Pink and Say

Many parents (and teachers too) quit reading aloud to children after second or third grade.  I have never understood why this happens.  I suppose many parents and teachers feel after third grade most kids can read text on their own and no longer need to have it read to them.  However, there are many reasons why reading aloud to older students is important.  First, a child's listening vocabulary is two years ahead of their reading vocabulary.  This means they can understand stories that are too hard for them to read on their own  Second, older children still need help comprehending the text.  Even though they may be able to decode the words on the page, they might not understand what they are reading.  Lastly, older children still need to hear you model fluent reading!

A great book to share with an older child is Patricia Polacco's Pink and Say.  It is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book.  The story takes place during the Civil War and it shares the journey of two Union soldiers --  Sheldon Curtis and Pinkus Aylee.  Sheldon is a fifteen year old wounded soldier who is nursed back to health by Pinkus (also a fiftteen year old soldier).  The story takes the reader on an incredible journey of friendship and love.  It is a rather deep and serious book.  In my opinion it is appropriate for children in grades four and higher.  

I guarantee this story will spark a conversation between you and your child.  You probably will not even need the questions below to help you and your child talk about the story.  Pink and Say is a great book to     apply the reading strategy of asking questions and synthesizing information.

Readers often ask questions about a story to help them make sense of what is happening.  Asking questions is a great way to interact with a story and stay focused.  A great question starter to use when reading with your child is "I wonder..." because it shows your curiosity. It is also good to show when you are confused by starting with the stems "I don't understand..." or "I am confused by..."  The answers you ask might not have answers.  The important thing is the thinking behind the statement.


Synthesizing is one of the toughest strategies because it takes so much thinking. Pink and Say  is a great book to synthesize.  As you read the story stop a few times and talk about how your thinking has changed through the story.  After finishing the story, you can think about what the story means to you.


1.  I wonder who are the marauders and why everyone is afraid of them?  


2.  I don't understand what it means to "jump the broom"


3.  Read to "I had no answer for him, but, God forgive me, I didn't want to ever go back to it!"
Stop and talk about the story so far.  You might start by saying, "I'm beginning to think..."


4.  Read to "That night I dreamt of hummin' birds and green pastures full of sunlight and wildflowers.
Stop and discuss your thinking of the story.  You might start by saying, "Now, I am thinking....."

5. How could the marauders hurt Moe Moe Bay?  She was not even fighting in the war!

6.  I don't understand why their would be trouble for Pink if they saw he had a pair of glasses.

7.  Read to "I held him as he had done for me."
Stop and discuss your thinking of the story.  You might start by saying, "My new thinking is..."


8.  At the end of the story ask "What does this mean to us?"

The above questions are just a guide to start a conversation.  When you are reading with your child stop and talk anytime you wonder about something.  Share anytime something in the story confuses you.  Authentic questions are the best!

Please keep reading to your children!  Books provide opportunities for great conversations!  There are tons of picture books that are appropriate for older children.