Guest Author - Taisha Turner
What are picture books? Picture books are for children between ages 0-8 years-old. They get the name from the pictures in books. Young children have a limited vocabulary. Children use the pictures to follow the story as they learn the words.
Children picture books have forty pages or less. Pictures are vividly colored. The picture book illustrations for infants and toddlers are simple. Preschool and elementary juvenile picture books contain more detail. Illustrators use pens or pencils to sketch in more detail in the older young people's books. Also, at this level, the artists’ color palette expands beyond the eight basic colors.
Board books are a special group of picture books for children. The pages are much thicker than the thin pages in picture books. Small children fingers are unable to turn the pages of picture books and tend to tear the thin pages. Therefore, board books are the first picture books given to infants and toddlers.
Picture books for older children contain more text and complexity. They deal with the emotional and social issues of the age group. At this point, the books are about making friends, going to school, conservation, bullying, responsibility and other issues. In these picture books, children expand their knowledge about the world around them.
Preschool and early elementary children start to read on their own, but the pictures help them comprehend the story and keep their interest. The next books for these children are early reader chapter books. These books are divided into short chapters with a few pen or ink sketches. They prepare readers for reading novels and complicated textbooks.
There are many picture books for children available at each reading level. Chose the correct type for the age group. There are the classic authors such as Dr. Seuss, Don Freeman and H. R Rey. New authors release picture books for children each month. Also, there are many books originally written in other countries in translation.
Children need to have a regular routine. A set bedtime and place to sleep are part of the daily routine. Read a bedtime story as part of the nightly ritual. Read quiet, soothing books to children in their warm, comfortable bed. This allows a child to associate reading with comfort and security. The association will continue a lifetime.
Children Picture Books
Picture Books for Kids
"I always imagined Paradise to be a....library." - Jorgelius Borges
Children's Books
List of Dr. Seuss Books
Don Freeman's Books
Stan Berenstain's Books
List of Magic Tree House Books
Chronicles of Narnia Books
A Series of Unfortunate Events Books
Note: The kids picture books are from the public, friends and my private library.
