This past week I was working on completely overhauling my Mystery Reading Unit resource for my Teachers Pay Teachers store. While working, I was able to reread some of my favorites and I even discovered a new mystery read aloud book. I just love this selection of books and I want to share them with you!
Top 4 Mystery Picture Book Read Alouds
This list is in no particular order. I thought about ranking them from 1-4, but it was just too tough to put them in any sort of ranking.
1. Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation written and illustrated by Mark Teague
This book is written as a series of letters and newspaper articles. Ike, the dog, is the main character in this story and he is so amusing and he has a great vocabulary. I also really enjoy how the author portrays the characteristics of dogs and cats in the story.
2. Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast: The Case of the Stinky Stench written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Brendan Kearney
This is one of the new mystery books I discovered. (A few weeks ago I recommended another one of the Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast books on the blog- you can find it here!) Not only is this book written in rhyme, but it is super funny. Your kids will love it! In this book you will find elements of a good mystery, including a “red herring”, both literally and figuratively! 😂
3. The Mystery of Eatum Hall by John Kelly and Cathy Tincknell
I love reading this book aloud to students. There are so many clues in the pictures that are fun to point out. It’s a great one to use to model and encourage students to become the detective in the story trying to solve the mystery.
Be sure to really examine the illustrations closely- there are loads of picture clues! Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that the illustrations are really beautifully done.
4. The Web Files by Margie Palatini
This book is written in the Dragnet radio/television show style. It is a really fun read aloud if you get into it and read it with the same styling as the radio/television show. Be sure to teach your kids the “dum de dum dum” and they can chime in when you give them a cue.
This story has all the elements of a good mystery- detectives, a crime that has been committed, suspects, witnesses, and evidence. Your students will also love spotting all of the nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters that are included in the story.
If you are looking for resources to teach your mystery unit- you might want to check out my UPDATED Mystery Reading Unit! It contains loads of components…
- Key Terms
- Types of Plots
- Characters in a Mystery
- How To Read a Mystery
- Mystery Sidekicks
- Sidekicks Chart
- Mystery Book Sampler Graphic Organizers
- Summary Sheet
- Explore a Mystery Series Graphic Organizers
- Story Map
- Mystery Bookmarks
- Writing Project
- Vocabulary Poster Project
- Mystery Words Definition Posters (Key Vocabulary)
- Student Slideshow
Please leave me a note in the comments of your favorite mystery picture book read aloud!
