Big Books provide teachers with an appropriate resource to do shared reading – a prescribed CAPS Foundation Phase methodology.

A Big Book contains enlarged and expanded text accompanied by pictures supporting the text that are big enough for all to see.

Big Books contain stories that are above the reading level of the learners. During shared reading lessons, the teacher models good reading practice, introduces and practises concepts such as punctuation, building learners’ vocabulary and developing comprehension skills.

Big Book stories are mostly read aloud by the teacher, with the learners joining in to read repeated sentences or refrains together. They are a favourite resource among teachers!