Are you looking for some Community Helpers children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Community Helpers of any kind are a wonderful theme and are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Community Helpers books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Community Helpers, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Jobs Around Town by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Young readers will enjoy reading about the different jobs everyone has in Bear Country. While searching for the perfect job, the Bear siblings learn to celebrate the many talents of others and begin to imagine where their own God-given gifts will take them as they grow.
Literacy Extensions:
- Community Helpers Literature List
- Student Booklet: “Helpers in Our Neighborhood”
- Community Helpers Counting
- My Community Helpers Story: Student Worksheets
2. Let’s Meet a Construction Worker by Bridget Heos
What do construction workers do? Some lucky kids are about to find out!
They visit Mr. Moore, a construction worker who’s helping to build a new school. He shows them machines that dig big holes. He explains how he follows the building plans. And he talks about different workers and how they stay safe.
Cartoon-style animated drawings in bright colors introduce diverse characters who will capture children’s interest. Hooray for construction workers!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Favorite Community Helpers” Classroom Book
- “Our Community Helpers” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Two Community Helpers
- Community Helpers Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. Police by Patricia Hubbell
Police rush off to start their day. Who knows what jobs will come their way! Police keep us safe and protect us. They direct traffic, give directions, and provide first aid. The police are our friends!
A lively text combined with the illustrator’s child-friendly digital illustration shows what it is really like to protect and to serve.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Community Helpers
- Community Helpers Story Parts Worksheet
- Community Helpers Art Project
- Community Helpers Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. Taking You Places by Ann Owen
Have you ever taken a bus to school or into the city? The bus driver is an important community helper. This book describes some of the things that bus drivers do to help people get where they need to go with city and school buses.
Bus Drivers help us get all around the city to the museum, zoo, fire station and even to school. Make sure you say thank you to your bus driver for what they do to help you.
Literacy Extensions:
- Community Helpers Literature List
- Community Helpers Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Community Helpers Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Community Helper Paper Bag Art Project
5. A Day in the Life of a Firefighter by Linda Hayward
A Level 1 Reader that accurately portrays a day in the life of a real firefighter. This book is perfect for young children who are just learning to read.
The fire alarm goes off! Rob Green and the other firefighters go into action. Is there time to save a little girl’s dog? This book contains short, simple sentences with an emphasis on frequently used words. Stunning photographic images with labels provide visual clues to introduce and reinforce vocabulary.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Favorite Community Helpers” Classroom Book
- Community Helpers Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Community Helpers Shapes Art Project
- Community Helpers Add & Subtract Match Game
Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter is having a checkup at the dentist in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. The story shows how the Little Critter has an X-ray taken, gets a teeth cleaning and even shows what happens when a cavity is found. Both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to help allay any fears of going to the dentist!
Literacy Extensions:
- Community Helpers Word Bank
- Community Helpers Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Community Helpers Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Community Helpers Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Delivering Your Mail by Ann Owen
An introduction to another very important community helper, the mail carriers. Through fun illustrations and easy-to-read text, this nonfiction picture book describes what a mail carrier is.
The book explains how their mail truck works, and how the mail must get delivered no matter what the situation. This read-aloud will give young citizens a glimpse into the lives of these valuable workers and how their careers make communities a better place to live.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Community Helpers” Student Booklet
- Community Helpers Make a Short Vowel Word
- Community Helpers Sight Word Games
- Community Helpers Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Community Superheroes by Sara Kale
This first book of Community Superheroes is a perfect book for little kids and toddlers to learn how community helpers make a difference in our neighborhood. It also helps them develop appreciation and gratitude towards them. It is a fun book which introduces them to the world of different community helpers and encourages them to learn interesting facts about them.
The language is simple and plain for kids to understand and it has eye-pleasing pictures of day-to-day work activities of our most common community helpers! Parents can read to little ones aloud and older kids can read it themselves. Teachers and parents can use this book as a great learning tool for homeschooling or in classrooms!
Literacy Extensions:
- “My Community Helper” Classroom Book
- Community Helpers Letter & Sound Match Game
- Community Helpers Build a Word
- Community Helpers Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Community Helper children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Community Helper books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
