Don't Write the Obit For Picture Books Yet
Some of you may have read the New York Times article on the supposed demise of the picture book. Read this article in Publishers Weekly for a more balanced perspective. Most interesting (to me) were the comments on how graphic novels and picture books enhance visual literacy, something definitely considered a 21st century skill.
The idea that picture books are dying away drives me CRAZY! If anything, children need to enhance their ability to interpret visual cues. I love to hear my son Jack, now two, say "Oh, Daddy, Frosty is sad" (as he did tonight!) in a reaction to the PICTURE of Frosty as he must "melt away." There is an emotional intelligence, and clearly critical thinking, that develops as a child interacts with the images.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I could remember the images from "Where the Wild Things Are" prior to re-opening the book (after decades away) to read it for my daughter.