Abdul's Story, written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Tiffany Rose

 




    Description from the publisher:

    "Abdul loves to tell stories. But writing them down is hard. His letters refuse to stay straight and face the right way. And despite all his attempts, his papers often wind up with more eraser smudges than actual words. Abdul decides his stories just aren’t meant to be written down…until a special visitor comes to class and shows Abdul that even the best writers—and superheroes—make mistakes."

    Text Features: 

    • Fictional picture book.
    • About the author and illustrator back matter.

    Critical Literacy Suggestions:

    Read & Discuss: 

    • BEFORE reading: Read the blurb and discuss why writing might be hard for Abdul; have students share their personal experience about what makes writing hard for them (or what used to be hard when they first started to learn to write). Ask students what a 'role model' is and discuss how role models can inspire us to try hard things and grow. Have students predict what Abdul learns from the class's special visitor.
    • DURING reading: Pause after reading the page where Abdul tells about the woman who sells frozen sugar ice out of how basement; have students turn and talk about something fun they have seen or experienced in their neighborhood (this will help students see that they all have stories to share and that these can become ideas for writing). Throughout the story, have students help map Abdul's feelings and what causes these feelings. Link Adbul's feelings with the terms 'Setbacks' and 'Motivations' to support discussion about what Abdul's story can teach about having a growth mindset. 
    • AFTER reading: Discuss what Abdul learned about how the writing process can look for different writers (i.e., "messy", incorrect spelling, incomplete thoughts) and the importance of everyone valuing their own stories and sharing those stories with others. While the book doesn't name a specific learning difference that Abdul has, many of his challenges are common for children with dyslexia. This book could serve as a resource to discuss this topic with individual children experiencing dyslexia or to help other children learn how to support and value their peers with dyslexia (see resource below).  

    Write & Act: 
    • Create posters that celebrate writing and having a growth mindset! 
    • Have students make a short video sharing a story about something that used to be hard for them but now feels easier, to encourage younger students to tackle learning challenges. 

    Learn More:

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