Story elements are the foundation of our comprehension work with students. Once they can retell the components of a story, they’ll be able to answer higher level questions. Story elements include; characters, setting, problem & solution, main events. And the best way to teach this is through read alouds! Here are a few of my favorite story elements mentor texts.
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the Story Elements Mentor Texts on my Youtube channel.
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Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
Meet Ruby — a happy, curious, imaginative young girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It’s not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger . . . and a little bigger . . . . Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about.
But when Ruby befriends a young boy, she discovers that everyone has worries, and not only that, there’s a great way to get rid of them too . . . she just has to share her feelings. This perceptive and poignant story is the perfect springboard for talking to children about emotions and anxieties.
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
From the beloved author-illustrator of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile comes a charming and relatable picture book about a child’s first sleepover experience.
Ira is thrilled about his first sleepover at his friend Reggie’s house, until his sister makes him question taking his favorite teddy bear! Will Reggie laugh at his teddy bear? Can Ira sleep without it? A hilarious back-and-forth ensues in this classic picture book about staying true to yourself. A perfect read-aloud for every young reader with their own bedtime friends.
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily, Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy!
In this funny yet endearing children’s book, filled with charming illustrations, kids learn about dealing with conflict as well as the difficulties, and ultimate rewards, of making new friends.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
When Max dresses in his wolf suit and causes havoc in the house, his mother sends him to bed. From there, Max sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who name him king and share a wild rumpus with him. But then from far away across the world, Max smells good things to eat…
In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco
Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their beautiful house, they cook dinner together, they laugh together, and they dance together.
But some of the other families don?t accept them. They say they are different. How can a family have two moms and no dad? But Marmee and Meema?s house is full of love. And they teach their children that different doesn?t mean wrong. And no matter how many moms or dads they have, they are everything a family is meant to be.
Here is a true Polacco story of a family, living by their own rules, and the strength they gain by the love they feel.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
When the fiercest dragon in the whole world smashes Princess Elizabeth’s castle, burns all her clothes, and captures her fiancé, Prince Ronald, Elizabeth takes matters into her own hands.
With her wits alone and nothing but a paper bag to wear, the princess challenges the dragon to show his strength in the hopes of saving the prince. But is it worth all that trouble?
Click here to grab the story elements lesson for The Paper Bag Princess.
Listen on the Podcast
Save this List of Story Elements Mentor Texts
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite read alouds board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to these story elements mentor texts when you are ready to read them aloud with your students.
