I LOVE picture books! Reading a quality picture book is a lot like having an art gallery in your lap. The pictures feed the story just as much as the words. Picture books are short and sweet, filled with just as many sophisticated language patterns as a chapter book, and they can introduce a topic in a way that captivates children and encourages them to learn more. And did I mention they are FULL of beautiful illustrations?
We often think of picture books as only reserved for the youngest among us – they’re the books we “grow out of.” But I agree with C.S. Lewis when he says, “No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty.” The best picture books stand the test of time and are a joy to read at any age. Older children, especially, shouldn’t be discouraged for their continued love for great picture books. Oftentimes, when I am reading a picture book to my youngest, the older children magically appear and want to be involved.
Sometimes starting a new book can feel daunting. But a picture book covers a topic quickly and beautifully. At the end, I feel as though I have accomplished something, and some days that is exactly what I need! All the great discussion that usually comes at the conclusion of a book can happen on the same day you started because most picture books can be read in 10-15 minutes. This is especially helpful if you have children of varying ages because it allows the littlest of your crew to chime in and feel involved.
For our family, picture books have an irreplaceable role in homeschooling. They introduce topics that can be followed up with a more in-depth study through lengthier chapter books. They can also be a great addition to a subject you’re already exploring with your children if you just need a little something different (and beautiful!) to round it out. They’re so versatile and useful at all ages, that I wanted to highlight some of our favorites.
Biographies
Great living biography picture books are so inspiring! What better way to explore the lives of amazing people than through wonderful art and story? No Small Potatoes, Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas by Tonya Bolden is a story of a well-known potato farmer and a testament to how hard work can change the world and bring prosperity to people who have the odds stacked against them. The gorgeous 1952 picture book entitled Abraham Lincoln, written by Bella Koral, follows the life of our nation’s 16th president from a log cabin to the White House.
I never realized how impactful the innovations of Nikola Tesla were until we read Electrical Wizard, How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World by Elizabeth Rusch.
And now when my children listen to The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, they can see his life through pictures because of Janice Shefelman’s I, Vivaldi. This book follows Antonio Vivaldi’s journey to become one of the most celebrated composers in the world.
Ancient Civilizations
There is nothing like a picture book to open up the world of ancient peoples and places. We have especially loved D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. It’s gorgeous and is a classic collection of Greek mythology. If you’re studying ancient Roman culture, A Picture History of Ancient Rome by Richard Erdoes covers “1,200 years of art, architecture, legend, and history” and will become one of your favorites! If Egyptian culture is what you’re after, Pharaoh: Life and Afterlife of a God is chock full of fantastic illustrations and “fascinating, little-known details about ancient Egypt.” Let’s be honest, textbooks just do not offer the depth of understanding of ancient civilizations quite like that of a well-written picture book!
Nature
There are SO many amazing nature-centered living picture books, I don’t know where to start. You cannot go wrong with Holling C. Holling’s Pagoo, Tree in the Trail, Seabird, Minn of the Mississippi, or Paddle to the Sea. Holling is a bit of a standard when it comes to nature books. We’ve made one of his works the center of a six-week nature study. They’re that substantial!
In Secrets of Redding Glen, you can take a leisurely four-season stroll through a wooded valley in Connecticut. No mindless list of nature facts here; just getting acquainted with native creatures and an ever-changing landscape.
Under the Wild Western Sky, written by naturalist Jim Arnosky, will inspire you to go out west. Arnosky is a nature traveler, documenting his wildlife and botanical discoveries as he goes.
Hard subjects
Picture books can be a softer way to navigate difficult topics and help children see what life is like for people struggling through hard times. If you want to see the Underground Railroad through the eyes of a conductor and runaway slave, Friend on Freedom River is fantastic. I have to grab the tissues when we read that one!
Eve Bunting’s books have won several awards and her more serious works possess a hopefulness in hardship. Bunting’s Fly Away Home opened my children’s eyes to what homelessness can look like for a family that lives in a busy airport.
In Peppe the Lamplighter, Elisa Bartone follows a young immigrant boy who is eagerly searching for a job to support his family while also striving to gain the approval of his father. This book is a Caldecott Honor Award Winner and it’s easy to see why; it’s beautiful.
The Rag Coat is a heartwarming story about a poor Appalachian girl’s desire to go to school after the death of her father. I like this one because it’s a great example of how a community comes together to meet one another’s needs.
Have you ever heard of the Berlin Airlift “Chocolate Pilot”? Airplanes were the main source of food and supplies for the people of West Berlin during the Soviet Blockade. Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is the true story of a U.S. Air Force pilot who responded to letters from Berlin children who requested sweets with their supply drops during WWII.
Authors of Note
There are some authors who have consistently turned out quality picture books, and I want to list a few of them here.
You cannot go wrong with Tomie dePaola. His characters are charming and his illustrations are easily recognizable. Strega Nona and Strega Nona Meets Her Match, Watch Out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup, Charlie Needs a Cloak, Bill and Pete, The Cloud Book. Honestly, they’re all good! My kids wouldn’t mind reading Tomie every day.
David Macaulay’s books are so impressive. Full of detailed illustrations on the building of a Pyramid, Castle, City, Cathedral, and even Underground — pages and pages of how these structures are assembled and all the work that goes into them. Your older kids will love Macaulay.
When I see a book by Gail Gibbons, I know it’s going to be fun and informative. Some of our favorites are: Caves and Caverns, Stargazers, Sunken Treasure, and From Path to Highway . And I get a special kick out of Department Store because my kids have no concept of indoor malls and how cool they were in the 80s and 90s!
Reader Beware
Unfortunately, in most public libraries today, picture books have become a battleground for opposing moral values, persuading children at an early age to accept certain ideas that run contrary to God’s truth. They sneak into our homes with cute and unsuspecting titles, and before you know it, your child has been exposed to things you never even thought a picture book could contain. It is a growing problem, and one that our library seeks to eliminate by curating a collection that upholds virtue and timeless truth. We offer a selection that children can browse freely and parents can trust is safe.
But just reading books that are considered “safe” is hardly sufficient. There is so much more to a good picture book (or any book, really) than ensuring it does not contain inappropriate content. Bad picture books are also notorious for foolish storylines, unimpressive illustrations, and junk content that doesn’t inspire or respect the reader. If you’ve been to a public library lately, you understand this is a majority of what you’ll find there.
In Closing
I could go on, but you get the PICTURE…sorry, I couldn’t resist! A picture book is one of the best ways to get into any topic. And I don’t know if you have experienced this, but whenever I have a stack of fresh picture books in the house, my kids naturally gravitate to them in the downtimes of our day. While dinner is cooking, after lunch, or in the early morning hours before everyone is stirring, there is a child with a picture book. Our youngest child, who isn’t yet reading on her own, can easily convince her older siblings to read one to her.
And, as always, if you’re not sure what to read, we can help you find your next book or even surprise you with a new batch of books that are handpicked just for your family. This is so fun to do with picture books! And you can be assured what you’re getting is not only safe but QUALITY!