Little Cloud by Eric Carle

Intro and technique

A little cloud drifts off from the other clouds and becomes a sheep, an airplane, a shark, trees, a rabbit, and a clown. He then joins the other clouds, and they turn into one big cloud and rain.

• Read the title of the book on the cover, while pointing to each word. Say the title together as you point to each word. Ask: Where do you see clouds? (We can see them outside in the sky.)
• Trace Little Cloud's eyes, nose, and mouth on the cover with your finger. Make sure the child sees the face on the cloud.

Reading the Story

• Read the words to the story on each page, moving your finger under the words as you read.
• As you go through the book, point to each shape Little Cloud turns into.

Reading the Book Again and Again

• Each time you read Little Cloud, leave more of the "reading" or retelling to the child. Give open-ended prompts on each page. For example, ask: What is happening here? What has Little Cloud turned into?
• Give prompts about objects or activities in the pictures. For example, ask: What is this animal called? (It is a sheep.) Use your finger to point to what you are asking about. Evaluate the child's response. Expand it by giving more information. Ask the child to repeat the answer. If he or she needs help in answering a question, ask that question again the next time you read the book. Good words to ask about are listed in the vocabulary section below. Be sure to talk about objects and actions the child brings up, too.
• You may wish to discuss the prompts shown below.

Building Literacy

• Talk with your child about clouds. Look for clouds out the window or on a walk. Talk about the shapes clouds take.

More on: Reading Tips for Parents

Excerpted from:

Excerpted from Read Together, Talk Together, the Pearson Early Childhood research-based program that makes reading aloud even more effective!