The Benefits of Picture Books: Why Every Home Should Have a Collection
While I was a big fan of the library as an adult, as a kid, I wasn’t. It wasn’t that I didn’t love books; it was the exact opposite. I loved them so much that I wanted to own them and fill the shelves of my bedroom bookshelf. Now, I do more of a balance of having shelves filled with books in my home AND taking advantage of all the books the local library offers.
Research shows that having books at home has a positive impact on a child’s academic success and overall well-being. Studies have found that children who grow up in homes with books have higher levels of literacy, better academic performance, and improved cognitive skills.
Picture books are often children’s introduction to the magical world of books. These colorful, imaginative books introduce children to the joys of reading. Add picture books to your home library, encouraging creativity and developing reading skills. Picture books bring exposure to endless possibilities to all ages.
Why Picture Books are Important
Picture books play a crucial role in a child’s early years. Picture books provide entertainment and help kids develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills. They help develop reading and comprehension skills. And picture books help people of all ages practice reading images [visual literacy]. Picture books spark imagination and creativity. Picture books also capture a child’s attention, encouraging them to explore and learn about the world around them.
Picture books help develop children’s reading skills.
Picture books are engaging and provide clues that help kids understand the meaning of the words. The colorful illustrations and simple text introduce letters, words, and basic grammar rules. Illustrations create clues that help kids understand the meaning of new words. Additionally, picture books are fun and engaging, encouraging kids to continue to explore. Reading picture books can help children develop a love for reading.
Add books to your home library that you and your kids love!
Picture books encourage imagination and creativity.
Picture books are full of vivid illustrations that spark the imagination. They encourage the exploration of ideas, characters, and settings. Reading books inspires kids to write their own stories. Have a notebook or recording device to capture their thoughts as you read.
Discuss what characters your child relates to and why. What feelings or actions did the book character display, and what does that mean? Picture books are a great way to help kids explore their feelings.
Examples of picture books that encourage creative thinking
- “Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis – This book celebrates imaginative play and encourages children to think creatively about ordinary objects.
- “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds – This book tells the story of a girl who discovers the power of her creativity and encourages children to explore their creativity.
- “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires tells the story of a girl who sets out to build the most magnificent thing and encourages children to think creatively and persevere in the face of challenges.
- “Journey” by Aaron Becker – This wordless picture book follows a girl on a magical journey and encourages children to use their imaginations to interpret the story.
- “Beautiful Oops!” by Barney Saltzberg – This book encourages children to embrace mistakes and use their creativity to turn mistakes into something beautiful.
Even if you no longer have kids, I suggest keeping some picture books nearby. It’s great for visitors, and picture books are for adults too!