How-to writing is one of my students’ favorite units of writing! Aren’t they always so eager to be the teacher?! In order to increase engagement and motivate my young writers, I use a mix of how-to writing mentor texts throughout our unit of study. These how-to writing mentor texts are a great way for students to better understand procedural writing, including the use of transition words and using pictures to explain the step-by-step process for their topic. Below, I have compiled 20+ of my favorite mentor texts for teaching how-to writing to kindergarten and 1st grade students.

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How-To Writing Mentor Texts

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner

This story provides an engaging guide on how to approach and enjoy reading a book. The book takes the reader through a series of steps to guide them in reading a story effectively. It covers aspects such as choosing a book, finding a reading buddy, selecting a cozy reading spot, and using expression while reading aloud. Of all the how-to writing mentor texts on this list, “How to Read a Story” is a top favorite!

Not only is it great for teaching procedural writing, but it also encourages children to actively participate in the reading process and enjoy the shared experience of reading with others. Can you say killing multiple birds with one stone?!

How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth by Michelle Robinson

This hilarious book takes a lighthearted and silly approach to the challenges and absurdities of giving a prehistoric creature a bath, making “How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth” one of my students’ favorite how-to writing mentor texts! Throughout the book, the narrator provides step-by-step instructions for the mammoth-washing process, including humorous considerations like dealing with mammoth tantrums, avoiding wool shrinkage, and managing mammoth-sized splashes.

It is a hoot, and I promise it will get your students excited about how-to writing!

How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps by Nicola Winstanley

Speaking of baths… in this next how-to writing mentor text, a young girl and a self-assured narrator face obstacles from a cat who is refusing to take a bath. The steps are simple, and yet, the cat absolutely will NOT take a bath. As the cat continues to protest, the girl keeps eating cookies and the mess keeps getting bigger. Eventually, the entire house is going to need a bath!

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend By Melanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel, everyone’s lovable worrier, decides to venture outside of his comfort zone and make a friend, something he has never done before. He prepares for every possible scenario, including potential dangers and mishaps. Once he finds a perfectly safe candidate, without any teeth, he’s ready to make his best first impression. However, his plan takes a surprising turn… helping Scaredy Squirrel discover that making a friend doesn’t always require elaborate preparations and that spontaneity and genuine interaction can lead to positive outcomes.

How to Find an Elephant by Kate Banks

Have you ever wondered how to find an elephant? This book takes readers on a journey as it humorously describes where one might find an elephant. It suggests looking in unlikely places, such as the kitchen, the laundry room, or the bathtub. The whimsical text and charming illustrations play with the concept of finding an elephant in places where you wouldn’t expect to find such a large and exotic animal.

How I Trained My Dog in 10 Days by Norma Lewis

A boy recently got a dog named Scamp, and now he is tasked with the responsibility of training the pup. In this story, the boy shares how he was able to train his new dog in only ten days. Now, he is eager to share how others can do it too. But… in a hilarious twist, readers will discover that it is more like Scamp training the boy!

How to Make a Pancake by Dave Max

Like the previous how-to writing mentor texts, “How to Make a Pancake” captivates the attention of young students through humor. This silly book takes readers on a journey of how to make a stack of delicious pancakes. It is great for introducing transition words, such as “first, then” and “now.” Each step is simple and to the point, from asking for help, cracking the egg and enjoying a big bunch. Perfect for beginning writers!

Pizza Day by Melissa Iwai

Under the warm rays of the summer sun, a young boy and his father come together to gather the ingredients for crafting a homemade pizza. “Pizza Day” takes aspiring young chefs on a step-by-step process, from collecting fresh garden herbs to mixing and rolling out the dough for a perfect crust, and finally, spreading on the sauce and cheese.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

If you are looking to add a realistic fiction text to your how-to writing mentor texts collection, “Growing Vegetable Soup” follows the process of planting and cultivating a vegetable garden. The story outlines each step, eventually leading to the harvest and the creation of a delicious pot of vegetable soup. Vibrant and colorful illustrations depict each step of the gardening process.

How a House Is Built by Gail Gibbons

“How a House Is Built” is a nonfiction text you might like to include on your how-to writing mentor texts list. This book provides an informative and engaging overview of the process of constructing a house. It takes young readers through the various stages of building a house, from the initial planning and design to the completion of the construction.

How to Teach a Slug to Read by Susan Pearson

In this how-to writing mentor text, a young boy shares with Mama Slug the process of teaching Little Slug how to read. The narrator provides comical and absurd suggestions on how one might attempt to teach a slug the skill of reading. The suggestions include using books as ramps, making slime trails into words, and creating cozy reading spaces for slugs.

How to Be a Cat by Nikki McClure

This simple book contains a single word per page and teaches readers all about how to be a cat. Readers learn about stretching, cleaning, pouncing, and feasting. Some moments showcase the kitten’s victorious achievements, while others depict its challenges, capturing a range of emotions from playful to profound.

Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka

Learning how to ride a bike is certainly an important childhood milestone. In this mentor text, a father guides his daughter through every step of the process — from selecting the ideal bicycle to the exhilarating moment of her first successful ride.

How-To Writing Mentor Texts Series

How to Catch Series by Adam Wallace

This is one of my favorite how-to writing mentor texts series. The “How to Catch” series by Adam Wallace is a collection of children’s books that combine humor, creativity, and a sense of adventure. Each book in the series focuses on a different creature or character, and the story revolves around the characters’ imaginative and often humorous attempts to catch that particular magical being or fantastical creature.

Some of the titles in the series include:  “How to Catch a Leprechaun,” “How to Catch the Tooth Fairy,” “How to Catch an Elf,” and “How to Catch a Turkey.”

How to Series by Jean Reagan

The “How to” series by Jean Reagan consists of a collection of humorous picture books that provide imaginative and playful instructions for children on various topics. Popular how-to writing mentor texts in this series include:  “How to Babysit a Grandpa,” “How to Babysit a Grandma,” “How to Surprise Dad,” and “How to Catch Santa.”

The books are written in a second-person format, addressing the reader directly with instructions on “how to” do different things. Each book in the series focuses on a specific theme or activity, and the narrative unfolds through the perspective of a child narrator.

How to Make Series by Lori Shores

The Hands-On Science Fun series created by Lori Shores, features a collection of non-fiction how-to mentor texts. In this series, students engage in different science experiments. The author includes simple step-by-step instructions kids can follow to create each thing.

Some loved titles include, “How to Make a Liquid Rainbow,” “How to Make Slime,” and “How to Build a Tornado in a Bottle.”

How-To Writing Activities

How to Catch a Turkey Writing Craft

This simple-to-assemble How To Catch a Turkey craft and procedural writing activity is the perfect addition to your November writing lesson plans!

After reading “How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace, the students create their own step-by-step flip booklet for catching the tricky turkey!

How to Catch a Leprechaun Craft and Writing for St. Patrick’s Day

Another fun holiday procedural writing activity is this How to Catch a Leprechaun Craft and Writing for St. Patrick’s Day! This time, students are creating a step-by-step flipbook for catching the sneaky leprechaun!

This activity pairs well with “How To Catch a Leprechaun” by Adam Wallace!

Other Book Lists for the Classroom

Love these how-to writing mentor texts? Be sure to check out the full list of informational writing mentor texts here!

Browse the collection of opinion writing mentor texts here!

Discover 45 Back to School Books to Teach Classroom Rules here!

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