The 6 Best Books to Teach Point of View

Point of view is a big standard to cover! This standard can be tricky if you don’t have the right materials. It is important to have mentor texts and passages that allow your students to see a variety of perspectives over topics and events. So, today, I am going to talk about 6 of the best books for point of view.

Below, all the links to books are affiliate links to Amazon!

The Day the Crayons Quit

The Day the Crayons Quit, Mentor Text, Read Aloud for teaching Point of View

The Day the Crayons Quit is an excellent story for teaching points of view. First, this silly story is thoroughly engaging for students. Second, there are multiple points of view displayed throughout the events of the story. Duncan wants to color but finds his crayons are missing when he opens the box. Each crayon has left a letter describing their complaints. It is interesting to see how each color has a differing perspective on the same issue. I would recommend this book for early point-of-view instruction, in order to help students grasp the concept of perspective.

Link: The Day the Crayons Quit

Three Hens and a Peacock

Three Hens and a Peacock, Mentor Text, Read Aloud for Point of View

Another great book for teaching point of view is Three Hens and a Peacock. Like The Day the Crayons Quit, this story has multiple perspectives surrounding the same event. In the book, a peaceful farm has no issues on a day-to-day basis. Everyone has their own job and the farm is run well, without complaints. Until, one day, when a peacock falls off of a passing truck and ends up causing a shift in the farm’s dynamic. It is interesting to see which of the characters’ perspectives that the students connect with in this story. Not only does this book provide students with point-of-view references, but it is also very funny and teaches a lesson about envy.

Link: Three Hens and Peacock

Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks!

Goldilocks Rocks, Mentor Text, Read Aloud for teaching Point of View

Classic story retellings are also great for teaching point-of-view. Students will likely have an understanding of the original story. So, when they are faced with the perspective of a different character, students will be able to reference point-of-view. Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks! is one of these story retellings. In this version, we learn that Goldilocks is actually a dear friend of Baby Bear. With the new information, readers will be able to look at the story from a different perspective. I would suggest including some version of the original in your instruction during this time, as well.

Link: Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks!

Grace for President

Grace for President, Mentor Text, Read Aloud for Point of View

Grace for President is a must-have book for your collection. In this story, Grace learns that there has never been a woman president. So, she decides to run in her school’s mock election. After a popular boy in her class decides to run against her, and not surprisingly, wins the votes of the boys in the grade, Grace decides to shift her campaign. This relevant story gives students an interesting introduction to the Electoral College, and delivers a message but also delivers a valuable message about courage and independent thought.

Link: Grace for President

The Sandwich Swap

The Sandwich Swap, Mentor Text, Read Aloud for teaching Point of View

Another book suggestion is The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan. Many times, stories of perspective and point of view are told about characters who may not have been initially connected. On the other hand, this book tells the story of two friends who do everything together. All until a difference in perspective causes a food fight that could change everything. I like that this book details more than just a difference in opinion, but also cultural and societal differences, as well. It is a beautiful story that displays how friendship and acceptance can be extremely powerful.

Link: The Sandwich Swap

Creepy Carrots

Creepy Carrots, Mentor Text, Read Aloud for teaching Point of View

Lastly, I want to talk about the story Creepy Carrots! Unlike the other stories in this list, Creepy Carrots! shows us a difference in point of view within a single character. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots and eats them constantly. That is, until one day he begins to think that they are following him. The shift in the main character’s perspective within this story will allow your students to see how outside circumstances can impact our own thoughts and points of view. It is another silly story that teaches a not-so-silly lesson.

Link: Creepy Carrots

Want a free Point of View activity?

Get these two activities sent directly to your inbox. In first grade, students are asked to simply identify who is speaking or narrating parts of a story. When students move to second grade, they are asked to identify how characters feel about certain events. You’ll receive two freebies that cover both, one today and one later this week!

More Suggested Point-of-View Materials for You

I have ready-made lessons and supplemental resources for Common Core’s point of view standard. In each of these units, there are 3 mini lessons with 3 activities for each lesson. Then, there are graphic organizers, reading passages, task cards, and an assessment to use as you need!

Want to dive deeper into Point of View? Check out this blog post!

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