One way to help preschoolers become emergent readers is to encourage them to observe signs – in grocery stores, while riding in a car, wherever they see them in their environment. There are several fun picture books that help with sign recognition you can offer; plus, many of these stories encourage pedestrian safety. For a hands-on activity, make these printable traffic signs.
- App: The Monster at the End of this Book.
Armstrong, Jennifer. ONCE UPON A BANANA. Everyday signs caption the illustrations in this story that begins with a tossed banana peel missing the garbage can.
Barton, Byron. MY CAR. Sam drives safely because he reads the street signs.
Harper, Charise M. GO! GO! GO! STOP! Little Green only knows the word Go! but that could be challenging at the construction site.
Jacobs, Paul DuBois. COUNT ON THE SUBWAY. Mother and child count from one to ten and back again, observing various signs in the city.
Kessler, Leonard. MR. PINE’S MIXED-UP SIGNS. In this classic easy reader, the sign painter has lost his glasses, so he puts the signs up anywhere.
Murphy, Stuart J. PERCY’S NEIGHBORHOOD. Percy helps his dad hang signs for the Fun Run, and meets many of his neighbors.
Parr, Todd. READING MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. Parr’s signature bold colors convey the joy of reading, including funny signs hidden in the pictures.
VanLieshout, Maria. BACKSEAT A-B-SEE. Road signs serve as the device to communicate the letters of the alphabet.
VanLieshout, Maria. FLIGHT 1-2-3. Airport signs help a child count from one to ten.
Wells, Rosemary. YOKO FINDS HER WAY. When Yoko becomes lost at the airport, she follows signs to find her way back to her mother.