Picture Book Month 2013 Round Up of Champions: Nov. 4 - 7, 2013

Fantastic ideas and thoughts on picture books!

Picture books are important because pictures are what initially attract a child to a book and, from there, to the whole process of reading.
 
Larry Dane Brimmer, Nov. 4, 2013


I am baffled that there exists the debate of “either/or” when it comes to picture books as actual books versus ebooks. It seems to me that we are talking about two very different things, and hopefully, both have their place in the world. I would love to see the ebook evolve into something that works with and/or complements the book, rather than compete with and try to be a facimile or skeuomorph of the physical book. Just as there are many ways in which the ebook can not duplicate the wonders of the physical book (i.e. trim size, page turn, tactile experience, etc.), similarly, there are ways in which the physical book can not duplicate the potential wonders of an electronic supplement to the story (i.e. animation, sound effects, interactivity,etc.)

Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Nov. 5, 2013

Picture books give the reader a chance to be a part of the story, controlling the pace by deciding when to turn the page, when to linger over a special word or sentence, when to leap ahead or jump back in the story, and when a book is really good, to turn back to page one and start reading all over again. In real life, we can’t do these things.

Daniel Kirk, Nov. 6, 2013

And because they’re picture books, the words tell only half the story. The rest is revealed by the art, which helps kids notice details in the world around them, plants the seeds for art appreciation, and teaches them to look beyond words for emotional clues with respect to communication.

Emma Walton Hamilton, Nov. 7, 2013

Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November.