Hi, 
 
I have used stories with pictures to help students retell a text in English.  This is how I do it:
1- We look at the pictures.  Students share the words we know and write the words on the pictures (if they can write on the story.)  I teach students words they don �t know.
2- We talk about what is happening in the pictures.
3- We read the story.  
4- Students reread the story in partners.
5- Now that students are very familiar with the text, I give the copies of the story WITH ONLY THE PICTURES - NO TEXT.  Now they retell the text orally.  They tell what is happening in the pictures.  They can do this with partners.
6- Now students write down what they have said to practice writing. (Optional)
 
I tryo to model everything for the students so they know exactly what to do.
 
Good luck and let me know if it this works for you!
:) Teri