A teacher of learning disabled middle school students relates how she uses picture books to teach reading disabled students the elements of literature. A list of picture storybooks for older readers is followed by activities for teaching theme, setting, plot, and characterization. (CL)

The paper discusses several strategies for promoting literacy, which teachers can share with parents of exceptional children who are having difficulty learning to read and write. Strategies include: reading aloud to children, modeling reading behavior, writing to and with children, and responding to children's reading and writing. (JDD)