The 7 Best Picture Books for Teaching ESL Students

These 7 best picture books for teaching ESL students will help you engage your students, increase vocabulary, and improve comprehension skills!

If you teach English as a Second Language Learners, you’ve probably wondered about the best picture books for teaching ESL students! There are SO many choices out there, but here are the best 7 ESL picture books to get you started! 

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Why Use Picture Books in the Classroom?

Before we dive into the list, let’s take a moment to review why we should use picture books in the ESL classroom! 

1. Picture books make it easy for ESL students to follow the story, no matter their level! 
2. Picture books help students find context clues! 
3. Picture books teach a new point of view! 
4. Picture books introduce new vocabulary! 
5. Picture books captivate students! 

Best Picture Book for Teaching ESL #1- All Are Welcome

2. The Name Jar 

This heartwarming book tells the story of a new girl at school and how she comes to love her Korean name. Though the story is a little more text-heavy than most picture books, ESL students are sure to identify with Unhei as she struggles with her “difficult to pronounce” name. The Name Jar is another great story for the first week of school, when a new student joins class, or whenever students are struggling with a name! ​

1. All Are Welcome

A modern-day classic, All Are Welcome is a great book for the first day of school, when a new student joins your class, or when you’re introducing communities! This sweet, rhyming book features diverse illustrations as it takes students throughout a school day, reminding them that no matter who they are or where they come from, they are welcome here! ​

Best Picture Book for Teaching ESL #2 - The Name Jar

Best Picture Book for Teaching ESL #3 - Lost and Found Cat

3. Lost and Found Cat

This true story is one that is sure to resonate with refugee students in your class! Lost and Found Cat tells the true story of an Iraqi family and their cat, Kunkush, who they bring with them as they escape to Greece. Lost and Found Cat is a  moving story about the power of community and helping one another, even in the toughest of times. This book is a great introduction to the importance of our stories and encouraging students to share their experiences. 

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4. The Word Collector

This simple story tells the story of Jerome, a boy who loves to collect new words! A great introduction to vocabulary units or projects, The Word Collector shares the many places students can collect new words and how new words can help them share their thoughts and feelings with the world! 

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Best Picture Book for Teaching ESL #5 - Malala's Magic Pencil

6. The Proudest Blue

The Proudest Blue is a great story to help girls in your class feel confident about their hijabs! The Proudest Blue addresses the questions and rude comments some students may have received about their hijabs, while giving students the power and confidence to proudly wear their scarves. 

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Best Picture Books for Teaching ESL #7- The Kindest Red

Best Picture Book for Teaching ESL #4- The Word Collector

5. Malala's Magic Pencil

Malala’s Magic Pencilamzn.to/4dgeZ1z, written by Malala Yousafzai, is an inspiring book about the power of writing and each person’s ability to change the world. While Malala’s Magic Pencil does tell the story of Malala Yousafzai’s life, it only makes vague references to violence, war, and the shooting, making it more manageable for refugee students to read or listen to! This book is a great introduction to a biography or autobiography unit! 

Best Picture Book for Teaching ESL #6 - The Proudest Blue

7. The Kindest Red

Written by the same author as The Proudest Blue, The Kindest Red is an SEL book that talks about ways we can all be kind to others! This book is a great read aloud for the first weeks of school or anytime your students need a little reminder about how to be kind to others! 

What other books would you add to the list of best picture books for teaching ESL? 

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