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The Power of Picture Books
My family teases me about my vast collection of picture books. They say I can open a library out of our home. I give picture books as gifts to recipients of all ages.
They are works of art! Literally! I am constantly amazed at the artistic skill of the illustrators. The authors magically make the readers feel inspired, cozy, seen, happy, and mighty in just 32 pages.
Behold, the Picture Book
Mac Barnett was recently named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. This prestigious appointment comes with an opportunity to choose a platform on which to focus for the tenure. Barnett named his theme, Behold, the Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See, to elevate the status of these texts.
When we take a moment to consider the talent required to create a book that makes the reader feel so deeply and to acknowledge the special rituals that often surround snuggled-up book reading time, the word “behold” is perfect. These books have become beloved by children.
As Barnett says in an interview with NPR, “The picture book is my favorite art form. It’s such an incredible, vibrant, exciting, forward-looking, experimental art form.”
Rebellious Read Alouds
OPEC’s Training Academy hosted former kindergarten teacher and author, Vera Ahiyya, to discuss her book, Rebellious Read Alouds and the power of picture books. She shared staggering statistics about diverse representation in picture books.
Animals are the 2nd most popular primary character, and Ahiyya said children are less likely to emulate book behavior from an animal character than they are from a person. Learning valuable lessons from books would have a larger impact if the characters were people.
Ahiyya reiterated the importance of reading “mirrors, windows, and sliding doors” books, an idea coined by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. Dr. Bishop suggests that we need all three types of books. Mirror books reflect the reader’s experience; they see themselves in the story. Window books help the reader see into other worlds. Sliding glass door books help the reader enter into another world through empathy.
Finding a “Just Right” Book
As a classroom teacher, I loved the challenge of matching the perfect book to a student. Learning a student’s interests and reading ability, thinking through my favorite stories, and handing a child a book they loved was highly fulfilling.
I love seeing a kid who is learning to read and cautiously sounding out words, laughing at the book in their hands instead of throwing it down in boredom or frustration. Our school and public librarians create magical storytimes and community outreach events that help libraries become important “third places” for children and families.
“If we think that children’s books are anything less than real literature, it’s because we think kids are something less than real people. If we believe they’re real people, then they deserve good art.” – Mac Barnett
Resources to find high-quality children’s books:
Haley Bossé
Haley Bossé (they/them) is an Education Program Assistant for the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative. They started their career as a preschool teacher and have had the pleasure of working with parents, children, and other educators in both schools and non-profit settings. Haley has three wonderful niblings and can often be found running around with them in the rain.
Learn more about the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative and read their blog!
This blog post was originally published by the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative (OPEC). We have OPEC’s permission to repost their content, and we’re grateful to share their valuable parenting resources with our community.
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