Happy Picture Book Day! An Ode to Picture Books

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Today is Children’s Picture Books Day, an actual international appreciation day! I’m thinking of moving my birthday to April 2nd, lol! April 2nd was chosen as the day to appreciate picture books to honor famed fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen, as it IS his birthday today. I am very excited about today, as I am sure you could have guessed. Let’s deep dive into why I love picture books and why I believe that they are an overlooked treasure.

First, let’s set the record straight

PICTURE BOOKS ARE NOT JUST FOR TODDLERS. Actually, picture books written just for toddlers are often not worth your time or money… Picture books worth reading are masterpieces of art and literature. And if they are not, then they are twaddle and deserve to be discarded. 

Twaddle is a book with no literary value, with over-diluted, dumbed-down vocabulary which brings neither joy, goodness nor beauty to the reader. No, the picture books that I am talking about are the unforgettable picture books. The ones whose illustrations captivate us for hours. Where the text and the vocabulary is so rich, you might have to pause to explain a word here and there. They are the ones that enrich your life. They are living books, breathing life into your imagination, enriching your intimacy with the world around you and are a delight to read.

Living books

“Living books” is a term coined by British educator Charlotte Mason in the early Twentieth Century. It has become a buzzword for excellent literature. A living picture book is usually written by a single author who has a passion and deep interest in his subject. And because of this deep interest in the subject, the author, through the use of beautifully crafted literary language, makes his subject come alive for his reader. The facts are presented in story form, the author displays intimacy with his subject, enthusiasm and fondness for it. Likewise it is illustrated by an artist passionate about his subject and that will help bring the story to life through beautiful illustrations. The illustrations should add and emphasize the story, not dumb it down or detract from it. A living picture book is a work of art.

Why use picture books?

I am passionate about the use of picture books because, when they are carefully chosen and are living picture books, they bring to life the ideal means of teaching. Picture books share information with me  in a way that no other media can. 

• They are short. Picture books have at most 48 pages. This makes them accessible to all readers, young and old. Their size is not overwhelming, their format is attractive.
  • Roxaboxen, by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
• Rich vocabulary. Picture books usually contain around 1,000 words or less. Why is that important? Because that means that the author will have chosen her vocabulary very carefully in order to convey her story in as few words as possible. This makes them rich in vocabulary.
  • America the Beautiful, by Katherine Lee Bates, illustrated by Wendell Minor
• Illustrated. The illustrations draw the reader in, before the first word is even read. They are eye-catching and ignite curiosity. What will this be all about? I wonder… The illustrations emphasize the story, they bring it to life. This appeals to all ages.
  • The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
• The author and illustrator notes often found at the beginning or at the end help us place historical picture books in their historical context without having to know everything (very important for me, lol)
  • Bartali’s Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy’s Secret Hero, by Megan Hoyt, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

• They are versatile. Any topic can be used from fairy tales to history, from geography to science. Or just wanting to record a day on the farm, no topic is too small or too big to be a picture book.
  • Raising Yoder’s Barn, by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Bernie Fuchs 
• They are meant to be read aloud. Picture books are designed to bring people together, to be read aloud by a reader to her listeners. You can read a picture book on your own, of course. But a picture book read aloud unveils a certain magic that ignites a bond and creates memories like no others.
  • G is for Goat by Patricia Polacco
• They are memory makers. It does not take long to read a picture book, fifteen minutes on average. But these fifteen minutes become so full of wonder, excitement and closeness that their memory will last a lifetime.
  • We Are Going on a Bear Hunt, By Helen Oxenbury, illustrated by Micahel Rosen
• They are great first readers. There is something amazing about listening to your very young reader “reading” (usually memorized) a favorite picture book to a younger sibling, a pet or even a doll. It’s the best!
  • Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss

How to use picture books

Together is best.

Cuddled on the couch, lounging under a tree, on the side of the pool, at the bedside of a sick little one, waiting for a flight at the airport. There are endless times and places to read a picture book. Ours have been read at the kitchen table for breakfast and lunch, they have been read on the floor by the wood stove, they have even been read to cats outside. 

• Rapunzel, by the Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

For knowledge.

I have used picture books for every school topic you can imagine from math and science to grammar and history. They are a most wonderful resource and they really get the job done much better than any textbook. The fact that they are attractive, short and in story format is a game changer for learning. They are, by far, my favorite educational resource!

• The War Between the Vowels and the Consonants by Priscilla Turner, illustrated by Whitney Turner

For growth.

Picture books will help you welcome a new baby, grieve the death of a loved one or a favorite pet, explain what happens when you are sick. The story format helps carry the message in a loving, patient way that is sometimes very difficult to have when you are yourself grieving, worried or simply tired. 

• Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born, Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin

• Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs, by Tomie dePaola

For fun.

Picture books are the best to bring laughter. So many picture books are hilarious. For a good laugh we like repetitive picture books best, read as fast as possible. Guaranteed laughter and loss of breath!

• The Rose in my Garden, by Arnold Lobel, illustrated by Anita Lobel

To reset.

Sitting down and seizing a moment to read a picture book can make the world go round again. It is better than taking a deep breath, even though I might need to start with that, it brings everyone together, it brings quiet, it is a perfect distraction from whatever drama is happening. Just grab a book, sit and begin reading and let the magic happen. 

• Tikki Tikki Tembo, by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent

For bedtime.

Any picture book will do for bedtime, or naptime, or quiet time. They are an endless resource for special everyday occasions.

• The Napping House by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood

For any time.

They are the best “just because” thing I can do with my children. Just because it’s your birthday, just because you need my attention, just because I love you…

• Helga’s Dowry: A Troll’s Love Story, by Tomie dePaola

Picture books are springboards to discovery

Picture books open the door to discovery. When you read them attentively the number of rabbit trails you can head down with just one picture book is astounding. Picture books combine ideas and topics that would otherwise seem unrelated. They bring different ideas into harmony with each other. These living picture books are the igniter of wonder, curiosity, excitement and new discoveries. They are the key to the garden gate into the Secret Garden.  If we follow these rabbit trails, the path to real education is paved. The path to an education that matters, that is organic and that enriches the life of my children as much as mine. An education that will stay with each of us forever because we have been seeking it. 

So grab some picture books, pick your favorite spot, pack a picnic (even if it is just to the living room) and today spend the day relishing picture books. Soak them up, share them, make them. Today is our day to just celebrate the beauty, comfort, wonder and excitement of picture books. Let’s make the most of it!
Love,
Mattie