Favorite Authors for Teaching Character Traits

I love choosing books for my students which serve as mentor texts for our reading and writing units. This month we have been working with standards related to character traits and how characters change.  I am going to highlight several of the authors that have been favorites in my classroom.

KB Fonts, Ashley Hughes Graphics

Understanding that character traits are an internal part of a character and being able to define what they are was made easier using author Tim Preston's book, The Lonely Scarecrow. 



In Burton's book, the author clearly presents the character traits of the lonely scarecrow and his desire to be friends with the animals that play at the edge of his wheat field.  This book is perfect for introducing character traits.  The illustrations are gorgeous, and perfect for this time of the year.  If you don't have the book in your library it is accessible through YouTube.

Lynne Cherry wrote one of my all time favorite books, The Great Kapok Tree. This book is perfect for introducing point of view, and character change.  




Set in the tropical rain-forest, a lone woodsman is intent on chopping down the great kapok tree.  He falls asleep under the tree and is visited by the wondrous animals and a child that inhabit the forest.  Kids love the different voices the reader can easily use when reading the dialogue presented by the various creatures.  The various animals explain to the man the importance of saving the rain forest.  Once he awakens, the man has a change of heart and leaves the forest and ax behind.

Another favorite author is Margaret Wild.  She wrote Fox, which has a variety of themes and such a depth, it could be appropriate for students of any age.  It is a book you can you use for so many areas of reading and writing.



The illustrations and writing are so unique in this book you and your students will be mesmerized!  Set against a recent forest fire, magpie with it's burnt wing is rescued by dog.  Dog, the optimist, promises to be the lost wing that magpie lost, while magpie can be his eyes.  The two eventually become close friends.  Fox enters the picture and turns their world upside down.  Of course, you will have to read the book to discover what happens! 

I used a few folds and cuts to make this easy interactive foldable for the kids to have fun demonstrating their understanding of character traits.  They choose one of the main characters from Fox, listed the traits, provided their evidence, and illustrated the character.

A nice anchor chart resource is available as a freebie by A Year of Many Firsts.  You can grab it by clicking {Here}.