Picture Book Month: My Essay on the Importance of Picture Books

Picture Book Month is happening till the end of the month. My essay on the importance of picture books appeared last November 23, 2013. Here's an excerpt:

When I do author visits in schools and libraries, I make it a point to cover this collaborative process in creating picture books. I think children can learn a lot from this experience especially when they are presented with activities to make their own picture books with classmates and friends. We learn better when we interact with others. In picture books and in creating them, we learn from others too!

For the whole piece, read it here.

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.

Picture Book of the Month Champions: Mike Shoulders and Bobbi Miller

Picture Book Month is up and about and here's what two champions think about picture books and their relevance.

Yes, picture books teach colors, numbers, the cadence of rhythms and rhymes, but also a love of the written word… ALL essentials for eventual success in classrooms and a good life.
                                                        Mike Shoulders, November 2, 2013 PBM Champion

 In reading such picture books, a young reader learns to appreciate the language itself. Language is more than mere words. It’s the rhythms and the patterns, the musicality of language. Studies suggest that language acquisition is keyed to youth, and likewise, we can infer, is language appreciation. Our language reflects what lives inside us: our hopes and dreams, our history and our future.

                                                          Bobbi Miller, November 3, 2013 PBM Champion

And while were at it, I ask you what you're favorite ABC-123 picture book is? What about history that's presented in picture book format? I'll tell you mine next blog post!

Picture Book Month: Read! Share! Celebrate!

“Introducing them at a young age to the imaginary world of literature can plant the seed for a lifetime of exploration and investigation.” – Mercer Mayer from his Picture Book Month Essay

                It’s time! Around the world, schools, libraries, booksellers, and book lovers are coming together to celebrate print picture books throughout the month of November. Now in its third year, the initiative is a viral phenomenon and was even featured on Oprah.com. Thousands joined the celebration creating Picture Book Month events across the United States as well as in Australia, Hungary, India, Jamaica, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Bloggers came together and wrote about their favorite picture books using the daily themes on the Picture Book Month Calendar created by Elizabeth O. Dulemba. A school in Budapest, Hungary read over 6,000 picture books during the 2012 Picture Book Month!

                The website, PictureBookMonth.com, features essays from thought leaders in the children’s literature community. Each day in November, a new essay is posted. This year’s Picture Book Month Champions are: David Adler, Dianna Aston, Rick Anderson, Larry Dane Brimner, Julie Danielson, Carmen Agra Deedy, Tomie dePaola, Emma Walton Hamilton, Rebecca Emberly, Sue Fliess, Zarah Gagatiga, Candace Fleming, Lee Harper, Jannie Ho, Steve Jenkins, Daniel Kirk, Jesse Klausmeier, Mercer Mayer, Bobbi Miller, Wendell Minor, Hazel G. Mitchell, Jerry Pinkney, Robert Quackenbush, April Pulley Sayre, Rob Scotton, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Michael Shoulders, Wendi Silvano, Heidi Stemple, and Rosemary Wells.

                Support for the initiative continues with partners such as the American Booksellers Association, the American Association of School, the Children’s Book Council, Reading is Fundamental, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators as well as industry trade journals such as Hornbook and School Library Journal. A downloadable promotional kit is available as well as certificates, posters, and bookmarks created by Joyce Wan. Brain Burps About Books Podcast, the #1 kidlit podcast on iTunes, is dedicating the entire month of November to Picture Book Month. Picture Book Month even has a new Teacher Guide created by Marcie Colleen.

                Founder Dianne de Las Casas says, “We’ve had a record number of registrations this year. I know it’s going to be an exciting celebration!”

                Join the celebration! Visit www.picturebookmonth.com.

“A childhood is enriched by the memories that reside within the covers of a favourite book.” – Rob Scotton from his Picture Book Month Essay

“Celebrate the magic that happens when words and pictures come together to tell you a story.” – Rebecca Emberley from her Picture Book Month Essay

Picture Book Month 2013 Champion: Tomie dePaola

Head on to the website of http://picturebookmonth.com/">Picture Book Month
where you'll read http://picturebookmonth.com/2013/11/why-picture-books-are-important-by-tomie-depaola/">Tomie dePaola's explanation on the importance of picture books
. Here's an excerpt that touched my heart -

I propose that Picture Books can be great art and great art makes for a great people and a great society. Perhaps this is not necessarily true, but would this attitude be so damaging? I think not.

Tomie dePaola is known among Filipino school librarians and teachers as the author of Strega Nona, The Pop Corn Book, and The Clown of God to mention a few. He whips up another magical tale in his new book Strega Nona Does It Again.

My short take on the importance of picture books will be posted on November 23. My Daddy! My One and Only (Lampara Books, 2013) a book I wrote with illustrations by the very talented Jomike Tejido, is the featured book of the day.

If you are celebrating Picture Book Month, blog or tweet about your activities. Use the hashtag #picturebookmonth. Tag me if you upload pictures and activities over at FB. You can also visit the website of Picture Book Month (PBM) and tell Dianne De LasCasas, founder of PBM, of your activities.

Read! Share! Celebrate!

November 2013 is Picture Book Month

Celebrate with Picture Books! Read * Share * Celebrate!

There's a calendar that can be downloaded in the Picture Book Month website. It is beautiful! The calendar is designed by Elizabeth O. Delumba. Register now and plan activities to celebrate literacy through picture books this coming November.

Picture Book Ambassadors

November is Picture Book Month and I'm one of its ambassadors! Here's the official press release from Dianne de Las Cassas, founder and number one champion of Picture Book Month.

Friends:
I am sooo excited about Picture Book Month this year. We have confirmed David Adler, Dianna Aston, Rick Anderson, Larry Dane Brimner, Julie Danielson, Carmen Agra Deedy, Tomie dePaola, Rebecca Emberly, Sue Fliess, Zarah Gagatiga, Candace Fleming, Lee Harper, Jannie Ho, Steve Jenkins, Daniel Kirk, Jesse Klausmeier, Mercer Mayer, Bobbi Miller, Wendell Minor, Hazel G. Mitchell, Jerry Pinkney, Robert Quackenbush, Rob Scotton, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Michael Shoulders, Wendi Silvano, Heidi Stemple, and Rosemary Wells. Stay tuned for more to come!

Go the http://picturebookmonth.com/">website
for more information
, promo kits and activity ideas for your school and library!