Awesome Literacy Resources for Kids and Their Parents

These are just a few of my favorite things! If you need some guidance when it comes to reading and writing with your kids, or if you just want to spice up your home literacy routines, these resources will do the trick.

(This list contains affiliate links.)

Books for Parents…

• Show Me a Story: 40 Craft Projects and Activities to Spark Children’s Storytelling, by Emily K. Neuburger 40 cool projects and activities to help kids express themselves through storytelling.
  
• The Write Start, by Jennifer Hallissy Practical tips to support your child’s writing development.
• How to Get Your Child to Love Reading, by Esmé Raji Codell So. Many. Ideas! Book lists for every kid, and loads of creative ways to hook new and old readers. (Also a great resource for teachers.)
  
• Raising a Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love for Reading, by Allison McDonald and Amy Mascott I wrote a whole post about why I like this one. Check it out!
• Show Me a Story!: Why Picture Books Matter: Conversations with 21 of the World’s Most Celebrated Illustrators, by Leonard S. Marcus A reminder of the value of picture books for all ages, and an interesting behind-the-scenes peek into the process of many famous picture book illustrators.
  
• Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens, by Lisa Guernsey and Michael H. Levine Since kids don’t just read books anymore.
• Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices, by Ralph Fletcher An informative look at why boys often struggle with writing and concrete tips to help.
• And don’t forget this classic. The Read Aloud Handbook, by Jim Trelease reminds parents why we read aloud to kids at all ages, and provides guidance to help get the most out of read aloud time. Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever, by Mem Fox is similar and also awesome.

Books for Kids…

• Rip the Page!: Adventures in Creative Writing by Karen Benke A creative guide to help kids explore creative writing.
• The Giggly Guide to Grammar Student Edition by Cathy Campbell and Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students (Quick & Dirty Tips) by Mignon Fogarty Want funny and clear explanations to help kids understand the sometimes goofy world of grammar? Here you go. Both of these are great resources for upper-elementary-middle-schoolish-aged kids, their parents, and everyone in between.
• Building Your Vocabulary, by Marvin Terban A handy and well-organized reference guide for kids in the upper elementary grades.
• How to Tell a Story: 1 Book + 20 Story Blocks = A Million Adventures by Daniel Nayeri Part book, part game, and a whole lot of fun. This is a perfect way to introduce or practice storytelling with kids.
  
• Guy-Write: What Every Guy Writer Needs to Know, by Ralph Fletcher A boy-friendly guide to writing. Great for older elementary school and middle school.
  
• Guys Read: The Sports Pages, by Jon Scieszka (This is our favorite but we love all of the other Guys Read titles as well.)

More Books for Kids!

• Gazillions of lists to help you find just the right book.
• Our favorite books from A to Z
• Books to keep kids happy on a road trip.

Tools for Kids…

• pencils and crayons (Short ones are better for encouraging proper pencil grasp.)
• pencil sharpener/crayon sharpener
• erasers
• markers
• paper (Lined, unlined, and graph paper)
• Sticky notes in various sizes
• Folders, paper trays or other spots for finished and unfinished work
• glue
• scissors
• alphabet stamps, miscellaneous stamps and ink
• stationery and card making supplies/envelopes
• Journal notebooks/sketchbooks
• Blank books
• Construction paper
• Dictionary
• Picture dictionary and themed word cards
• Ruler
• Stencils
• Stickers
• Clipboard
• Fun and creative literacy printables to use in your writing center

Literacy Games for the Whole Family…