Authors and illustrators all over the world rejoice in November, as November is the month we celebrate picture books. As educators, parents and librarians we know the value of a picture book. This community here at Wheeler understands and appreciates the value of a picture book. It is evident in our vast collection, housed in the story room and in our yearly circulation statistics, which last year totaled to 1,558.
Visual literacy is defined as the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visible actions or images, such as pictures. Students here at Wheeler begin this concept in Nursery, but it is in Kindergarten when I begin to name it.
As a member of the library department I am often provided with the opportunity to collaborate with teachers around new curriculum ideas or enhancements. Often times teachers will ask, what picture book can I use to introduce this content?
"Picture books provide a great starting point when introducing new topics and starting meaningful discussions. Picture books also provide entertainment and humor and offer a chance to recharge during the day" Kim Gustafson, 2nd grade Teacher
Picture books become the center of content delivery, build perspective, give students a window into someone else's experience or a mirror in, which they see their selves and their experiences reflected.
"Picture book read alouds are the heart beat of our curriculum. They open our minds to new thinking, offer us windows into the lives of others, and mirrors of our own. They give our community the opportunity to deepen our humanity, create collective understanding and marvel at the ways in which can read the pictures just as much as we can read the words. The best part about read alouds are the conversations that are unplanned and unprompted and reveal just how complex the mind and heart of an Kindergartener can be." Bonnie Calderon, Kindergarten Teacher
In this quote Bonnie references something I explicitly begin to teach in Kindergarten, visual literacy. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, visual literacy is defined as the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visible actions or images, such as pictures. Students here at Wheeler begin this concept in Nursery, but it is in Kindergarten when I begin to name it. By encouraging students to use what they see to gather information and gain an understanding of an idea or concept, we remove all barriers when it comes down to accessing content and engaging in discussions or activities.
Music and Theatre teacher Nicole Jennings shared this sentiment with me, "Picture books are an essential part of my N-1 music classroom. They catapult us to adventures around the world from the comfort of our classroom. One favorite is when we take a musical journey across the globe to make an apple pie, another is when we become musical scientists after reading “The Listening Walk.” We also love to sing our own squiggles courtesy of “The Squiggle.” My music lessons are often inspired by picture books and I am always hunting for new inspiration on our library or my local bookstore!
We have also found that picture books become essential as students and faculty toggle between in person and remote learning. We know with picture books all students are accessing the same content and having the same experience. They allow us to maintain equity within our curriculum.
"Picture books are a great way to engage in person and at home learners simultaneously, especially in our K-2 Aerie classes." Mark Harris, Aerie Teacher
When I began this article, I knew there was no way I could solely express how important picture books are to our Wheeler Community. I asked Lower School teachers to share what picture books mean to them and then added enrichment they bring to the curriculum everyday. Needless to say my inbox was immediately flooded with the many ways teachers use picture books.
Read to your children before bed, during bath time or down time. Broaden their imagination, vocabulary and expose them to the many possibilities a story can bring.
"Picture books are the foundation for everything we do in Pre-K! We use several picture books a day in our classroom to immerse the children into our learning content in fun and intriguing ways. We use them to convey messages, learn new things, and teach us new language and the magic of storytelling." Courtney Thiele, Pre K Teacher
"I use picture books in a variety of the Early Childhood art projects and can't imagine teaching art without this wonderful resource. Stories with pictures are a great way to show the connection between artists and books, point out art techniques, or give background information for a subject we're working with in class. Stories also spark children's imaginations and can be used as a means for inspiring narrative art. Many children's book writers create their own artwork to go with their words. They understand the kind of simple bold shapes that delight young children and help them make all kinds of connections between the two dimensional world of books and the three dimensional world children live in. In my own life, the picture books my mother read to me as a child and the intimate connection we made through our mutual love of pictures, stories and the human voice formed the foundation for my creative life." Sarah Hemenway, Art Teacher
It is my hope you are inspired to continue the work of these amazing teachers and bring picture books into your home. Read to your children before bed, during bath time or down time. Broaden their imagination, vocabulary and expose them to the many possibilities a story can bring. School Library Journal provided this amazing article How to read a picture book, if you are feeling unsure in this process.
As always the library staff is here to get you started or continue your journey of enjoying and celebrating picture books. You can fill out our book request form or email me directly.