Come nerd out about picturebooks! Dive deep into picturebook themes and structure. Learn strategies to enrich your read aloud times for both you and the kids you read with. We’ll explore the historical and theoretical contexts of picturebooks and literacy. We’ll also identify simple techniques that you can incorporate into your daily read alouds to maximize kids’ academic skills. You will leave with new understandings that will make reading aloud more fun and meaningful for everyone. $60 for 4 virtual sessions, Thursday evenings in January 2026, 8-9pm.
Here’s the detailed plan:
When?:
4 zoom sessions:
-Thursday, January 8, 2026, 8-9 pm
-Thursday, January 15, 2026, 8-9 pm
-Thursday, January 22, 2026, 8-9 pm
-Thursday, January 29, 2026, 8-9 pm
Who is the class for? any adult who is interested in learning and thinking about picturebooks from multiple perspectives
Why:
for fun!
to learn new ways to maximize your read aloud time
What is the format of the class?
Each class will focus on one picturebook, chosen specifically to illustrate both early literacy strategies and theoretical concepts. You do not need to do any preparation, just come ready to listen and wonder. Begin each class by sitting back and enjoying the opportunity to be the listener while the story is read aloud. Next, learn new ways to think and talk about the book. Explore the history of children’s literature, the strategies authors and illustrators use and the social themes they convey, and the strategies you can use to maximize the academic impact of your daily read alouds. Then, listen to the book again, equipped with this new information, so that you can see the new concepts and skills in action.
Each session will end with a 15 minute open conversation session. You can offer your own perspective, learn other class members’ ideas, ask questions, or wonder about other ways to analyze each book.
Digital copies of the analysis will be available, so you don’t have to take notes. Just let your brain and imagination soak up the stories and the ideas.