Big-as-Life Book Report

Library windows are just the place to share reviews of favorite books. Use Crayola® Washable Window Markers or Crayola Window Crayons to draw eye-catching book reports.

• 1.

  Choose a favorite book or one you recently read. Talk about it with a friend. Without giving away any surprising plot points, share details about characters, settings, and action. What was the most exciting part of the book?

• 2.

  Use Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils to sketch a compelling scene you can share in a Big-as-Life Book Report. Place the book's title, author, and illustrator (if there is one) in your sketch as well. Include your name as the book reviewer.

• 3.

  Use Crayola Washable Window Markers or Crayola Window Crayons to draw life-size or larger-than-life-size scenes on the inside of library windows. Refer to your sketches. You might draw outlines of shapes, figures, and block letters with marker tips. Fill in large areas of color with the sides of the tip. Make your book report as convincing as possible for other potential readers.

• 4.

  Study the scenes drawn by other students. Which books have you read? Which scenes draw you in and make you want to read the books they depict? What is it about those scenes that appeals to you? Discuss similar elements in the book scenes. Read something new!

Benefits

• Students read fiction or nonfiction books that stretch their reading levels.
• Children reflect on the books they read with classmates and select a dynamic scene, colorful setting, or appealing characters to illustrate in a visual book report.
• Students design compelling scenes on library windows to entice others to read the books.

Adaptations

• Collaborate with librarians to regularly change Big-as-Life Book Reports. Simply wash scenes away with damp paper towels. Children draw new scenes on dry windows. Provide new book topics or ask different grade levels to feature their favorite books.
• Public libraries can feature Big-as-Life Book Reports as part of reading programs. Invite children to draw characters, scenes, book titles, and names of favorite authors and illustrators inside library windows to inspire other children as they choose book
• Summer camps and after-school programs encourage students to share their favorite books by drawing these reports on windows in their facilities.