How to Use Book Companion Crafts in Speech Therapy

Okay, picture this with me: you’ve got a cozy little group of preschoolers gathered around, wide-eyed and wiggly, waiting for you to open up a favorite picture book. You turn the first page, and instantly—giggles, gasps, pointing fingers. They’re hooked. But here’s the secret that only we SLPs know: it’s not “just” storytime. With the right tools, that silly tale about a hungry caterpillar or a chatty little truck becomes a language-rich therapy adventure.

The magic ingredient? ✨ Book companion craft sheets—simple, one-page cut-and-paste activities that transform any read-aloud into a goal-packed session (without you spending hours prepping).

Why Storybooks Are Powerful in Preschool Speech Therapy

There’s a reason so many SLPs (myself included 🙋‍♀️) reach for storybooks again and again. Shared reading isn’t just sweet and cozy—it’s an evidence-backed strategy that supports a whole range of early language skills.

Here’s what storybooks bring to the therapy table:

• Rich language context. Even the simplest picture book is overflowing with new words, concepts, and opportunities for “wh” questions. Think: colors, shapes, emotions, actions, prepositions—all in one package.

• High engagement. Let’s be real: kids love stories. Colorful illustrations, funny characters, a little suspense—storybooks naturally hold attention better than flashcards ever could.

• Multiple goals at once. One book = endless therapy targets. You can work on vocabulary, answering questions, retelling, speech sounds, grammar, and even social skills in one session.

• Stronger comprehension & narratives. Talking about beginning, middle, and end, sequencing events, or retelling with props helps kids build foundational narrative skills that will support later literacy.

Basically? Books = magic. And when we add in companion crafts, the magic gets supercharged.

What Exactly Are Book Companions (and Why Do SLPs Love Them)?

Now, when I say “book companion,” I don’t mean a giant packet of worksheets. My book companions are much simpler: each one is just a single-page, cut-and-paste craftivity sheet designed to pair with a story.

Picture it: you’ve just finished reading The Mitten. Instead of moving on to the next activity, your students get to glue the animals into the mitten in order, retelling the story as they go. Or after Little Blue Truck Goes to School, kids cut out school items and match them while practicing new vocabulary.

Why do these one-pagers work so well?

• Zero prep. Print one sheet, grab scissors and glue, and you’re ready. No laminating, no card decks, no stress.

• Hands-on engagement. Preschoolers love crafts. Cutting, gluing, and coloring naturally motivate kids to participate.

• Flexible goals. The same sheet can target sequencing, wh- questions, vocabulary, grammar, or articulation—just adjust your prompts.

• Carryover built in. The finished craft goes home in backpacks, where parents can prompt retelling or practice target words again (without it feeling like homework).

Simple, engaging, and effective. That’s the whole idea.

Storytime in Action: A Preschool Therapy Example

Let’s bring this to life. 🍂

It’s a crisp fall afternoon and you’ve got There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves ready to go. The kids are instantly giggling at the silly repeated line.

Then, instead of closing the book, you hand out a one-page companion craft: a cut-and-paste sheet where kids glue each item into the Old Lady’s belly in the right order.

• One child says “leaf” every time they glue, practicing their /l/ sound.

• Another answers “why” questions about each item.

• Another retells the story, sequencing as they go.

By the end, you’ve hit articulation, comprehension, and narrative goals—all through one simple craft page. And the best part? They proudly carry their craft home to “teach” the story to their family.

Tips for Using Book Companion Craft Sheets Effectively

Want to get the most out of these one-pagers? Here are a few tips:

1. Pick the right book.

Choose stories with strong visuals, repetition, or fun plots. Repetitive texts like Brown Bear, Brown Bear are gold for early language. More detailed books like The Mitten work beautifully for sequencing and vocabulary.

2. Preview your goals.

Look at the craft ahead of time and decide which skills you’ll target. One student might practice articulation words while another answers wh- questions.

3. Keep it interactive.

Don’t just hand out the craft—make it part of the storytelling. Model language as kids glue pieces, pause for predictions, and encourage retelling.

4. Send it home.

Encourage families to use the finished page for retelling. A quick “Tell Mom what happened in the mitten!” gives kids an easy, meaningful carryover activity.

Try Free Book Companion Samples 🎁

Want to test out how these one-pagers work? I’ve got two freebies just for you:

• The Mitten (by Jan Brett): Kids cut and glue animals into the mitten, retelling the story while practicing sequencing, wh- questions, and winter vocabulary.

• Little Blue Truck Goes to School (by Alice Schertle): A back-to-school favorite with cut-and-paste visuals for school vocabulary, categories, and articulation practice. 🚜✨

Both freebies are print-and-go and give you a real taste of how one page can pack so much therapy value.

👉 [Click here to grab your free Mitten + Little Blue Truck craft sheets!]

Ready for More? A Whole Library of Book Companions 📚

Once you see how effective these single-page crafts can be, you’ll want a full shelf’s worth. That’s exactly why I created the Book Companions for Preschool Speech and Language Therapy bundle on TpT.

Inside, you’ll find 111 no-prep cut-and-paste craftivity sheets covering all the preschool favorites:

• Classics like Brown Bear, Brown Bear

• Seasonal gems like There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves

• Back-to-school favorites like Little Blue Truck Goes to School

• Holiday books for year-round therapy fun

Each sheet targets a wide range of speech and language goals—from wh- questions and sequencing to articulation, grammar, and following directions. And because every companion is just one page, you’ll never feel bogged down by prep.

One SLP reviewer put it perfectly:
“This is the best resource I have ever seen! It’s perfect for the non-planning SLP who wants to look put together.”

👉 Click here to check out the full bundle!

Bringing It All Together

At the end of the day, preschoolers don’t just need speech practice—they need it wrapped in joy, play, and a little bit of magic. And what’s more magical than storytime?

When you pair picture books with simple, one-page craft sheets, you create sessions that are engaging for kids, effective for goals, and easier on you. Less prep, more progress, and way more giggles along the way.

So next time you grab The Mitten or Little Blue Truck Goes to School, try pairing it with a cut-and-paste craftivity. Then imagine having 111 of these ready to go all year long.

Here’s to more magical, book-filled sessions where speech and language skills grow right alongside laughter and imagination. 💛