If there is something that can bring nostalgia, it is a picture book. For me, I spent a lot of time at the public library as a child. The librarian in the basement where they kept the juvenile books knew my sisters and me well. Eventually we all volunteered our time there helping with summer programs and reading, reading, reading.
Picture books are memorable for their text as well as their illustrations and photos. Some of the classics are still on shelves and in stores for the next generation. They are inspiration or the basis of parodies. Author and illustrator names are well learned because that is how you find them. If you don't know their name, how do you find them in a library? Then again, emerging readers find them by landmarks. They know that shelf well and will find them again and again. They will flip through the pages of words they have yet to learn how to read for themselves, then wait for someone, anyone, to read the story that unlocks the meaning of the pictures.
A good picture book is one that is repeated over and over. Did you read a certain book until the spine cracked and the pages started to fall out? That is not a sign of abuse; it is use. They are held on with love and comfort, like a baby blanket or stuffed animal.
In any language, at any age, there is a children's picture book that makes a difference. It is the read-aloud with a parent, the artwork that inspires a budding artist, or a masterpiece of creative writing that sparks the writer for the next generation.
I was a writer early on, and my illustrations were more drafts than artwork. My 2D characters had the most U-shaped faces and pigeon toes. I think I wanted to be a teacher more than anything because I wanted to continue being so close to children's books. Reading conferences were like meet-and-greets with celebrities because they are my celebrities. Mo Willems, Tomie dePaola, these guys were authors and illustrators that created something wonderful that I could share over and over again with my children and my other children - my students.
Once I left teaching, I still wanted that connection to children's books. Through one of my freelance assignments, I became acquainted with Smart Kidz Club. This digital book library brings original picture books to children with read-alouds and informational books perfect for classroom reports. I found my niche with a book series on Landmarks of the United States. My character is Patriot, the bald eagle tour guide to flies across the country and takes readers to real places of history, nature, and wonder.
Today is Children's Picture Book Day. You can read to your children and share your favorite picture book. Or even better, let your child select the book they love the most. Make it a vote, make a bracket like in sports to have the best of the best go head to head. Illustrate favorite characters. For example, Mo Willems has step by step videos on YouTube on how to draw Pigeon and other beloved characters.
For voracious readers who can't get enough or young readers who love your device, I have the opportunity for you to access even more children's books. Check out Smart Kidz Club or download the app on iTunes or Google Play. New visitors start with a free 7-day trial to look through the vast library of books that are original and unique. All topics, all genres, all perfect for babies to 5th grade reading levels. If you like it, subscribe so that you can keep your access for either a monthly basis or annual basis.
I am a Literacy Ambassador for Smart Kidz Club, and proud of it. Not only am I happy to publish my own books with the publication, but I love the other books that promote the advancement of early literacy and childhood reading skills with interesting topics and engaging quizzes and activities. I want to share more of Smart Kidz Club with you. When you subscribe to this digital library using the promo word PICTURE, your subscription will be discounted 10%. Cancel at any time, but I feel that your child will find more and more great books that you will go beyond the free trial period. Click here to learn more about bringing books to your child, especially in time for Children's Picture Book Day.
