5 Picture Books for Classroom Conversations

There are few moments in the school day when everyone is so quiet that you could hear a pin drop! Sharing a picture book is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day, where students become engrossed in new worlds and ideas. 

A common misconception is that picture books are only for young children. Still, most teachers will tell you that not only are they enjoyed by children of all ages, but they are an excellent way to explore challenging topics. They can inspire thoughtful conversations and encourage children to understand cultures and perspectives they may not typically encounter. 

Picture books can, of course, simply be read and enjoyed, but with the right questions, they can be a launching pad for more meaningful conversations. The artwork and simplified language used in picture books makes it easier for children to understand various challenging social and personal issues. 

Literal questions will help build students’ general knowledge, vocabulary and exposure to different issues and cultures. Inferential and debate questions can be more appropriate for older elementary students, where their thinking can be challenged and be encouraged to explore more complex issues.  

Here are 5 books that can be used will elementary-age students. 

Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed and illustrated by Anoosha Syed

In this story, Bilal introduces his friends to his dad’s famous daal! His friends had never tried this South Asian dish before and learned that cooking daal takes lots and lots of time! For younger readers, this story is a great way to discuss traditional food in their homes and share it with their classmates who may not be familiar with it. For older children, the concept of food memories and the role food plays in traditions and cultures can be explored. There is also a point in the story where Bilal feels nervous about sharing this traditional dish with his friends. This feeling of wanting to be accepted when from a different culture can also be sensitively explored. 

Literal questions 
What is daal? Which part of the world is this a dish people eat often?

Connection
Are there certain dishes your family eats at special times?

Inference
Why was Bilal nervous about sharing this dish with his friends? How would you have felt?

Making meaning
What is a food memory? Why is food so important in many cultures?

Opinion
Do you have any food memories? Is there a dish that brings up a memory? Who would you like to share this dish with? Why?

Author’s message
What do you think is the author’s message?

Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival

Ruby’s Worry allows younger children to begin exploring the complex issue of anxiety. The character, Ruby, develops a ‘worry’ which follows her around and grows bigger and bigger until she talks about it. This book allows younger children to understand abstract concepts like anxiety and allows older students to explore the use of metaphors. As a follow up-activity, students can be encouraged to identify trusted people they could talk to and to know when particular problems should be shared with an adult rather than friends.

Literal questions 
What happens to the character Ruby in this story?

Connection
What does it feel like when you worry about something? When was the last time you felt worried?

Inference
What is a metaphor? 

Opinion
Do you think talking about your worries helps? Who could you talk to if you were worried about something?

Authors message
What is the author trying to explain through this story?

Dear Wild Child by Wallace J. Nichols and Wallace Grayce Nichols, illustrated by Drew Beckmeyer

Dear Wild Child is a story based on a letter written by a father to his daughter and tells how their family home was burned down during a wildfire. The author’s message is that a person’s home is more than a physical place. The author shares his family memories using beautiful descriptions to illustrate the message that we carry our homes with us through our memories. This book provides opportunities for students to discuss what it means to have a home and to share their own memories. It may also offer possibilities for students to share their own losses. 

Literal questions 
Where is the story set? What is wildfire? What happens to the home in this story? 

Connection
What important memories do you have about your home?

Inference
What is the father trying to tell his daughter?  

Making meaning 
What does it mean when the author says, ‘You carry your home wherever you go?’

Opinion
Do you agree with the author?

Bessie the Motorcycle Queen by Charles R. Smith Jr and illustrated by Charlot Kristensen

Bessie, the Motorcycle Queen, tells the true story of Bessie Stringfield, who, during segregation, travelled around America taking part in motorcycle races. As a young black woman, she faced several challenges because of her race and gender. This book provides many opportunities to explore historical events and social issues such as Jim Crow, gender stereotypes and racism. The illustrations and storytelling allow children to begin discussing such complex matters in an age-appropriate manner.

Literal questions
What period is this story set in? What was unique about Bessie?

Connection
What does this story remind you of? What does it make you think about?

Inference
What was unique about Bessie travelling the country alone, taking part in races?

Making meaning 
Why do you think the author wrote a story based on Bessie Stringfield’s life?

Opinion
How do you think racism affects people’s lives? How can stereotypes affect people?

Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt and illustrated by Vin Vogel

Maddi’s Fridge is a thoughtful story that explores the issues of poverty and friendship. Maddi and Sofia are best friends, and one day Sofia learns that Maddi’s family does not have enough money for food. Sofia tries to help Maddi but eventually realises this is a problem she can’t solve alone. The author deftly explores the issues of poverty, secrets and when to ask an adult for help. There are multiple opportunities to explore issues around friendship and wider social issues such as food poverty and empathy.

Literal questions 
Are Maddi and Sofia good friends? How do you know this?

Connection
What would you have done? Do you agree with what Sofia did?

Inference
Why did Maddi not want to tell anyone that they did not have enough food? Do you agree?

Making meaning 
What do you think is an important message the story shares? What are some other messages in this story?

Opinion
If you had a problem, who would you tell?

These are just a few books that can be used to begin exploring a variety of complex issues. These questions can be tailored to suit the ages and interests of the children and can be used to launch conversations and explore differing perspectives.