This text offers a teacher and student-friendly collection of lessons and activities that help educators use picture books to engage younger students in meaningful social studies activities and bring this critical subject back in elementary schools.

In order for today's children to succeed as adults, they need a solid foundation of life skills inculcated at a young age. Social studies is key to building this critical knowledge, yet less attention is being paid to social studies in elementary schools as this subject becomes more essential. The authors of this text have a solution: use picture books as dual-purpose texts that fulfill more than just language arts needs, and take the time dedicated to those lessons to simultaneously teach social studies.

Each chapter of this text is organized around one of the National Council for the Social Studies' Ten Thematic Strands, covering diverse and engaging topics ranging from community and individuality to science and technology. This book serves as a vital resource for classroom teachers, methods professors, staff developers, and curriculum writers who prioritize keeping social studies a part of the elementary school curriculum.

Andrea S. Libresco is associate professor of education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY.

Jeannette Balantic is social studies curriculum coordinator in the Garden City School District, Garden City, NY.

Jonie C. Kipling is a first grade teacher in the North Shore School District, Sea Cliff, NY, where she also taught for many years at the intermediate level.