Trading Pictures for Words

An article in the New York Times today reported that based on sales figures and research, picture books are no longer a staple for children. (Clarificaton of my original post.) I find that incredibly sad if it's true. Seems parents are pushing their young children to put down the colorful, imaginative picture books and move on to reading chapter books. Not that chapter books aren't imaginative - they are, if the reader is old enough to understand the concepts and situations.

But, oh, what those children are missing by not being allowed to wallow in divine illustrations and limited text! All the different types of illustration genres, all the opportunity to breathe life into pictures on a page through imagination, all the beyond-words experiences - missed, to push a child ever onward as quickly as possible. It makes me want to weep. Who are these parents?

Yes, Goodnight, Moon and Dr. Seuss still sell well, but fewer and fewer new offerings are flying off the shelves.

I suggest building up your young child's picture book library. Don't know where to start? Go to the local book store and spend time looking at picture books. My bet is that you'll get stuck there and never want to come out. But if you need more ideas, the New York Public Library has a list of 100 essential picture books here. What memories that list brought back! Strega Nona, Make Way for Ducklings, Corduroy, Miss Nelson is Missing . . . and so many more.

Children's picture books are one of the most creative mediums on the face of the earth. What rich experiences are missed if those picture books are tossed aside for chapter books too soon! Picture books encourage conversation and figuring things out and "this is what I see." Who wants to miss those conversations with your children and grandchildren?

Not me.