When teachers strategically select books for making connections, we can guide students in making meaningful text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections. These connections not only enhance comprehension and engagement but also help students relate their own experiences and the wider world to the stories they read. These 20 picture books will lead to rich discussions and deeper connections for your students.
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Books for Making Connections
These 20 mentor texts will help students begin making text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections and participate in meaningful discussions.
Text-to-Text Connections
Students can use characters, settings, events, or the theme to make text-to-text connections. These book pairings are a few ideas to help you get started.
Jessica & Beekle
Jessica by Kevin Henkes and The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat explore the wonder of having an imaginary friend. One is told from a young girl’s perspective while the other is told by an imaginary friend.
Owen & Knuffle Bunny
Owen by Kevin Henkes and Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems each tell the story of a young child with a favorite security item. Trixie is in despair when she loses Knuffle Bunny and Owen struggles when he realizes he can’t bring his blanket to school.
The Memory String & Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
The Memory String by Eve Bunting and Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox both share stories about holding on to our memories so we don’t lose them. Beautiful stories to share with upper elementary students.
Fairy Tales
Fairy Tales and Fractured Fairy Tales are perfect to use for making text-to-text connections. A fun example would be connecting Goldilocks and the Three Bears with Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems.
Thank You, Mr. Falker & The Wednesday Surprise
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco and The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting are both must-have mentor texts that can be used to teach many skills. Each book tells an inspiring story of a struggling reader who learns how to read.
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother & The Pain and the Great One
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco and The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume both provide a humorous perspective on sibling dynamics – especially the competitiveness they can experience against one another.
Text-to-Self Connections
We know that students can be quite eager to share stories about themselves! These picture books provide the perfect opportunity for students to make text-to-self connections as they discuss real-life situations the characters encounter.
What If…?
Students and adults alike will be able to relate to Joe in What If…? by Anthony Browne. As Joe is on his way to a birthday party, he grows more nervous with constant questions about what to expect once he gets there.
Jabari Jumps
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall tells about a young boy named Jabari who wants to jump off the high dive but is a bit hesitant when he sees just how high it is. Students can connect to a time when they were afraid to try something new and had to work up their courage to face their fears.
Chester’s Way
Kevin Henkes’ books are all perfect for making text-to-self connections and they feature young characters experiencing the same situations as our students. In Chester’s Way, we meet Chester who likes to do things HIS way, but he meets someone who opens up his mind to other ways of doing things.
Koala Lou
Students with younger siblings will be able to make connections to Koala Lou by Mem Fox. A young koala feels forgotten by her mother when her new sibling joins the family so she enters the Bush Olympics to win back her mother’s heart.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
We have all had those type of days before where nothing seems to go our way. Students will love reading and making connections to the classic book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.
Ira Sleeps Over
Sleepovers are a fun part of our childhood where we make lasting memories with our friends. Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber recounts all the excitement and uncertainty leading up to a child’s first sleepover. Students can connect to the questions Ira is asking and the uncertainty he’s feeling about sleeping over at his friend’s house.
The Art Lesson
Tomie has always dreamed about being an artist but gets discouraged by the rules at school that limit his creativity. The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola allows students to connect to a time when they could pursue their passion and maintain their individuality.
The Relatives Came
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant vividly describes what it looks, feels, and sounds like when families get together for a visit. Students can make connections to their own experiences visiting with their families.
Those Shoes
Jeremy wants the same shoes that everyone else is wearing. When his family won’t get the shoes for him, he comes up with ways to get them but ends up learning a more valuable lesson. Upper elementary students will be able to connect with Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts and the desire to fit in with their peers.
Text-to-World Connections
Mentor texts can be an amazing way to begin discussions with students about the world around them. As they make text-to-world connections, students begin to understand current events and other people’s perspectives in a developmentally appropriate way.
The Great Kapok Tree
The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry tells the story of how forest animals try to stop a man from chopping down a tree. Perfect to use when discussing preserving our rain forests and other natural resources.
How Many Days to America
How Many Days to America? by Eve Bunting follows a family on their challenging journey from their Caribbean island to the United States. Share this book as a way to introduce and discuss the topic of immigration.
Rice From Heaven
Rice from Heaven by Tina Cho shares the true story of how a young girl and her community deliver food to the starving and oppressed people in North Korea. This could open up discussions about world hunger or even within their own community.
The Wall
The Wall by Eve Bunting tells of a young boy who visits the Vietnam War memorial with his father to find the name of his grandfather he had never met. This is ideal to share around Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day to discuss what it means to be a veteran.
One Plastic Bag
One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul is a great book to share to discuss recycling and taking care of our environment. It is based on the true story of an African woman who started a recycling project to make plastic bags into something new.
What other picture books do you love using to make connections? Share in the comments!
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