The month of November is Picture Book Month, a time to celebrate and honor the books that first introduced us to reading. As the name implies, picture books rely heavily on pictures to tell a story. In some cases, the pictures tell far more of the story than the actual words, making it easy for even the youngest book lovers to grasp the concept of the story without needing to understand the words on the page.
If you love reading, it's likely you have a special place in your heart for the picture books you read as a child. No matter how old you are, the memory of books like Harold and the Purple Crayon, Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and anything by Dr. Seuss are sure to put a smile on your face.
What are some of your favorite picture books? What books do your children like?
If you're looking for some suggestions on picture books to read with your children, here are some of my favorites.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
The Snowman is not only my favorite picture book, it is one of my favorite stories of all time. This gorgeous story is told entirely through pictures; there are no words at all. The Snowman is about a young boy who builds a snowman that comes to life one night. The boy introduces the snowman to all the wondrous things in his home (like roller skates, TV, and even tropical fruit) and, in return, the snowman takes the boy on a magical trip flying over the town. This is a lovely book that will make you tear up without the use of a single word.
Thomas' Snowsuit by Robert S. Munsch
I used to make my grandmother read this story to me every single day as a child and she still rolls her eyes about it now. This is a funny story about a little boy that doesn't want to put on his snowsuit and the struggles various adults, including his mom and teacher, go through to try to get him into it. Thomas' Snowsuit features some repetition as the adults try to put Thomas and his snowsuit together, and, as a child, I loved that I could anticipate what the words were going to say even though I couldn't read them.
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Caps for Sale is about a peddler who keeps all the caps he has available for sale stacked on top of his head. When he stops to take a nap, some monkeys steal the hats and the peddler must get them back. This story is very repetitious and even interactive - when the peddler stamps his feet and waves his hands at the monkey, I loved to do the motions along with him. This is the perfect story for children who don't tend to sit still very long!
Are you looking for ways to get your children more interested in reading?
For children 4 and under, we offer a weekly story time session on Fridays at 10:30 am. Each week, the children hear a story, learn a song, and make a fun take-home craft. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to be involved!
If your child is 5 or older, consider signing him or her up for a library card. A parent or guardian will need to complete a short form and must have a license or ID with them in order to complete the sign up process. Your child will not only receive a library card, but a special key-chain bracelet, as well, to keep their card safe.