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Aaron Slater, Illustrator
Last updated Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Date of Publication: 2021
ISBN: 1419753967
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2024
Synopsis:
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can't get a single word down. He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach . . . until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his.
Printed with a dyslexia-friendly font, Aaron Slater, Illustrator tells the empowering story of a boy with dyslexia who discovers that his learning disability may inform who he is, but it does not define who he is, and that there are many ways to be a gifted communicator.
| Note to readers: |
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-Story Themes: Learning to read; discovering how to express oneself through many different ways – art, words, music,
and more; not giving up when learning something new and not understanding it right away.
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Picture Walk + Engaging Readers with Questions: Illustrations in picture books are essential in conveying and
developing the story, it would be helpful/useful to pause in between reading and do “picture walks” to ensure that the
students are able to see and absorb what is happening. While looking at the pictures this is a great time to ask questions
about what is actually happening in the story, as well as asking hypothetical questions to get kids thinking a little more
(i.e. How is Aaron feeling right now? How have his feelings changed as we read further into the book? )
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Different Learning Styles: Reading the story + engaging in picture walks will support all learning styles.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you learned something new recently? What was it? How did you feel when you started learning it? Excited?
Nervous?
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What do you do if you don’t understand something?
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Have you ever felt different from other children at school? How did it make you feel? Did you do something to change
how you felt?
Vocabulary
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Illustrator: A person who draws pictures
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Melodious: a pleasing, pleasant sound; musical
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Drift: something flowing, floating, or moving along
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Hullabaloo: a big commotion, a whole lot of things going on at once
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Dread: to fear something a lot
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Peering: to look at something closely and with curiosity
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Extraordinary: Going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary
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Anguish: very sad or in pain
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Courageous: having or showing bravery
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Banish: to send someone or something away as punishment
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Can you think of a time you were courageous at school?
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Art takes many forms – reading, writing, drawing, signing, dancing, painting. What is your favorite form of art?
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Words that rhyme can be so much fun! How many can you think of – more than one?
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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