Caps for Sale is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
"Caps for Sale" is a classic children's book by Esphyr Slobodkina. It tells the story of a peddler who sells caps from a large stack on his head. One day, while taking a nap under a tree, a group of mischievous monkeys steals all of his caps. The peddler tries various strategies to get his caps back, but the monkeys copy his every move. Frustrated, the peddler finally throws his own cap on the ground in frustration. Surprisingly, the monkeys imitate him and drop the stolen caps, allowing the peddler to reclaim his merchandise. With his caps back, the peddler resumes his journey, grateful to have solved the problem. This charming and humorous story teaches children about problem-solving, patience, and the consequences of imitating others.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Practice making predictions throughout the book. Encourage students to check and see if their predictions were correct.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Read the book to students without showing the pictures. Encourage them to close their eyes and visualize the story. Discuss their visualization as a class.
- Discuss the books plot and examine the problem and solution.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Cause and effect can be a difficult skill for students. This book is a perfect mentor text for teaching this skill.
- Introduce and act out action verbs.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
