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 summer themed books - these five were my final choices.
Summer Color! by Diana Murray, illustrated by Zoe Persico
We all know summer as a season of bright colors, from blue skies to green grass. Summer Color! by Diana Murray perfectly describes the many colors we encounter on a summer day. The story starts with a field of sunflowers and follows two children through a summer day complete with a thunderstorm. Because of the rhyming text, students will often be able to predict the color word on each page. The illustrations by Zoe Persico are beautifully detailed and cover the page. There is something new to see with each reading.
Discussion Questions
before reading This book is called Summer Color! When you think of summer what is the first color to come to mind? Why do you think of that color?
p. 3-4A group of friends and family are gathering. What connections can you make to this page? What does your family like to do together in the summer?
p. 9-10 The clouds are turning gray. What do gray clouds usually mean? We usually think of Spring as the season for rain, but in the summer, rainstorms can often involve lightening and thunder.
p. 17-18 At the lake, the two friends see people fishing and boating. There are also some people picnicking. Have you ever been on a picnic? What kinds of foods did you pack?
p. 25-26 Here the children are watching the storm. What do you know about thunderstorms? Inside is the safest place to be in a storm. Just like these friends.
p. 31-32 The kids are having fun splashing in the puddles after storm. What colorful things do you see in this picture from earlier in the book?
Post-Reading Activity Draw and label a summer scene using color words, or list different things you see in the summer, sorting them by color.
Blackout by John Rocco
In this graphic novel style picture book the lights go out on a hot summer night. A young boy is looking for someone to play a board game with, but everyone in the family is busy. The boy starts a video game by himself when suddenly – the lights go out! The family now needs to find a way to stay busy and stay cool. The pictures tell a story just as much as the text. You will want to stop frequently to talk about what is happening in the illustrations. Blackout by John Rocco is another book that students will want to look at again and again.
Discussion Questions
p. 1 Here is a city scene. How is this city similar to where you live? How is it different?
p. 8-9 All of the city lights just went out! How do you think this boy is feeling now? Why do you think the lights went out?
p. 16-17 The family is looking for things to do that don’t use electricity. What does your family like to do together? Could you do those things without electricity?
p. 22-23 What lights did they find on the roof?
p. 30 Look at the family – compare how they are feeling now with how they were feeling when the lights first went out? (window picture on page 12 – text reads, “Nothing worked at all.)
p. 34-35 What does the family decide to do at the end of the story? Why do you think they made that decision?
Post-Reading Activity Students create a comic of their favorite summer memory.
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner Illustrated by Jaime Kim
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Jaime Kim is a cute book about the transition from Spring to Summer. The book shows kids doing all sorts of summer things, like riding bikes, selling lemonade, going to parades, and camping out at the lake. Students will be able to connect to that feeling of ‘schools out’ and ‘are we there yet?’. The illustrations are as bright and cheerful as the text.
Discussion Questions
Before Reading Summer officially starts on June 21st (or 20th depending on the year). Without looking at a calendar how could you know if it was summer?
p. 5 Why are these kids so excited? Do you think you will be excited for the last day of school? What other feelings might you have about the last day of school?
p. 8-9 These kids are playing hide and seek. What other games can you play outside in the summer?
p. 17 The text says “…a familiar jingle interrupts the game…” What jingle did the kids hear? Have you ever gotten ice cream from the ice cream truck? What is your favorite flavor.
p. 20-21 The family is going on a road trip to the lake. They have a lot of stuff packed on top of their car. What do you think they packed for a trip to the lake?
p. 28 The family is camping! Have you ever been camping? Tell us about it. The text says, “… and plan tomorrow’s adventures.” What other adventures do you think they may have on their trip?
Post-Reading Activity Brainstorm different things students can do in the summer.
Summer Song by Kevin Henkes, Illustrated by Laura Dronzek
Summer Song by Kevin Henkes is a sensory delight. Within the text you learn about the different sounds of summer. Throughout the book you see people experiencing all the joys of the summer season. Different locations are explored, like the beach, the city, and the woods. All showcasing their summer attributes. It is a great book for young children due to the short text on each page and bright and simple illustrations by Laura Dronzek. Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek also paired up for In the Middle of Fall, Winter is Here, and When Spring Comes. All four would make excellent additions to your library.
Discussion Questions
Before Reading This book is called Summer Song. A song is something you can listen too. What kinds of things can you listen to in the summer?
p. 1-2 How are the flowers like a little sun? What season do flowers make you think of? Why do you think flowers and springtime would be at the beginning of a book about summer?
p. 9-10 Compare these 4 summer sounds with the previous sounds. What makes these sounds different from the ones on the pages before this?
p. 11-12 What do birds sound like? What does a thunderstorm sound like?
p. 20 These children are at a beach. What sounds would you hear at the beach? The text says, “Summer is a blue song.” Why is summer a blue song at the beach instead of a green song?
p. 28 There are some clues on this page for the new season. What clues do you see? What season is coming?
Post-Reading Activity Brainstorm how students use their senses during the summer.
If you are looking for these discussion questions and activities ready-to-print and use please check them out in either my Summer Vocabulary Unit or my Summer Read-Alouds resource in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. If you chose to read any of these books with your students I'd love to hear about it! You can e-mail me at TeachingEternity@gmail.com, or connect with me on Instagram, @TeachingEternity.
