When I decided to update my Vocabulary Units, I knew I wanted to include some interactive read-alouds. It is so important to read high quality, engaging texts to all students - English Language Learners are no exception. I was looking for books that would interest students, provide opportunities for discussions, and included rich vocabulary. I also wanted books that weren't too long so that primary level students would attend throughout the story. While I read and loved many colors themed books - these five were my final choices.
The Red Lemon by Bob Staake
In this cute rhyming text, farmer McPhee is very proud of his orchard of perfect, yellow lemons. The book touches on the process of going from farm to store and mentions many things that can be made from lemons. One day Farmer McPhee spies a red lemon in his trees and believing no one would want a red lemon he throws it away. However, after time has passed that red lemon sprouted a new orchard, and everyone likes red lemons just fine. The illustrations are bright and fun to look at. The Red Lemon by Bob Staake is a great book for young kids.
Discussion Questions:
Before Reading This book is called The Red Lemon. Does that title surprise you? What do you know about lemons?
p. 3-4 How do lemons grow? How do the lemons get from the tree to the store?
p. 7-8 Have you ever had a food with lemon? What lemon food have you had? What did it taste like?
p. 11-12 Farmer McPhee sees a red lemon on his tree. How does he feel about that red lemon? What would you think if you saw a red lemon?
p. 17-18 Farmer McPhee threw the red lemon onto the empty island. Make a prediction – what do you think will happen to the red lemon on the island.
After Reading Turns out red lemons are really yummy! What can we learn from this book?
Post-Reading Activity:
After Reading, have students discuss their favorite fruit and the colors that they are. Extend the activity by including vegetables or other foods. Glyph activity pictured is from my Colors Read-Aloud Resource
Little Green Peas by Keith Baker
This is such a fun colors book! The simple text combined with the detailed illustrations create book that will appeal to everyone. Each page has a color word and various items that are that color. That is followed by a page of Little Green Peas enjoying their colorful world. This is a book students will want to sit and look at. Each little pea in the illustration has something fun to notice. On one page a pea is painting while wearing a beret. On another a group of peas are dancing in the rain. There is a little red ladybug hiding on each page that students will enjoying looking for. Little Green Peas by Keith Baker is the perfect book for primary level students exploring colors.
Discussion Questions:
p. 3-4 What season are the Peas enjoying? How do you know?
p. 5-6 Looking at the trees on this page – what season is it? How do you know?
p. 11-12 The Little Green Peas are having fun playing games outside. What other games could they be playing at the park?
p. 17-18 It looks like the Peas are growing a garden. What does a garden need to grow? What do you think the Little Green Peas are growing?
p. 21-22 What season do you see on this page? What winter activities are the Little Green Peas doing? What other winter activities can you think of?
p. 31-32 How is the last page different from the rest of the book? Why do you think the author wrote “Little Green Guys” instead of “Little Green Peas”?
Post-Reading Activity:
After Reading, have students chose one of the colors from the book and create a poster for that color. Students can use stickers, magazine cut-outs or their own drawings to create their poster.
Splatter by Diane Alber
Splatter by Diane Alber is a book about teamwork and perseverance cleverly hidden in a story about colors. Red, Yellow, and Blue always do their own thing. They keep to themselves and seem to be happy. One day Red challenges them to come together to create a new piece of art. There are a few hiccups along the way, but soon they learn to work together. This book is fun to read with its rhyming text and quirky images. It is perfect for a colors unit in the primary classroom.
Discussion Questions:
Before Reading What colors do you see? Red, Yellow, and Blue – these are called primary colors. What other colors do you know? Why do you think they aren’t on the cover?
p. 3-4 Each color is using its own piece of paper. Have you ever tried to make a drawing with only one color? What did you draw? How did it turn out?
p. 9-10 Blue started painting and forgot to leave room for Red and Yellow. How do you think they are feeling? Have you ever waited for a turn in a game? How did it feel?
p. 19-20 Yellow and Blue are scared to try something new. Red shows them how. Why do you think flowers are a good thing for them all to paint together?
p. 23-24 Here are some other colors! What did Yellow and Blue make? Red and Yellow? Blue and Red?
(Green, Orange, Purple) These are called secondary colors.
After Reading They worked together to create a beautiful painting! How do you think they are feeling now? What do you think of their art?
Post-Reading Activity:
After Reading, invite students to name things that are red, yellow, and blue. Keep track with a group anchor chart or in individual notebooks. Extend the activity by asking for things that can be all 3 colors.
Ned's Rainbow by Melanie Walsh
Ned LOVES rainbows! He has rainbow clothes and paints rainbow pictures. However, he’s never seen a rainbow in real life! Until one day in the park after a storm, a rainbow finally appears in the sky. Ned tries his hardest, but can’t catch the rainbow, and becomes very sad. Luckily, someone who cares for him, has an idea to cheer him up. This sweet story is perfect for young kids. The simple text and illustrations make it one that they will want to read again and again.
Discussion Questions:
p. 1-2 If Ned has never seen a real rainbow – how does he know he likes them so much?
p. 3-4 What was Ned doing in the park before the rainbow appeared? Why is that important? How is a rainbow formed in the sky?
p. 7-8 Why does Ned want to catch the rainbow? Why do you think it is hard for him to catch the rainbow?
p. 9-10 Ned is very sad that he couldn’t catch the rainbow. Have you ever felt sad before? What did you do to feel better? Did anyone try to help you like Ned’s dog is trying to help?
p. 13-14 What do you think Mom did while Ned was at school? What do you see in the picture that makes you think that? How do you think Ned will feel when he sees what Mom did?
p. 19-20 Ned still looks for rainbows even though he has one on his wall. Why are rainbows in the sky special?
Post-Reading Activity:
After Reading, students can identify the story elements from Ned's Rainbow. Do this with a whole group or have students do it individually depending on their level.
Penguins Love Colors by Sarah Aspinall
A family of color-loving penguins provides for a fun story. Six penguin brothers and sisters are each named after a colorful flower because their Mama loves color too. One day the six penguins decide to paint Mama a picture on the white snow. In the process of creating their art the penguins become covered in paint. Kids will wait with bated breath to see if mama gets mad. The illustrations are bright, clear, and engaging. This is the perfect book to add to a colors unit.
Discussion Questions:
Before Reading This book is called Penguins Love Colors. What color is a penguin? Where do penguins live? What color is it there? Does the title of this book surprise you?
p. 2-3 The penguins are named Tulip, Tiger Lily, Dandelion, Violet, Bluebell, and Broccoli. Which of these names surprises you? Did you know the part of broccoli we eat is the flower?
p. 4-5 The penguins are going to paint a picture for Mama Penguin. What supplies do you use to paint? The penguins are going to paint on snow instead of paper. Do you think that is a good idea?
p. 18-19 The penguins made a big mess! They are covered in paint! Do you think Mama will be mad? Do you think she will like her painting?
p. 20-21 Do you remember the names for each penguin? Do you see those flowers in the picture? (Tulip, Tiger Lily, Dandelion, Violet, Bluebell, and Broccoli)
p. 28-29 All of the penguins are taking a bath to get clean. What do you think will happen to the bath water?
Post-Reading Activity:
After Reading, students can make a card for a loved one. They can make a colorful picture on the front and write a note on the back.
Click the image above for a list of more picture books about colors
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