This remarkable book explores the many advantages of using "touchstone" books to consider four key aspects of literacy — predictable structures, nonfiction, comprehension, and imagination and language play. Each of these aspects is described in terms of a series of strategies, which are highlighted by their use with specific touchstone books, and supported by lists of related books to consider.

Based on convincing research that parents play a vital role in raising a reader, Books as Bridges offers an effective and efficient way to use texts, including children`s picture books, to help create a common reading experience for the class that can be extended to the home. Numerous reproducibles and send-home materials, as well as suggestions for supporting families for whom English is not the first language, complement this timely resource.