I used to think picture books were just for my younger students. Bright illustrations, short text… surely my 5th and 6th graders had outgrown them, right?
But here’s what I noticed: whenever state testing season rolled around, my students struggled with the same skills over and over again—making inferences, analyzing characters, and tracking plot development. They could decode the words, but applying higher-level thinking to complex texts left many of them stuck.
That’s when I pulled picture books back into the classroom—this time with a purpose.
The Surprise Benefit
What I found was surprising (and honestly, a relief): picture books became the perfect entry point for introducing tricky skills.
✨ A short, accessible text meant students could focus on the strategy, not get lost in the length.
✨ Rich characters and themes opened the door for inferences, analysis, and discussion.
✨ Illustrations gave visual clues that helped students connect the dots.
And suddenly, the skills that once felt overwhelming became doable—and even enjoyable.
Beyond Comprehension: SEL Connections
Another unexpected gift? Picture books naturally led to social-emotional learning.
Books about kindness, forgiveness, differences, or even bullying opened the floor for morning meetings and classroom conversations that went deeper than “test prep.” Students weren’t just learning reading skills—they were reflecting on their own lives, their choices, and their empathy toward others.
A Resource That Brings It All Together
That’s why I designed my Picture Book Activity line. It consist of some of my favorite titles that I have used over the years.
It’s allows me to be flexible, using the illustrations in lesson keep students engaged, and helps strengthen reading skills and social-emotional growth.
Inside you’ll find a variety of activities with each Read aloud Book activity set. All you need is the book. They all have
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A variety of activities for inferencing, character development, and plot analysis and more.
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Vocabulary-building tools and discussion prompts
The Takeaway
Picture books aren’t “too easy.” They’re a scaffold. They’re a safe, powerful way to introduce skills that students often struggle with on tests—and a natural way to weave in lessons on empathy, kindness, and connection.
👉 Click here to check out the Picture Book Resource Bundle in my TPT store.
And if this post gave you new ideas, please follow, comment, and share the blog to spread the word about the power of picture books!
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