The booklet ideas on this section of the website were created by Kim Lenging and originally published on another wonderful Kindergarten website called KinderNet (which is no longer online). Children who make books in the classroom, or contribute to the creation of a class-made coloring book, feel a sense of ownership and pride. This makes the books relevant to the child and more likely to be pulled out "over and over" for reading "again and again".
The text and illustrations are simple and repetitive. Usually, the changing words are cued by the illustrations which make the books perfect for beginning readers.
The creation of books in the classroom helps children understand the role of authors and illustrators. Children will begin to see themselves as part of the process, rather than simply the passive benefactor of somebody else's hard work. Understanding how books come about leads to an appreciation for them.
The books don't cost the parents any money. Reading books, when purchased at a book store, are very expensive. Most schools don't lend reading books to the children to practice with at home. Reading books, by nature, tend to be short, so many are needed in order to adequately practice emergent literacy skills. These class made books cost nothing but the time parents spend reviewing them with their child.
