Small moment writing allows students to write about specific moments rather than large moments. Teaching about small moments can greatly improve a student’s writing skills.
To help students become small moment writers, we need to start with great small moment mentor texts! Here is a list of 21 small moment writing mentor texts to help you launch your small moment writing unit.
1. A Moment in Time (by Jennifer Butenas)
This is a warm-hearted story about a family of four and their moment in time. It is a pleasant, lazy kind of summery day and this family is enjoying every moment. With its catchy rhymes and vibrant colors, this will be a great addition to your library.
2. Baby Goes to Market (by Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank)
In this book, our narrator is a doting Baby and his Mama at a busy southwest Nigerian marketplace. Mama is busy looking for things to buy, but so is Baby.
A bright and bouncy small moment that offers rhythmic patterns and a gentle introduction to counting numbers.
3. Bibbity Bop, Barber Shop (by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley)
Join Miles as he makes his first trip to the barbershop with his father. Like most young boys, Miles is scared of the buzzing razor, sharp scissors, and the idea of picking a new hairstyle.
However, he is able to bravely sit through his first haircut with the support of his father, the barber, and the other men in the barbershop. A heart-warming tale of trying new things and the love of hair.
4. The Big Big Sea (by Martin Waddell)
This is a story of a child and a mother walking in the moonlight by the sea. The Big Big Sea uses soft flowing words and luminous imagery to illustrate the amazing bond between mother and child that makes even the dark scary sea seems like a safe place.
5. Blackout (by John Rocco)
What do you do during a summer blackout? Have a party of course! Follow along with this young boy who watches his neighborhood change from busy and bustling to a good-humored block party full of rollerblading, talking, and eating ice cream before it melts.
But when the lights come back on, everything goes back to normal, right? Not everyone likes normal! A fun-loving story of enjoying family moments in the least expected ways.
6. Come On, Rain! (by Karen Hesse)
A story of Tess and her anticipation for the long-awaited rain. When it comes, there is a joyous celebration! A masterful recreation of a glorious quenching summer rainstorm.
Karen Hesse uses detailed words that whisk you away to the block where cats pant in the heat that wavers off the tar patches in the broiling alleyway. A great introduction for young readers and writers to view imagery through words.
7. The Dandelion Seed (by Joseph Anthony)
Have you ever wondered what happens to a dandelion seed as it floats away in the wind? Follow this amazing journey of a dandelion seed that is scared to let go and fulfill its destiny. A captivating story that introduces the plant life cycle while reminding us that it is ok to embrace change and let go.
8. Extra Yarn (by Marc Barnett and Jon Klassen)
This is a story of a young girl named Annabelle, who finds a box of yarn. It was a cold and dark day in her dull and grey town, so she decides to make herself a jumper to keep herself warm and toasty. To her surprise, there is still yarn left over, so she continues to knit until she has covered the whole town with a rainbow of color that breaks through the cold that has taken over.
However, the evil Archduke soon hears of Annabelle’s box of yarn and the magic she has cast over the town. A sweet story that teaches its readers that sometimes we have to look inside our hearts for a little bit of magic and warmth.
9. Flying Over Brooklyn (by Myron Uhlberg)
Based on the Great Blizzard of 1947, this is a story of a young boy’s imaginary flight over Brooklyn and his new outlook on the world around him that is blanketed in several feet of snow.
10. Fireflies (by Julie Brinckloe)
This is a story of a young boy who captures and fills a jar full of fireflies. Their luminous lights make him feel like he owns a piece of moonlight, but as their lights begin to fade, he soon realizes that he will need to set the insects free or they will die. An amazing childhood story of how it feels to capture a bit of magic.
11. Freedom Soup (by Tami Charles)
A heart-warming story of a young girl named Belle as she makes Freedom Soup with her grandmother and learns of the history behind the soup, her family, and the history of Haiti where Belle’s family is from. Rich illustrations bring Belle’s story and the story of the Haitian Revolution to life.
12. Hair Love (by Matthew A. Cherry)
This is a touching tale of a father who learns how to love his daughter’s natural hair as much as he loves her, while he attempts to style it for a very special occasion. An uplifting tale celebrating the bond between fathers and daughters.
13. Hike (by Pete Oswald)
Join this father and son duo as they go on a hike into the mountains and discover the magic of the wilderness. By the end of their trip, the two feel alive and their bond has become stronger than ever.
This story lends itself to the themes of Father’s Day with a touching tribute to the bond between father and child, and Earth Day as they play a small role in the survival of the forest.
14. Jabari Jumps (by Gaia Cornwell)
A touching tale of a young boy named Jabari who contemplates his jump off the diving board. At this moment, he watches as other children make the jump, and begins to question whether he can do it or not.
With the support of his patient and encouraging father, he finally takes a leap of faith. A sweet tale of overcoming your fears.
15. Jamaica’s Find (by Juanita Havill)
This is a story of a first-grader named Jamaica who finds a stuffed animal in the park, then wrestles with the concepts of wrong and right as she wants to keep the toy for herself.
With the help of her family, she comes to understand that this toy could belong to a kid just like her. A beautiful story of empathy and discerning between what is considered right and wrong.
16. Joshua’s Night Whispers (by Angela Johnson)
Sometimes, there are things that go BUMP in the night! Listen along with this father and son duo as they take special notice of all the sounds that come to life when the sun sets.
17. Kitchen Dance (by Maurie J. Manning)
A story of a little girl who wakes up in the middle of the night to strange, but inviting noises. With her brother in tow, they sneak downstairs to find their parents singing and dancing in the kitchen as they clean and put food away.
Upon discovering the two kids, Mama and Papa whisk the kids into a family dance that slowly turns into a lullaby as they tuck them back into bed. A sweet story of finding magic in the smallest of moments.
18. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (by Mo Willems)
What do you get when Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat? Well, things go terribly and hilariously wrong! A comical yet cautionary true-to-life tale of what happens when Daddy is in charge.
19. The Leaving Morning (by Angela Johnson)
This is a story of a young boy and his sister as they experience moving day. They say goodbye to friends, neighbors, cousins, shopkeepers, and more as they take a final glance at the home they knew before taking the journey to their new home. A touching story about the hardships of saying goodbye.
20. Lost and Found Cat (by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes)
This story is a gentle introduction to a difficult topic and displays the compassion and hope of ordinary people. A heartwarming true story of a refugee family and their lost cat’s journey to be reunited with them.
21. Mr. George Baker (by Amy Hest)
George Baker and Harry do not seem like the most probable of friends, but they do have a lot in common. A hundred-year-old musician and a young schoolboy, they are both learning to read, which is actually pretty hard.
Despite their differences, they do share a warm and easy friendship. This story is a powerful tribute to the power of language and intergenerational bonds.
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