Celebrate International Picture Book Month

Picture Books Bring Joy

At the end of 2018, a children’s book went viral due to a carefree, fun-loving Scottish grandma sharing it with her baby grandson. Her pure joy resonated with the public who quickly brought The Wonky Donkey onto the bestsellers list.  I’m sure the author loved this spontaneous notoriety, but librarians loved it as well! That four-minute video perfectly depicts the joy picture books provide to children and adults alike.

According to the website, Picture Book Month is an “international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November.” The movement to celebrate print picture books was born out of the growing concern that there would come a day when the public would see the end of print books. But as the saying goes, “There’s no app to replace your lap!” 

Cuddling up with your child and sharing picture books can help you forge a deeper bond. At the same time, the books themselves help to teach acceptance and coping skills, build empathy and self-confidence and reinforce literacy skill development. In addition to all of that, picture books are simply good all-around fun! 

If you’re looking for some titles to try, check out a few of these at your local CADL branch:

Off the wall humor:   

I am not a Chair by Ross Burach

Unicorn thinks he’s pretty Great by Bob Shea

Wolves by Emily Gravett

Mr. Nogginbody gets a Hammer by David Shannon

Parts by Tedd Arnold

Books that will make you go Aww:

Cute and Cuter by Michael Townsend  

Mr. Pusskins: A love story by Sam Lloyd

The Good Egg by Jory John

Leonardo, the terrible monster by Mo Willems

Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard

In case you missed it:

Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal      

Neck & Neck by Elise Parsley

Moo! by David LaRochelle

The legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt

Those darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin

Cassie V., Youth Services Librarian at CADL Downtown Lansing