Which strategy uses the examination of a book's cover before reading?

The strategy that involves examining a book's cover before reading is categorized under prereading strategies. This approach helps readers make predictions about the content and themes of the book based on visual cues they gather from the cover illustration, title, and other design elements. By engaging with the cover, readers can activate prior knowledge and set a purpose for reading, which enhances comprehension.

When readers take time to consider the book's cover, they may think about what the story might be about, who the main characters could be, or what types of emotions the book could evoke. These initial reflections are valuable as they prepare the reader's mind for the narrative ahead, making the reading experience more meaningful and engaging.

While the other options involve useful literary strategies, they center around different components of reading instruction. For instance, word attack strategies focus on decoding skills, picture walks involve navigating illustrations to anticipate story elements without relying heavily on text, and picture cues pertain to using images within the text to support comprehension during reading. None of these specifically address the initial examination of a book's cover, which is a hallmark of prereading strategies.