mrswillskindergarten.com/10-professional-development-books-every-teacher-needs/