Why Picture Books are Must-Haves For Older Kids
What age range of children is your book for?
I’ve been asked this question A LOT recently and I answered simply 3-8 years old, the standard industry range that seemed to fit my book the best. But it got me thinking about picture books as a genre: at what age do children stop reading picture books? Do they move onto chapter books as soon as they can read more words?
Contrary to popular belief, I believe that picture books can be enjoyed by children that are a lot older than 8, and even by adults (haven’t you yourself enjoyed plenty along the way whilst reading with the kids?).
Picture books are misunderstood and here are the reasons why:
1. Just because a picture book has lots of pictures that doesn’t make it simple. Picture books can explore complex subjects (diversity, bereavement, the environment, identity etc) and often there can be multiple layers of meaning. In fact, there are many that are written for older children rather than toddlers. Some great examples include: Kobi Yamada’s What do you do with a chance?, The Lorax by Dr Seuss, and Penguins Don’t Wear Sweaters! By Marikka Tamura, which was a true story.
2. Children can take away different things from picture books at different stages of their lives. Something that was taken at face value at a younger age can be explored further and have a deeper interpretation later on. My baby daughter loves Todd Parr’s bright colours while her brother gets that it’s okay to be different! Very cool.
3. We are exposing visual art to children with picture books- why would you take that away from them as they reach a certain age? My children often pause to take in the drawings before they start to read/listen to the words on the page and it has truly taught them art literacy. Stories of newly independent readers being turned off reading due to the the lack of pictures in chapter books should be something to keep in mind. A series of chapter books with pictures my son has particularly enjoyed of late is Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder.
4. Visual learners may absorb and understand things better with picture books. Every child is different and pictures can often relay messages and emotions words are not able to.
5. Children are naturally drawn to stories and picture books and often learn many concepts through them, without it seeming like hard work! My kids have been learning Maths, Science, the environment and many other things through picture books- in fact I’m planning on writing a separate blog about this as there are just so many great books I want to share with you!
6. Picture books can lead to a different kind of engagement with children. This quote sums up what I REALLY love about them:
“Sharing picture books with children lead to amazing conversations. In the best picture books there is a gap between the pictures and the words, a gap that is filled by the child’s imagination.”
Key takeaway: picture books are essential for older kids.
Send me a quick email to share your own experiences of reading picture books, reading them with older siblings, transitioning to chapter books and graphic novels etc. and I would love any book recommendations you have!
Jane