Books and drama go hand in glove — they’re both about story, after all. Just look at the films that have drawn their inspiration from children’s books .

On a smaller scale, Reader’s Theater brings stories to life as I was reminded when reading a recent article by Elizabeth Poe. The educational — and social — benefits of second grade children sharing Eric Rohmann’s A Kitten Tale (Knopf) with preschool children are clearly presented.

I’ve seen adult writers of books for young readers perform in this way and there are lots of resources to get teachers started , but for second graders to choose, script, and perform their work reminds me that it’s far too easy for adults to underestimate how capable young children are when given the chance.

Reader’s Theater fits into classroom or library activities and may even become a family or community pursuit. All it takes is an appealing book with a strong story and some faith in children’s (and adults’) creativity.

Find out more about Reader’s Theater in the Reading Rockets strategy library

About the Author

Maria Salvadore is Reading Rockets’ consultant for children’s literature and literacy. Maria curates our themed booklists and writes the blog, Page by Page, which explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside and outside of the classroom. She leads parent workshops for Ready To Learn (RTL) at WETA Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. She has also taught children’s literature at the University of Maryland, reviewed books for School Library Journal, and has served on various book award committees, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, Golden Kite, and the Caldecott Committee.

Publication Date
May 3, 2010

Related Topics

Children’s Books, Reading Aloud, Struggling Readers
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