Picture Books for the Literacy Hour

This professional resource offers educators a thoughtful framework for integrating picture books into structured literacy instruction, demonstrating how the visual and narrative complexity of modern children's literature can serve as powerful teaching tools. Merchant moves beyond simply celebrating picture books as an art form to provide practical strategies for using them to develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills during dedicated literacy blocks. The book guides teachers in selecting titles that offer rich language experiences and multidimensional learning opportunities, positioning picture books as essential rather than supplementary classroom materials.

What distinguishes this guide is its specific focus on the literacy hour structure, providing time-conscious approaches that help teachers maximize instructional impact without sacrificing engagement. Merchant's analysis will resonate most strongly with elementary educators seeking to revitalize their literacy curriculum with books that children genuinely connect with, while still meeting rigorous educational objectives. This resource successfully bridges the gap between academic appreciation of children's literature and daily classroom practice, ultimately empowering teachers to transform their literacy instruction through thoughtful picture book integration.