Picture Book Month!

November is National Picture Book Month,
a celebration of the enduring importance of the picture book to literacy, imagination, and discovery.

Choosing the right picture book is important because it’s often the spark that gets children interested in books and reading and is also what can create a bond between a child and an adult as they sit together and share a book.

Picture books are often the first crucial piece in reading comprehension. They are visually stimulating building critical thinking skills as children look to see how the words and illustrations combine to create the story. Many picture books expose children to a vocabulary that is higher than their reading level with complex stories and vivid illustrations often exposing them to other cultures and ideas. This is why picture books are not only for the youngest child but should also be shared with both older children and adults. Looking at a picture book or listening to one being read aloud brings joy, stirs the imagination and allows a person to dream of possibilities, not only the listener, but the reader as well.

If you have been following our blogs you know that we continually extol the virtues of the picture book and reading aloud and so don’t want to turn into the parent telling you to eat your vegetables for they are good for you, but truly, there is nothing more satisfying than a good picture book.

So once again, picture books...

• Spark a love of reading and help to build lifelong readers
  
• Build language skills and vocabulary
• Assist with comprehension
• Create a bond when read aloud
• Offer life lessons
• Teach about other worlds, cultures and people
• Stimulate the imagination
• Encourage creativity
• Heighten awareness and observation
• Encourage conversations
  

So take this month to celebrate the picture book, but please, continue to celebrate the picture book throughout the year. Picture books read aloud make great bonding moments and build memories. They also make great gifts for both young and old. Think baby shower gifts (high contrast for newborn, On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman or Someday by Alison McGhee), birthdays and holidays, wedding (we love I’m Sticking with You by Smriti Prasadam-Halls), graduation (Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss, What Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yama) and even to celebrate an older adult’s birthday (You’re Only Old Once! By Dr. Seuss). Don’t forget to include a special message inside the cover. Books not only make great gifts but they encourage reading and open up worlds. Take time to celebrate the picture book now and throughout the year.

Happy reading this Picture Book Month!

-Kate @ BTBL

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Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 6) for Kate, and two sons (now 3 and 2) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.