Power of Picture Books: Using Content Area Literature in the Middle School

Fresch and Harkins (both Ohio State U., Marion) offer middle school teachers a practical guide to incorporating picture books--defined as books in which the text and illustrations have an important, supporting relationship--into the classroom as a textbook supplement. Following a general explanation of this strategy, the text contains listings of books organized in five content areas--language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, and the arts--to interest middle students of all readiness levels, interests, and learning styles. Each of the 50 picture book entries includes the title, author, publisher and publication date, a synopsis of the book, activity suggestions, cross-curricular connections activities, and lists of additional texts for further reading on the topic and for additional cross-curricular connections. Web resources and suggested teaching strategies are provided in the appendices. No subject index. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)