Start Here: Find the Right Books

Use these resources when you need a quick way into planning with picture books. Each one is especially helpful for a specific purpose, like teaching character traits, preparing for back-to-school, or finding ready-to-use activities.

Best first steps

Not sure where to begin? 

If you have 5 minutes…

Start with the Classroom Library
Audit
if you want to take a
closer look at the books
you already have.

Find a book

If you’re planning a unit…

 Or browse Teacher Resources
for support with choosing books,
planning instruction, and
building stronger read-alouds.

See resources

Find Books By...

Topics & Themes

Books for
kindness,
empathy, &
perseverance.

Topic Book Lists

Reading Skills

Books for sequencing,
character, & 
inference.

Skills & Routines

Teaching Routine

Learn how to
teach with
any
picture book.

Learn the Routine

Literacy Tools

Tools to teach
reading skills
with
confidence.

Literacy Resources

What You’ll Get From Each Post

Start with these classroom favorites

These are strong entry points for teachers who want resources they can use right away. Each one supports a common classroom need, from teaching reading skills to finding books for specific topics and routines.

Character Traits

Build empathy,
kindness, and
more.

Book Lists

Back-to-School

Start the
school year
off right.

BTS Ideas

Free Activities

Free literacy
activities for
classrooms.

Sign Up

Top Resource

Reading skills
activities for
any book.

Take a Look

Planning first-week read-alouds?

Use these free Back-to-School Read-Aloud Response Pages after any first-week picture book.

Pick one book, choose one page, and give students a simple draw-or-write response about one story moment.

Want book ideas too? Start with the Back-to-School hub.

How I Help

FAQs

  • Are these for K-2 or 3-5? Most of what I share works across elementary or higher. You know your students best, so the books are suggestions, along with ideas, to help you make the best decisions.
  • Do I need specific books? No. I share suggested titles, but the routines and printables are designed to work with books you already have.
  • Where should I start if I’m overwhelmed? Start with the Classroom Library Audit. It’s the quickest way to spot what’s working, what’s missing, and what to fix first—without redoing everything.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything through them, I will get a small referral fee and you will be supporting me and my blog at no extra cost to you, so thank you! You can find more information here.

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