You know that your students have a lot of opinions. Getting them to write those opinions in a logical and succinct way can be tough. One of the best ways to introduce opinion writing is to model how beloved authors share their opinions through the use of mentor texts. The list below includes some tried and true mentor texts along with a few that may be new to you. No matter which book(s) you choose, your students will be laughing the whole time they're learning!
Take the guesswork out of teaching opinion writing—get ALL the tools you and your students will need to be successful. RSVP now to be notified when our Lucky to Learn Writing Opinion unit is released and be among the first to access these essential resources!
What Are Mentor Texts?
Mentor texts are pieces of writing that are presented to your students as good examples of a specific skill. They can be used to model everything from excellent uses of setting to our focus in this blog post, opinion writing.
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1) I Wanna Iguana
The main character Alex wants an Iguana and spends the book laying out his arguments for why his mom should let him get one. The comparison between Alex's opinion of life with an iguana and what his mom thinks life with an iguana will be is hilarious.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “I Wanna Iguana,” Karen Kaufman Orloff cleverly uses opinion writing tricks to portray a kid's persuasive attempts to get his mom to agree to a pet iguana. It demonstrates how to build a convincing argument, appeal to emotions, and address objections in a way that's engaging and easy for kids to relate to.
2) Hey, Little Ant
There is a reason that this book is one that you will hear about anytime opinion writing is brought up. It's a classic! It's a story about two battling opinions. A boy thinks ants are for squishing and the ant disagrees.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
“Hey, Little Ant” by Phillip and Hannah Hoose prompts you to ponder how we handle bugs. It throws out questions and tells a story that makes you go, “Huh, maybe I should be nicer to ants.” With its back-and-forth chat between the kid and the ant and its catchy lines, it's like a sneaky way to get you thinking about being fair to all critters.
3) Don't Feed The Bear
A bear at a campground LOVES the food that campers leave but a park ranger has a very different opinion. Your students will enjoy hearing a story about two characters with such hilariously different opinions.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “Don't Feed the Bear” Kathleen Doherty communicates the importance of respecting wildlife and following rules through its narrative about a girl named Rosie who encounters a bear. The story serves as a reminder about conservation and responsible behavior in natural environments.
4) Duck! Rabbit!
Is it a duck or is it a rabbit?! This book is a great way to introduce the idea of arguing to support your opinion through the use of kid-friendly optical illusion.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
“Duck! Rabbit!” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld is like a fun debate over whether you see a duck or a rabbit in the same picture. They use drawings and arguments from both sides to make you think about how you see things. It's all playful and funny, but it gets you talking about different points of view and how we see stuff differently.
5) Don't Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late
If your students are anything like mine they LOVE the Pigeon book series. Pigeon is very opinionated about the fact that he is not tired and wants to stay up.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!” by Mo Willems, the author cleverly gets readers involved in convincing the pigeon to go to bed. Through humorous interactions and persuasive arguments, Willems subtly emphasizes the importance of bedtime routines. It's a fun way of sharing the message that it's best for everyone to hit the hay on time.
6) Can I Have A Stegasaurus, Mom? Can I? Please?!
Introduce opinion writing with this fantastic mentor text. A boy thinks that a stegosaurus would be the best pet. He then supports his opinion, just like we're trying to get our students to do!
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
“Can I Have A Stegosaurus, Mom? Can I? Please?!” by Lois G. Grambling utilizes persuasive techniques to engage young readers in a humorous conversation about owning a pet dinosaur. Through a back-and-forth exchange, the book encourages critical thinking and prompts readers to consider both sides of the argument. Ultimately, it serves as a playful exploration of the negotiation process between children and parents.
7) A Pig Parade Is A Terrible Idea
Your students might think that a pig parade is a good idea but they're wrong. This book is a great example of using support to back up an opinion.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea” by Michael Ian Black and Kevin Hawkes, the authors express their opinion about the feasibility of a pig parade through humor and exaggeration. By showcasing the potential chaos and absurdity of the idea, they effectively persuade readers that organizing such an event would be impractical and chaotic.
8) Earrings
A girl wants, no NEEDS to get her ears pierced. At least, that's her opinion. Listen to all of her arguments in this book!
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “Earrings!” by Judith Viorst, the author uses a child's perspective to express the desire for earrings, depicting her efforts to persuade her parents. Through relatable storytelling, Viorst communicates her opinion that children should be allowed to express themselves through accessories, showcasing the importance of self-expression and negotiation in family dynamics.
9) Can I Bring My Pterdodactyl To School, Ms. Johnson?
Written by the same author as Can I Have A Stegasaurus, Mom? Can I? Please!? A boy thinks that a pterdodactly would be awesome to bring to school. Follow along as he finds creative ways to support his opinion.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “Can I Bring My Pterodactyl to School, Ms. Johnson?” by Lois G. Grambling, the author humorously portrays a child's persistent plea to bring unconventional pets to school. Through witty dialogue and imaginative scenarios, Grambling encourages readers to consider the balance between rules and creativity in educational settings, suggesting that flexibility can lead to positive outcomes.
10) I Want A Dog: My Opinion Essay
Dennis and Mellie decide to write a very thorough, and fun, essay about their desire to get a dog. This is a great mentor text because of the variety and depth of their support for owning a dog.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “I Want A Dog: My Opinion Essay” by Darcy Pattison, the main character is laying out all the reasons why they need a dog. They're making a strong case, using logic and emotions to persuade. Pattison's showing how kids can use their words to get what they want, while also getting readers to think about having a pet.
11) Red Is Best
Kelly has an opinion- red is the best. The red mittens are better. Her red stockings are better. Her red boots are better. Red is simply the best and she lists a lot of great reasons why her opinion is right.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “Red is Best” Kathy Stinson communicates, through vivid descriptions and enthusiastic reasoning, the child's belief that red is superior. With relatable examples and repetition of the phrase “Red is best,” Stinson engages readers in celebrating personal preferences while highlighting the power of conviction.
12) The Pain And The Great One
I bet if you ask your students with siblings who their parent's favorite kid is that they would have a pretty strong opinion, just like “The Great One” in this hilarious book of sibling rivalry.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “The Pain and The Great One” by Judy Blume, the author presents the differing opinions of siblings, known as the “Pain” and the “Great One,” through their alternating perspectives. Through their dialogue and inner thoughts, Blume effectively conveys their contrasting views on sibling rivalry and family dynamics, encouraging readers to consider multiple viewpoints and fostering empathy between siblings.
13) The Perfect Pet
This book can lead to a highly engaging writing prompt for your students, “what is the best pet?” This is a funny book about Elizabeth who is trying to form her own opinion on the topic!
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “The Perfect Pet” by Margie Palatini, the protagonist strongly desires the perfect pet, which drives the humorous and exaggerated narrative. Through the main character's persuasive arguments and the comical reactions of family members, Palatini engages readers in a lighthearted exploration of individual preferences and the quest for fulfillment.
14) Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
What's wrong with cows that can type? It gives them the chance to share all their opinions with the farmer! Not only do they have opinions but so do a lot of the other animals on the farm.
Opinion writing tricks the author uses in this book…
In “Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type” by Doreen Cronin, the cows are real characters, typing away on a typewriter to ask for better conditions. Through their funny antics, the author shows how working together and speaking up can make a difference. It's a cute story that also gets you thinking about fairness and teamwork.
Introduce Opinion Writing Using Visual Rubrics
Don't forget to use these mentor texts to model, model, model. As you read the mentor texts above use them to create visual rubrics for your students to refer to during their own writing. There's a great visual rubric included in the Writing Bulletin Board.
Get the Writing Bulletin Board
A 4-Step Opinion Writing Teaching Strategy
Join Katie, from Team Lucky Little Learners, as she shares a method for teaching opinion writing in four easy steps!
Now You're Ready to Teach Opinion Writing!
Now that you've presented your students with some awesome and fun mentor texts to introduce opinion writing it's time to get them doing some writing of their own! How to Teach Opinion Writing in the Primary Classroom. Or, go here if you could use some opinion prompt ideas!
Take the guesswork out of teaching opinion writing—get ALL the tools you and your students will need to be successful. RSVP now to be notified when our Lucky to Learn Writing Opinion unit is released and be among the first to access these essential resources!
GREAT book resources. Love these books and the visual rubric.