Children’s books have come a long way over the past 200 years, from poems to picture books, and everything in between, there are books for almost every taste and style preference. I believe that children’s picture books play a vital role in the development of reading and book appreciation. Without pictures to spark interest, or words to help us build mental pictures, we miss out on one of the greatest pleasures in life, building memories! I remember reading with my parents as a child, both picture and story books.
These images make up some of my fondest memories, from sitting with my dad learning about the American Revolution, to reading my first book out loud on my own. A picture book is more than the sum of its parts, more than just amusing words and charming illustrations; it is a means for readers to connect, for parents to bond with their children, and for people to spend time together. One of my favorite activities at work is listening to story time at our local bookstore. I have been the reader on an earlier occasion, and there is nothing quite like reading a book and watching children and parents alike get drawn into the narrative. Some books cause us to think, others allow us to stop thinking, but for many, the purpose of a book is escapism.
Books give us a means of building, and changing our minds. Unlike movies, which enable children to repeat lines but rarely build upon them, books give children the mental building blocks they need to spark their imagination. Who does not remember playing Princess with their dolls, or Trains in the living room? True, many children do not need to read in order to imagine other worlds, but the special link formed between parents who read to their children, and how those children perceive books as they grow towards adulthood cannot be overestimated. What child does not love the prospect of spending time listening to the sound of someone they love as they read about other places and characters? I encourage parents everywhere to try and take the time to read to their children, it is an investment you will never regret!
Picture Books for Anyone and Everyone:
Paddington Bear: by Michael Bond & Fred Banbery
Anything by Sandra Boynton
The fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore: by William Joyce
This is not my Hat: by Jon Klassen
Anything by Dr. Seuss
The Giving Tree: by Shel Silverstein
Eloise at the Plaza: by Kay Thompson
Hooray for Amanda & her alligator!: by Mo Willems
Knuffle Bunny: by Mo Willems (3 books in the series)
The Velveteen Rabbit: by Margery Williams
