Reading Levels

Lilac Level Reading books are wordless picture books designed for you to share with your child and provide lots to talk about (in both English and your home language).

Wordless picture books are told entirely through their illustrations — they are books without words, or sometimes just a few words. Sharing wordless books with a child provides an opportunity for literacy-rich conversations. Each "reader" listens and speaks, and creates their own story in their own words. Sharing wordless books also reinforces the idea that, in many books, the story and the pictures are connected.

Below are a few tips for sharing wordless picture books with a child:

• Recognise that there are no "right" or "wrong" ways to read a wordless book. One of the wonderful benefits of using wordless books is how each child creates his own story (or stories!) from the same pictures.

• Spend time looking at the cover and talking about the book's title. Based on those two things, make a few predictions about the story.

• Take a "picture walk" through the pages of the book. Enjoy the illustrations, which are often rich with detail. Look carefully at the

• Expressions on characters' faces, the setting and the use of colour. Talk to each other about what you see. These conversations will enrich the storytelling.

• Enjoy the pictures and point out a few things, but don't worry too much about telling a story yet. Just enjoy the pictures and get a sense of what the book is about.

• Go back through the book a second time and get ready for some great storytelling! Consider going first and acting as a model for your child. Have characters use different voices, add sound effects and use interesting words in your version of the book.

• Encourage your child to "read" you the book with their story. Focus on the words your child uses when they tell the story. Help your child expand their sentences or thoughts by encouraging them to add information from the illustration's details. One way to encourage more details is by asking "W" questions: Who? Where? When? Why?

• Finish your wordless book sharing by asking a few simple questions: What pictures helped you tell the story? What was your favourite part of your story? Have you had an experience like the one in your story?

• Sharing wordless books is a terrific way to build important literacy skills, including listening skills, vocabulary, comprehension — and an increased awareness of how stories are "built," as the storyteller often uses a beginning, middle, end format. For a book with few words, you'll be surprised at all the talking you will do, and all the fun you'll have!

Retell a story from memory

Read a book without pointing at the words, unless they get stuck

Blend phonemes together to understand a word, e.g. d-o-g

Use punctuation, such as speech marks and question marks

Notice and correct some of their mistakes

Sometimes, they can work out what is going to happen next in a story

Children at this reading level will now be able to understand unusual text layouts, complex language and variation

Know how to use a contents page, glossary and index

Use punctuation to help them to read clearly

Read books that have longer chapters

Learn new information from reading non-fiction books

Notice the smaller details within the book

Read silently most of the time

Re-read texts, unfamiliar language and complex sentences

Use different voices for different characters in a story and performance pieces

Tell the difference between the narrator’s voice and character dialogue

Understand hidden messages within a text and understand how a character might be feeling

Read for a longer period without losing concentration

Use glossary and indexes to locate information quickly