"Literacy experts are quick to say that picture books are not for dummies. Publishers praise the picture book for the particular way it can develop a child’s critical thinking skills.
'To some degree, picture books force an analog way of thinking,' said Karen Lotz, the publisher of Candlewick Press in Somerville, Mass. 'From picture to picture, as the reader interacts with the book, their imagination is filling in the missing themes.'
Many parents overlook the fact that chapter books, even though they have more text, full paragraphs and fewer pictures, are not necessarily more complex.
'Some of the vocabulary in a picture book is much more challenging than in a chapter book,' said Kris Vreeland, a book buyer for Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, Calif., where sales of picture books have been down. 'The words themselves, and the concepts, can be very sophisticated in a picture book.' "Top-notch picture books should be at the front and center of a beginning reader's journey into the endlessly rewarding world of literature and art. The world will be a far less visually interesting place if the only picture books that are viable in the marketplace are ones that feature licensed characters. That's one reason why I introduce--and give away to a student--a newly published, especially gorgeous and riveting hardcover picture book each week that Sarah and I visit either Mrs. Foley's or Mrs Luce's classroom. Of course another reason is that presents are just plain fun! Here is a sampling of some of the books we've been reading with your children.We encourage you to remember them for birthdays and holidays for any young readers who might be on your list. These books are among the most interesting and visually exciting new picture books for children. You'll want to read them again and again and again.
SNEAKY WEASEL, by Hannah Shaw. Weasel (that's Weasel, Esquire to the likes of you!) is throwing a big party. He's very rich and very important. Weasel owns and lives in Weasel Towers, an impressive castle-like mansion complete with a crocodile-filled moat. Plus he owns practically every business in town. Anyone lucky enough to receive an invitation would surely attend his party, right? Wrong. Nobody shows up. And so a furious Weasel decides to visit each one of his animal 'friends' to see why they didn't come to his party. Shaw's hilarious illustrations add so much to this fun story!
IGGY PECK, ARCHITECT, by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts. When Iggy Peck was only two, he built a tower out of diapers and glue! Who doesn't want to read a story about that kid's adventures? And yes, the diaper tower is indelibly depicted. Beaty's snappy story and Roberts' elegant illustrations of a young boy with a dream are fresh, funny, and unforgettable.
PRINCESS HYACINTH (THE SURPRISING TALE OF A GIRL WHO FLOATED), by Florence Parry Heide, illustrated by Lane Smith. A princess tale with a twist. Princess Hyacinth has a problem. Unless she's wearing special clothes (ones weighted down with rocks and jewels), she floats. Up to the ceiling. Up to the sky. And even farther than that! Her royal parents don't want to lose her, and so she spends most of her days sitting inside the castle on a royal bench equipped with a royal seat belt. Naturally, Princess Hyacinth becomes extremely bored. As all parents know, that's where real trouble begins. This sweet and silly tale is positively...uplifting!
Check back in a day or so for more picture book suggestions and a special letter to the kindergarteners of the Helen E. James school from one of my favorite author/illustrators! Until then, happy reading!
--Jen
