As parents, educators, and mentors, it’s essential to introduce children to the power of persuasive writing early on. Persuasive writing skills can empower children to articulate their thoughts, influence others with their words, and navigate the world with confidence. Picture books are an excellent way for young readers to discover these skills woven into enchanting stories. Here are ten children’s books that do a remarkable job of teaching persuasive writing:
1. “I Wanna Iguana” by Karen Kaufman Orloff – This delightful book showcases a young boy’s letters to his mother, trying to convince her to let him adopt a pet iguana. It beautifully portrays the art of persuasion through a child’s earnest bargaining.
2. “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems – The pigeon in this story will stop at nothing to get what he wants, using a variety of convincing arguments that showcase persuasive tactics.
3. “Earrings!” by Judith Viorst – In this story, a little girl uses every trick in the persuasive book to convince her parents that she should be allowed to have her ears pierced.
4. “Click, Clack, Moo- Cows That Type” by Doreen Cronin – A humorous tale about cows negotiating for better living conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of clear communication and persistence.
5. “A Fine, Fine School” by Sharon Creech – Through this story about children who learn to voice their concerns about spending too much time at school, readers learn about persuasive arguments against excess.
6. “Can I Be Your Dog?” by Troy Cummings – A heartwarming story of a dog writing letters to various people in his search for a home; it showcases how emotion can play into persuasive writing.
7. “LaRue for Mayor- Letters from the Campaign Trail” by Mark Teague – Ike LaRue’s clever letters during his mayoral campaign illustrate humor and charm in getting points across persuasively.
8. “My Brother Dan’s Delicious” by Steven L. Layne – A fantastic example of how storytelling can persuade others as a brother tries to save his younger sibling from imaginary monsters.
9. “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt – Told through a series of letters written by crayons explaining why they’ve decided to quit coloring, this book introduces negotiation and perspective-taking.
10. “Hey, Little Ant” by Phillip and Hannah Hoose – A dialogic story where a boy talks with an ant about the reasons why he shouldn’t step on it, engaging readers with moral reasoning and persuasion techniques.
These books not only entertain young minds but also teach them how persuasion can be used responsibly and effectively — both in writing and in life. Reading these books with children is not only fun but also an investment in developing their communication tools for the future.
