Why Picture Books Should Be the Cornerstone of your Learning at Home

There is an idea in our current culture that the picture book section of the library is for children before they graduate into “chapter books.”  I contend that picture books can enrich people of all ages, both by inspiring their intellects as well as by enflaming the aesthetic imagination.

So here are my top 10 reasons why everyone should read picture books.

1. Good picture books uniquely touch both the mind and the heart. In addition to imparting information, picture books move us emotionally. I still can’t get through The Clown of God by Tomie DePaola without tearing up. The pictures increase both the information/understanding and the emotional impact.
2. Unlike most beginning readers, the words in a quality picture book are complex. These words combined with pictures and a story will boost your child’s vocabulary. Consider Cowboy Small by Lois Lensky. This preschool book includes words such as bridle, girth, dismounts, and bucking bronco.
3. The language in picture books is sparse – like poetry! And like poets, authors of picture books are typically thoughtful, intentional, and purposeful with each word they use. Check out When I was Young in the Mountains for an example.
4. Good picture books often have a rhythm of language that makes it a delight for the parent or older child to read aloud, and a delight for all the listeners. One simply must read Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride out-loud!
5. Most good picture books have a story and plot – even if they are “non-fiction” science books. This narrative acts as a rack to hang information on in order to remember later! I Don’t Like Snakes tells the story of a little girl in a snake loving family who changes her mind and we all learn a lot about snakes on the way.
6. Picture books can provide a quick, introductory overview of a new subject. When Heather was in high school and beginning a study on ancient Egypt she was frustrated with the dense books in the adult section of the library. She headed to the children’s section, found a picture book on ancient Egypt, and read it to get the “big picture” before moving on to the more complex books.
7. Good picture books have illustrations that can be examined, enjoyed, and re-examined which increases the knowledge and understanding of the subject. This understanding includes facts and emotional understanding of how people feel in various situations. Think of Busy, Busy Town by Richard Scarry of any of the books by Gail Gibbons.
8. Good picture book appeal to all ages. Toddlers and preschoolers may not understand all of it, but they love to look at the pictures, hear their parents (or siblings) voices, and to be a part of what is enjoyable to the rest of the family. Grade school kids understand and appreciate the narratives and illustrations. Tweens, teens, and adults absorb the artistry and frequent subtext contained in the best picture books. In the fictional account of the origin of  I Wonder as I Wonder we meet a young girl who writes this song as she deals with the loss of her mother. In addition to the engaging story, moving illustration, and historic backdrop of the Depression, we consider the deep questions of life and our own wanderings.
9. You can read most picture books in one sitting! Yes, you really completed something in a fairly short period of time. Parenting is full of tasks that seem to take forever to complete, such as potty training. Parenting is full of tasks that must be done again and again, such as feeding the kids or cleaning the kitchen. While you can read the book again, there is an accomplishment in just that first read.
10. Unlike the case with textbooks, children beg to have good picture books read again and again. As Heather discussed in a previous post, each reading deepens learning and builds family unity.

And this is why I spent a year of my life reading and researching thousands of picture books for our new curriculum, GO GLOBAL, coming spring 2019.

And it is why I spent two months reading hundreds of books for our upcoming reading list for Black History Month. Watch for that blog post later this month!