There's a different feeling here, talking about something as important as Memorial Day.

Looking for a way to remember and honor those who gave everything for our freedom? Read picture books with your children young and old. Here are 3 to help.

Listen to Christopher Flannery's podcast episode here, How Sleep the Brave.

God bless the ones who serve and God bless their families.

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

What's so special about using picture books when you're teaching someone to read?

Learn the compliment you can give when any reader doesn't know the next word-- including the earliest beginning reader! (You stopped when you came to a tricky part!)

Be prepared to say one of the most important phrases for all readers. (Now go back and put it all together. Newer readers = the sentence; More experienced = a phrase is ok.)

Start noticing how experienced adult readers use these same strategies! We just do them so quickly that we rarely notice it's happening.

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

I am Wonderful    (affiliate link)

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Beautiful Oops! (affiliate link)

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

This week has 6 short Quick Coaching episodes to prepare for the Picture Book Solutions Virtual Summit -- each under 8 minutes!  Then David Shannon joins us on Monday!!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Come see this chart on Instagram @picturebooksolutions. (Screenshot the image and print it without having to download anything!)

This week has 6 short Quick Coaching episodes to prepare for the Picture Book Solutions Virtual Summit -- each under 8 minutes!  Then David Shannon joins us on Monday!!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Get your contract on Instagram @picturebooksolutions. (Screenshot the image and print it without having to download anything!)

This week has 6 short Quick Coaching episodes to prepare for the Picture Book Solutions Virtual Summit -- each under 8 minutes!  Then David Shannon joins us on Monday!!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

This week has 6 short Quick Coaching episodes to prepare for the Picture Book Solutions Virtual Summit -- each under 8 minutes!  Then David Shannon joins us on Monday!!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Piano notes, squiggles, other languages... get the visual on Instagram @picturebooksolutions. (Screenshot the image and print it without having to download anything!)


This week has 6 short Quick Coaching episodes to prepare for the Picture Book Solutions Virtual Summit -- each under 8 minutes!  Then David Shannon joins us on Monday!!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Our special guest speakers start October 1st! This week we prepare, and it all begins with a signing contract today!

Get your contract on Instagram @picturebooksolutions. (Screenshot the image and print it without having to download anything!)

Plus: That moment your child stops reading because there's a new word-- it's time to CELEBRATE.

This week has 6 short Quick Coaching episodes to prepare for the Picture Book Solutions Virtual Summit -- each under 8 minutes!  Then David Shannon joins us on Monday!!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Without my classroom, I had to teach my own children to read with the picture books we had at home (or from the library), plus a few other magical tools.  It worked and it will work for you, too!

We start getting ready next week, and then starting October 7th, we'll be joined by an author or expert every week in a virtual summit!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Phonemic awareness is so important and it's all about breaking down the SOUNDS in the spoken word. No letters. No words. Just sounds.

This skill connects so much to learning to spell, and spelling is one of the ways we can tell where a child is with phonemic or phonological awareness.  Enjoy this stage of childhood!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

They stop and stare at the page. 
Their brain is probably hard at work, but after 5 seconds they still can't figure it out! You don't have to just tell them the word-- there's a better way. I love how much this method builds a readers' confidence!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Fluency and Expression can be taught early! When you use your favorite PICTURE BOOKS to teach your child to read, everyone can soak in the real purpose of reading. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, let's read it like we speak.

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Count on your fingers, write tally marks on paper or carve them in wood. :)  Whatever you do, don't interrupt their thinking. If they fix it all by themselves you'll want to see it! If they don't, listen for how to respond.

The goal is for them to recognize their mistakes on their own. The first time they fix their own mistake BY THEMSELVES is one of the biggest times for a celebration!

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

Set them up for success and confidence! Picture walks happen BEFORE a child tries to read a single word. It only takes about a minute and can make the entire experience a positive one.

I'll also share some of my favorite books that are a great goal for beginning readers. Once they can read level 16-18, they'll take off forever!

(Talking about reading levels is boring. Finding PICTURE BOOKS at the right level makes reading what it should be.)

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!

1 to 1 is for every reader-- you are doing it right now as you read this! Is your child already using it, or ready to learn? These are the books I used for my own kids at home when I didn't have the leveled readers from the classroom.

Don't spend all your time in worksheets or learning from a computer. Snuggle up with a favorite picture book! (If you don't have the books mentioned here, the library is waiting for you!)

Happy Reading!  Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutions

Is your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and read together with the BEST illustrations by James Koenig!